finally cracked it!
i have been fishing short sessions on and off for about 3 years on a strech of canal with my old mate jay aka kippercatcher. he introdced me to it after showing me pics of some decent commons that he's had in the past.
after a spell away (baby and project house) we got together last sunday and i endend up being netsman...again for jay with this 17.5lb

1 week on, and i'm having none of it, i arrived a bit early and went for a wander and found 2 likely looking areas. i took note of the peg number and went back for my gear.
i cast my first bait through a gap in the over hanging trees on the opposite bank and after an hour or so i was slipping the net under my first proper carp from the canal. 14lb

happy days!
jay soon arrived and after handshakes and tea i recast may rod, the second bait was positioned in the right hand margin next to a bush which is growing from a crack in the wall, and at about 6pm the alarm busrt into life and i was locking horns with a very angry mirror 17lb 4oz

i can't wait to get back on, because i know it won't last long as these carp are very clever and wise up to baits and areas quickly. so i will make hay while the sun shines.