With an ‘Inside the mind’ title for this series I felt at some point I ought to give some insight into the type of carp angling (and the sort of carp) that really put the fire in my belly… the ones that get me out of bed at ridiculous hours of the morning and in all weathers just to indulge in my passion. I hope in the following pages to explain the mindset and the processes I go through to help to achieve my angling ambitions outside of my day to day life, carp fishing is in the blood and consumes a huge amount of time and energy, but I do lead a pretty normal life outside of my angling… like most of you I assume!

The ultimate aim in my angling for many years now is to outwit and ultimately hold for a brief moment very desirable and challenging carp from the UK arena and savour every step of the journey to that end. This sort of high intensity thought provoking angling usually, if not always involves a campaign of some sort! In the following pages I will talk you through how I have approached these challenges over the years in some detail… a little insight into my world and hopefully a little inspiration, or at least ideas, for your own angling going forward.

We all want different things from our angling experiences and all have different goals and aspirations, usually dependent on the many factors that govern our lives. Work schedules, family commitments, finances and a whole variety of other factors are considerations when deciding what is achievable or attainable in any given year. For sure, a lot of folk are very happy to fish for whatever comes along on their chosen local venue, the escapism and time on the bank a welcome break from the working week. Something to look forward to on a Friday evening and a time to chill out, enjoy a bit of the countryside with the chance of a fish or two along the way. Carp angling has a funny way of getting right under your skin though, and every now and then, the urge to take things a step further and push yourself a little more takes over and the desire to hunt specific target fish can be like a drug… once it’s in your blood and all that! So, what are the considerations and how can you apply yourself to a new challenge? Let’s have a look at the high-stakes world of campaign angling and what it entails…

TARGET FISH

The first and possibly most important consideration is the carp you wish to pursue. Turn the clock back a number of decades and the choice of big fish venues across the country was far less than it is by todays standards. There were maybe just a small handful of what would have been considered big fish venues and possibly only one or two really big target fish spread across various counties… these days the choice is vast and ever changing. With a little digging and some considerate questions, there will always be a particular carp that will catch your eye in a venue close to home. With campaign angling, that carp has to have all the attributes that will push you to make all the little sacrifices and put in maximum effort despite the many setbacks and obstacles that will almost certainly be put in your way during the following months or maybe years it takes to achieve your ambition. For some, size is everything and a huge fish will be all it takes. For others, looks, age, rarity etc. will come into play… and if you can get that all rolled into one package you have hit the jackpot!

TARGET FISH

The first and possibly most important consideration is the carp you wish to pursue. Turn the clock back a number of decades and the choice of big fish venues across the country was far less than it is by todays standards. There were maybe just a small handful of what would have been considered big fish venues and possibly only one or two really big target fish spread across various counties… these days the choice is vast and ever changing. With a little digging and some considerate questions, there will always be a particular carp that will catch your eye in a venue close to home. With campaign angling, that carp has to have all the attributes that will push you to make all the little sacrifices and put in maximum effort despite the many setbacks and obstacles that will almost certainly be put in your way during the following months or maybe years it takes to achieve your ambition. For some, size is everything and a huge fish will be all it takes. For others, looks, age, rarity etc. will come into play… and if you can get that all rolled into one package you have hit the jackpot!

STOCK COUNT

The second example I can give of choosing a campaign venue is big stock. For many, the thought of chasing one fish on a low stock venue just doesn’t cut the mustard. These days there are many so called super waters with high levels of big fish to go at. These waters offer a different challenge and is somewhat more attractive to those who just want to concentrate on a venue for a number of years and accumulate numbers of bites with a good return and a bulging album of carp, value for money lets say! So, the choices are there, you just have to take what’s right for you. As I say, this choice is critically important as we are going down the route of putting a lot of effort, finance and ultimately time into chasing this dream!

STOCK COUNT

The second example I can give of choosing a campaign venue is big stock. For many, the thought of chasing one fish on a low stock venue just doesn’t cut the mustard. These days there are many so called super waters with high levels of big fish to go at. These waters offer a different challenge and is somewhat more attractive to those who just want to concentrate on a venue for a number of years and accumulate numbers of bites with a good return and a bulging album of carp, value for money lets say! So, the choices are there, you just have to take what’s right for you. As I say, this choice is critically important as we are going down the route of putting a lot of effort, finance and ultimately time into chasing this dream!

