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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

Earith (17)

Venue: Earith

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Cold with a troublesome easterly breeze. A short sunny spell midday was welcomed.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano match rod, Rapidex II 2400 centrepin, 6lb line, 3.5lb pre-tied Drennan hook length to 16 fine wire hook.
Baits: Maggot & worms.
Fish: A good bag of mainly small roach, a couple of rudd & a bream, possibly hybrid.

With more rain having again caused rivers to rise and in places break their banks, I decided on another trip to a lake. I went to the small lake in Earith that I would normally fish in spring. I hadn't fished it in winter before but a call to the owner confirmed that silvers at least should be feeding. It turned out that I was the only angler on the lake. Exclusive or what!

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Species: Roach, Rudd, Bream, Perch

River Great Ouse - Offord (50)

Car Park Pool
Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord |Car Park Pool

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Arrival time: 10.00.
Weather: Cold & bright with a light breeze.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, maggot feeder/2x2SSG link, 6lb line to 14 eyed hook..
Baits: Maggots & worms.
Fish: Blank

With the river having returned to a normal winter level, albeit with very strong flows in the main channels, I decided to try the Car Park Pool which usually presents much calmer water. My theory was that fish could have moved into the pool to get out of the heavy main flows. I had caught a bream in the pool on two previous visits and hoped that this species would be present again.

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Species: Blank

Rookery Waters (6)

Magpie Lake
Venue: Rookery waters

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Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Bright & cold with a troublesome wind.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano match rod, Rapidex II 2400 centrepin, 6lb line, 2lb pre-tied Drennan hook length to 18 fine wire hook.
Baits: Maggots
Fish: 2 carp

With the rivers still suffering from an excess of rainfall I abandoned a planned trip to Offord and decided instead to visit a local commercial at Rookery Waters. I had fished there before on a few occasions but my only other winter visit ended with a blank. So I wasn't overly hopeful.

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Species: Carp

River Great Ouse - Houghton (20)

Trout Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Houghton |Trout Stream

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Overcast & cold (6˚C) but with no discernible wind.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, two SSG link, 6lb line to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Cheese paste & king prawns
Fish: One chub 3¾lbs

After a seven week gap I finally was out on the bank again. Following a second episode of heavy rain the river reports showed that the Ouse at Houghton was marginally above the seasonal norm and on the strength of this I made my way to the Trout Stream. Sure enough the stream was looking good. It was carrying a bit more water and had a nice colour, so prospects were promising.

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Species: Chub

Local drain - Chatteris (2)

Fillenham's Drain
Venue: Local drain

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Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Bright but with some cloud & drizzle. Much colder than of late.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano match rod, Rapidex II 2400 centrepin, preloaded waggler, 6lb line with 3.8lb Supplex leader and 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Sweetcorn & bread flake
Fish: Blank

Following heavy rain I knew that the rivers would be up so decided to make another trip to the local drain. I had wlaked it the previous day and it certainly appeared more appealing than a river heavy with rain. However, unlike on my previous visit there were no quick bites. In fact there were no bites full stop. I then I learned something even more disappointing.

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Species: Blank

River Great Ouse - Houghton (19)

Trout Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Houghton |Trout Stream

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Bright day with a light breeze. Temperature rising to 17˚C by early afternoon.
Tackle: 11'6" John Wilson Avon with 1.5oz quiver, Shimano 5000 RE reel, 6lb line direct to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Cheese paste & Spam
Fish: One small chub

My previous trip to the Trout Stream was a disaster. Weed growth and overgrown banks, along with very low water and negligible flow, presaged a challenging session. And so it turned out. I caught nothing.

The decision to try again was prompted by some long awaited rain in our region, my hope being that even if the weeds and bank side vegetation hadn't declined that much, at least there would be some flow and a bit more depth. And this is what I found, causing me to have at least a hope of a chub, or maybe a couple.

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Species: Chub

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