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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
& topics
Species
Archive
Venues & topics
Species
Archive

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

The Clay Pit (21)

Side pond
Venue: The Clay Pit

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Cold with a clear blue sky. Very light breeze.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy TX Float rod, Allcocks 4" centrepin, 4BB waggler with lift-method single shot, 6lb main line with 3lb pre-tied hook length to 16 wire hook.
Baits: Maggots.
Fish: Blank.

Once again the rivers were flooded so I decided to go to the Clay Pit as it was local. I had bought maggots having not done very well back in November on sweetcorn. I was alone bar a couple of hardy carp anglers on the main lake. I immediately became a bit concerned when I saw how clear the water was in the pond. This can be an indication of lack of aquatic activity, and so it was to prove!

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Species: Blank

The Clay Pit (20)

Side pond
Venue: The Clay Pit

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Sunny autumn day but extremely cold. An occasional light breeze.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy TX Float rod, Allcocks 4" centrepin, 4BB waggler with lift-method single shot, 6lb line direct to 10 eyed hook.
Baits: Sweetcorn, bread flake and spam. Hemp loose feed.
Fish: Blank.

With the rivers in flood again after two recent storms I decided to go to the Clay Pit side pond. I had never fished it in such cold conditions so realised that I was perhaps chancing my luck. Also, because I didn't want to drive to the tackle shop, I relied on corn, bread and spam for bait, which I think was a mistake. A single maggot on much lighter tackle might have been a far better bet.

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Species: Blank

The Chubb Stream (16)

Venue: Chubb Stream

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

Arrival time: 9.30 am
Weather: Overcast but quite mild for late October. No wind.
Tackle: 11'6" John Wilson Avon with 1.5oz quiver, Shimano 5000 RE reel, 6lb line direct to 6 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake & worm.
Fish: Blank

I had walked the first two meadows of the Chubb Stream a few days earlier and with some extra water flowing it looked really inviting. I was, therefore, feeling quite positive when I arrived but the water level had dropped somewhat and the stream was running very clear, neither being good omens for chubbing. My confidence was then dampened further when another angler turned up shortly after I arrived and walked off before me. Following somebody into a swim in such conditions would almost certainly kill any chance of a chub.

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Species: Blank

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