I had the recent good fortune to spend some bank time with my friends Ray and Jed. We have been planning to fish a favorite small lake of mine in the Lehigh Valley for a couple of seasons, but never made it there until this past weekend.
We have experienced unusually warm temperatures here in Pennsylvania over the past week or so, reaching into the 6o's just a few days ago.
We decided to meet up at the Redner's gas station in Blandon, so that Ray could follow me to the lake. Arriving a just after 7:00a.m., our hopes were high. It was another nice January day, with temperatures expected to reach 50 degrees.
After exiting our vehicles, we scanned the water for signs of activity. It didn't take long to spot the tell tale signs of feeding carp. Bubbles breaking the calm surface of the lake exposed the carp's location.
After selecting our individual swims, we set up, baited our lines and cast out with great hope.
It didn't take too long before our bank side chatter was interupted by a run on my right hand rod. This would be my first carp of the 2008 season if I could successfully bring it to net. Well, after a brief fight, Jed was able to slip the net under my first chunk of gold in the new year. It was a nice low double common that fell for a popped up beet / scopex boilie fresh from Ray's bait lab.
Our hopes were now very high, but time would begin to pass and visions of numerous carp being caught were now starting to diminish.
Hope would once again be re-kindled as again my right hand rod would get a solid run. Another carp fel victim to the new bait. As the fish came close and rolled on the surface I noticed something different. Could this be my first mirror carp of the new year. As it broke the surface another time, my hopes were confirmed...it is a mirror! After another successful net job by Jed, the mirror was lowered to the unhooking mat. It was a stunning mirror with colors of chestnut, orange and yellow. A few scales flanked its side with a solid row covering its back. Photos were taken and the majestic mirror was set free.
This would be the final carp of the day...but what a great fish to end on.
Thanks again to Ray and Jed for the great bank side company...we will have to meet up again soon.