VENUE STUDY

Once a particular carp or venue has been earmarked for attention the next thing to do is take a look into the venue, it’s history and then take a look at the lake itself. Is it a club water or syndicate? Either way, is there a waiting list in operation or can you access a ticket for the new season? I always look into venues well in advance of wanting to actually fish them and apply for tickets as soon as is possible, gaining tickets its often the hardest bit these days as demand is so high and it’s good to be one step ahead, you never can tell when your current campaign may come to an end.

I always like to have a good look at the lake first, a prior walk round with a current member or fishery owner is gold dust. There have been a number of venues I have earmarked in the past that despite containing some nice old carp, the atmosphere and environment just wasn’t for me… it all has to gel together if I’m spending precious time and resources somewhere. Make sure you like the place first to save an expensive mistake!

VENUE STUDY

Once a particular carp or venue has been earmarked for attention the next thing to do is take a look into the venue, it’s history and then take a look at the lake itself. Is it a club water or syndicate? Either way, is there a waiting list in operation or can you access a ticket for the new season? I always look into venues well in advance of wanting to actually fish them and apply for tickets as soon as is possible, gaining tickets its often the hardest bit these days as demand is so high and it’s good to be one step ahead, you never can tell when your current campaign may come to an end.

I always like to have a good look at the lake first, a prior walk round with a current member or fishery owner is gold dust. There have been a number of venues I have earmarked in the past that despite containing some nice old carp, the atmosphere and environment just wasn’t for me… it all has to gel together if I’m spending precious time and resources somewhere. Make sure you like the place first to save an expensive mistake!

The next thing we need to look at is achievability… I will break this down into sub-headings.

1. TRAVEL TIMES

How far is the venue from home or work and what are the drive times like? The last thing you want to do is commit to something that will be ok in the short term but turn into a chore going forward! Set some sort of limit or radius to your locality and stick with these achievable boundaries. I always found that I was more likely to visit venues after or before work or for little baiting missions if I could still maintain a normal life i.e. not returning home at 2am etc.!

"Despite everything, things don’t always go to plan! Always pre-empt the inevitable when clocking up a lot of miles!"

1. TRAVEL TIMES

How far is the venue from home or work and what are the drive times like? The last thing you want to do is commit to something that will be ok in the short term but turn into a chore going forward! Set some sort of limit or radius to your locality and stick with these achievable boundaries. I always found that I was more likely to visit venues after or before work or for little baiting missions if I could still maintain a normal life i.e. not returning home at 2am etc.!

"Despite everything, things don’t always go to plan! Always pre-empt the inevitable when clocking up a lot of miles!"

2. FAMILY/JOB

Angling has to fit within the constraints of family time and job roles. Will the venue be quiet enough if you only have the weekends to fish, or does your job role allow you to do midweek overnighters etc.? Time is a great leveller in these campaigns and you have to look seriously at what you can achieve and the best use of your time. When I was a full-time firefighter working 48 hour shifts and campaign angling on Conningbrook for instance, I felt my best use of time was to fish mainly overnight trips split twice a week to give me the best chance of getting on fish on the right weather conditions. Plus, it allowed me to get bait in more regular in different zones. If the weather came good or the fish were active I would cash in some holiday time from work or ‘Brownie’ points with my wife and take advantage of the situation if I could!

2. FAMILY/JOB

Angling has to fit within the constraints of family time and job roles. Will the venue be quiet enough if you only have the weekends to fish, or does your job role allow you to do midweek overnighters etc.? Time is a great leveller in these campaigns and you have to look seriously at what you can achieve and the best use of your time. When I was a full-time firefighter working 48 hour shifts and campaign angling on Conningbrook for instance, I felt my best use of time was to fish mainly overnight trips split twice a week to give me the best chance of getting on fish on the right weather conditions. Plus, it allowed me to get bait in more regular in different zones. If the weather came good or the fish were active I would cash in some holiday time from work or ‘Brownie’ points with my wife and take advantage of the situation if I could!

3. COSTS

Big carp campaign angling is not a cheap business by any stretch of the imagination. Ticket prices are rising all the while, as are fuel costs. It is a wise man who takes all the factors into account before setting off down the road on some hair-brained adventure… a fool who gets on that same road and then realises he can’t even reach his destination let alone get back home!

