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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

The Clay Pit (13)

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: Frosty start to a sunny day with light wind.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy TX Float rod, Allcocks 4" centrepin, 4BB waggler (with 1.2g olivette), 6lb line direct to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Maggot & corn.
Fish: Three tench, a crucian and some roach/rudd.

My first fishing trip since the end of November, following back surgery in February. I chose the Clay Pit side pond as it is not far from home and I could park next to where I was fishing. It is also a fairly easy water that hasn't disappointed in the past, so I was almost assured of a fish or two.

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Species: Tench, Crucian, Rudd, Roach

The Clay Pit (12)

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: 10⁰C, overcast with a NW wind. Brightened for a short period.
Tackle: 10ft TFG Compact Float rod, Speedia centrepin, light (5 x no.4) waggler, 6lb line direct to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Maggot & worm.
Fish: Three tench, a small carp, roach, rudd, crucian & perch

I had proposed to go to a river but because of torrential rain the previous day I decided to go over to the local Clay Pit and fish a side pond. I had had a fair measure of success in these ponds earlier in the season but hadn't fished them in colder weather. I hoped for some roach and perch but things actually worked out a lot better.

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Species: Tench, Crucian, Rudd, Roach, Perch

The Clay Pit (11)

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: 14.00
Weather: Mild for October with a light breeze.
Tackle: 10ft TFG Compact Float rod, Speedia centrepin, light (5 x no.4) waggler, 6lb line direct to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Maggot.
Fish: Five tench, a number of good roach and one rudd.

With the remainder of the week forecast to be blustery with some rain, I decided on the spur of the moment to go over to the side ponds at the Clay Pit. I also wanted to use up some maggots that I had from the previous week. It turned out to be a good decision.

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Species: Tench, Roach, Rudd

Earith (1)

Venue: Earith

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

Arrival time: 09.30
Weather: Sunny and reasonably mild with a light NE wind
Tackle: 12ft Greys Rova Float, Advanta Discovery centre pin with 6lb line direct to 14 eyed hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Maggot & flavoured luncheon meat.
Fish: Roach & rudd with an unexpected Koi at the end.

Having checked out this new lake the previous day I decided to float-fish a bay containing quite a lot of lily pads. Absolutely delightful surroundings and very quiet. There was only one other angler on the lake.

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Species: Roach, Rudd, Koi

Fields End (114)

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: Sunny and reasonably mild with a light NE wind
Tackle: 12ft Greys Rova Float, Advanta Discovery centre pin with 6lb line, 3½lb bottom & 16 hook. Insert waggler.
A period on leger with a 10 hook tied direct to the 6lb reel line.
Baits: Maggot & bread flake.
Fish: A good bag of roach/rudd

I decided on another trip to Fields End and was surprised to find the lake almost deserted, with only two other anglers and an empty visitors' car park. I subsequently discovered that there had been problems with travellers on site and that the lake had only just reopened.

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Species: Roach, Rudd

The Clay Pit (7)

Venue: The Clay Pit

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

Arrival time: circa 10.00
Weather: Bright start clouding over with a few spots of rain
Tackle: 9ft Shimano Aero X1 feeder rod, Shimano Exage 1000RC reel with 5lb line & 12 hook, with a small bomb leger. Changed to 14/4lb hook link for float fishing.
Baits: Bread flake & maggot.
Fish: Small rudd and roach

Once more I took on the challenge of the Clay Pit and once again it defeated me. Starting on leger in a different spot produced nothing other than lost tackle, while changing to the float in a previously fished swim only provided a repeat performance of small rudd and roach.

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Species: Rudd, Roach

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