A visit to Isle Of Wight was overdue, so me and a few lads got together for my 18th. Even my parents came with the three dogs. We headed to Rookley Country Park for a 72-hour session. 

After arriving around midday, we got set up ready for our first night. I was very confident in my choice of swim, and got some bait out. A couple of lads had bites through the evening. The next morning I started to think that the carp were at the other end of the lake in the shallows, where the sun was shining. Around 9am I was surprised by a screamer and landed my first carp of the session, a 27lb 12oz mirror. This gave me confidence that there were still plenty of fish at my end of the lake. Shortly after getting the rod back out I had another mirror weighing 28lb 12oz. What a quality morning. 

It was very slow throughout the day, didn't really see much showing, but I still kept the bait going in little and often. The evening was approaching and we all decided to go to the club house and celebrate my 18th with a few beers. It was getting towards 10pm and it was time to get back to the swim, we got the rods out straightaway. 

That evening I had a cracking result with a few twenties. Just before first light, more bait went into the swim, and was again into another stunning mirror carp. I could start to work out where the carp were at certain times of the day, and know what they're routine is. I rested the swim for a few hours, but again kept the bait going in. Just before it got dark the carp were showing in my swim, and I was feeling very confident. Not long after they were showing one ripped up with another twenty – happy days! 

After getting the rod out in the dark everything was set. My next take came on the other rod. I got it close in, almost ready for the net and it hook pulled! What a nightmare! Got everything up together rods out, a bit more bait into the swim so it was ready for the morning approaching. 

The last morning, what a way to finish with another two twenties. I had a wicked birthday! Thanks to the lads that came and my parents with the dogs, it was a brilliant session. It was lovely to be fishing on an awesome fishery in the company of my mates. 

The final tally after my session was seven twenties to 28lb 12oz. I landed seven fish from eight bites.

Tight lines!

Harvey Chamberlain