Do the calculations, factor in a contingency and fish within your means. Think about the approach to the chosen venue and how much fuel you will use per week. Then think of the baiting strategy and how much that is liable to cost over the course of a season plus any specialist tackle you may require or new items you may need to add to your armoury… it all adds up and suddenly Christmas next year could be looking very bleak! Fish within your means.

3. COSTS

Big carp campaign angling is not a cheap business by any stretch of the imagination. Ticket prices are rising all the while, as are fuel costs. It is a wise man who takes all the factors into account before setting off down the road on some hair-brained adventure… a fool who gets on that same road and then realises he can’t even reach his destination let alone get back home!

Do the calculations, factor in a contingency and fish within your means. Think about the approach to the chosen venue and how much fuel you will use per week. Then think of the baiting strategy and how much that is liable to cost over the course of a season plus any specialist tackle you may require or new items you may need to add to your armoury… it all adds up and suddenly Christmas next year could be looking very bleak! Fish within your means.

4. SUSTAINABILITY

So, this is all those subheadings above rolled into one… how sustainable is the dream? Can you carry through with the plans taking everything above into account and this is long before the trials and tribulations of the actual fishing scenarios. Unless you get really lucky (as is sometimes the way) a target fish can take you from just a few months angling right through to a few seasons and once committed you will not want to stop until you reach the end goal… that’s why everything above is of utmost importance.

"Champagne corks... little momento's and the culmination of four of my most intense campaigns."

4. SUSTAINABILITY

So, this is all those subheadings above rolled into one… how sustainable is the dream? Can you carry through with the plans taking everything above into account and this is long before the trials and tribulations of the actual fishing scenarios. Unless you get really lucky (as is sometimes the way) a target fish can take you from just a few months angling right through to a few seasons and once committed you will not want to stop until you reach the end goal… that’s why everything above is of utmost importance.

"Champagne corks... little momento's and the culmination of four of my most intense campaigns."

That’s the hard bit out of the way, now for the fun bits!

PREPARATION

Once we have procured the ticket for the chosen venue the first thing to plan in is a recce trip. I really love this bit as the whole adventure is laying ahead of you and as we all have an imagination this is the time to let it run riot with all the possibilities and start to get into the whole vibe of the campaign. I begin by looking at google earth and the whole area surrounding the lake especially if I am unfamiliar with the zone. I want to know how the lake lies on the compass and any likely looking areas of note such as islands, bays, visible bars, plateau weed-beds etc. If you use the timeline on google earth you can go back to various years and the overhead view may be better for visibility etc. Well worth checking. I will pin-drop the various useful amenities in the area such as fuel stations, supermarkets, tackle shops and of course… the best local pub!

Depending on when the ticket starts I usually like to make an early visit before the weather turns prime and get a proper feel for the place, even taking a marker/leading rod to make a bit of headway with feature finding and topography. I use my phone notes and camera for marking/referencing any interesting zones then I will make further notes in a pad when I get home as a back-up. All this information will stand you in good stead as the campaign progresses.

"The Brute at 48.8lbs - A short but sweet campaign that soon produced the bite I was after. With a bit of history learned and a lot of observation, targeting that fish was academic... big fishmeals out in the pond!"

With all your prior homework now done, you should have a fair idea of the way you will be fishing on the chosen venue. For instance, if it is a small intimate place, you will unlikely need big pit tackle/boating equipment etc. It is now that I tailor my kit to the job at hand and prep everything to the style of angling I am likely to be confronted with. Everything is an option moving forward and I will let that evolve as time ticks by.

More than likely on most venues these days, I start off with a very mobile and responsive approach. I want to fish as many areas as possible as quickly as possible to get a real essence of the place, being on the carp is top priority as always and the mobile and watchful angler is always in with a good chance of working things out quickly before the campers if you like. Do the fish have a very set routine on certain weather systems or has angling pressure influenced their movements? Do the margins hold good depth and cover, if so will that be an influence moving into the warmer months or is the lake notoriously weedy meaning they may hold up for weeks out in the lake’s subterranean forests? As I said earlier, the approach may start mobile and active but morph into a more static, baiting approach as the year progresses and the carp will tell you what to do and how to evolve. A prime example was my angling on the big pit at Burghfield. I started that campaign fishing as mobile as possible, chasing the groups of carp about and rarely fishing the same swim or area for more than a night at a time which was exhausting especially after two night shifts and then a three hour motorway drive I can tell you. As the season wore on and subsequently the campaign, I settled for more of a heavy baiting approach in an area that was at the time very quiet of other anglers. This proved to be a good move and although long winded and stressful at times, I caught that big common in the best of circumstances and from a completely new area to her previous captures which was sweet enough in itself! In contrast to this, I began my campaign on the Pingewood venue over the road in true old school big fish campaign style, big fishmeal’s out in the pond for a big mirror… academic stuff for that particular fish and on the second big moon-phase she slipped up and I was free to move on to new adventures (it’s not always that simple!).

