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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After the blank at the Welland on 1 December I thought I might try some roach fishing at Fields End with the off-chance of a winter carp. However, when I arrived at Fields End they were concreting the approach road and the lakes were closed.
Stuck for what to do, I remembered that there was a venue called Decoy Lakes somewhere near Whittlesley, so I set off to try to find it.
Following the successes in the summer I returned to the Welland for some winter sport. A cold frosty morning following a period of wet weather. I arrived soon after 09.00.
As you would expect, the river was very different. There was much more water in it, the banks were more accessible as the profuse vegetation had died down and what weed there was in the river wasn't visible through the coloured water.
With a promised SW breeze the tree corner swim seemed an ideal choice. I arrived at 07.00 but found the breeze more southerly. However, I stuck it out on the expectation that the wind would probably shift. It did, but not until after lunch, making the morning something of a frustrating affair.
With a forecast for light to no wind it seemed a good day to visit Fields End. The night had been cold and the lake was still, with a light mist over the surface. Nobody there, so spoilt for choice.
Started in the tree corner swim, where I had been last week, but I had also looked at the reed corner, which was looking very inviting. After a very short while, having seen fish movement over by the reed corner, and no movement (or bites) where I was, I decided to move.
Back again to the Pump Pond at Block Fen. After a cold night it was a very still day; overcast but not too cold. I arrived earlier than on recent visits; at about 15.30.
Although the water looked very inviting I didn't get that 'fishy' feeling that I normally experience in this spot. The surface scum on the water had been cleared by high winds over the weekend and, unfortunately, some of the reeds had blown down making it difficult to drop a bait into the far end of the bay.
Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report
After the success on Tuesday (29/9) I returned, this time a bit earlier at 15.30. It was a bright sunny afternoon with fluffy white clouds in a blue sky. A gentle breeze hardly ruffled the water but I was to find that it did in fact cause the line to drift, making the free-lining technique I use not quite as easy.
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