Good Morning.

I have just consumed what can only be described as a very good breakfast. The black pudding in Spain is called Morcilla and the most famous in Spain is ‘Morcilla de Burgos’. This delicacy actually has rice in it, along with pig’s blood, fat, spices, etc. The more common black pudding is made using onion, fat, and pig’s blood. Offal isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I love the stuff; liver, kidney, you name it! I tend to vary my breakfasts, enjoying cereal, toast, fruit, and pastries, but I do think I enjoy a cooked breakfast more when I am fishing, especially after some pretty wet weather.

Here comes a big big storm!

Since my last run on Thursday evening, I was slightly disappointed that the action had dried up, despite the weather getting wetter. I have seen this before on many lakes after some pretty dreadful weather. The strong winds probably moved most of the fish out of this huge bay and into the narrower river section further to my left. I did notice throughout yesterday however, that the fish seemed to be returning to their holding area, out in front of me amongst lots of trees. The fish seem to enjoy this area as it is relatively safe, the water is slightly deeper, and the fish have plenty of features to enjoy. To fish to this area is possible with a long cast, but it would be totally irresponsible as there are so many trees in between you and the fish. If the fish kites one way or the other, then you have lost it, and the fish are not stupid here. I do occasionally see bad practices being done, with people using boats, and fishing too close to snags, or in places they shouldn’t be, but then they lose most of their fish. It’s simple really! You either fish for takes or you fish for carp – I fish for carp.

“Where’s my Kindle? I could read about Lassie!”

The waiting since Thursday evening, for the action to resume, has certainly been eased by my Kindle. I am reading the third book in the trilogy by Stieg Larson with the infallible character Lisbeth Salander. I am pleased to say that the non-smoking is not bothering me at all anymore. Once you get the ridiculous associations that you place with cigarettes and activities, out of your head, then it all becomes much easier. I am lucky that I do have a very high metabolism, so the fact eating has become a scapegoat for nicotine won’t cause me too many problems. I am spombing every two hours for starters, so that is exercise enough. I also have some light dumbbells with me, because as I mentioned in my first post of this series, I have to do physiotherapy for my chest. It is all in a day’s fishing for me!

He’s back – the friendly unhooking mat viper!

I am pleased to say that the action did resume this morning. Even though the fish had seemed to disappear, I kept the bait trickling in, since it had slowed up. I did make one change yesterday and I switched all of my rods to the 360 rig with two yellow pop-ups on each. I know I didn’t need to change anything but sometimes it makes us feel better if we try a different line of attack.

A long, lean, dark machine!

The first take arrived and a good fight took place to begin with. The fish then kited into the edge and was quickly netted. I recast the rod, but put out a rig and bait presentation I had already made up on the spare rod. This time the snowman on a blow-back rig was cast back to my landscape marker. As I attended to the other fish the 26mm bottom bait and a 20mm pop-up was picked up and another solid battle began. The fish pulled extremely hard to begin with but I managed to turn the carp’s head and brought it back towards me. I stood in the water watching the line, as the fish then ripped line of the spool at regular intervals. The powerful runs finally ebbed and I slipped the net under the second carp in the early dawn hours.

And the mirror to make up a terrific brace of dawn carp.

I weighed each fish in turn and slipped them into the recovery slings, and then prepared my camera on the tripod. The common weighed 27lb 12oz and the mirror weighed 31lb 4oz. I noticed the scale pattern on the mirror and suddenly recognised it as the mirror I caught on Thursday morning when he weighed 30lb 4oz. He probably had a pound of my spomb mix inside of him! I never get surprised with repeat captures anymore. I have had so many in my career, and I enjoy the captures as if it was the first time we met. However, it is slightly against the odds to have a repeat capture quite so soon at Sierra Brava, considering the vast numbers of carp that swim in here; but then I have been here for 5 nights, he probably likes my bait, and he probably likes the area I am fishing to!

Haven’t I see you recently?

After the self-take pictures were done, and each fish was released; I then sorted out all of my equipment. I thought about topping up my other two spots but decided against it, as I never like to disturb the swim in the morning till at least 11am. It was a wise decision as whilst I waited for my kettle to boil, my left hand rod beeped. I watched as the tip bounced, bounced once more, then the tip started to slowly pull forwards. I had my Wellington’s on and was on the rod before the fish took any line whatsoever.

I managed to stop this fish in its tracks quite easily and then it came in quickly. I presumed it was a pasty but then the fight began in the margins. It put up a really good show of courage as it swished its tail and shook its head in an attempt to dislodge the metal in its mouth. To no avail however, as I guided him into the folds of my outstretched net.

I have been playing all of my fish on the Sonik SK3 2.5lb/tc rods. They really are a lovely rod to play fish with, especially when you are trying to stop a fish at close range. I am fishing at approximately 55 yards and when a 20lb+ Spanish carp wants to show you his strength, you certainly feel it on the other end. They also go off with such speed, and with a stiffer rod you will suffer from lots of hook pulls. I can probably allow the fish a few yards but I begin to try to stop them moving immediately, as if you don’t let them get their heads down, they can’t build up their speed. This is another reason I fish with the baitrunner tight and the rod tips high. I see the tip bending before the fish takes any line.

Completing the hat rick with a super looking common weighing 26lb 10oz..

The third carp of the morning period was a stunning and classic looking example of the Brava commons. My first common today was quite dark and an unusual shape for Brava, and I have to admit out of the two I prefer the darker one. I photographed the golden looking specimen and returned him back to his watery hole. Maybe we will meet again too, one day, but I think the fish will be much harder to identify!

The Brava half-pounder burger with cheese, served with fried potatoes!

I am now going to enjoy the rest of my Sunday. I am halfway through my book, I have already made a batch of spomb mix up, and of course I have some good food to enjoy.

Back tomorrow.

Jake Langley-Hobbs