Blogs

Shaun Harrison's October 2021 Diary

Storm Barra is kicking off as I sit in my oak clad retreat, tapping these words out whilst reflecting upon my angling leading into this winter. The wind is roaring through the weeping willow that surrounds my hideaway, it is now mostly stripped of leaves, a few succulent ones still hold in there, but the wind is now able to funnel through so much easier than a few weeks back. Storm Arwen removed most of them and what a storm that was. I was out in it under my umbrella for the two days it battered the U.K. I enjoy the forces of nature, it helps to point home just how ferocious mother nature can be and the respect we need to give it. I chose my pitch carefully for Storm Arwen; knowing it was coming I made sure I was out of reach of any potential widow makers. For those of you not familiar with that phrase, it is a name given to trees that are likely to blow down – thus making another widow if some poor soul is unfortunate enough to have a large tree come down on them. Trees are a tad heavy!

I had a close call in the early to mid-80’s when one came down at the side of me one winter night. Since then, I have tried to be extra careful. As it happens, I had a large branch crash down just behind me during Storm Arwen. Had I set up taking advantage of the extra shelter from the mini copse, then it would have hit me. Instead, I had weighed the situation up and set up in the open but as close to the copse of trees for a little protection from the gusts as I dared. It turned out to be one of my better decisions.

As always, I have started off rambling on about things other than I had meant to start off with. Last month’s blog was a catch up of a few months where I had been very much out of action health wise. I ended it at the beginning of October, so that is where this one is going to continue from.

Diary Catch Up Time

Although I have written blogs and done some magazine work these past few months, I was reminded that I hadn’t looked back through my diary since May. So, I guess time for a catch up and the reason why I have let it slip.

The Safe Zone (where carp feel relatively safe)

A way of giving myself an edge from 40 years ago which still produces me plenty of carp to this day.

What - no bed chair?

I have had loads of questions through social media after sharing some of my ‘alternative camping’ pictures over these past few weeks, carp fishing without bed chairs and conventional carp angling bivvies', so thought I would pen a few words.

East Delph Lakes

Well, I found myself unexpectantly fishing a match this last week-end. Now that isn't usually my scene at all but my swim name I liked.

I much prefer swim names than numbers.

My Post Spawning Method's

Back in the 90's I found a way of catching some difficult carp which were pre-occupied on fish spawn. To this day I have continued to turn back to it at this time of the year simply because it still works and works well.

Shaun Harrison's May 2021 Diary

Bits from my May 2021 diary. Carp, work party's and the Carp Society's 40th Anniversary celebration weekend.

April had been kind to me carp wise, despite the weather being far from ideal with often bright days then frosty nights. I had alternated my angling between 3 different venues which all required a differing type of approach. I had caught from each and ended the month on the ‘Paradise Pit’ where I intended to start May off on.

Shaun Harrison's April 2021 Diary

With more waters becoming available after being trapped in lockdown I found myself chomping at the bit to make the most of the seemingly new found freedom.
Here is how I got on through April.

What is Rock Pool Rahja

Shaun Harrison's March 2021 Diary

After finally getting myself back on the bank and having a great result the last day in February, I was all fired up for another go.