We had a week away at Bashley on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire and Orchard Lakes was just down the road. I had two visits, one for a day and the second for the afternoon. It was a lovely week, this first day in particular being very warm.

I fished the largest of the five lakes.

It was full of character, being surrounded by trees and offering some great stalking opportunities, helped by the fact I almost had it to myself. However, this day they had pumps running because of low oxygen levels and the fish were 'sipping' the surface but not really feeding. I lost a carp early on, stalked under a tree; it slipped the hook. After a somewhat frustrating day where numerous carp were cruising I finally bagged one in the afternoon, a fully scaled fish of about 3lb.

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