As the year comes to a close, I find myself looking back at 2024, a year that tested me in ways I never expected yet offered moments of joy and growth that I’ll cherish forever. From personal health challenges to incredible fishing achievements, this year has been a rollercoaster of experiences, lessons, and memories.
A Rough Start to the Year
Winter, as always, brought its share of challenges and
surprises. The year began on a sour note with a cracked tooth that eventually
broke and required surgical removal. Dental pain is never fun, but combining it
with other hiccups made the start of 2024 feel like a test of endurance. On top
of that, my car decided it was time for a new stop-start battery, a seemingly
simple fix that still managed to pinch the wallet. To add to the chaos, my
wife’s car reached the end of its road-worthy life, necessitating the purchase
of a new vehicle. Needless to say, January wasn’t cheap—or pain-free.
However, as winter trudged along, I held onto the hope that
better days were ahead. It’s always been my belief that tough starts pave the
way for brighter moments, and in this case, that belief wasn’t misplaced.
Spring: Fishing Reignites My Spirits
When spring arrived, life began to shift into a more
positive gear. As the weather warmed, so did my fishing prospects. The carp
were active, and my catch rate steadily improved. Though I struggled to land
the larger specimens, I was thrilled to be back on the water, reuniting with
the calm and focus fishing brings me.
Fishing in the spring has always been about reconnecting—not just with nature, but with myself. Each trip was a reminder that no matter how rough the start of the year, moments of peace and personal achievement were always within reach.
Summertime Challenges and Resilience
Just as things seemed to settle, summer threw an unexpected
curveball that changed everything. One Sunday night, completely out of the
blue, I suffered a heart attack. It was a life-altering moment that forced me
to pause and reevaluate everything. I spent a month at home recovering,
adjusting to a new normal and coming to terms with the fragility of life.
While the recovery process was daunting, I was determined
not to let it keep me from the activities I loved. By the end of the summer, I
was back on the bank, rod in hand, continuing my remarkable streak of no-blank
sessions. Looking back, it’s hard to overstate how much fishing meant to me
during this time—it wasn’t just a hobby but a source of healing and resilience.
Summer holidays came around, and while the trip was more for my family’s benefit than my own, I found joy in the shared moments of relaxation and connection. Still, I noticed that post-recovery life wasn’t without its challenges. Fatigue lingered, and my energy wasn’t quite what it used to be. To top it off, I caught an illness during our trip to Ireland, adding another layer of difficulty. But in true spirit, I soldiered on, finding solace back at the lakes.
Finding Success in Adaptation
Returning to fishing after my health scare meant making
adjustments. I realized that, for the time being, I needed to stay closer to
the car park—a small concession that unexpectedly led to one of my most
successful fishing periods yet. The proximity didn’t just make things easier on
my body; it also seemed to bring me luck with bigger carp.
Suddenly, I couldn’t stop catching 20-pounders. Session
after session, I landed remarkable fish, and it felt like the universe was
rewarding my persistence and adaptability. Those moments were a testament to
the idea that sometimes, when you’re forced to change your approach, you end up
discovering something extraordinary.
Autumn: A Season of Reflection and New Beginnings
Autumn brought its own mix of highs and lows. One of the
hardest blows came when Spotted Fin, a bait company I’d trusted and relied on
for years, closed its doors. I was gutted—not just for myself but for their
team and the community that had come to love their products. Their bait had
been a cornerstone of my fishing success, and the loss left me wondering how
I’d move forward.
The closure forced me to make a tough decision about my
fishing-related social media content, blogs, and videos. Part of me wanted to
give it all up. But after heartfelt conversations with friends, I realized how
much I loved documenting my fishing journey. Writing and creating videos had
always been more than a pastime; it was a way of preserving memories and
sharing my passion with others.
In the end, I decided to forge ahead. The next step was finding a new bait company. After careful research, I narrowed my to Nutrabaits and contacted them. To my delight, Nutrabaits—a brand I’ve admired since the late 80s—offered me an opportunity. Being associated with such a historic name in carp fishing was an honour I never imagined, I could be part of.
Rediscovering Nutrabaits: A Trip Down Memory Lane
I recently started putting together my first Nutrabaits
order in over 20 years. Back in the day, I used to make my own baits, so
browsing through their website felt like stepping back in time. It brought back
many incredible memories of rolling my own bait and experimenting with
different recipes.