PREPARATION

Once we have procured the ticket for the chosen venue the first thing to plan in is a recce trip. I really love this bit as the whole adventure is laying ahead of you and as we all have an imagination this is the time to let it run riot with all the possibilities and start to get into the whole vibe of the campaign. I begin by looking at google earth and the whole area surrounding the lake especially if I am unfamiliar with the zone. I want to know how the lake lies on the compass and any likely looking areas of note such as islands, bays, visible bars, plateau weed-beds etc. If you use the timeline on google earth you can go back to various years and the overhead view may be better for visibility etc. Well worth checking. I will pin-drop the various useful amenities in the area such as fuel stations, supermarkets, tackle shops and of course… the best local pub!

Depending on when the ticket starts I usually like to make an early visit before the weather turns prime and get a proper feel for the place, even taking a marker/leading rod to make a bit of headway with feature finding and topography. I use my phone notes and camera for marking/referencing any interesting zones then I will make further notes in a pad when I get home as a back-up. All this information will stand you in good stead as the campaign progresses.

With all your prior homework now done, you should have a fair idea of the way you will be fishing on the chosen venue. For instance, if it is a small intimate place, you will unlikely need big pit tackle/boating equipment etc. It is now that I tailor my kit to the job at hand and prep everything to the style of angling I am likely to be confronted with. Everything is an option moving forward and I will let that evolve as time ticks by.

More than likely on most venues these days, I start off with a very mobile and responsive approach. I want to fish as many areas as possible as quickly as possible to get a real essence of the place, being on the carp is top priority as always and the mobile and watchful angler is always in with a good chance of working things out quickly before the campers if you like. Do the fish have a very set routine on certain weather systems or has angling pressure influenced their movements? Do the margins hold good depth and cover, if so will that be an influence moving into the warmer months or is the lake notoriously weedy meaning they may hold up for weeks out in the lake’s subterranean forests? As I said earlier, the approach may start mobile and active but morph into a more static, baiting approach as the year progresses and the carp will tell you what to do and how to evolve. A prime example was my angling on the big pit at Burghfield. I started that campaign fishing as mobile as possible, chasing the groups of carp about and rarely fishing the same swim or area for more than a night at a time which was exhausting especially after two night shifts and then a three hour motorway drive I can tell you. As the season wore on and subsequently the campaign, I settled for more of a heavy baiting approach in an area that was at the time very quiet of other anglers. This proved to be a good move and although long winded and stressful at times, I caught that big common in the best of circumstances and from a completely new area to her previous captures which was sweet enough in itself! In contrast to this, I began my campaign on the Pingewood venue over the road in true old school big fish campaign style, big fishmeal’s out in the pond for a big mirror… academic stuff for that particular fish and on the second big moon-phase she slipped up and I was free to move on to new adventures (it’s not always that simple!).

"The Brute at 48.8lbs - A short but sweet campaign that soon produced the bite I was after. With a bit of history learned and a lot of observation, targeting that fish was academic... big fishmeals out in the pond!"

EQUIPMENT

So, kit is ever evolving, and I like to have everything sorted and refined so my mind is as uncluttered as possible, it’s also something I enjoy and take great pride in.

BAIT APPROACH

Bait is the next question and from previous angling adventures I’m sure you all have something you are confident in using. This is extremely important moving forward as you don’t want to be balls deep in a mission to suddenly lose faith in what you are doing or question your bait at all. Of course, there will be times when the particles will out fish the boilies or naturals will play a part in your mix etc., but confidence is 9/10ths of the battle and the rest is all in your head. Be prepared to go with the flow of what you see and learn along the way and react to it with reasoning rather than copying what joe Bloggs did last year etc.

