Lake Sorø
When the carp-gear was dragged around in the 90s, I often poked tent-pegs in the ground of Sorø region. Middle of the decades rumors, whispered about releases of carps in “Lake Sorø” The zebra-mussel should also have found its way. In a fortune-teller’s glass ball, one could see big fish feeding, on endless fields of mussels.
Test-fishing in 1999, showed that a stock with sensible growth, had been established. Healthy specimens up to 5-6kg came on the mat.
24th September 2020: This is fourth trip this year, where my view from the bed-chair is Lake Sorø. In company with Jakob Gottschalk, there had been 3 short trips from April, to the beginning of June.
More than 20 years have passed, since we last had our walk, around this fabled water-mirror. In passing seasons, the carp-stock has been significantly supplemented.
“Sorø Angling-association/Sorø Lystfisker-forening” did a very good job! Recently years catches, confirms that predictions from the past, have become true!
The spring-fishing peaked, with a 14.2kg common-carp for Jakob.
Time was spent on each trip, sailing around investigating the lake.
That way, we got some local-knowledge in 5-6 weeks.
3rd June, the heat had really taken its hold.
As we sailed along the lake edges, there were spotted small groups of carps, that appeared to be preparing for spawning.
Stagnant or slowly moving between each other, they let the sun do the rest.
In the evening, setting camp at Bøgeholm-Bay, we had been given a good insight of the stock.
When repositioning tackles the following day, I clearly see two 12-14kg mirrors. In the middle of the bay, they almost follow the boat. Speed is reduced completely, so that the sight can be enjoyed as long as possible.
When it comes to my knowledge, where the 2 gentlemen got the attention directed, breathing stops and my stomach freezes! Just 4-5m next the boat, a big lady swims in sunlight. She appears like a picture, and it’s impossible to estimate weight below 20kg. We all go together for 10-15 seconds, before our road separates.
Now autumn is just around the corner. Next 2 days there will be done some fishing, and the initial exercises for October, is to be carried out.
Two over 18kg: First night a 12.2kg mirror comes out of Bøgeholm-bay, but otherwise it’s quiet. Friday afternoon Morten Rasmussen drops by in a boat. Over the railing, we have a good talk. If anyone know the pulse of Lake Sorø, it’s him.
At 18.30, Mr. Rasmussen found a spot, laid out the rods, and rapped 18.2kg in the net. He lands one more mirror at 18.3kg before dawn.
It wasn’t exactly a boost to my self-confidence, but are you crazy some nice fish! A motivation-factor to be noticed!
Saturday, I spend time searching a spot, for next week. An area in front of the academy-ground, between the point and Sivøen becomes my choice.
8kg mixed tiger-nuts/boilies, are distributed over an approx. 100m long feed track that is 3m wide.
It’s positioned from edge of the reed-forest, and out to 5.5m of water. The bottom is firm, and majority is covered, by a 5cm thin layer of weed.
This green carpet turned out to hold great riches, of small snails and zebra-mussels.
Should there be any carps moving, between the shallow water at Ingemanns Ø/Ingemanns Island, and Sivøens/Reed-island steeper slopes, they now had a reason to take a break here.
New Challenges: Since returning from France back in July, a 3.2m inflatable-boat has been set up to fish from. It would undeniably bring new perspective into the fishing.
Before I return to Sorø, last details got to be in place. The tent with associated spare-parts, finally arrived from Netherlands. Twelve clamps are to be carefully glued on the boat, then it should be ready to go.
40kg boilies were rolled and put in dry-trays, for more than a month ago.
Now they are dried to the core, and have a hard structure that makes them more resilient to small fish.
When the boat is fully assembled on the lawn, I’m well satisfied. It would be exciting to see, if the expectations were to be fulfilled.
Bad: 1st October, only 3kg nuts/boilies are spread, on the 100m long feeding-area, in front of the Academy. The night is to be spent at Ingemanns Island. If the shallow water contained carps, I would most likely notice them.
