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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

The Clay Pit (4)

Venue: The Clay Pit

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 light southerly breeze
Tackle:
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Rapidex 2400 centre pin with 5lb line, 4lb bottom & 14 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Hempseed & sweetcorn.
Fish: Blank

After a dispiriting visit to Rookery Waters last week I bought a season ticket for an old clay pit where the fishing is challenging but the ambience is tranquil.

I fished this pit around ten years ago and decided to check it out again as an alternative to commercial fisheries. Many improvements had been put in place since that earlier visit with well-constructed fishing pitches, car parking and otter prevention fencing around the lake.

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Species: Blank

Rookery Waters (4)

Venue: Rookery Waters

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

Arrival time: 09.00
Weather: Warm and sunny with only a slight breeze after lunch
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 & luncheon meat on the hook.
Fish: Blank

As a change from Fields End, today I went to Rookery Waters in the hope of catching roach from Rook lake. I was to be disappointed.

Having spoken to a chap at Fields End I was led to believe that Rook lake was good for roach. Previously I had only fished Magpie lake at Rookery Waters, but as there had been matches on it on both days over the weekend, I thought I would try something different.

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Species: Blank

Fields End (109)

Venue: Fields End

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

Arrival time: 09.00
Weather: Warm and sunny with a light breeze
Tackle:
11' 6" Hardy Marksman Specimen Avon with Shimano Exage 4000 reel. 8lb line direct to a 12 hook with an Insert waggler.
Baits: Hemp seed & sweet corn feed, corn & luncheon meat on the hook.
All fish taken on luncheon meat
Fish: Two carp and one small rudd

After a chilly week with cold winds last week, today we were treated to a glimpse of spring with sunshine and a hint of a breeze. But the fish seemed still to be a bit reluctant after the cold spell.

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Carp, Roach

Fields End (108)

Venue: Fields End

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

Arrival time: 09.00
Weather: Warm and sunny, rising to 22℃, with a light SSW breeze
Tackle: 14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Rapidex 2400 centre pin with 5lb line, 4lb bottom & 14 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Hemp seed, sweet corn, luncheon meat.
All fish taken on corn
Fish: Three barbel (two foul-hooked), two carp and many roach

The weather forecast was for a warm spring-like day and it didn't disappoint. A great improvement on my last visit and this time the NE corner was free and I dropped into my favourite spot.

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Species: Barbel (lake), Carp, Roach

Fields End (107)

Venue: Fields End

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

Arrival time: 09.00
Weather: Dry and overcast with a very fresh SW breeze.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Rapidex 2400 centre pin with 5lb line, 4lb bottom & 14 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Hemp seed, sweet corn, cheese paste, luncheon meat.
Fish: One roach

Following two very successful trips I was hopeful when I arrived at the lake. But I couldn't get the spot I wanted and in the end only just avoided a blank.

There were only two cars in the car park when I arrived so I was hopeful of getting my corner swim. However, one car had brought four young guys and they decided to take all the swims around the NE corner where I normally fish. A total waste of good margin swims as they were casting out into the lake.

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Species: Roach

Fields End (106)

Venue: Fields End

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

Arrival time: 09.00
Weather: Dry and overcast with a chilly NE breeze.
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, link leger/waggler, 6lb line.
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Rapidex 2400 centre pin with 5lb line, 4lb bottom & 16/14 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Hemp seed, sweet corn, cheese paste, luncheon meat.
Fish: Two carp, a barbel, a perch and two small roach

After my success with carp last week I went to Fields End today to target the carp. Of course, the carp didn't oblige, well not at first, so I switched to the match rod and then the carp woke up!

After a very tranquil session last week, today I found the car park full and more anglers around the lake. But the NE corner was free, where I fished last week. This suited me fine with the cold NE breeze being behind me.

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Carp, Barbel (lake), Roach, Perch

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