Lake Record for Kirsty

Here's a delightful story from 15-year-old Kirsty Willis of Wraysbury


I was camping in the New Forest with my family and friends. Russell Wood who is a keen fisherman invited me on my first fishing trip on the 27th May.
We were dropped off at Hordole Lakes by our parents. I didn't have any fishing equipment so he fixed me up with one of his old rods and a reel. The set up was a top surface float with a tutti-fruity pop-up.

After about an hour of fishing in the margins I had a run, it then took 10 minutes to land my first-ever fish, which was a 25lb 6oz common carp.

Not only was is it my first fish but we found out later from Fred Bigham the water bailiff, that I had set a new record for the lake.

I was very excited about my catch and was the talk of Hordole Lakes for the rest of the weekend.

Kirsty Willis
Wraysbury

Our congratulations goes to Kirsty - who's managed to catch a fishing of a lifetime at the first attempt! - Ed.