After a long gap between sessions, Wayne finally got back behind the rods at Enigma Lakes—a venue that had recently reopened when this trip was filmed. What followed was a proper emotional rollercoaster: optimism, frustration, a flying bivvy, a wet peg move and, finally, a memorable carp in the dark.

First impressions of Enigma Lakes

Wayne arrived to find a picturesque, well-presented lake with islands, mature willows and plenty of inviting water. During the video, he described the main lake as roughly 3.5 acres with around 14 pegs, while bookings were limited to a maximum of 12 anglers so spare swims remained available.

The stock was described at the time as roughly 200 carp between around 10lb and 30lb. Those details reflect the venue as discussed during this visit and may have changed since filming.

The Peg J plan

Starting on Peg J, Wayne placed one rod on a solid bag and the other on a combi-style presentation towards the island. Six anglers were on the lake, giving everyone plenty of water, and early reports suggested fish had been caught from several areas since the reopening.

For the first few hours, however, Wayne’s water looked lifeless. Watching an angler opposite catch only made the doubts louder: recast, change rigs, try the windward margin—or sit on his hands?

It’s only been a couple of hours. What am I crying about?

Meeting the team behind the venue

Owners Tom and Ryan joined Wayne to explain the work that had gone into restoring the fishery. They said they had taken it on in November 2020 and spent around 16 months renovating a venue that had suffered from neglect.

They also discussed managing the site’s different bodies of water rotationally, moving smaller fish when necessary and developing a separate, more exclusive lake for carp and catfish. It was clear how much work had gone into getting anglers back on the bank.

Then the weather took over

The wind pushed straight into Peg J, the rain intensified and even six bivvy pegs were not enough to prevent Wayne’s shelter from lifting. After Tom and Ryan helped get it under control, the session settled into survival mode: door down, signal gone and enthusiasm fading.

By late afternoon, Wayne had reached the familiar stage where every quiet rod feels like proof that a blank is coming. A ham-and-cheese toastie improved morale, but not the fishing.

The decision to move

When the rain briefly eased, Wayne committed to a full move across the lake. He initially called the new swim Peg G in the darkness, later correcting it to Peg C. The important part was that it got him out of the worst wind.

Rebuilding camp and placing two rods in heavy rain was hardly elegant. One solid bag may have landed too close to the island, while the other rig went roughly a rod length and a half off it. With the lake black, wet and miserable, the best option was to trust the placement and get some rest.

The reward: a striking pale mirror carp after the move to Peg C.

A carp in the darkness

The island rod finally went. Wayne landed a distinctive pale mirror—the first carp of the trip and exactly the result needed after such a difficult day. It came on the combi multi rig positioned roughly a rod length and a half from the island.

There was no weight stated in the film, and none was needed. After the wind, rain and frustration of Peg J, simply getting on the scoresheet felt like a win.

Morning reflections

Wayne was awake around 6am to replace the successful rod, refresh the solid bag and finally fly the drone after the previous day’s wind. With an 8am departure approaching, there was time for one final chance before packing the van.

No second fish arrived, but the emotional swing was complete. The move had brought shelter, confidence and a carp. Wayne left certain that Fresh Fishing would return—next time, ideally with Foxy alongside him.

What the session taught us