As is usual with me it’s been quite a hectic couple of weeks, what with family, work and shows. Nevertheless, I’ve still managed a couple of nights on my winter venue testing a new all-season bait for Sticky.


Like anything in life, it’s rewarding being part of something where you have a lot of input, seeing it evolve, grow and eventually come to fruition and everyone can benefit from something you have helped put together.

The next batch of all-season bait turned up on my doorstep and, as you can imagine, I was as excited by what beheld me in the box and, more importantly, how I would juggle my increasingly busy life to be able to get out and do some fishing for a change.

Well, life juggled, carp dog Barney in tow and tackle in the van, I eventually arrived at the lake for a couple of nights’ fishing. The week before had been really cold, with the lake only just becoming liquid after a quick freeze for a couple of days when some inclement weather arrived. This week was different and with high temperatures for the time of year and low pressure, wind and rain, I was buzzing at the prospect of getting the rods out. I had visited the week before with the intention of doing a couple of nights. However, when I woke up on the first morning I realised that I was banging my head against the wall because the water temperature was only 4.4ºC. Although I am as keen as the next guy, I have only caught a handful of fish in over 25 years when water temperatures were below 5ºC. Consequently, I left after only one night with mine and Barney’s tail well and truly between our legs.

This time would hopefully be different. The first job was to take the water temperature, which turned out to be a very favourable 6.9ºC and gave me a lift that just maybe I could persuade a winter carp to feed. Just on dark, as I sat there contemplating life, I saw a fish head and shoulder just behind my area. Surely something was going to happen. It felt right, if you know what I mean; well at least better than it did last week that’s for sure. As tiredness got the better of me I drifted off, only to be woken in the early hours by what was obviously a very angry carp on the end of one of the rods. While playing the fish it actually felt quite warm and it wasn’t long before the spirited carp gave up the fight and I slipped the net under what seemed like an impressive mirror. Barney, who had now arrived at my side, and I looked on as we peeled back the mesh for a better view. It was certainly a good ’un and the scales reached 40lb 14oz, at which point Barney had seen enough and returned to the warmth of the bag – bless him. Pics were taken in the morning and she was returned to fight another day. It’s great when everything comes together like that, especially in winter.

Spring is just around the corner but as I type this and check out the weather I see we are in for a cold snap. Oh dear, maybe spring isn’t coming as soon as we all hoped.

Leon Bartropp

Pictured below:
• The new all-season bait from Sticky.
• 40lb 14oz mirror – happy days.