OCTOBER

Dom and Mal returned, this time both wanted to stick it out for big fish. Last trip Dom had a PB Mirror at over 43 lb and a Common around 40, but it wasn’t to happen this trip!! They managed 3 days fishing out of the week due to very heavy rains, storms and high winds, what a nightmare, good on the ´office boys´ for sticking it out.

The kiss of death was probably Mal asking ´when was the last time you had a group blank?´   ´The only fish was to my rods with this 41.5lb Common, hope you get better luck next visit boys.

Dave was back again bringing a great present with him. Most of our prepared meals do have vegetables in them; however he thought we could do with a steaming kit. It’s now so much easier to prepare a meat n veg dinner, just like this Lamb dish.

This dish was prepared inside a bivvy whilst a storm was brewing outside, however we managed to get the meal over before the full strength of the storm hit us. Dave slept on a chair in my bivvy as the storm hit us, why he thought mine was safer than his I don’t know. It was crazy with wind gusting to over 80km/hr, a couple of times we ran round all the pegs to make sure they hadn’t vibrated loose – we survived it.

Enough of that for now, about the fishing  - Dave suggested a little bet (he was alone I was going to fishing with him), probably because he did so well last year as he had plenty of fish to 46lb on his first Carp fishing session.

He suggested a 2 way bet between us, biggest fish and total weight. Loser of the bet would pay for the final night T bone steak and the other pay for the nights beers. He got off to a cracking start – at one stage he had around a 85lb - O lead. Heres some of his fish, at one stage he had 4 fish for over 110lb, one being a Barbel at 30lb 8oz, nice surprise. 

It didn’t last for long; I caught steadily with most fish over 30 lb to take both biggest fish and most weight with these fish. The fishing was hard, however we had plenty of laughs and good food. The question is will Dave suggest a bet next year? We will see, looking forward to his next visit, it was a great steak, even better being bought for me lol

Stu came up for a 3 day session, again bad fishing conditions, easterly winds and hot. Whats going on with the weather, when’s it going to give us a break???? The session was hard,  I couldn’t get a run whilst Stu´s only run was from this 15.5lb Comizo Barbel, the first Comizo out of Orellana I have never seen  in 7 yrs, so what a surprise, especially for 5pm in hot sunny conditions. Well done Stu

What another hard week, easterly breeze, full moon and hot everyday with temperatures around 34 deg every day. Nevertheless the Dutch lads did ok considering.

 

 Erwin banking a new PB again, last year he had one at 46.5lb and this year he upped it a little to 48lb and a lovely looking fish too. Erik had 4 fish all 30´s, biggest weighing in at 38.5lb a couple of pounds below his PB, well done Pretty boy.  It was, as always great to see the lads and enjoy a few beers with them, they like to enjoy their time here, catching fish is a bonus. See you next year lads.

After the lads left, Craig managed to get an evening fishing with mate Chino.

Chino was with his missus and little Carlos (18 months) so he thought he would join them for a couple of beers and chuck out the rods. Chino found the smaller fish were moving and even starting to feed a little, he had 6 runs with fish to 28lb, Craig baited up with Vital Baits boilies and had one run, this 32lb 8oz common, Not bad as it was a finca they haven’t fished for a couple of years and no prebaiting.

Let’s hope the weather changes soon, regular Stu is coming up for a social but fresh easterly winds are forecast for the week.

SEPTEMBER UPDATE

We have had a high pressure drifting over us for weeks now, no wind, hot – up to 38 degrees and no rain for months. The water needs oxygenating, but we are struggling on.

At the moment we have out a couple of pleasure anglers, they’re getting the odd fish- small Carp, Barbel and Crucian Carp. Mikes had several Carp to around 12lb - great fun on light tackle -  whilst ´ugly bloke Ian´ has had up to 18 fish a day consisting of Crucians averaging over 3lb and carp to double figures.   

I say ´ugly bloke Ian´ as he was called this by a little English boy whilst enjoying a beer in a bar. Ian said ´Fancy travelling all the way here to b e called ´ugly´ by an English Kid  - an ugly English kid at that´

 Next week sees the return of the 3 regular daft Dutch lads and back to Carp fishing, let’s hope theres a change in the weather, not that it’s forecasted another week of the dreaded easterly winds… Either way we are looking forward to seeing them again.

 Arthur (A young 72) visits us once a year with friend Tony (68) and fish an area of the lake where there’s lots of smaller fish around the 25lb mark. Due to the conditions they struggled and only had 9 runs in 5 days, however every now and then the area produces a bigger fish, and it was Arthur who got lucky with this PB 40lb Orellana Common. Well done mate.

As it was slow due to the abnormally hot weather, they joined Craig in an area for bigger fish. 

It was also hard work; however Craig managed the only 2 runs in the 3 days, one being the 59lb12oz Common that nearly dragged poor Arthur into the lake when it was in the landing net. We are not into naming fish, but this one was nicknamed - Tyson.

It never stopped fighting, even in the cradle, an animal. Not the best of looking fish at 59 lb 12 oz, but Craigs Orellana PB.

He has the luck this year, in 9 days fishing Feb and March he had 48lb, 46lb 4 oz, 44lb, 41lb 12oz, 40lb

Craigs 48lb Orellana carp, biggest of a 60 hour session in March. Also had a 39, 38.5, 36, 33, seven 20s and a couple of upper teens

Craig was asked to do a presentation on Carp fishing at a Fair in the area. Pedro Luengo, president of local Carp fishing Club Talacarp had asked us the last couple of years, but we never managed to get there due to being busy. Arthur and Tony wandered around as Craig showed anglers end tackle and explained about counter balanced baits and pop-ups.

Here´s Craig talking to a local Police officer about bait presentation, but what’s that face about!!!