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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Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report
Arrival time: 17.00
Weather: Alternate sun and clouds but with a fresh northerly breeze.
Swim: Reed corner
Tackle: 12ft Barbel specialist, 12lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Bread flake
Fish: One carp 15lb 2oz
My first visit to Block Fen this year. I made up my mind quite in the day late to go.
When I arrived there were three anglers on the main bank, which surprised me considering it was early season and mid-week.
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.
More photos in the full report
A chap came to discuss our wills today and it was thoroughly depressing. With no more than about two hours of daylight left I went to the Pump Pond, arriving at 17.30. There was nobody there; in fact there didn't appear to be anybody on the main lake either. Very peaceful.
Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report
The previous evening had whetted my appetite so I returned to the Pump Pond around 12.30. The main bank of the lake was fully occupied with the anglers seeming to be after carp by casting to the opposite bank. There was a youngster with them who spent a lot of time running up and down the bank, with foot falls that seemed more reminiscent of an elephant than a child. There was in fact a lot of movement; hardly ideal conditions for margin fishing.
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.
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