OXFORDSHIRE DEBUT DELIVERS A RARE 40LB+ ORCHID JEWEL 
Orchid Lakes, Oxfordshire
Kane Nelson’s first-ever session in Oxfordshire could hardly have gone any better after the iconic Orchid Lakes produced one of its rarely seen residents, Little No Name, at just over 40lb.
Kane had travelled down from the north with one simple aim: to catch an old Oxfordshire carp from a water steeped in history.
“There’s something special about old carp from iconic venues,” he said. “I’ve read and listened to so many stories about southern waters like Yateley and Redmire, and I’ve always dreamed of fishing places like that myself.
“When I finally made the journey down to Orchid, I was absolutely buzzing. I wasn’t chasing a particular weight; I just wanted an old warrior. I did say that a thirty or forty would be the icing on the cake, though.”
Despite rising temperatures making the conditions far from ideal, Kane received his first chance at around 5.30am following the first night.
His left-hand rod tore off as day began to break, and the fish immediately powered into thick Canadian weed.
“It was a proper battle,” Kane explained. “At one point, everything locked solid and I was looking around for a boat. I eased the pressure slightly, the fish came free and the fight continued.
“All I could think about was not losing my first bite on a southern water.”
After eventually guiding the fish over the net, the scales settled at 40lb and a few ounces. The lake’s bailiff later confirmed it was Little No Name, a carp that is reportedly caught only around once a year and has even disappeared for long periods in the past.
“To catch a fish that rarely sees the bank made it feel even more special,” Kane added.
The bite came over a mixture of crumbed DNA Baits Secret 7, 12mm Bug and 15mm S7 boilies, S7 Hydro Syrup, Hemp Oil and a blend of 6mm and 17mm pellets.
A 15mm pink Wraysberry pop-up, boosted in the matching Intense Booster and presented on a nine-inch hinged stiff rig tight to a weedbed, completed the successful approach.
A rare old Orchid carp, a first Oxfordshire capture and a forty-pounder to open the account. Some debut.