Neil Ash lands the 'perfect stunner'

A productive weekend on Cherry Lake with most anglers getting amongst them. Judging both from the number of Carp being caught and the bubbling and fizzing around the lake, they are on the feed.

Paul Mitchell returned for his latest stint, this time in the Cottage. He was almost (but not really) embarrassed to call me on Friday evening to say that he had just caught 'Ruby' again at 42lb. Just twenty days since he caught it on his birthday! As well as 'Ruby', Paul has landed 9 other Carp, the majority on our new spicy fish boilies which Dave has christened 'Fish Sausage'. The biggest of the rest (so far) being a 29-14 Mirror. Keep it up Paul!

Alan French has just finished his first visit to Cherry Lake where he stayed in Osprey Lodge and has just left as a very happy man indeed. He smashed his Personal Best two times. First with a 28lb Mirror, and then with this lovely Common of 33lb. I think this is the same Carp as recently caught by Michael Turner so it does not add to our total of different 30lb+ Carp caught. Alan joins the 30+ club as our 174th member. Well done Alan.

My favourite Carp of the weekend was however caught by Neil Ash in Grebe Lodge. I have been looking out for this absolutely stunning Fully Scaled Mirror since it was caught at roughly this time last year by Steve Smith. The photos taken by Neil's lovely wife Maria are great as you can see (see lead photo above and below). I was however so disappointed not to see the fish in all its beauty. This weekend we were 'entertaining' the Laidlaw's, who following our daughter Victoria's recent engagement to Ben, are the prospective 'out-laws'. I had told Neil that I was on best 'behaviour' this weekend and so he decided not to interrupt us!

Neil who is one of our regulars, caught 6 Carp including three 29lbers this weekend. Despite the fact that he catches regularly, he has yet to catch a Cherry Lake thirty. Funny how it sometimes works like that. Well done Neil and we look forward to seeing you both later this year. Maybe next time. The 'shirt' will be ready for you!