The Home Rolling section was especially nostalgic. Seeing
base mixes like Hi-Nu-Val and the Enervite range, along with the classic
favourite flavours, transported me right back to those days. I remembered the
additives I used to use—dried seaweed, Betaine and liver powder—all blended
into my scratch-made base mixes. Sadly, I just don’t have the time anymore, and
with how good ready-made boilies are these days, I’m not sure there’s a need to
go back to the rolling table.
Which Range to Choose?
With so many amazing boilie ranges to choose from, it was
impossible to pick just one. The 4S+ range caught my eye, but my nostalgia
pulled me toward Cream Cajouser—a bait I’d done very well with in the past.
Trigga Ice also stood out as a fantastic choice, especially with winter fast
approaching. My syndicate water has been particularly challenging over the last
couple of years, and I needed something to give me an edge during the tough
months of January and February.
These colder months are when the carp slow down, and
catching becomes even harder. But I also know there’s a good chance the Big
Common will be tipping the scales close to, if not over, 50 lbs by then, making
the effort worthwhile. A solid bait choice could be the edge I need to stand
out among my syndicate friends. Although we all share tips and information to
help each other achieve our goals, a little extra edge never hurts!
A Sweet Surprise
I was particularly drawn to the CO-DE range
because nut meal base mixes tend to work exceptionally well on the lakes I
fish. The carp absolutely love them. When my second order arrived, including
the Co-De, I was blown away by the smell—it was sweet, rich, and utterly
gorgeous. I couldn’t wait to get down to the lake and give it a go. This
second order arrived just 10 days after my first—I simply couldn’t resist.
Along with the Co-De, I also picked up some Trigga Ice,
which smelled exactly as I remembered. My first order had been the Cream
Cajouser range, and it was just as effective and nostalgic as I’d hoped.
Intrigued by Solubles
One thing that really caught my attention was the Solubles range. It’s a completely different concept and a
huge time-saver compared to grinding up boilies. These baits start breaking
down immediately, releasing a host of attractants into the swim. It’s a
brilliant idea, and I’m eager to see how they perform in my sessions.
Rediscovering Nutrabaits has been an exciting journey.
Between the memories it’s stirred up and the potential of these baits, I feel
more motivated than ever to tackle the challenges ahead. I can’t wait to get
back out there and see how these trusted baits perform this winter.
First-time success
I was soon off out on the bank giving again once my first
order arrived and boy did that turn out to be a fanatic session, using the
Cream Cajouser and Trigger Ice. I ended up with five carp landed, which gave me
a real buzz for future trips over the coming months, plus giving it a go on the
Airfield Lake after those unknown lumps
Winter: Closing Out the Year with Lessons Learned
As winter approached, Airfield Lake closed for the season,
prompting me to shift my focus to Meadow Lake and the Estate Lake. Meadow Lake,
ever temperamental during the colder months, tested my patience with
challenging conditions like high pressure, snow, and freezing temperatures.
Despite the difficulties, I eventually tried my luck at the Estate Lake.
That decision paid off handsomely. On my first trip there, I
landed four carp, the largest weighing 26 pounds 5 ounces, which makes going
fishing in the dark winter months worth it. However, the session wasn’t without
its quirks. On the final morning, while unhooking a swan that had gotten
caught, I 'decided' to hook my finger—a first in my decades of fishing!
Unfortunately, my luck didn’t hold, and my next attempt was
at the Estate Lake, where conditions remained stubbornly unfavourable. Despite
this, I ended the year with a sense of accomplishment, grateful for the
experiences and lessons that shaped 2024.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on 2024, I’m struck by the resilience it demanded
and the rewards it ultimately offered. From health scares to unexpected
successes, from saying goodbye to trusted bait to embracing new opportunities,
this year has had it all.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the importance of
perseverance. Whether on the bank or in life, the ability to adapt, push
forward, and find joy in the journey has been my anchor. Fishing remains not
just a hobby but a reflection of life itself—a balance of patience, strategy,
and the thrill of the unknown.
Here’s to 2025—a new chapter filled with challenges to
overcome, memories to create, and, hopefully, plenty of carp to catch.
Until next time,
Richard Handel