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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More photos in the full report
Second trip of 2008; again just an afternoon.
The trouble with arriving in the afternoon is that all my favourite spots are taken. However, on this occasion a chap left soon after I arrived, so I quickly moved into the spot where I had the big carp last year; let's call it the tree swim; because I sit under a small tree.
Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report
I was off for the day because of a doctor's appointment in the morning so I decided to go to the lake in the afternoon. First trip of 2008. I arrived about 11.30 to find it very busy. Only about three of the prepared swims were available. It was a warm day with a light wind.
My favourite spots were, of course, already occupied so I went to the far side and slotted in between two other chaps, although I had a tree to my right so I was far from 'crowded in'.
More photos in the full report
Weather looked good, so off to the lake again.
Another beautiful September day; warm, bright but with a nuisance breeze that made free-lining tricky. See the early morning picture in the full report.
Fished the same place as on the 7th. Very slow! Nobody seemed to be catching. Got a 10lb fish just before lunch but it was foul-hooked in the pectoral fin. Missed a few tentative bites on the surface, but fish weren't feeding convincingly.
More photos in the full report
Had some spare time on a day off so went over to the lake at 4.00 pm. Good decision!
It was a beautiful September day; warm, bright and just a breath of wind.
Couldn't get my 'spot', but this turned out to be fortuitous. I fished a swim near the car park where I had seen others do well.
More photos in the full report
Fourth time this year - really 'hooked'.
The day started chilly and damp - but quiet as there were very few people and cars were banned from the bank because of recent heavy rain. It got out brighter about 1.00 pm and warmed up considerably by the end of the day.
More photos in the full report
Another day at The Lake.
The day started perfectly. A mist over the water; classic 'tench' conditions. It was very hot with a light wind.
Went for the same swim again as I felt I knew 'all the tricks'. However, things didn't go too well.
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