Winter Session Cut Short

Arriving at Todber Manor Fisheries on Little Hayes Lake for a planned 72-hour session, I started with a full lap of the lake, looking for a swim I could settle into for a few days. Unfortunately, the lake was busy and only two swims were available. I opted for Swim 2 — on the back of the wind but tucked behind an island. Not ideal, but the only other option was also behind an island and facing a cold wind, so this felt like the lesser of two evils.

Once set up, I cast out three rigs — lead clips with simple knotless knot rigs, purely because that’s what was already tied on the rods. Hookbaits were pink Betalin+ wafters, which have always done well for me at Todber.

A few hours into darkness, the first fish arrived — an 11lb character carp.



The rod went straight back out on a solid PVA bag filled with Mini Combo Pellet, again finished off with a pink Betalin+ wafter. Just before sunrise, fish number two was in the net — a cracking 21lb carp that was more than welcome in the cold conditions.



The rest of the day passed quietly, and for the second night all rods were redeployed on solid PVA bags once again. At 2am, with the thermometer reading a bitter -1°C, fish number three made its way into the net — a superb 20lb 2oz common.



When I woke the following morning, which should have been the start of day three, it was clear the session was over. The lake had frozen overnight, and with temperatures only dropping further, there was no choice but to pack up. After breaking the ice to retrieve my lines, I headed home feeling more than satisfied — three fish banked in harsh winter conditions from a very limited bit of water.

Chris

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