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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

Syndicate Lake (16)

Venue: Syndicate Lake
Lake

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 15.00
Weather: Warm, bright and cloudy with a north-easterly breeze.
Swim: Lily pads, NE bay and east bank.
Tackle: 12ft Drennan Barbel Specialist, 8lb line, 8/10 hook.
Bait: Luncheon meat.
Fish: Small pike and a roach.

I can’t believe that I haven’t been fishing since last October. Where has the time gone? To be fair, I usually try to fit in some trips to the River Welland over the winter, but with all the rain we have had, the river wasn’t a particularly attractive proposition, even assuming that it would have been fishable. But that’s really an excuse and I must try to get out more this year. It’s the damn golf that’s getting in the way, and I’m not particularly good at it, so I should put fishing first.

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Species: Pike, Roach

Syndicate Lake (15)

Venue: Syndicate Lake
Carp 10lb

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 11.30
Weather:Very warm for early October with just a light breeze.
Swim: Lily pads & SW corner
Tackle: 12ft Drennan Barbel Specialist, 8lb line, 10 hook.
Bait: Luncheon meat.
Fish: Two carp, best 10lbs 0oz.

Perfect afternoon but only two bites, and two carp.

With the forecast for colder weather arriving at the end of the week I grabbed a few hours over the lake this afternoon. I’ve been letting the fishing slip a bit lately and must really try to get out more often.

I arrived a 13.30 and started in the Lily Pads swim, putting a light leger out between the two beds of pads.

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Carp

Syndicate Lake (14)

Venue: Syndicate Lake
Carp 8lb 3oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 11.00
Weather: Very hot with no wind to speak of
Swim: NE bay.
Tackle: 12ft Drennan Barbel Specialist, 8lb line, 10 hook.
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Shimano Exage 1000RC reel with 5lb line and 14 hook.
Bait: Luncheon meat.
Fish: Three carp, best 9½ lbs.

Hard work due to heat but 3 carp caught.

My neighbour’s father, Mick, was house-minding for them and we arranged a trip to the lake. He hadn’t been before as he usually fishes Fields End when he’s up here. We arrived at the lake at around 11.00 and I showed him to the Lily Pads swim, being probably the easiest to fish of the few swims that are not totally overgrown. I settled into the NE Bay.

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Species: Carp, Rudd

Syndicate Lake (13)

Venue: Syndicate Lake
Rudd 1lb 5oz

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

Arrival time: 15.30
Weather: Warm but not too hot after the recent very hot spell.
Swim: NE bay and Lily Pads.
Tackle: 12ft Drennan Barbel Specialist, 8lb line, 10 hook.
Bait: Luncheon meat.
Fish: One rudd 1lb 5oz.

Too much going on recently and I was surprised to note that my last visit to the lake was back in June!

There had obviously been a working party as the brambles had been cleared back and more swims were actually fishable. There are rarely any ‘return’ slips in the hut so I really don’t know how many people fish the lake. There were signs that anglers had been there, witness the fishing-related litter. I don’t know why syndicate members would leave litter so I suspect some of those fishing may be there as unofficial visitors. A pity, but it’s the way of the world.

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Species: Rudd

River Welland (22)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 4lb 7oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Bright start with a light breeze but rain was forecast for later in the day
Swim: Roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 6 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Baits: Luncheon meat and cheese
Fish: Seven chub, best fish 4lbs 7oz.

I’m always amazed at the transformation of the river bank between the last trip in March and the first in June. Bare banks replaced by four foot high vegetation comprising predominantly nettles. Great cover for stalking although casual walkers do have a habit of coming up behind you as you’re crouched behind the vegetation screen, and standing bolt upright ask how you’re getting on.

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Species: Chub

Syndicate Lake (12)

Venue: Syndicate Lake
Blank

Nothing worth photographing today.

Arrival time: 18.00
Weather: Very warm and humid with some rain
Swim: NE bay.
Tackle: 12ft Drennan Barbel Specialist, 8lb line, 10 hook.
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Shimano Exage 1000RC reel with 5lb line and 14 hook.
Bait: Luncheon meat.
Fish: One small roach

I had been waiting indoors for a delivery that never came. I also had a headache, not helped by the stormy weather. Come five o’clock I decided to go over the lake. The conditions were good and I thought some air might clear my head.

I had arrived and set up two rods by six o’clock. Unfortunately in my haste to get out I had left my coat behind, and I didn’t have a brolly with me either. Sod’s law prevailed and it started raining just after I had tackled up and cast. I sat it out and fortunately it was short-lived, but my shirt had got wet and my headache wasn’t getting any better.

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Species: Roach

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