Carp gallery Your best fish revealed
Return to White Springs pays off for Shropshire lad
AWELSH day-ticket water has produced its first 40-pounder in more than two years.
The 40lb 1oz mirror was caught by Shropshire angler Nick Burrage on only his second visit to White Springs, near Swansea.
Fishing with friend Mick Stacey on the Specimen Lake, Nick settled into swim 13, the only peg available when he made the booking a month earlier.
“It was very warm and sunny as we set up, but I like to get my rods out first to make use of every minute on the bank,” said Nick.
“Within two hours of the rods being out, the one over on the nearby island let out a beep, and with the line lifting in the rings slightly I felt it and drew it back a foot at a time. Without being able to feel the lead at any point, I lifted the rod and was left reeling in lots of slack – until I reached the fish that was swimming towards me!
“By the time I was bent into the fish, it had powered through two of Mike’s lines and we quickly took the bail-arms off to stop the fish using the tight lines like a disgorger to unhook itself.
“A close-in battle with rolls and boils at my feet continued for 10 minutes, showing her power and fitness. Then, soon enough, she popped up and after one last roll she found my net.
“The guy came round from next door to see and the scales swung round to 40lb 1oz. We all checked and checked again. The capture became a talking point around the lake and on the internet – I suppose not everyone will be happy about a Shropshire lad catching this fish!
“The lake owner came down, and he’s a great guy. He was telling me about the restocking, so it’s well worth a visit if you’re in that neck of the woods.”