So far this year we have had some very nice carp and although last week was tough we got off the mark with a couple of nice cats. This trip it was nice to see back again Martin and Angela, busy people back home so it was going to be all about relaxing enjoying a few different venues with a bit of fishing “nothing too heavy”. Day one we had a few hours after their arrival so we put a couple of rods out down the garden and got off the mark with some nice carp. Nice meal that evening and the plan was to have a look at Mequinenza after both the cats and the carp. On arrival we were unable to get in my preferred swim but the next one down was and a bit more comfortable being in the nice spring sunshine. We put 4 cat rods out and we had a great looking margin so 2 carp rods here, with all looking so good time to sit back and enjoy. Nothing really happened a few recasts but the wind was so strong very cold and blowing straight into our faces we gave it till dusk but decided a nice steak meal was in order. Following morning we all relised the result of not putting on sun cream even if the wind is freezing the sun still burns as all our faces were very red and burnt!!!!!! Day 3 back up to Mequinenza but a more comfortable swim with the wind on our backs, 4 cat rods out and 2 carp rods cast into the weed patches where we had seen some carp moving. Day past with the only action being me rowing our baits out well over 180 yards into the old river bed. With the Sun going down and the river looking lovely rod 3 taps then pulled over we had a run!!!!!! Martin picked up the rod pulled into a very solid resistance, let battle commence !!!!! To start with like many people experience the cats don’t always do much, as was the case here, the fish came towards us, then over one of the other rods under another but we had it all in control until it woke up an Martin knew then it was a good fish. Powerful bursts of power, unstoppable power, were we hooked up to one of the Big Girls!!!! Fight must of lasted 15-20 minutes before I reached down to see its huge head come out of the murky water and glove her out. An incredible sight not just the fish lying there but of Martins face has he relised he had achieved a life time fishing goal and probably relief the fight was over!!!!!
Martin and Angie 161lb
At 161lb a really great result, this river system has to be up there as one of the best fishing venues, surely the best in Europe.
Day 4 we went to Ribaroja targeting PB roach and carp. 3 rods out for carp and a feeder rod out for roach!!!! After an hour of constant casting, getting a nice bed of ground bait out the roach started coming and some very nice ones too with Martin getting 3 new PB’s the best being 1lb 10oz
Four days completed four different swims and many boxes ticked we decided to finish off the trip at the garden, great sport with both Martin and Angie catching many carp Angie with a nice and quite rare Mirror and a good common of 22lb. We put a cat rod out which ripped off but what with the flow and not much room to move it was always going to be hard to land a big fish, unfortunately the hook pulled. Last day started well with a nice carp and 33lb cat, with only half an hour of their trip to go the cat rod was away again, Martin pulled into an absolute steam train, it screamed off down the margin taking so much line. Martin got it back to a point where I took over, prob only 20 yards away the hook pulled …….Ouch!!!!! that was a good fish. Well that was the last action and didn’t really spoil a really great trip.
The goal for Martin and Angie was to relax and do a bit of fishing ….. Nothing too Heavy!!!! we did that, the company, banter and food not to mention a very heavy fish!!!! completed one of those memorable trips not just for Martin and Angie but for me as well …..new target at 161lb for us all to go for ……roll on the rest of this season.
until next time Paul
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