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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

Fields End (124)

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: Overcast with virtually no wind. Quite chilly and becoming colder.
Tackle:
Hardy 11' 6" Marksman Specimen Avon, Speedia centrepin, preloaded waggler, 6lb line direct to 12 eyed hook.
Drennan 1¾ TC 12ft 'Specialist Barbel', Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, 2SSG link, 8lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Sweetcorn, luncheon meat & bread flake.
Fish: Blank

I hadn't been out fishing for a month because of a family bereavement, involving some time spent in Durham, and other days were lost because my wife and I both had a number of hospital appointments. On the few days I could have gone out the weather wasn't particularly inviting, cold strong winds not being particularly conducive to sitting by a lake. So, having finally made it, I was hopeful for a bit of sport, anticipating at least a few rudd and perhaps a hungry carp or two. I was to be disappointed.

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Species: Blank

River Great Ouse - Offord (51)

Mill Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord |Mill Stream

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

Arrival time: 10.30.
Weather: A beautiful spring day but with a fresh downstream wind.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, block leger on link, 6lb line to 8 eyed hook..
Baits: Bread Flake & cheese paste.
Fish: Blank

For what was probably going to be my last trip of the season I decided on the Mill Stream, reports suggesting that the river was around four inches over normal level. On arrival I found the stream to be moving through quite quickly and hoped that exploring a few slacks near the far bank might find me a chub. The stream being a fairly straight channel it doesn't offer too many places of refuge for the fish in high water conditions.

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Species: Blank

River Great Ouse - Offord (50)

Car Park Pool
Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord |Car Park Pool

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

Arrival time: 10.00.
Weather: Cold & bright with a light breeze.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, maggot feeder/2x2SSG link, 6lb line to 14 eyed hook..
Baits: Maggots & worms.
Fish: Blank

With the river having returned to a normal winter level, albeit with very strong flows in the main channels, I decided to try the Car Park Pool which usually presents much calmer water. My theory was that fish could have moved into the pool to get out of the heavy main flows. I had caught a bream in the pool on two previous visits and hoped that this species would be present again.

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Species: Blank

Local drain - Chatteris (2)

Fillenham's Drain
Venue: Local drain

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Bright but with some cloud & drizzle. Much colder than of late.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano match rod, Rapidex II 2400 centrepin, preloaded waggler, 6lb line with 3.8lb Supplex leader and 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Sweetcorn & bread flake
Fish: Blank

Following heavy rain I knew that the rivers would be up so decided to make another trip to the local drain. I had wlaked it the previous day and it certainly appeared more appealing than a river heavy with rain. However, unlike on my previous visit there were no quick bites. In fact there were no bites full stop. I then I learned something even more disappointing.

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Species: Blank

River Great Ouse - Houghton (18)

Trout Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Houghton |Trout Stream

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Bright day with gusty breeze. Temperature rising to 25˚C by early afternoon.
Tackle: 11'6" John Wilson Avon with 1.5oz quiver, Shimano 5000 RE reel, 6lb line direct to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake & Spam
Fish: Blanked due to terrible conditions.

Following a week indoors recovering from a virus and still coughing occasionally, I decided to try the Trout Stream as I thought recent rain would have brought the level up and created some flow. I was wrong on both counts as the level was as low as I've seen it and any flow was hardly discernible. I should have just given it a miss but having been in all week I wanted some time out in the fresh air. I knew it would be a minor miracle to tempt a chub in such conditions even assuming that I could find one. And so it proved.

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Species: Blank

The Chubb Stream (17)

Venue: Chubb Stream

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

Arrival time: 10.00 am
Weather: Warm for early March with a strengthening breeze
Tackle: Ryan Burns 'Arrow' 10' split cane rod, Trudex centrepin, 2xSSG link leger, 6lb line direct to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake & worm.
Fish: Blank

The Chubb Stream hasn't been that kind to me of late, with only one chub from my previous two visits this season. But with the end of the season approaching and the reported water level being the most favourable of my local venues, I decided to give it one more go. I took my cane rod and centrepin hoping for a memorable session but it wasn't to be.

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Species: Blank

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