A southerly wind blows steady into the area. 2 spots are sparce baited, and with some difficulty, the boat is anchored between 4 points.
Here I was freely exposed, in wind-speed 6m/s. It should be an affordable task, this first night on the water.
Before dinner I have become uncomfortable. Perfect timing to get sick now! Soft waves that constantly crash under the bottom, do not help this situation at all.
The boats stable rocking movements, rises and falls with the wind. At same time, it twists between the ropes, so the horizon moves from side to side, when looking out the tent-opening. After a fruitless miserable night, the anchors are raised.
A nauseating feeling of illness makes me want to go home. There’s been bait in front of the Academy for 6 days. It’s an easy choice to make!
Sickness could be what it was! I simply had to know, if any carps had appeared on the buffet.
Better: After a short boat-ride around the point, a marker is thrown at the food-strips deep end. Without further feeding, I anchor along the reed-forest.
The strip is placed at an oblique angle from the bank. From the boat-position there’s about 90m to the marker.
One rod is laid 20m away, on the edge of the reeds. Next one in the middle of the track, at a distance of 40m. Farthest out at 5.5m depth, the last lands with a throw of 80m.
I’m sheltered from waves, and the illness leaves my body. The good old sea-sickness must have stroked, without me recognizing its ugly face.
Middle-rod starts the night with 8kg mirror. A 10.2kg common, takes off an hour later from the deepest end. As morning light dawns, a 14.6kg mirror-carp ends the night.
Latter had delivered pure hell, when it saw one of the anchor-ropes. In 2m of water, above as below the rope, we fought an all to close duel.
Result of the trip had been better than expected. Now I had to go home and work on a better solution, for mooring of the boat.
The spot got baited with 3kg boilie/nuts before departure.
…
Second attempt: 6th October, Smalsøen gets investigated to find a place that can complement first-chosen.
A limited feeding of 2kg, is split over 2 areas, after which I move on to the Academy.
A marker is positioned. 2kg bait is distributed, and the boat is fixed between pvc-pipes, knocked into the lake-bed. I catch 3 rough breams first day. After release, hook-link is dismantled.
The hook-free lead is thrown in a direction, that disturbs fishing as little as possible.
Marker-elastic is tight to the main-line, which indicate were the line should be clipped. Regaining the line, it’s inserted to the spool line-clip, when marking is at a selected point.
After remaining line-intake, the hook-link can be mounted free from unnecessary damage.
A cast to the line-clip, place the tackle exactly where it came from.
For the next month, only 6 more breams are caught.
I have to wait till second night of the trip, before anything moves.
At 01.00 contact is made with the deepest located rod. Unfortunately, hook loses grip after a short while.
At 02.00, a common-carp is outwitted in middle of the feeding. Its 10.1kg remove some of the bad taste, that appeared 1 hour ago.
Wind turns from south to south/west overnight, and It peaks at 7-8m/s.
The boat had become pretty lively.
Pressure on the pvc-pipes is gradually becoming too much. They had been difficult to get proper into the lakebed, at start of trip.
Now one was tearing itself free from the segment, and the other bents so much, that the boat almost drift over it. I had enough!
When returning home to the workshop, my forging-ability had to come in use. Power of wind and water had been totally underestimated! A couple of serious pegs were needed, if I was to sleep peacefully at night. Wind forced me to pack up at 10.00, before everything went completely wrong.
The Academy is feed with 3kg when leaving. Bait-track is shortened to a length of 60m. With no activity in low-water, I choose to concentrate fishing at the deep part.
2 spots in Smalsøen, which were started up a few days ago, also get 2kg each.
Perfect: 10th October, Smalsøen are tested. Wind is week and I have good visibility over a calm surface. For 24 hours I neither see nor here any signs of carp.
Third mooring system consist a pair of 2m long iron-pipes, with welded/grinded solid tips. They can be extended with pipes of 1m. A heavy-duty rubber-patch and a hammer, also found its way into the gear-bag.
