Bingo

You know the old cliché that comes out when someone has a good result ?  Effort = Reward.

Yeah, yeah, we all know that. Although it's trotted out all too often, it's true nonetheless. 

I've been prebaiting several swims. One is a known good swim and the rest are punts. 

This afternoon I fished three of them. The first, in a crappy, but fishy looking section, looked a cert for a chub. I sat there biteless for almost half hour, surprised at the lack of action.

Second swim, where I've seen trout and carp in the summer, another blank.

Third swim, a weir pool, carrying plenty of extra water, the only steady bit being my pre baited area. First chuck, a rattle. Second chuck the feeder didn't even hit bottom.

Thought it was a floating log at first. No, the rod kicked over, its alive.

Ahh...a pike has took the worm on the drop ? Better be careful, just in case it isn't a pike.

I'd got sort of stepped up chub gear on, 8lb line and a strong size 10 hook, so had a chance of getting whatever it was in, although the water, especially close in, was going like a train.

After five or six minutes it surfaced, a decent carp. It was a long drop to the water, the landing net just about reached, but not properly and I couldn't leave it in the water as the flow was so strong. 

Just as I was doubting I'd be able to land it, a young bloke I know turned up. He got on the net immediately and scooped it up first time. Top work mate.

A lovely 19lb common. Next cast a ruffe.

Wahoooooo !

A great couple of hours.