I was back down the lake on the first Sunday in May and with the bulk of the fish in front of lan Russell and Sharpy on the cottage back, the only swim left with a shot at the middle was Motorway point. Having had success on the Point in previous seasons and landing a couple of the A-team from here, I was always confident and knew the spots. There was one spot I wanted to fish to, but in the summer it’s too weedy as its about 90yds out. I’d often seen fish feeding on this spot and the Brute show on it in the past. I planned to fish a chod rig onto this area, just casting on to it and as long as I felt bottom I knew I’d be presented on it.
I'd just started to use a new leadcore, which is a dull green and brown flecked, in 35lb. It was thinner than the 45lb's I’d used in the past and was more supple, so it would drape over any weed and look less obtrusive. I had the top bead a few inches from the top of a 4 ½ft length of leadcore, allowing the 2" chod rig to run up and settle on any bottom weed should it need to. On the other end of the leadcore, I fixed a heavy ring to which I tied the 4oz Tournament lead on with 4lb mono. This obviously would not withstand a big cast, so I tied it up securely with PVA spread 'em tape. With a stiff northerly hacking into my face, I launched the lead and on about the third attempt, the 14lb fluorocarbon sailed out beautifully and upon stopping the lead at 90 yards, I felt it drop before thudding down firmly. It was a slightly shorter drop so not only was I on good bottom but slightly shallower as well.
With the other two rods fishing shorter over a bit of bait, I had to wait until dusk for the seagulls to disperse and the wind to drop for me to scatter 20 or 30 baits over the long rod. I set my alarm for half five and got my head down only for a bream to interrupt my sleep as it hung itself on the left hand rod. No further interruption until my alarm woke me at half five. By the time I dragged myself up and made a tea it was about 5.45 and with tea in hand, I stood next to the rods looking over the still surface. Next thing and the long rod on the choddy slammed off and being next to the rod was I straight into it. This fish was having none of it and despite hooking it at 90 yards it stripped a further 30 or 40 yards off me at a blistering pace. This was definitely a mirror and one I didn’t want to lose. At least now I had strong tackle with a size 6 Choddy hook to 20lb Bristle Filament and the 35lb leadcore to give me protection.
With the weak link snapping straight away, the fish stayed mid-water and I managed to get line back on the spool as it came towards me swimming round to the bay. With the fish now about 40 yards out, I stepped into my waders and with the net chucked out, I waded round a bit as it took me into the mouth of the bay. The carp was now in close and heavily plodding up and down, as I gradually wore it down. A couple of times it hit the surface and I was willing it to be one of the big two and if I’d lost it at that point I would have been fairly convinced it was the Brute from what I’d seen of it! As she came in close, I let her slide over the drawstring before lifting and excitedly pulling the net into me for the moment of truth and looking straight at the head for that unmistakable shape. My heart momentarily dropped a beat as I could now see my mission was not over yet. With the fish on its side I checked for the little pearly scales as I didn't want a third capture of the Pearly Linear.
The flanks were clean and as the fish righted itself the sheer width and huge fins gave me the answer. Big Pecs, the second in command, was what lay in my net and I quickly rang Simon to give me a hand. As he came into the swim I pointed at the fish and said ‘that's a forty pounder isn’t it?’ With the scales zeroed and everything ready, I struggled up the bank with the incredible beast. With Pecs bigger than my hand and a tail with a span of 16", so big it folds over, it’s no wonder it stripped so much line off me. My long awaited next forty was now in my arms and at 41lb 10oz, it certainly did make my arms ache. With the next one hopefully my target and maybe 10lb bigger, I look forward to even more aching arms. Let’s hope I’m able to fulfill the dream and tell you the story soon.
John Claridge.
The sheer width and huge fins gave me the answer