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!
YouTube channel
More photos in the full report
Arrival time: N/A
Weather: Warm and calm with no wind.
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, Shimano bait caster
Baits: N/A
Fish: 5 carp
Peg 26 Magpie
Fishing notebook shows four small carp by 11 am.
At 11.15 am a fish of 4/5lb.
This diary entry was missed at the time and was added much later from the limited information in my notebook.
Go to report for photos.
More photos in the full report
Arrival time: 08.00
Weather: Overcast and mild with a light westerly breeze. Some light rain.
Swim: Reed corner
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Bread flake and luncheon meat.
Fish: Four carp 5 - 8lb, roach and a crucian.
The holiday park has now reopened and the tranquility of the last couple of visits is now but a memory. Despite only three cars in the visitors' car park the lake was busy. My preferred spot was occupied and I settled in what I call the reed corner.
More photos in the full report
Arrival time: 08.40
Weather: Hazy sun becoming hotter in the afternoon. No wind.
Swim: East bank
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook.
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Shimano Exage 1000RC reel with 5lb line, 12 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Bread flake and luncheon meat.
Fish: Nine carp around 6 - 9lbs.
Again the lake was quiet with the holiday park closed. Only four people when I arrived, meaning I could get my 'spot' again.
I free lined bread to start with but this time I had to wait a bit before the first take at 09.20. A fully scaled fish of 7lb 5oz (photo). I spotted that the carp were taking off the top and 20 minutes later took one on crust. A mirror of 8lb 10oz that was in very poor condition.
More photos in the full report
Arrival time: 08.40
Weather: Sunny with a warm westerly breeze.
Swim: East bank 'Reed End'
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook.
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Shimano Exage 1000RC reel with 5lb line, 12 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Bread flake and luncheon meat.
Fish: Six carp and quite a few roach/rudd
The easing of the coronavirus restrictions allowed me to make my first fishing trip of 2020.
With the caravan site and the holiday cabins closed the Lake was very quiet. A bit like when I first started fishing there in 2006. There were only three people when I arrived and nobody on the far (east) bank. I guess that was because it's further to walk and it meant fishing into the breeze.
I love small rivers and have found one that is quite local. And small it is! Fast flowing and full of streamer weed. I'm sure it contains chub but the prospect of fishing it wasn't great. I'm all for a challenge but there were no obvious 'chub spots', the stream being remarkably consistent in appearance along its length.
I'm on the fence as to whether to give it a try next season, perhaps before the weed growth has proliferated to such an extent.
More photos in the full report
Arrival time: 13.30
Weather: Sunny with a chilly westerly wind.
Swim: East bank
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook.
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Shimano Exage 1000RC reel with 5lb line, 12 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Bread flake and luncheon meat.
Fish: Four carp and a few roach.
My 100th visit to Fields End! One could have hoped that the fishing gods would have rewarded me with a day to remember - but alas no.
My spot on the East bank a couple along from the reed end was again free but not as inviting as on recent visits. A westerly wind was blowing in my face and it had a chill to it. It also made free-lining virtually impossible as I couldn't watch for line movement.
Site by Kilburnlad
© 2025 Robert Bassett
Built in RapidWeaver
with Shaking The Habitual's
Source micro framework
Your privacy
Cookies are only used for the correct functioning of this site and to prevent you seeing this message every time you visit.
Read more about third party cookies ☞
Note that links to third party sites can result in cookies being loaded. For example, there are links to YouTube to display the embedded videos from my channel.
