You won't win anything with kids (4 pb's)

Date fished 5/8/2020

9am until 14.30pm

The annual family holiday in Dorset could mean only one thing, the family fishing trip! 3 adults and 3 kids carp fishing at Potwell lake in Broadwindsor. 

Me, Rupe, Martha, Uncle (Dave)Dawson, Nephew Sam and Davey completed the line up. 

Not even the persistent drizzle could dampen our spirits as we set off to the venue. At only a mile from my parents house, it didn't matter if we forgot anything!

Arriving just a few mins after 9, we unloaded the car and walked to the lake. As the rain was heavyish, we opted for a close swim, knowing we could retreat to the car if needed. As I tackled up Mr Whippy for Martha to use, Rupe set up his own rod. I helped with the hook and float and soon they were both fishing. Sweetcorn and small cubes of meat being on the menu, we just had to wait for our fish diners.  

Setting up in close swims all 6 of us were soon tackled up and fishing away. I was ledgering small cubes of meat whilst all the others float fished their bait. As is always the way, Mr Whippy was first to bring luck to its user and Martha was soon holding on whilst a large carp tried to drag her in! She played it well and soon had a 4lb 8oz carp in the net! It was the biggest fish Martha has ever caught, dwarfing the small silver's she has caught in Hexham. Her first carp and obvioulsy a pb. 

All spurred on by Martha's fish, we got back to our rods to see if the boys could catch up. 

It was my rod that wrapped around, a small skimmer trying to pretend it was a bigger fish! 

Martha telling Daddy "that' small"

A second skimmer for me and it was soon time to stop for lunch.  The Cornish pasty was still warm, it definitely hit the spot on this drizzly day.  It was Uncle Dawson's turn next, he caught a small skimmer too that Sam held up for the camera.

The afternoon remained dry and soon we were all feeding and clearly having interest. The area around us was dotted with silt clouds where fish were feeding on the bottom.  The sound of Uncle Dawson's drag soon interrupted us. A strong fish powering away from his swim. He played it skilfully and Sam soon netted another carp. At 5lb, and another pb, the boys were now in the lead! 

We continued to feed and after a few missed bites, Rupe finally connected.  This was clearly bigger again. The fish fought long and hard and again after playing it well, a great carp lay in the net. This weighed 8lb 8oz, Rupes first Carp. What a fish! Another pb. The third today. 

Rupe and Martha had given up on fishing now. They had caught "proper" fish and sat back to watch us try. I caught another small skimmer, would the carp evade me all day I thought? 

A cry from Dawson as Sam's rod shot forward into the lake as a proper fish used it for a water ski. We watched as the fish took the rod for a tour around the lake. It was a few minutes and the rod was close to the far bank, a quick jog around there and I managed to net the rod. With a broken handle and no ability to take up the line, I helped Sam and we soon netted the culprit. Sam's first carp, 6lb it went on the scales and a fourth pb! 

It was all getting a bit National Lampoon goes fishing, so when Dawson snapped the end of Davey's rod as he carried it back around the lake we all figured it was time to pack up.

We all had a great day, caught some cracking fish and had fun doing it. Not quite sure we are ready for "A passion for Angling" episode about us, but no one can deny who was top of the league today!