On Christmas Day, after seeing a couple of fish in the area at first light, I leaded up to see what I could find and after a couple of casts, I remembered an old spot that had been kind to me in the past. Two pop-up rigs were placed, one directly on the trusty spot and one just off the same mark. The spots were baited with 2kg of crushed Manilla Shelf Life, sweetcorn and Bloodworm Pellets, all soaked in Cloudy Manilla Liquid.

5am the next morning, my rod was away and after not too much trouble, a rather large common was sulking in the landing net. What a mega Boxing Day treat! I woke up my old mate Steve for a helping hand, which was all the more special after not fishing together for a long time. Together we weighed her at an impressive 39lb 2oz and then slipped her into a retainer so that we could get some crisp pictures at first light.

5am the following morning and the weather had taken a drastic turn with a 40mph northwesterly wind, rain and snow. The temperature dropped like a stone, so we decided the warm café on Herons Point was calling. I left the rods out as I was packing up, I had already got most of my gear away when the left-hand rod kicked into action. I was gifted with an old 24lb mirror, which gave me the run around in the rain to keep me on my toes. I’m glad to say the festive trip back to Farlows was worthwhile, and left me in good spirits to get through a 4-hour drive back home in terrible conditions.”