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THE
MIGHTY PO (FIRST TRIP)
Max and Marco are the guides
on this session to the mighty river Po, with their knowledge
of the local area (MILANO) we were already assured of fishing
the best areas, but as with all fishing nothing is guaranteed.
After looking at their impressive picture board with many
beautiful carp we were taken to the river to begin the session.
At the river we loaded our gear the few short metres from
where our cars were parked onto their very large and stable
boat, and after doing this we were soon on our way. Like
any trip to a new venue we were full of excitement at what
lay ahead of us, passing many fishy looking areas we soon
arrived at our swim. I was to be fishing with Jason as usual,
and we had the gear off the boat in double quick time. When
we fish together we always set up with Jason to my left,
this goes back to when we first fished together at Maurepiere.
After dropping off the others Max returned to show us the
best spots to fish with his echo, and with his vast knowledge
of this area we were soon fishing with utmost confidence.
We had some slack water and snags to fish to, which would
become more important as the week wore on. Max showed me
a close in spot next to a derelict concrete structure in
the water, there was a deep hole in front of this, and here
was Max's favourite spot. Later in the week we would find
out why.
We caught fish on the first night up to 25lb +, which was
a good start. We quickly learnt that these Po carp like
their food so we upped the amount of bait on our spots,
which brought more action from these virgin hardfighting
carp. Jason caught the first 30 + on the 2nd day, an immaculate
common of 33lb. I was catching steadily from all spots except
from Max's hole! Then we had a visit from the Police and
Army checking for licences and passports. They were very
thorough checking documents, and looking for anything untoward.
As they asked me questions about what we had caught I had
a one toner on Max's hole spot (sound rude!) jumping up
and grabbing the rod I bent into a good fish. It took line
straight away, and soon had me in trouble by running through
the concrete obstruction, but with some careful playing
I managed to gain enough line to get this very angry carp
away from that snag. By now the previously stern officials
were laughing and getting their mobiles out to take pictures
of the battle, luckily I didn't lose this one, and soon
it was within netting distance. I like to net all my own
fish, so with the fish almost ready I lowered the net and
drew the fish over the net cord, but with the flow, and
it's own enormous power it rode one last dash for freedom
heading for some closer in snags, but I gave it a bit more
stick and it was soon in the folds of my net. Lifting the
fish from the river was to reveal to me that this was a
good-un!, the cheering from the audience was amusing to
say the least, and when I got the fish on the mat the cheers
turned to gasps!! Jason helped me weigh it, and it turned
the scales around to 45lb 8oz, which set a new river PB.
After plenty of pictures and videos (one army bloke roared
off in the launch and returned with a video camera) some
including the top cop and soldier, this previously uncaught
common carp was safely returned to the MIGHTY PO.
 
 
I caught this and many fish that week on a sea scent boillie
from carpsyndicate.com baits, which is on a base mix we
fondly call rocher, but that’s another story! After
all this excitement we got rid of the officials, and got
on with the fishing. The next few days brought us many fish
up to 36lb, but like with all good things it came to an
end when the rivers flow increased, making much of the river
unfishable. We still managed a few through for the rest
of the week. The session was all the more enjoyable thanks
to the excellent service provided by Max and Marco (or M&M
for short), for example one day at 2.00 p.m. we decided
we would like some wine, and by 5.00 p.m. we were toasting
another good session with a good glass of red. Everyone
on this trip landed plenty of carp, and I think they also
lost some very large carp! We will come back again, and
I am looking forward to it so much.
Catch the mother!
Cheers, Graham Hill
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