EQUIPMENT

So, kit is ever evolving, and I like to have everything sorted and refined so my mind is as uncluttered as possible, it’s also something I enjoy and take great pride in.

BAIT APPROACH

Bait is the next question and from previous angling adventures I’m sure you all have something you are confident in using. This is extremely important moving forward as you don’t want to be balls deep in a mission to suddenly lose faith in what you are doing or question your bait at all. Of course, there will be times when the particles will out fish the boilies or naturals will play a part in your mix etc., but confidence is 9/10ths of the battle and the rest is all in your head. Be prepared to go with the flow of what you see and learn along the way and react to it with reasoning rather than copying what joe Bloggs did last year etc.

ORGINISATION

This is the next most important thing post preparation if you want to remain successful and in that state of flow if you know what I mean! All the hard work leading up to this point can easily be undone if you don’t stay organised. I am always planning a good week or more in advance and I will give you some examples. For instance, particle fishing through summer… my new batches will be put in soak the morning I go fishing and when I get back after 48 hours the Burco’s are fired up and the next batch is ready. I will always have some frozen in reserve. Boilies and hook-baits are a constant cycle, defrosting, soaking in liquids or oils 24-48 hours prior to trips.

Once I am home from a trip, the food bags come indoors for a clean and restock and all my tech stuff is recharged such as camera batteries and power packs. They are then re-stowed the following day, so nothing gets forgotten next time I’m flying out the door on mega weather conditions. I have always been meticulous in sorting out my rucksack and terminal kit, it’s always freshly stowed with anything I may have used recently or may need for subsequent trips.

ORGINISATION

This is the next most important thing post preparation if you want to remain successful and in that state of flow if you know what I mean! All the hard work leading up to this point can easily be undone if you don’t stay organised. I am always planning a good week or more in advance and I will give you some examples. For instance, particle fishing through summer… my new batches will be put in soak the morning I go fishing and when I get back after 48 hours the Burco’s are fired up and the next batch is ready. I will always have some frozen in reserve. Boilies and hook-baits are a constant cycle, defrosting, soaking in liquids or oils 24-48 hours prior to trips.

Once I am home from a trip, the food bags come indoors for a clean and restock and all my tech stuff is recharged such as camera batteries and power packs. They are then re-stowed the following day, so nothing gets forgotten next time I’m flying out the door on mega weather conditions. I have always been meticulous in sorting out my rucksack and terminal kit, it’s always freshly stowed with anything I may have used recently or may need for subsequent trips.

STAYING POWER

All the above advice has been refined and evolved through many seasons of angling experience on a variety of venues, large and small, pressured circuit waters to low stock quiet places off the beaten track. The one thing that I can’t give you is resilience or staying power but the more you follow the advice the easier everything else falls into place. I remember distinctly sitting up in Reading early one spring while I was still in the fire service and a young’un was about to do the whole full-time campaign thing on a nearby venue. By the time I’d left the swim he had borrowed my spare landing net as he had forgotten his and if my memory serves me right had my spare gas and stove too… not a good start and the wrong way to be setting out on a full-bore mission! I have seen many a good angler fall-by the wayside due to complete disorganisation or a failure to prepare. For example, buying your food from the service station on the way to the lake is a huge waste of precious money which could be better spent on bait or tackle resources. Home produced meals pre-cooked, and frozen down are a time and money saver… I cook up batches of curry/stew/chilli/bolognaise/casserole etc. and supplement with a big bag of dried pasta, rice and tortillas which I keep in sealed tubs in the van. The frozen meals are taken just before I leave for my trip, one for each day I’m away and I have another box full of energy bars/biscuits/porridge/chocolate/soup alongside honey and peanut butter. I buy my fresh produce for the odd BBQ or stir fry during my weekly shop at the supermarket and this takes care of every eventuality for the coming week, even if I decide to stay an extra night on the lake… its covered. Don’t fall away from a campaign for any other reason than you have achieved what you desired and have had your fill, only then is it time to move on.

