Summer Carping
The Carp Fishing Guide to Summer Carping in the U.K.
Most anglers’ associate carp fishing with the summer months with short nights long sunny days warm breezes and warm rain it all sounds good but you have to take the rough with smooth. It can get pretty uncomfortable in those warm months.
I remember being bivvy bound for 3 days because persistent rain and when it rains in summer all bugs spiders mozzies try and seek refuge in your bivvy I combat this with mosquito spray I use the jungle formula brand and that keeps them from feeding of me but to keep em out at night I use a couple of mosquito candles.
The main critters that aren’t welcome in my bivvy are the spiders, as I am self confessed arachnophobic I hate them but I have just got hold of some spider replant from “better ware” I have used this at home with great results and I haven’t seen a spider in my home for the past 2 weeks, so a bivvy should be no problem for all your arachnophobias.
Insect wise you will need mossy repellent, antihistamine tablets like benedril which you can get from your local chemist. the antihistamine is for when you get bitten by mosses, horsefly, bees and wasps because I have seen many anglers covered in bites and I mean bites the one geezer had them all over his hands and he couldn’t even pick up his rod to recast let alone land a fish these tablets are wicked and should be in your bag all the time, which will make your fishing more enjoyable.
I remember a horsefly biting me on the back of my knee and I couldn’t walk properly for 3 days this could have been saved by antihistamine it’s that easy.
I feel once you have got rid of the insects its time for some good fishing.
Summer carping is more comfortable than winter carping first you haven’t got to take as much gear, you can forget the five season sleeping bag, just take the trakker water proof thermal bag cover and I find this sufficient from the months June right up to the start of September, I will then use my trakker big snooze sleeping bag and will use this up to late November and after that its winter carping and you will need heavier stuff (see winter carping.)
Shelter
A lot of anglers use brollys with storm sides these are great if the insects don’t like you. I always take my trakker armo II as this model had a good mossy door and takes about 5 minutes to erect and the ground sheet stops the damp this why I get away with my thermal bag cover as the bivvy keeps some heat in it on those cooler nights.
If I am doing a short night session out comes the trakker alite this shelter is the dogs wotsits, it is the same design as the armo 2 but can be erected in about 8 minutes but it has no door allowing insects to venture in this is where a small mossy sheet comes handy this is used to cover your face as I have woke up before with a fat lip I didn’t know mossies did boxing Ha-ha
Clothing
The clothing situation is quite straight forward starting with shimano tribal xt light weight shirt and combat trousers if I feel a bit of a chill later in the day out come my tribal xt water proof all round trousers there keep the wind out and there is also a hoody to match these are wicked I also sleep wearing these as you can get caught out by the odd drop of rain. If the weather gets too cold I always have a pair of ski trousers and a thick fleece in my car as back up along with a bag of clothing in case I get wet e.g. going in for a fish can’t let them get away can you?
Footwear
The main piece of footwear I use are the Hi Tec walking gartex shoes these are extremely light and water proof and good for climbing trees to spot fish all round bank wear if the weather gets wet and muddy I use my karrimer walking boot or my ski Tex field boot.
Socks
Take plenty of socks as your feet sweat more in the summer months and I can be a bit itchy and smelly if you live in the same socks, I try to change mine 2 or 3 times a day depending on how sweaty you get I also clean my feet every time I change my socks I do this with a wet cloth and baby wipes and I finish off with antibacterial foot spray believe me when your feet feel good you feel good so don’t be a tramp and give it a try.
If you are a loner and don’t want anyone near you don’t wash don’t brush your teeth and don’t change your clothes believe me the only visitors you will be getting is blue bottle flies Ha-ha. Especially after 3 days of heat, so it’s not good to be stinking like a polecat cleanliness costs nothing.
Summer carp cent hats
Summer time is a good time for spotting carp as they are more active in the summer months. You will need a carp or other form of peaked hat to stop any sun getting in your eyes and when you want to climb trees to spot carp you will need both hands free to cling to the tree especially if you are up 20 feet or so.
Wearing a peaked hat in the blazing heat also stops risk of sun stroke which can be most uncomfortable throw in some bad mossy bites and you are going home giving the thinking angler chance to bag up the carp that you could catch, so think before you go fishing even if the weather is dull and overcast it can change to hot no clouds in the sky weather.
Sunglasses
When I am not fish spotting I wear a pair of Oakley sunglasses as those are very good with the sun if I accidently look at the sun I find I don’t get sun spots impeding my vision. The Oakley’s I have worn have been the wrap around version giving your eyes the most protection from any thing that wants to enter your eyes.
The wrap around version is also good for tree climbing preventing falling tree debris from entering your eyes out.
Polaroid sun glasses are definite must for carp fishing, in the wrap-around style of course as these play a big part in carp spotting from up in the tree to down on the ground.
Food and drink
The food and drink situation is just as important on those hot unbearable days as I do sweat a lot in the heat, so plenty of water and the odd isotonic drink thrown in to replace the salts that are sweated out you need to drink at least 2 litres of water with 2 bottles of lucozade isotonic drink that is if you want feel on top, when fishing you can fish at your best then.
I try to eat little and often as I don’t like to feel lethargic and bloated any more than I already am. Ha-ha!
With smaller meals more regular you will have more sustained energy release making you more switched on to fishing, rather than being too hot and bloated, its all about personal comfort.
I usually take ready to food like sandwiches, low fat crisps, and dried fruit as this better than fresh fruit in the hot weather. I tried to avoid alcohol on those hot days as this will dehydrate you if I’m gonna drink a couple of cans it will be on the night when the suns gone down.
Before bed I will nearly always have a hot drink, this generates body heat for when you are in your bag because it can get quite chilly on those clear summer nights.