2 pvc-pipes of 50cm, are lined on the outside with foam. Pulled over the iron-pipes, they can move freely vertically.
1 pipe on each side of the boat is pressed/tapped firmly into the lake-bed.
Lined tubes are pulled over (Foam keeps them floating). The boat is moored tightly with quick-release, between the foam-pipes. It can now move in the waves, but is held in its position.
There’s no force pulling pipes out of the segment, and boat-sides are protected against the constant movements. If it’s needed to go sailing, 2 quick-release are loosened, and the boat can slide free between the foam, that rotates when the sides collide. If camp has to be completely calm, a third pipe can hold the bow.
Before moving to the Academy, rods are pulled in, iron-pipes get dragged out of lake-bed and a marker is collected. It’s an obvious time, between change of spots, to go ashore and get the legs stretched out. The boats rocking, cramped conditions do not offer mush physical exercise.
Yesterday the 60m long track had 2kg nuts/boilies. A marker is placed according to the sonar way-point. It will keep me informed about, where the feed-trail ends in deep water. Without any further, I anchor at edge of the reeds.
To begin with, the night delivers a fantastic 14.1kg common-carp.
Same rod an hour later, pulls a 9kg. Both takes were in the lowest end at a depth of 3.5m.
Third night of the trip, a 12.1kg mirror calls. Middle-rod placed in 4.5m of water has triumphed. When I retreat before noon, 2kg more bait is added to the strip.
A little too smart: 15th October, whole afternoon is spend searching for a new spot. It haunts me, that I haven’t found another area, also containing fish.
Finally! between Ran and Ægir, rhythm of the waves is disturbed by a carp. 10 minutes later it happens again. A few kilo boilie/nuts find their way to the bottom.
Back at the Academy, on top of 2kg fresh bait, 3 chod-rigs are thrown in the water. Until now I only lost 1 fish, but 2 others had been hooked in the side of their mouth.
A lead-clip mounted rig, perhaps lay a little too deep in the thin layer of gras. That should the chods solve with a snap.
After 2 cold nights down to minus 1 degree, a big zero is in the house. I curse myself, for having deviated, from a technique that already worked.
The Academy and Ran/Ægir gets 2kg bait each, before I run off, with the tail between my legs.
Split-Tail: 19th October, I spend a night with no result at Ran/Ægir. Three times through the dark, a weighty animal is heard rolling in the surface. The nights 2 spots are fed with 3kg combined. Then I move to the Academy, where the 60m belt was supplemented with 2kg.
Tackles I used on a lead-clip system the first weeks, is in a slightly shorter version, mounted on a 100g helicopter set-up. With the stop-bead 10cm up the leader, it should ensure a good presentation of my hook-bait, on the thin layer of growth. I don’t know what it’s called, but call it “Hinged-D/Combi-rig”. An aggressive rig for bottom and balanced bait, where mechanical effects of the rig, can be trimmed after own wish.
Hook-link is 30lb soft-coated, and 18cm long. It’s stripped the Last 10mm before the stiff-rig section, that measures 15mm. An albright-knot gathers the materials.
A long D-loop is fitted with a rig-ring, and bait is mounted with bait-floss. There’s 2-3mm distance between bait and ring, so that free movement is at maximum.
Aligna and D-loop can be formed in many ways, and tightened to many hook-patterns. With a wide-gape/beaked-point/size 2, the pictured design has proven to be more than effective.
02.30 the middle-rod moves. From 60m a fish is tumbled to the net, and in goes a beautiful linear-carp known as “Split-Tail”.
Its 16.5kg are my best from Lake Sorø so far.
03.30 a furious individual, picks up in the low end. It keeps pushing left, and 30m away the snack-leader snaps.
It happened in open water, 5m before the carp reached the reed-forest.
Don’t remember that I found any obstacles right there?
04.30 The middle pays off in a 10kg common.
Before I leave the Academy gets 3kg and Ran/Ægir the same. During a closer look at the crime-scene, where the leader snapped last night.
