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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The Block Fen Pump Pond is an ideal venue for me. It's a small pond, which I like, and it offers a great opportunity to stalk the margins. The downside is that on some days it can get a bit busy and a fair amount of tromping up and down the bank occurs. This may or may not disturb the carp, who knows, but I always feel that noise and vibration are the enemies of margin fishing.
Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report
Following my first trip to the Pump Pond I went again for a few hours, judging that the evening probably provided the best opportunities. I went with Mick, our neighbour's father, and we arrived just before 5 pm. I decided to go for the reed corner where I had lost a fish on my first visit. It was a very breezy evening and this caused a bit of difficulty with my free-lining technique.
More photos in the full report
After a bit of a break, I went to Fields End with my neighbour's father, Mick, as he was up for the week. I had become a bit disillusioned with the lake because of the number of people, and the lack of peace and quiet as some of them communicated by shouting to each other from bank to bank.
More photos in the full report
This was my first fishing visit to Block Fen. It was a bright day and although there was a breeze it was not affecting the water too much as the lake is in a hollow. We had some rain during the day.
On a previous 'viewing' I had decided on the Pump Pond as an ideal small water that would suit my margin fishing preferences.
Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report
After the successful day on 23 July I returned, this time with Helen. I had decided to fish the spot that produced the two larger fish last time, as it was fairly open and would allow Helen to sit comfortably to watch. However, best laid plans and all that, it turned out that a couple of chaps were already in situ.
More photos in the full report
I arrived just after 11.00 in the morning. It was bright and warm but very breezy. My tactics on this visit were to roam with a single rod, landing net and minimum tackle. I started free-lining but a downstream wind made far-bank control impossible, so I later switched to a couple of swan shot on a link.
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