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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
& topics
Species
Archive
Venues & topics
Species
Archive

The Chubb Steam (8)

Venue: Chubb Stream

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

Arrival time: 11.15 (bankside)
Weather: Bright sunshine, cold and windy.
Tackle: 9ft Shimano Aero X1 Finesse Feeder (1.5oz quiver), link leger, 5lb line, 8/6 hook.
Shimano Exage 1000RC reel.
Baits: Bread flake & Cheese paste.
Fish: One chub

With a 'new' right hip since August I'm still very much in recovery. The 2-bar metal fence between the first and second meadow was, therefore, a no-go. This meant that I needed to walk across the middle of the field to where there was an unrestricted opening, adding a good 10 minutes to the distance.

I headed to what I call the 'tree swim' and found the water clear and the level low. Combined with the bright sun these weren't ideal conditions.

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Species: Chub

River Great Ouse - Offord (13)

Mill Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord |Mill Stream

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

Arrival time: 11.00 in car park
Weather: Bright with a blustery wind.
Tackle: 12' Korum Multi-feeder, simple SSG link, 6lb line, 6 hook.
Baits: Cheese paste / bread flake.
Fish: 2 chub, 1 roach

I did well on my last trip to the Mill Stream, my first fishing outing after my hip operation. So today I was reasonably confident of getting a fish or two. But although conditions were good I struggled. There were plenty of indications on the rod top but most were no more than taps, and when there was a more positive pull it was short and extremely difficult to hit.

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Species: Chub, Roach

River Great Ouse - Houghton (2)

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: circa 11.20 at swim.
Weather: Bright sunshine with light breeze.
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, simple SSG link, 6lb line, 6 hook.
Baits: Bread flake & cheese paste.
Fish: 3 chub

Back to the Houghton Trout Stream, this time to the weir pool at the head of the stream. A lovely spot but only three smallish chub caught. A swan rather ruined things at the end.

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Species: Chub

River Great Ouse - Houghton (1)

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: circa 11.00 at first swim.
Weather: Cloudy bright with a fresh wind.
Tackle: 12' Korum Multi-feeder, simple SSG link, 6lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Bread flake & cheese paste.
Fish: 2 chub

I was keen to try this little stream but realised that with my recovering hip it might be difficult. And so it turned out. There were very few swims and some of them were quite challenging, involving wading through undergrowth and nettles, and watching out for uneven ground that could easily trip me up.

The first couple of swims didn't reward me, but in the third I had a bite within minutes of casting, fairly typical of chub if they're in residence.

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Species: Chub

Fields End (110)

Venue: Fields End

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

Arrival time: 10.30
Weather: Sunny but chilly with a strong NW wind
Tackle: 14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Rapidex 2400 centre pin with 5lb line, 4lb bottom & 14 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Hemp seed & sweet corn feed, corn, prawn, cheese paste & artificial casters on the hook.
All fish taken on corn
Fish: Four roach

Back to Fields End after my hip operation having missed the summer. After a few mild days the temperature had dropped and a fierce NW wind made things difficult.

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Species: Roach

River Great Ouse - Offord (12)

Mill Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord |Mill Stream

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

Arrival time: 10.00 in car park
Weather: Overcast but not too cold with a fresh wind.
Tackle: 12' Korum Multi-feeder, simple SSG link, 6lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Cheese paste.
Fish: 4 chub

First fishing trip after a hip replacement in August and although only 2½ hours, it was quite successful with two nice chub.

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Species: Chub

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