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Well, like a fool I'd been listening to the hyperbolae of recent weather forecasts, warning us of a huge drop in temperature. Sure, it was 6 degrees, but the sun was beautiful when I pottered in the garden potting up bulbs and sweeping leaves this morning, so I hurried up and made my way to the lakes. After my disheartening river stint on Friday, and believing the canals to be no-go zones at times of temperature drops, I elected for Willows thinking the sun on the shallow water might at least make the carp peckish, if not exactly hungry. I must say it was very pleasant sitting in the sun, despite jumper, gillet, coat and no bites for four hours. On the pellet feeder rod, I switched baits five times to no avail, but it changing from lift method to a slow sinking shot pattern on the float that tipped the fish scales. Finally the float sank and something powerful took off for the island. When I say took off, it leapt clear out of the water. Fishing a 15ft rod, 4lb braid, 3lb hook length and thin wire hook I knew I had to take it gently, and so began a half-hour battle. It was a real tug of war. Five times I got it to within 10 yards of the bank for it to show its displeasure and rip back into open water. But finally it came to the surface and felt confident enough to lower the net. It came in tail first - I'd only gone and foul-hooked it in the pelvic fin. I was disappointed, but philosophic. I've lost many fish due to unlucky even ironic circumstances, so I reasoned It would be churlish not to accept this gift from the carp gods, particularly as it weighed 17lbs 2. By the time the fish came to bank the light had started to fade and a chilly breeze whipping up. With the margin swim trashed for a while by the landing process, I decided to rest on my laurels and return home for a hot bath, bottle of Proper Job and later, the Antiques Roadshow.