River Great Ouse - Offord (35)
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Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Drizzle on and off interspersed with heavier rain. Quite mild.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano match rod, Rapidex II 2400 centrepin, Drennan stick float and 6lb line to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Corn, bead flake & spam.
Fish: A couple of roach
After a few trips to streams that had proved challenging I decided to fish the car park pool that is at most times an almost still area of water. I chose a swim on the far bank, on what is called Sismey Island, having chatted to a chap earlier in the season who had lost a tench there. I realised that a tench would be a real bonus but also hoped to attract some silver fish.
Although I arrived quite late the car park was empty, so I had no problem getting my chosen spot. As I tackled up there were plenty of bubbles coming up by the lily pads in front of me. A good sign I thought. It was drizzling but the forecast had indicated that any rain should clear by 11.00. It didn't turn out like that!
The swim was deep and I started with sweet corn having lightly groundbaited with cloud and some corn and hemp mixed in. All seemed set for some action, but despite the favourable looking spot and the bubbles, there was no immediate interest.
It then started to rain heavily. When that passed I switched to bread flake and started getting some touches, but nothing I could hit. I suspected smaller fish nibbling at the flake. I was now getting wet from the water dropping off the overhead tree branches. And light rain continued to come and go.
An attractive looking swim.
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The first roach - 1½ hours after starting!
Playing the second roach
Second roach coming in - 3 hours after starting!
Fish scarce but nature always obliges
I reverted to corn after briefly trying spam, which hadn't yielded any interest whatsoever. On corn I finally managed to hook a fish that, as expected, turned out to be a small roach.
Tentative bites continued on corn but I wasn't able to hit them, while the rain continued on and off. So much for clearing up after 11.00. I finally hooked another roach, a slightly better fish, but it came off as I tried to hand line it in from the water's edge.
I might have had more success if I had persevered but with the likelihood of some more heavier rain threatening I decided to call it a day. It was nevertheless a very peaceful few hours with always the anticipation of a decent fish perhaps coming along, but to be honest I think things would have continued in much the same way.
And so another less than spectacular outing on the rivers. I will continue to try since I subsequently read a report of some fish taken at Offord this season, including some notable carp, chub and perch. It's just up to me to try to catch them.