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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
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Venues & topics
Species
Archive

Syndicate Lake (3)

Venue: Syndicate Lake
Rudd 1lb 4oz

Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report

Arrival time: 08.30
Weather: Cloudy bright with no discernible wind.
Swim: Lily pads
Tackle: 11’6” Hardy Marksman, Shimano Exage 4000RC reel, 8lb line, 12 hook.
Bait: All fish taken on luncheon meat.
Fish: A couple of rudd, best 1lb 4oz, a small pike and a small roach. Broken by a carp.

Today I tried a morning session. My main reason for doing this was to avoid the mosquitos in the evening (I’ve been eaten alive this year), although it did also mean I could grab a round of golf later in the afternoon.

The lake was very enticing when I arrived. A mirrored surface with the only noise being that of bees and other insect workers among the overgrown banks. Some of the blackberry thorns had re-established since I had cleared them on my last visit.

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Species: Rudd, Roach, Pike

Syndicate Lake (2)

Venue: Syndicate Lake
Rudd 1lb 2oz

Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report

Arrival time: 14.30
Weather: Bright sun and clouds with hardly any wind
Swim: Lily pads
Tackle: 13ft FishTec multi float, 8lb line, waggler, 12 hook.
11’6” Hardy Marksman, Shimano Exage 4000RC reel, 8lb line, 12 hook.
Bait: All fish taken on luncheon meat.
Fish: A couple of rudd, best 1lb 2oz, and a lost carp.

Second trip to the syndicate lake.

This time I took some shears and cleared the blackberry thorns from the path. I also opened up a route round to the east bank. However, I fished the same spot as last week. An Environment Agency chap was there checking licences when I arrived. Only the second time I’ve been asked in 50 odd years!

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Species: Rudd

Syndicate Lake (1)

Venue: Syndicate Lake
The Lake - First view

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 15.30
Weather: Bright with a light wind
Swim: Lily pads
Tackle:13ft FishTec multi float, 8lb line, waggler, 12 hook.
11’6” Hardy Marksman, Shimano Exage 4000RC reel, 8lb line, 12 hook.
Bait: Bread and luncheon meat. All fish taken on luncheon meat.
Fish: A couple of carp, best 7lb 12oz, and a couple of roach.

First trip to the coarse lake on my syndicate water.

As mentioned in my last diary entry, the coarse lake on this syndicate water is hardly fished. So I’ve found what for me is an ideal location. One could imagine it as one of those lakes mentioned in carp fishing books, with all the mystery of possible whoppers. But perhaps I’m romanticising too much.

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Species: Carp, Roach

Syndicate Lake - Fly(1)

syndicate-fly-1
Venue: Syndicate lake - Fly
Trout Lake

Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report

Arrival time: 12..00
Weather: Warm with light breeze.
Swim: Roamed the lake
Tackle: 9’6” SONIK SK3 fly rod, floating line, leader of 7lb & 5lb flourocarbon.
Lures: Selection of flies.
Fish: Blank

I was offered membership of a syndicate in my area that comprises a trout lake and a coarse lake. The majority of the members fish the trout lake leaving the coarse lake almost unfished. This appealed to me and I will report on the coarse lake later.

So this was the opportune time to try fly fishing.

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Species: Blank

River Indrois (2)

Venue: River Indrois

Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report

Arrival time: 18.00
Weather: Warm with light breeze.
Swim: River walk at Montrésor
Tackle:12ft Greys’ Rova Float rod, 5lb line, waggler, 14 hook.
Bait: Bread flake and spam.
Fish: Blank - one carp lost.

I had been reluctant to return to the Indrois after the mauling I received from the mosquitoes the previous time. In fact, I started off by visiting a lake at Chemillé. I had checked it out a few days earlier. It was a big lake and part of a holiday complex, with pitches set aside for night carp fishing.

I prefer smaller waters and had decided to try the end of the lake by the road bridge, where it narrowed and there were lily pads.

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Species: Blank

River Indrois (1)

Venue: River Indrois
Common 6lb 5oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 16.00
Weather: Warm with little wind.
Swim: River walk at Montrésor
Tackle: 12ft Greys’ Rova Float rod, 5lb line, waggler, 14 hook.
Bait: All fish taken on bread flake.
Fish: One carp of 6lb 5oz and a very small catfish.

We were in France for three weeks so I took some tackle. I had bought two rods from the Greys’ Rova range and on this occasion used the float rod.

We had walked along the river the previous evening and I spotted a couple of carp under the lily pads. It always helps if you know where the fish hang out.

I returned the next afternoon (Saturday) but the river bank was quite busy with people taking a stroll. Many stopped to talk, which helped me practise my French, but didn’t do much for the carp.

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Species: Carp, Roach, Catfish

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