I find an old iron-pipe, for mooring boats. Its top are 10cm below surface, and a scary layer of mussels covers it from top to bottom.
Six quick ones: 23rd October the area in front of the Academy has been continuously fed for 27 days. 4 runs take of in 6 hours. My 2 deepest rods stand for the entertainment.
4.5-5.5m are their chosen feeding depth for this night, and first one, gets me on my feet at 01.00.
It’s a 10+ common that is followed by an 11+ mirror-carp. 2 hours later, another one fights in the depts. First 40m of braid, doesn’t come in easy. Pushed to the bottom it swims across, and several times direction is change back, to where it came from. Ugly head-shakes can be felt every time it turns around.
20m remains when the sideways movement stops. For 5 seconds there’s a stand-still, then it roars directly at me. Contact is kept, while I wheel like crazy. The direction doesn’t chance!
Unaffected by the weak pressure, the experienced player scores a perfect coal, between my 2 iron-pipes in the lake-bed. It appears again on side of the boat, dangerously close to the reeds.
A mirrors wide neck, had shown in the light. In total panic, I grab my rod at the tip-end, and turn it 180 degrees, by slinging the wheel out behind the boat.
Hanging over the pontoon, right hand grips the rod-tip. With my left I managed to catch the line on the other side of the iron-pipe. 4m away, a big fish rolls in the reed-forest, as my soaked arms pull the rod home.
I winkle it out into the open, and we tumble a bit before it’s rapped in the net, seeing its 17.2kg beaten.
06.45 an undramatic fight is played out, with a 14.7 mirror-carp.
After this night hardships, I move to Ran/Ægir. Day before I fed 2 spots with 1kg boilie/nuts each. A fallen tree lies in the water only 20m from my location.
One rig is positioned on completely solid bottom, 1m from the snack. The stop-bead on the leader, is moved as close to the lead as is can.
A thick layer of silt/weed with a few collapsed water-lilies, lies in a 50m wide belt along the bank.
The transition to solid bottom, is at a depth of 4m. Out here are 2 other rods fishing.
Sinking braided line are slackened on all rods. Swinger is at the very bottom. The line hang from the top-eye, so that the boat-movements are absorbed in the first meters of line, without affecting swinger and bite-alarm. This means that I only have line over the bottom, just around me. First trips were attempted with tightened nylon-line.
I felt better about this approach.
All fish had been caught on a 20mm sinking boilie from the bag. It’s tipped with a white rubber-dumbell and no boost is used. Neither is pva-bags or the like.
Heavy-duty tight plastic bags, have been filled with 18-22mm hard dried-out boilies.
A few days before trip, they had been added a little tiger-nut water. Only so much, that it makes them shine, without any splashing excess water, in the bottom of the bag.
The next days before departure, procedure is repeated 5-10 times at intervals. The dry boilies are now discreetly reactivated, and a sticky tiger-nut brine envelops them. Beside a peel of brine, they are still extremely hard in the middle. That’s a boilie from the bag, this month. After a take, 20 boilies have been scattered with throwing-stick, around the relocated rig.
The fallen tree stores a 14kg. Early in the evening, it steps into my trap.
At 03.30 a 16kg comes to the sight. We have a great dance, before it lies exhausted in the net. Hooked at a distance of 20m, I was allowed to feel both mirror-carps full strength. The obligatory feedings are thrown at both the Academy and Ran/Ægir. Very satisfied with the last 2 nights, I set the course for home.
The Final: 29th October, there is silence at the Academy. Shortly after start, it turns into an 8kg mirror. Wind has been blowing from southerly directions all month.
The coming days it will turn to west, and make this weed-forest a very scary place to live.
After a restful night’s sleep, the spot is left, with no plans of return.
Yesterday at Ran/Ægir, I fed the fallen tree and the area at 4-5m depth.
