IN THE FRAME

PAUL HOLMES, EMAIL

After not fishing for a few seasons due to family commitments, I decided the time was right to restart my favourite pastime. So for Christmas presents from my family, I received some carp gear and recently joined a local club water with carp up to around 20lb.

I waited for a day when the weather was nice and things went well. I caught three carp around 6lb and was delighted but then I had a fantastic run and quite a battle but finally landed a carp weighing 18lb 2oz.

I was happy with the gear and the fish I caught but then I wanted a photo and I was on my own. How would I do this, I wondered, so I set up my phone on my fishing chair and set the timer to 10 seconds. I slipped in the mud and then the fish flapped just as the photo was being taken. And this is the only memory of that day ( see photo above). I know what I'll be getting for Christmas this year – a camera!