Arriving at Willow Farm Fisheries Barnsley I was greeted with quiet and beautiful surroundings of a relatively new lake. The lake owner Jonathan was welcoming and friendly, Instantly giving me the low down on feeding areas, hot spots and snags to be aware of. Willow Farm is a members only lake with a one off lifetime membership fee and pay as you fish approach, the stock is around 160 carp and the average lake depth is 4-5 feet. Jonathan has put some new stock in the lake which are growing at an incredible rate, as well as some special original fish that are in excess of 20lb. Also it was great to see that Jonathan’s had a well known local bait company, RG Baits, manufacture him his own not one, but two exclusive bait flavours for the fishery. Which I can assure you are absolutely mega!!

So, Thursday was a little bit of a get to know the fishery day for me, as I’ve said meeting the owner, getting a feel for the lake and looking for signs of shows. Whilst having a walk round I spotted a few clear spots in weed beds which were definite patrol routes. One of the lads chose his peg and set up for the day, dropping his rigs bang on the money and then making a brew as we all do waiting for those alarms to scream off. The day started to drift away looking like a blank may have been on the cards, but we didn’t mind as the weather amazing. However a double take at around 3 o’clock soon changed the mood and excitement was at a mega high. Both fish were safely photographed and returned to the lake, with the rigs re-tied and back out for another chance. It wasn’t log before the third was safely over the net cord. This was the end of the action for today, three takes and three fish landed what more could you want from a day session on a brand new venue. So as you can imagine I left the venue pumped and ready for my chance at the place tomorrow.

Friday morning came and I was itching to get to the lake, Arriving at first light it was a very different day to the previous. The wind had picked up to crazy speeds and I knew I had a challenge ahead. The pressure had dropped so I was hoping it would make them get on the feed, the wind was baltic and the rain was creeping in, I knew the key would be finding them. I had seen a few signs and set up in the same peg as the day before knowing the spots and seeing fish over them I figured there was no better place to start. As with the day before the time started to drift away and 3 o’clock was nearly upon me. Keeping positive I knew my rigs were presented and it would only take one beep for the adrenalin to be rushing through my veins. At just after 3.30pm I decided to do a live video for the viewers to give everyone a little insight about the venue, about 10 seconds in, I dropped my phone to a live take ripping off. Somehow the fish managed to eject the hook and get away with it on this occasion, it happens to all of us more than we would like to admit. Following on from this I got the rod back out and literally run out of daylight. However, leaving the venue with a better knowledge of the place and a burning desire to not let it beat me next time.