On Monday 13/12 at midday, I arrived in Las Palmas airport where it was raining, and followed the driving instructions to Lake Chira. After an hours drive I reached Arteara, and the local police told me that there had been a storm during the past few days and the road was not passable - they sent me to Mogan. An hour and half later I reached my turn-off just after Mogan, and once again, the local police informed me that this road was also blocked. Five and a half hours after starting out, driving via Vecindario, Santa Lucia and San Bartolome, avoiding boulders on the roads (which were not for the faint hearted)and in the driving rain and darkness I arrived at my apartment. That night I thanked my good fortunes that I had packed waterproofs, boots and a torch, and ventured into the village, but it was totally shut (and flooded)!
The story continues . . .
Tues - fished lake in consistent heavy rain and four hours of sleet, caught nothing! Drowned my sorrows in the 'No Mercy' pub in the village, which was the only one open.
Weds - fished lake in rain showers, cleared up for a bit when Henry joined me (he couldn't believe that I had blanked on day one), and we both caught nothing! There was no sign of any movement on the lake whatsoever. Visited the 'No Mercy' bar and listened to the 90 year old lady who runs the place talking to me in Spanish for two hours!
Thurs - fished lake in showers, no movement, tried varying baits (sweetcorn, various boilies, corn, chick peas) and rigs, caught nothing! Watched one large carp swim under my rods, smile at me, and then swim back again over my heavily baited swims. My luck must be improving, two bars were open in the village - therefore did a pub crawl backwards and forwards between the 90 year olds bar and the other bar which is run by a one-armed, 3-fingered elderly gentleman. Agustin's wolf (Leo) followed me on the crawl, and lead me back to my apartment through the mud.
Fri - weather improved - it was cold, windy and cloudy but no rain, and once again blanked. My luck was sure to change tomorrow - a third 'Snack Bar' had opened in the village and I was going to get a bad hangover!
Sat - lake levels had risen by 12 feet since Monday and water had been getting cooler, Henry brought a Russian couple down to fish who got bored, and decided that they would prefer to get plastered on vino at Agustin's farmhouse! Henry left me an additional 3 rods, so I had 6 in total and still blanked. Had a long night drinking at the village bars, followed by lots of wine with Agustin, Pino (his wife) and their visitors.
Sun - sunny weather, water levels were stabilising, I assumed that it would take several more days consistent weather before things returned to normal, and both myself and Henry fished all day and blanked. Very little sign of movement on the surface of the lake. Henry and myself consoled ourselves in the one-armed man's bar, where Henry made a new friend (who thought that he was a good-looking Italian boy).
Mon - took a long slow drive back to the airport.
Due to the unseasonable weather the angling holiday did not got exactly as planned, however Agustin (and Pino's) hospitality and cooking, along with Henry's company (and ever-lasting optimism), plus the breath-taking scenery and sense of adventure meant that I still had a good time. . . and yes I will be returning to wipe the smile off that carp's face!
I attach some photos of the lake when I arrived (chira1-3) and as I was leaving (chira4/5).
Many thanks to Angling Lines, Agustin, Pino and Henry, but not to that smiling carp nor the weather, Terry.
PS. Best of luck to Ron with the angling in January.
Hi Terry .....sorry to here the eliments where against you mate ....I had a
very simular expriance a few years ago. I turned up to fish the lake all on
my own ....just after the rains. The road up was blocked off by a barrier,
as the rain had washed some of the road away and severl large rocks had
fallen from the mountain. But being an anglers who is not put off by
anything I moved the barrier and drove up to the lake very carefully and
just managed to squeze through several very large rock's that where blocking
the road. When I got to the lake the water was gushing over the dam, it was
choclate brown from all the soil it had washed off the mountains. I was
camping outside as well. I did have several carp ....but it was very very
hard going. and as I was on my own a couple of the locals took pity on me
and actualy put me up for a couple of nights!
They only have rain a couple of weeks in the year and have not had much at
all in the last three years .....so to say you were unlucky, is a bit of an
understatement!
I have fished the lake some 15 times and only ever had the one bad trip...
so dont be put off , as when the conditions are good, its a joy to fish.
I'm glad that Hennry and Augastin looked after you ......and Im not sure if
you're interested, but I will be running guided trips to the lake next
year(2005) in conjunction with Angling Lines. I have alot of expexperiance
to pass on to anglers and I'm sure I can put you some hard fighting Chira
carp on the bank.
All the very best .....Big Ron.
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