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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

Block Fen (11)

Venue: Block fen
Mirror 18lb 3oz

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

Arrival time: 15.15
Weather: Sunny with clouds and a south-easterly breeze that dropped during the late evening.
Swim: Reed corner
Tackle: 12ft Barbel specialist, 12lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Luncheon meat
Fish: One carp 18lbs 3oz

After a couple of blanks at Block Fen I went back today to try my luck. I had been waiting at home for the delivery of my pond liner but as Helen was in for the afternoon I decided to grab a few hours fishing.

My reed corner was free when I arrived just after 15.00. There were a couple of ‘carp’ anglers on the opposite bank; multiple rods, big feeders and rather too much bait being fed in.

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Species: Carp 10lb+

Fields End (57)

Venue: Fields End
Leather 12lb

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 07.00
Weather: Clear blue sky with little or no wind through morning. Cloud cover increased during afternoon although wind remained light SW until about 19.00, when it freshened.
Swim: Reed-corner swim
Tackle: 11½ft Hardy Avon Marksman, waggler, 6/8lb line, 12 hook.
10ft compact float 6lb line, pellet waggler, 16hook.
Baits: Bread flake, luncheon meat and floating biscuit.
Fish: Six carp, best 12lbs, two tench, best 3½lbs, a crucian and an ide.

After being outgunned on my 13ft multi-float rod on the last visit I had set up my new Hardy Avon Specimen rod that I bought last year at an offer price. It was its first outing. I had paired it with my Rapidex centre pin and 6lb line. First cast, using bread flake, resulted in a firm bite five minutes later and a fish rushed into the reeds, breaking me easily. The tackle upgrade obviously hadn’t worked. I then lost another fish that slipped the hook as I was trying to stop it getting into the reeds. Not a good start!

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Carp, Tench, Crucian, Rudd

Block Fen (10)

Venue: Block Fen
No photo message

Arrival time: 07.15
Weather: Sunny with a light southerly breeze that freshened during the morning.
Swim: Reed corner
Tackle: 12ft Barbel specialist, 12lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Bread flake and luncheon meat
Fish: Blank

I was undecided today as to whether to go back to Block Fen or go to Fields End. In the end as the forecast was for fresh SW breeze, which is always difficult at Fields End, I decided to return to Block Fen after yesterday evening’s disappointment.

I arrived about 07.15 and there was nobody there. The lake is fairly sheltered and the southern end, where I fish, is protected from southerly winds. In fact, conditions seemed ideal and there were signs of fish moving in the reeds.

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Species: Blank

Block Fen (9)

Venue: Block Fen
No photo message

Arrival time: 16.00
Weather: Sunny with a light south easterly breeze.
Swim: NW corner
Tackle: 12ft Barbel specialist, 12lb line, 8 hook.
Baits:
Fish: Blank

After Tuesday’s success I decided to try another evening session. Unfortunately my corner spot was taken by the only other angler on the lake. I decided to fish the opposite NW corner while waiting to see if the other chap left early.

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Species: Blank

Block Fen (8)

Venue: Block Fen
Common 15lb 2oz

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

Arrival time: 17.00
Weather: Alternate sun and clouds but with a fresh northerly breeze.
Swim: Reed corner
Tackle: 12ft Barbel specialist, 12lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Bread flake
Fish: One carp 15lb 2oz

My first visit to Block Fen this year. I made up my mind quite in the day late to go.

When I arrived there were three anglers on the main bank, which surprised me considering it was early season and mid-week.

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Species: Carp 10lb+

Fields End (56)

Venue: Fields End
Leather 14lb 8oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 07.00
Weather: Bright but with a fresh northerly breeze, which blew up during the morning. It was decidedly chilly. The breeze eased at midday and by 16.00 the sky had cleared and produced a ‘perfect’ evening.
Swim: Reed-corner swim
Tackle: 13ft multi-float, waggler, 4lb line, 12 hook.
Baits: Bread flake and luncheon meat
Fish: One carp 11lb 4oz (a number lost), three tench, best 3lb 14oz, four crucians, best 2lbs 2oz, and roach 12oz.

After the previous week’s phenomenal day, today was never going to measure up.

It didn’t start well, as five minutes after casting I lost a fish in the reeds. As the float went under it was heading for the reeds and the fish was probably already there before I struck. Half an hour later I lost another fish; my mistake this time as I put much pressure on the rim of the centre pin. I was also missing bites, probably roach or crucians.

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Tench, Crucian, Roach

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