“How long now"? Not long soon be there, this was only our 3rd trip away and like any carp angler it was a great adventure that we’d been looking forward to for weeks.

"How many will we catch"? "a few", was the reply as we approached the Cromwell carp fishery, it felt strange driving past my usual water and carrying on to South Muskham Fisheries, a quick drive round and yes the bay swims empty, car parked and down to the waters edge looking out on to the water, Polaroid’s on and just as I hoped lots of small carp milling around, fish between 8 and 9 pounds just right for Doreen to get use to landing fish.

Luckily I’d talked to some lads from Nottingham, boys who fished it quite a few times just to see what had come out over the hot spell, they weren't feeding in the day only at night as it was cooler, with some good carp being landed.

Gear out of the car rods set up, marker float and time to do some spodding. One and a half hours later and fore rods out and ready for action my two in open water to a weed bed at 60 yards and the Doreen's two rods in the bay, nothing can stop us now and its still only 7.45, lots of time another 48 hours.

I sat watching the water with an uneasy feeling as it was now 9am and getting very warm, well by dinner time it was well into the 80s and every carp in the lake was on the top, time to change tactics, rods in and
floating rigs on lets take them of the top. Well 10 hours later I'm still trying they would not touch anything and I'd tried every trick I knew.

"When will we catch some fish love", "tonight", came my reply," tonight for sure"! Evening came and the rods were changed back and repositioned ready for the night, time for bed. Before I knew it the alarm was going off and it was 5.30am and not a single BEEP, checked the receiver and yes it was still working.

Kettle on for Tea, and a good scratch and that’s me ready for the day, rods in and its time for a walk. Talked to a few lads on the water and nothing one fish was caught in the night a mirror of 23lb, back to base, another Tea and a cooked breakfast

Well the day went on the same as the previous one apart from it was even warmer than the day before. Getting into the bivvy on the last night, I said good night to a very disappointed lady and a very tired and annoyed angler crashed onto his bed chair, "when will we catch love", "tonight sweetheart don't worry we'll catch one tonight"!

Well the night came and went and nothing apart from a drop back about 4.30am, I'm sat watching the water and about 7am when Doreen comes out of the bivvy, "morning love why didn't we catch"? "Sorry I've tried everything but the weather's just too hot and it’s really turned them off their food". Breakfast over and its time to start packing things away as always the rods, landing net and mat are the last to be put away. Bring your rods in Doreen and I'll bring them down, right that’s done.
First rod in and away, second rod in and away just about to grab my 3rd rod and a single beep comes from the delkim stops me in mid motion did I bang the rod, I don't think I did, the delkim let's out two more single beeps and then goes one tone I lift the rod and ease into a fish yes at last fish on and it feels quite a good fish turn it away from the safety of a weed bed and into open water yes it's mine.

I looked at Doreen expecting a look of yes Paul you got one but the look only says I wish I could bring it in. here love you land it reluctantly handing her the rod well after lots of shouting and do's and don’ts she
pulls a nice common over the net, and it's onto the mat Doreen now goes loopy jumping shouting and punching the air in triumph

On the scales it goes 26lb 6oz a new PB for her, I feel a pang of guilt in my stomach you see I so wanted to land that fish and I really didn't want to hand that rod over but soon as I saw the look on her face it was worth every second.

Going to bed that night after telling everybody who would listen how she beat me at fishing. She turned to me and said "night love that was ace, next time we go I'll let you bring-one of my fish in and maybe it will be a big one". Lets hope so sweetheart", Goodnight..