It's been a while since I have got my lines wet so when Duane the head bailiff
at Cottington asked if I fancied a 48hr session on Pepper lake I jumped at the
chance, I arrived at the venue called into see Paul at the tackle shop who
informed me that several thirties had been out during the weekend just what I
needed to hear, met up with Duane and after a quick cup of tea we headed off to
the lake a northerly wind was blowing due to turn Northeast the following day
and with no signs of fish we decided to fish the pegs and fish at the back of
the wind, Duane knows the lake very well and was at the construction of the
extension to the lake. Duane chose swim 15 and I opted for peg 14 the swims are
well placed and plenty of room, Duane showed me a couple of spots then back for
another cuppa while we waited for the weekend anglers to depart, I was set up
and rods out in record time Duane had to wait as I was putting the last bits
into my bivvy one of the regulars approached me saying that he had never seen a
fish caught from my swim "great" just what I wanted to hear thoughts of Duane
stitching me up filled my head. However we were both using Premier Baits Quad
Boilies so my confidence was boosted by this fact, this bait not only looks good
it smells great. Duane had a common of approximately 18lb the first night I just
had a few liners on my right hand rod so the following day I recast a little
shorter with this rod which was in 10ft of water just off an island then at
3.15pm my right hand indicator slowly rose to the butt and stayed there as I
picked up the rod and pulled into it, the fish just tore off taking several
yards of line it was soon under control and came in nicely only to head straight
up the margins under my left hand rod dipping my rod below the surface I managed
to turn the fish which then plodded around under the rod for some time until I
slipped the net under it. Duane had walked up by this time so was on hand to
assist in the weighing and photographing of the fish which was a stunning
32lb-15oz Mirror. A quite night for both of us that was until Duane phoned me up
at 06.00am in a bit of a state to say the least saying he had landed a lump
gathering my camera I went straight to assist him he was a bit shocked and when
the scales settled on 40lb-0oz I thought his legs were going to give way any
minute, he was one happy angler, the fish was a heavily scaled mirror and
another stunning looking carp which Cottington is now famous for. As for myself
since the new extension I have struggled to get amongst the big ones but I too
went away a happy angler.