Opposite direction of the tree, in about 15m from where the boat will lie, a third spot was prepared. 24 hours later, I could through 2m clear water, see the spot was total vacuumed.
1kg boilie/nuts had evaporated at the edge of the reed-forest. Before anchoring for the night, it gets 500g more.
Slack-line on newly elected tightens at 21.30. Before the swinger hits top, I make contact with hand on the spool. My action doesn’t fall in good soil!
At an angle away from the reeds and me, it tears 10m line through the eyes. As it moves directly to open water, with my fingers as brake, this out-burst is a true pleasure.
2 minutes later, the animal surprises with a new deep pull. My regained 10m leaves the wheel, and sets the match status quo. I feel no joy anymore! This is the fish!
Due to the autumns falling temperatures, weed has begun to collapse.
Hidden by darkness, a few weed-strands have gathered around my lines.
This had resulted in a gentle tightening, that sets the 2 other swingers in motion as I tumble in the boat.
During the whole fight, the receiver makes noise inside the tent. It would have stressed me under normal circumstances. This evening sounds disappears in the rush of adrenaline.
Including soaked retainer/weigh-sling, my “60kg Fox digital weight” shoves 21.6kg. Sling usually weighs 1.8kg when completely wet. So, the total ends up at 19.8 mirror-kilos.
The Shape! The Size!! Are you crazy she reminds me of the 20kg+ carp, that followed me on side of the boat, back June.
With still 9 hours to sunrise, which is a long time sacking a fish, it is allowed to recover in the sling. At same time I’m preparing for a dark-session, in one of the world most small photo-studio.
After release, the sling was controlled to weigh 1.8kg. Subsequently the Fox weight has been equated with my “Rapala 25kg digital weight”.
They show identical, within 10g.
My biggest carp to date, was so close to 20+, that I had to check the tools.
Later in the night, the carp is recognized as the same Morten Rasmussen caught 15th November 2019. At that time, the largest known Cyprinus Carpio in Lake Sorø, weighed 22.1kg.
The area on middle distance, has not produced a take. It had been here I saw a carp to begin with, a few weeks earlier. The reward calls at 01.45.
An insanely beautiful mirror-carp, get sacked 1.7m below me. In a heavy morning haze, 17.9kg is shown.
Last Round: 4-6th November, is spent at Ran/Ægir. The 2 spots got 1.5kg each when I left them. They had 500g more at start of trip.
Wind is from north/west, and 2 nights goes by with no interruption. When it’s time to leave, the wind pushes 12m/s over the treetops. Out on open water, my tent acts like a sail, and the old Minn-kota keeps direction. Pace is twice the normal, as wind and waves carry me to “Andebugten/Duck-bay”.
Summary: Since 1st October, it been 8 trips on Lake Sorø. 17 nights in the boat, had given 18 carps on caste-fishing. 9 largest ranged from 14 to 19.8kg.
35kg boilies left the bag. Along with 35kg prepared tiger-nuts, they lured carps to the plate.
Weather had offered the whole autumn palette. During rainy cold nights, condensation formed so strongly in the tent, that everything got wet.
A bed-chair cover kept me and the sleeping-bag dry.
Never has the weather-forecast been scrutinized more closely.
One must always be in advance of the wind, not to get caught in a perhaps dangerous situation.
Life-jacket had been on, when the boat wasn’t firmly anchored.
Theres no space, so everything superfluous must stay home. The gear got to be packed with military discipline.
The boat is mounted with inflatable bottom, so it can be as stealth as possible. This thick rubber-mattress, absorbs rattle and thump, quite sublime. Cooking, sharp objects, etc. Are their very own business, in this delicate environment.
The bed, rod-pod hold, extension-cords for the electric engine, tent-clamps, as well as the pipe-system for anchoring, I had to create myself. End-result was a kind of carp-stalkin machine.
Freedom on the water had been total! The fishing intense and challenging! It’s not the last time, I spend a night in the waves cradle.
Martin Stormly 2021.
