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Diary of an average angler

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 (121)

Early spring session

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

Arrival time: 09.30
Weather: High pressure conditions. Clear blue sky with negligible wind.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy TX Float rod, Allcocks 4" centrepin, 4BB waggler with lift-method single shot, 6lb main line to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Maggots, luncheon meat & bread flake.
Fish: Lots of Rudd and 3 perch.

With the forecast for little wind I decided to go to Fields End Water, my local pit. It's an exposed lake and I was keen to grab a windless day fishing on the waggler. As it was early in the year I took maggots as a smaller bait option but I also had luncheon meat and bread flake. There's a good head of rudd in the lake although I hoped that I might tempt a crucian or two, and perhaps a bigger carp patrolling the margins.

Fields End (120)

Autumn session

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

Arrival time: 09.30
Weather: Bright autumn day and unseasonably mild. Light breeze from behind.
Tackle: Hardy 11' 6" Marksman Specimen Avon, Speedia centrepin, antenna waggler, 6lb line to a 10 eyed hook.
Baits: Sweetcorn, worms & luncheon meat
Fish: 2 good carp, a rudd and small roach & perch.

Still suffering from the effects of the shingles virus, I had decided against a fishing trip two days earlier. Feeling a bit better I went to my nearest water, the Fields End Pit, hoping for some sport with roach and rudd, with the possibility of a carp coming along. As it was the roach and rudd proved to be illusive but a couple of good carp made up for their absence.

Fields End (119)

Morning session

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Arrival time: 08.15
Weather: Overcast with a strengthening south-westerly breeze (from behind me).
Tackle: Hardy 11' 6" Marksman Specimen Avon, Allcocks 4" centrepin, preloaded waggler, 6lb line to a 10 eyed hook.
Baits: Breadflake & luncheon meat
Fish: Rudd & roach throughout the session with 3 crucians and a small perch.

Today's choice of venue was decided by the forecast for a strengthening SW wind. I would have preferred to return to Earith but the part of the lake that is accessible would have been exposed to the wind, which wouldn't have been great for waggler fishing. So I went to Fields End hoping to get the swim in the SW corner, which I did. In fact the lake was deserted, mine still being the only car in the visitors' parking when I left. And only a couple of anglers arrived from the on-site caravan park. So it was a very peaceful day.

Fields End (118)

On the waggler

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

Arrival time: 08.30
Weather: Beautiful spring day. Sunny with light westerly breeze (from behind me).
Tackle: Hardy 11' 6" Marksman Specimen Avon, Allcocks 4" centrepin, preloaded waggler, 6lb line to a 10 eyed hook.
Baits: Breadflake & luncheon meat
Fish: Rudd throughout session with 4 carp, a crucian, a couple of roach and a small perch.

After debating whether Fields End would be too busy the week of the bank holiday, I took a chance and was pleased to find that it was actually quite quiet. To cut down walking and ensure that the breeze was behind me, I went to what I call the tree corner, a quiet little niche in the SW corner of the lake. Conditions were perfect for float fishing and after ground baiting with a bread mix I started with bread flake. But things were very slow.

Fields End (117)

On the waggler

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

Arrival time: 09.20
Weather: Fresh start, warming up later with sun and light cloud. NW breeze.
Tackle: Hardy 11' 6" Marksman Specimen Avon, Allcocks 4" centrepin, preloaded waggler, 6lb line. Started with 12 hook, later changing to 14 and then to 10.
Baits: Sweetcorn, bread flake and luncheon meat with hemp loose feed.
Fish: Mostly rudd with a couple of roach and one perch.

After the Clay Pit last week I fancied another session on a stillwater. I had struggled on the streams this season, finding them more heavily weeded than normal, and had also been avoiding venues requiring too much walking because of problems with my hip. So I set off to Fields End Waters which is very local. I was, however, a bit worried as to how busy it would be given the Indian summer we're enjoying, and sure enough it was literally full when I left at around 3.00pm.

Fields End (116)

On the waggler

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

Arrival time: 09.30
Weather: Overcast start with light NE breeze becoming very warm later in the sunshine.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy TX Float rod, Allcocks 4" centrepin, 4BB waggler (with 1.2g olivette), 6lb line direct to 12 eyed hook.
Baits: Maggots and sweetcorn with hemp loose feed.
Fish: A lot of roach, 2 rudd and one dace.

The day didn't start well. I had set out for the Clay Pit but after a long road diversion I arrived to find it closed because fish were spawning. I decided to go instead to Fields End, the nearest alternative. On settling into my pitch I thought I had lost my car keys only to find them in the grass where I had unpacked my gear, but only after returning to the car park on the far side of the lake. I then discovered I had left my bread bait at home, limiting me to maggots and sweetcorn. But on the plus side the lake was very quiet with only three other anglers when I arrived.

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