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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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Fields End (57)

Leather 12lb

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 07.00
Weather: Clear blue sky with little or no wind through morning. Cloud cover increased during afternoon although wind remained light SW until about 19.00, when it freshened.
Swim: Reed-corner swim
Tackle: 11½ft Hardy Avon Marksman, waggler, 6/8lb line, 12 hook.
10ft compact float 6lb line, pellet waggler, 16hook.
Baits: Bread flake, luncheon meat and floating biscuit.
Fish: Six carp, best 12lbs, two tench, best 3½lbs, a crucian and an ide.

After being outgunned on my 13ft multi-float rod on the last visit I had set up my new Hardy Avon Specimen rod that I bought last year at an offer price. It was its first outing. I had paired it with my Rapidex centre pin and 6lb line. First cast, using bread flake, resulted in a firm bite five minutes later and a fish rushed into the reeds, breaking me easily. The tackle upgrade obviously hadn’t worked. I then lost another fish that slipped the hook as I was trying to stop it getting into the reeds. Not a good start!

Fields End (52)

Common 4lb 12oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 07.10
Swim: Reed-corner swim
Tackle: 13ft multi-float, waggler, 4lb line, 14 hook.
Baits: Bread flake, sweetcorn, luncheon meat

The 16 March trip had broken my winter duck and the weather had warmed up some more, so back to the lake. I arrived just after 07.00 and there was nobody there. I fished the reed-corner swim again, which while difficult is fairly reliable. And early in the year there is at least half a chance of keeping the fish out of the reeds.

Fields End (51)

Mirror 9lb 12oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 08.00
Swim: Reed-corner swim
Tackle: 13ft multi-float, waggler, 4lb line.
Baits: Bread flake, sweetcorn, luncheon meat

After freezing my what's its off in January, I waited until things warmed up a bit before making another trip to Fields End. The weather had recently shown a marked improvement, with March 14th, the last day of the river season, being really quite nice. By Tuesday 16th the wind has also relented; so I set off.

The Clay Pit (2)

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Having caught nothing at The Clay Pit on the Monday, I returned armed with pellets, biscuits and maggots. This time there was no sign of the carp (typical) so I persevered with bottom-fed maggot on a waggler. The water is deep off the fishing stage; about 6 feet just by the reeds.

Stake Hill (2)

Mirror 1lb 12oz

More photos in the full report

I visited this fishery in July 2007, shortly after it opened. It was interesting to return two years later. The site is still very exposed but bank-side vegetation has increased and the swims have a more mature feel to them. On this occasion I had two evening sessions.

Market Drayton (6)

Tench 3lb

More photos in the full report

Another morning session: 07.30 to 10.00

Lost a fish after about 30 seconds, probably a tench. Missed some other pulls on free line. Ultimately I landed a bream of about 1lb. I returned in the evening (17.00 to 22.00), which was again warm and balmy.

© 2025 Robert Bassett

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