STAYING POWER

All the above advice has been refined and evolved through many seasons of angling experience on a variety of venues, large and small, pressured circuit waters to low stock quiet places off the beaten track. The one thing that I can’t give you is resilience or staying power but the more you follow the advice the easier everything else falls into place. I remember distinctly sitting up in Reading early one spring while I was still in the fire service and a young’un was about to do the whole full-time campaign thing on a nearby venue. By the time I’d left the swim he had borrowed my spare landing net as he had forgotten his and if my memory serves me right had my spare gas and stove too… not a good start and the wrong way to be setting out on a full-bore mission! I have seen many a good angler fall-by the wayside due to complete disorganisation or a failure to prepare. For example, buying your food from the service station on the way to the lake is a huge waste of precious money which could be better spent on bait or tackle resources. Home produced meals pre-cooked, and frozen down are a time and money saver… I cook up batches of curry/stew/chilli/bolognaise/casserole etc. and supplement with a big bag of dried pasta, rice and tortillas which I keep in sealed tubs in the van. The frozen meals are taken just before I leave for my trip, one for each day I’m away and I have another box full of energy bars/biscuits/porridge/chocolate/soup alongside honey and peanut butter. I buy my fresh produce for the odd BBQ or stir fry during my weekly shop at the supermarket and this takes care of every eventuality for the coming week, even if I decide to stay an extra night on the lake… its covered. Don’t fall away from a campaign for any other reason than you have achieved what you desired and have had your fill, only then is it time to move on.

WEATHER CHECKS, MOON PHASES
AND SEASONS

A really important part of every campaign is ruthless and constant weather checks. To put things in perspective, if you have limited time available as most do in any week or month to commit to angling, it’s better to spend that time on good conditions for your chosen lake than it is sitting it out camping in poor conditions. If at all possible, doing one or two overnighters a week and getting those dawn feeding periods in before work is to me time better spent than sitting around all day on a session when the fish are pugged up in the weed. If you can coincide the odd trip with weather breaks or moon-phases that have produced the bites historically, you are upping the percentages of success… and with big carp fishing, small percentages often equate to big prizes.

WEATHER CHECKS, MOON PHASES
AND SEASONS

A really important part of every campaign is ruthless and constant weather checks. To put things in perspective, if you have limited time available as most do in any week or month to commit to angling, it’s better to spend that time on good conditions for your chosen lake than it is sitting it out camping in poor conditions. If at all possible, doing one or two overnighters a week and getting those dawn feeding periods in before work is to me time better spent than sitting around all day on a session when the fish are pugged up in the weed. If you can coincide the odd trip with weather breaks or moon-phases that have produced the bites historically, you are upping the percentages of success… and with big carp fishing, small percentages often equate to big prizes.

TIME IS A GREAT LEVELLER?

Despite what you may think time doesn’t make a great angler, it just gives more chances to some in any given year. Some of the best and most successful anglers I know fish just one night a week on very challenging waters etc. what sets them apart you may ask? Well… experience, confidence and resilience for one thing alongside utmost belief in their ability and unerring staying power! The one thing I would say to you if you are just setting out on this great adventure is don’t whatever you do compare yourself to others. Carp fishing is many things to many different people but what I can tell you is that it is not a competition, or a race to the finish line, despite what many companies, social media or other anglers may portray it to be. It is a highly personal thing that creates a different set of circumstances for each individual. The moment you start comparing yourself or your results to others is to take a dive down a very deep rabbit hole, one you may never climb back out from! Of course, take advice and learn from others successes, as you will witness many achievements as other anglers around you live out their dreams. Be happy for them and live in the moment of their success. Your time will come. Your campaign should always be a very personal one, unique to you and will be ultimately an enjoyable one in pursuit of special carp in your own special way…

TIME IS A GREAT LEVELLER?

Despite what you may think time doesn’t make a great angler, it just gives more chances to some in any given year. Some of the best and most successful anglers I know fish just one night a week on very challenging waters etc. what sets them apart you may ask? Well… experience, confidence and resilience for one thing alongside utmost belief in their ability and unerring staying power! The one thing I would say to you if you are just setting out on this great adventure is don’t whatever you do compare yourself to others. Carp fishing is many things to many different people but what I can tell you is that it is not a competition, or a race to the finish line, despite what many companies, social media or other anglers may portray it to be. It is a highly personal thing that creates a different set of circumstances for each individual. The moment you start comparing yourself or your results to others is to take a dive down a very deep rabbit hole, one you may never climb back out from! Of course, take advice and learn from others successes, as you will witness many achievements as other anglers around you live out their dreams. Be happy for them and live in the moment of their success. Your time will come. Your campaign should always be a very personal one, unique to you and will be ultimately an enjoyable one in pursuit of special carp in your own special way…

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