A Fresh Start to the Season
After months of frozen lakes and quiet banks, Easter weekend brought the perfect opportunity to kickstart the carp season. With warmer weather on the way and high hopes in the air, we set our sights on a lake that holds both history and big potential—Tegelbruksdammen. What followed was a session full of surprises, legendary catches, and the kind of moments every angler lives for.
A Promising Easter Forecast
With Easter on the horizon and temperatures finally on the rise, our hopes lifted. After some debate, we chose Tegelbruksdammen—a Rutilus club lake with a reputation for early-season activity. A former clay pit turned carp haven, the lake is rich in history and full of character, making it a favorite for both of us.
We began baiting five days in advance, applying 20 kg of TRC, MP1 freezer boilies, and pellets across six spots. Everything felt right. The weather, the prep, the energy—it was time.
Good Friday: Let the Action Begin
The session started calmly. We used our new bait boat to place rigs with precision and committed fully to fishing with our new bait, “Zest.” At 12:30, all rods were in place. By 13:20, the first fish of the year was in the net—a thick, perfect mirror weighing 7.5 kg. The feeling was unreal. First fish of the season, and it was a beauty.
Just 40 minutes later, another take for Niklas. This one wasn’t smooth—caught in a bush, a forgotten net, a panicked row out—but eventually, a stunning 9 kg mirror joined the tally.
Soon after, it was Mia’s turn. Her first run of the year produced a sleek 8.7 kg mirror, and from there, the session kicked into full gear. Niklas followed with two strong commons at 8.8 kg and 10 kg. We paused just long enough to grill some burgers and reflect on how lucky we were to be back on the bank with rods bending and the season officially underway.
An Old Legend Returns
Later that evening, at 20:35, something special happened. A heavy mirror was netted, and as Niklas looked down, he grinned:
“Hey Rebecka, it’s been a while.”
Rebecka is no ordinary carp. First caught in 2015 by Birger Holmqvist after his ÖDCC win, she weighed 27.43 kg and was crowned Sweden’s biggest carp. Now, at around 35 years old, she tipped the scales at 20.125 kg—still a queen, even if she’s shedding some weight.
Night Moves and Morning Glory
After Rebecka, we joked that all the fish were on Niklas’s side. Then, Mia’s rod took off—but her foot had fallen asleep! Stumbling toward her gear, she managed to connect and land a 14.02 kg mirror, one we recognized from a 2022 session at 13.75 kg. A reunion of sorts.
The night stayed busy. At 00:10, Niklas landed a small, skinny common. Moments later, Mia caught another—both safely returned without photos. Exhausted, we tried to sleep, but the action never really stopped.
Wrapping Up: A Session to Remember
As daylight returned, we looked over our gear—slings full, mats soaked, and cameras ready. We wrapped up the session with 15 landed carp and 3 lost, fueled by prep, patience, and a lot of passion.
This session was everything we’d hoped for—connection, action, and a perfect start to the season. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do. For us, carp fishing is more than just catching—it’s the process, the memories, and the love for the sport.
