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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 Welland (11)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 2lb 8oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 11.20
Weather: Started bright and warm but thunder clouds moved in.
Little wind.
Swim: The large pool.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Cheese & luncheon meat.
Fish: Three chub, best fish 3¾lb

Another weekly trip to the Welland. The forecast was for heavy showers but I thought I would take a chance. Read on to find out what a mistake that was.

After setting up I cast out with a piece of Gloucester cheese, courtesy of Helen when my cheddar sticks ran out. It soon became evident that the chub didn’t mind the change. A chap stopped and was chatting to me. I had only been fishing for about ten minutes when he arrived and about five minutes later (11.40) the rod tip pulled round and I was into my first fish. After a spirited fight a 2½lb chub was in the net. A nicely coloured fish.

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Species: Chub

River Welland (10)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 4lb 8oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 12.15
Weather: Overcast but bright, although clouds were threatening.
An easterly that freshened and became quite chilly.
Swim: The large pool and a bit of roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Two/three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Cheese, worm and bread flake.
Fish: A couple of small pike followed by two chub. Best fish chub 4½lbs

Back again to the Welland. There were actually a couple of anglers on the stretch today. One was pole-fishing the far bank not far from the town while the other seemed to be roving. I made my way to the large pool, which was free.

I started with cheese but had brought some lobworms to see if I could tempt a large perch. There were a few sharp taps on the cheese but nothing that characterised a chub. I persevered but the lull was only broken when a jack pike of 1½lbs took the cheese as I was retrieving. Fortunately it was lip-hooked and soon returned.

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Species: Chub, Pike, Perch

River Welland (9)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 4lb 7oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 11.15
Weather: Bright and sunny but clouded over after 15.00.
A light westerly that freshened.
Swim: The large pool
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Two SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Cheese.
Fish: Four chub, best fish 4lb 7oz

I so enjoyed last week’s trip to the Welland that I decided to return. Again I planned on less than a full day, arriving late morning with the expectation of packing up with the arrival of forecast rain later in the day.

I went back to the large pool and again fished the far bank. With the success of cheese last week I had bought a few sticks of cheddar at the weekend.

Read full report

Species: Chub

River Welland (8)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 3lb 13oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 11.30
Weather: Bright with cloud building and the threat of rain.
A fresh breeze accompanied the darker clouds.
Swim: The large pool
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Two SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Luncheon meat and cheese.
Fish: Three chub, best fish, two at 3lbs 13oz.

After my depressing comments about the last trip to Fields End (24 June) I grabbed the opportunity today to visit the River Welland. Helen had her car in for service at Peterborough so we arranged to ‘picnic’ by the river while the car was being attended to.

The river was low and clear, not ideal conditions. Also, as I walked along to my intended swim I didn’t see any chub, which is unusual in summer. It seemed that it might be a difficult day.

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Species: Chub

Stake Hill (6)

Venue: Stake Hill
No photo message

Nothing worth photographing today

Arrival time: 17.15 (started to fish at 17.45)
Weather: Lovely evening following a sunny and warm day.
A light breeze.
Swim: Far corner.
Tackle: 11’ Korum light feeder, Shimano 5000 reel, waggler, 8lb line,
5lb fluorocarbon hook length to a 16 hook.
Bait: Bread flake and luncheon meat.
Fish: Six small carp, best 3lbs 2oz, some small tench and bream.

When I arrived there were around 5 or 6 anglers on the lake. The most I’ve seen. One was in my ‘adopted’ spot, but as I set down elsewhere, I noticed that he was packing up. I went over and had a chat with him. He was from Bradford and has been fishing the lake for about four years. He remarked that it was now getting busier. He was looking forward to some barbel fishing on the Swale as the river season opens tomorrow.

Read full report

Species: Carp, Tench, Bream

Stake Hill (5)

Venue: Stake Hill
No photo message

Nothing worth photographing today

Arrival time: 17.00 (started to fish at 17.15)
Weather: Bright with white cloud.
Blustery with occasional rain.
Swim: Far corner.
Tackle: 11’ Korum light feeder, Shimano 5000 reel, waggler, 8lb line, 2½lb hook length to a 16 hook.
Bait: Bread flake and luncheon meat
Fish: 15 small carp, best 3lb 14oz, and some small bream up to 1lb.

I thought it was going to rain yesterday evening so delayed my return to the lake until this evening. A mistake as it turned out. Despite ominous clouds yesterday evening turned out perfect, whereas this evening threatened rain and eventually delivered it. I got a bit wet but fortunately I had brought the brolly this year so I was reasonably protected.

The evening was much like Monday. I started with flake and was soon landing small carp. Later I changed to luncheon meat, which was equally as effective.

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Species: Carp, Bream

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