Greys Carp - Academy - Kevin Benham

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Kevin Benham

Well known, all-round Essex angler, Kevin brings a lifetime of fishing experience to the Chub Consultancy team.

Kevin has worked in the fishing industry for the past 9 years, of which the past 4 have been with Chub as a Product development Manager. Before that he was a charter skipper operating his boat from Bradwell Marina in Essex.

He has also caught 5 UK Carp over 40lb and regularly arranges Carp fishing holidays to Farm Lake and Lac de Passion in France.

Vansessa Is Mine

"My alarm went off at 4am on the dot signalling the start of another Saturday social down at Layer Pit near Colchester. I had spoken with my good friend Alan Taylor the night before and looking at the forecast a new wind from the North West was due that day. We both really fancied getting on the cottage bank if possible as this side of the pit had been pretty kind to us at this time of year with the wind in this direction.

"As I came across Abberton Reservoir just before 5.30am I could see that there was already a good breeze coming across from the North West as forecast. I then drove up the hill to the pit and was first through the gate with Alan and a few others close in behind me. Great, we had first choice of swims. We loaded the barrows and made our way round to the tree and willow swims on the cottages. Whilst unloading I noticed a good few fish rolling and topping in front of us 'that's promising I thought, got it right.'

"Shortly after the first cup of tea of the day Alan was away and landed a Common around the 20lb mark. The rest of the morning passed without any further action. I wasn't too concerned at this point as these swims often fish better during the afternoon/evening period. Once or twice during the day the conversation turned to Vanessa, Layer's most sought after Carp which hadn't been out for around six months. We both felt that if she came out now she could be over the 40lb mark and was a fish that I had been hoping to catch for a long time. Early into the afternoon I was away on the left hand rod and after a hectic scrap landed a good looking Mirror of 24lb this was quickly followed by a Common of 20lb on the other rod. I got both rods back out and a little later had a brace of smaller Commons about 18lb a piece.

"Shortly after this another good friend of ours, Colin Rolfe moved in to my left in a swim called the long. As the day wore on more Carp started to roll in front of us and Colin landed a lovely looking Common of 28lb 10 ozs. I had netted the fish for Colin and just got back to my swim when the Chub Neuron alarm gave a double bleep. As I looked at the rod the indicator slowly pulled up to the top and the tip of the Torsion pulled down. I was quickly onto it and as soon as I pulled into the fish I knew that it was a lump. The fish came in very slowly not easily letting me gain much line until it shot of to my right and came to the top. Alan immediately said 'it's a Mirror and a good thirty.' I had caught a glimpse of it and thought that it was either Vanessa or her mate which looks very similar but is slightly smaller. The fish then ploughed up and down in front of me for ages, not coming up off the bottom and leaving huge boils and swirls as it turned. All of sudden the fish started to rise in the water. Alan was ready with the net and she went in first time, 'it's Vanessa' he said and sure enough there she was lying in the bottom of my net. She looked absolutely stunning and on the scales registered 40lb 8ozs. Pictures (see picture 31) were duly taken and she was released safely back into her home.

"It's always great feeling when you land a sought after fish but to get one that you have been hoping to catch for a long time while looking as stunning as this left me floating about for hours. Vanessa is mine... at last. Wey hey!"