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Diary of an average angler

Who favours traditional methods & baits

fisherman

This diary dates back to a holiday in 2003 when I think the urge to get back into fishing took off. From around 2007 the trips became more frequent with 2010/11 probably being the peak of activity.
Things again pick up in 2020 - a sort of rebirth!

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Venues
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Species
Archive
Venues & topics
Species
Archive

River Great Ouse - Houghton (14)

Trout Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Houghton |Trout Stream

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Overcast with a bitter easterly wind. Some dampness in the air.
Tackle: Drennan 1¾lb TC 12ft 'Specialist Barbel', Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, 2SSG link, 8lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake, cheese paste & maggots
Fish: One Pike.

After blanking at the Clay Pit I decided to return to the rivers, choosing the Trout Stream as it had been kind to me on recent visits. The forecast was for an easterly wind with a low risk of rain, so I took a chance. This turned out to be a mistake, as the wind was strong and absolutely bitter. And to make things even less appealing, the stream was high and coloured. I started about midway along the stretch as I had done on earlier visits.

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Species: Pike

The Clay Pit (21)

Side pond
Venue: The Clay Pit

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Cold with a clear blue sky. Very light breeze.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy TX Float rod, Allcocks 4" centrepin, 4BB waggler with lift-method single shot, 6lb main line with 3lb pre-tied hook length to 16 wire hook.
Baits: Maggots.
Fish: Blank.

Once again the rivers were flooded so I decided to go to the Clay Pit as it was local. I had bought maggots having not done very well back in November on sweetcorn. I was alone bar a couple of hardy carp anglers on the main lake. I immediately became a bit concerned when I saw how clear the water was in the pond. This can be an indication of lack of aquatic activity, and so it was to prove!

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Species: Blank

River Great Ouse - Houghton (13)

Trout Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Houghton |Trout Stream

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 10.30
Weather: Chilly with sunny spells. Little wind.
Tackle: Drennan 1¾lb TC 12ft 'Specialist Barbel', Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, 2SSG link, 8lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake.
Fish: Two chub.

Following the success at the Trout Stream the previous Friday, when I lost a big fish, I decided to return only four days later. The choice of date was influenced by the forecast of more turbulent weather towards the end of the week. I basically repeated what I had done on the previous occasion, visiting the same spots. I also looked further downstream to where the stream merges with another channel. Quite a long walk, which I regretted!

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Species: Chub

River Great Ouse - Houghton (12)

Trout Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Houghton |Trout Stream

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 10.30
Weather: Overcast and chilly with a brief bright spell later. Little wind.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, two SSG link, 6lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake.
Fish: One chub.

I hadn't been fishing for a month. Christmas, followed by a flu bug, flooded rivers and challenging weather kept me away from the water. I decided to return to the Trout Stream as it fishes far better in the winter and I had a cracking day there back in November. Things started well when I hooked into a big fish but went downhill fairly rapidly. But having got over a minor crisis I had a good session in the end.

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Species: Chub

End of year review 2024

Venue: News

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.


Last year it was my back, and this year a replacement left hip in February delayed my fishing until the end of April.

It was, as usual, a year of mixed fortunes, with some good days and others where I struggled. In this year's review video I have opted not to include a selection of video clips, in order to keep the review quite short. I have instead summarised where I went and what I caught with a voice-over commentary and a selection of photographs from the sessions.

River Great Ouse - Offord (40)

Triangle - Lock cutting
Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 10.30.
Weather: Chilly and overcast with little wind.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano match rod, Rapidex II 2400 centrepin, 6lb line, 4lb pre-tied Drennan hook length to 16 red wire hook.
Baits: maggots.
Fish: Small perch & roach.

With the river only recently returned to some sort of normal after yet another spate of heavy rain, my plan was to go to the Triangle section and fish the lock cutting. The spot near the bridge was my destination but unfortunately two other anglers were already there. I walked to what was effectively the end of the cutting and set up there. It wasn't as sheltered a spot as I had been aiming for but it wasn't affected by the fast moving water in the main streams. The sitting position was quite high above the water which made it a bit awkward.

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Species: Perch, Roach

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