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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
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Venues & topics
Species
Archive

Fields End (35)

Venue: Fields End
Mirror 9lb

More photos in the full report

The wind's back; a stiff breeze this time, but a pain none the less. Stuck to the reed swim although with the breeze it was a bit challenging.

First cast I lost my leger striking on a half bite, which wasn't a very auspicious start. Usually I can rely on an early fish but on this occasion I had to wait until just after 09.00 and then it was a nice crucian of 2lb taken on float-fished flake, followed quickly by another of 1lb 14oz. I then lost a fish in the reeds before taking another crucian of 1½lbs.

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Species: Carp, Crucian

Fields End (34)

Venue: Fields End
Leather 10lb

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

At last, a day with no wind. Overcast, a bit of drizzle at times and mild. Ideal really.

First cast produced a good solid bite on float-fished flake, a run for the reeds (I was in the reed swim again) and one lost hook! So the first big un got away. Next cast a mirror of about 2lb, again on flake.

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Carp, Crucian, Tench

Fields End (33)

Venue: Fields End
No photo message

I shouldn't go fishing when there's a strong wind blowing, but as the wind doesn't seem to have let up over the past few weeks that criterion has been difficult to observe. Today was one of those days; it was bright, with light cloud but a strong westerly wind.

In the reed swim again, which to be honest isn't the easiest place to fish in strong wind. I opted for leger as this at least gave me reasonable control of the tackle.

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Species: Carp, Crucian, Tench

Fields End (29)

Venue: Fields End
Mirror 18lb 8oz

More photos in the full report

After the tricky conditions experienced on 9 April, today was a distinct improvement. It was overcast, there having been storms overnight, and the breeze was light from the NE. I again chose the reed swim as it offers such a choice of techniques. Float fishing the margin is my current default approach, but there is the option to free line either a floating or sinking bait along the reeds, or if preferred cast out further to deeper water.

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Carp, Crucian

Fields End (28)

Venue: Fields End
Barbel circa 1½lb

More photos in the full report

I got the reed swim again, but only just, as the chap who arrived with me turned out to share my love of it. He fished from the other side of the reeds and although he was using the ubiquitous 2-rod carp set up, he was casting one to the margins and the other a short distance out, rather than the distance feeder approach favoured by many. He was, however, using boilies whereas I still stick to bread flake and luncheon meat.

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Species: Carp, Barbel (lake), Crucian

Fields End (24)

Venue: Fields End
Crucian

More photos in the full report

After some really disappointing trips in February, which were effectively blanks, I decided to forgo the perceived wisdom of fishing to the middle of the lake and revert to my preferred margin fishing. As the temperature had also increased a bit I was hopeful that this would prove more productive. I also decided to switch to conventional float fishing (waggler) and use lighter tackle; a carbon Avon style rod with centre-pin reel and and 4lb hook-length.

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Species: Carp 10lb+, Carp, Crucian

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