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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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Venues
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Species
Archive
Venues & topics
Species
Archive

River Great Ouse - Houghton (15)

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

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Arrival time: 10.15
Weather: Chilly again after a warm spell. Cold northerly wind, alternating between overcast & sunny.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, two SSG link, 6lb line to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake
Fish: One Pike & one chub.

My final trip of the river season so I decided on the Trout Stream as it had been the most consistent of my winter venues. The level was down considerably and the water clear, and with bright sun when I arrived it wasn't the best of conditions for chub fishing. Overcast periods followed but these didn't improve the fishing, which can be summarised as not having a bite! Fortunately, after trying numerous spots I did have a bit of luck to round off the river season.

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Species: Pike, Chub

River Great Ouse - Offord (41)

Mill Stream & Car Park Pool
Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord

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Arrival time: 10.30.
Weather: Much milder than of late with warmth in the sun and a gentle breeze.
Tackle: Drennan 1¾lb TC 12ft 'Specialist Barbel', Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, 2SSG link, 8lb line to #8 eyed hook. (Tackled up for small stream chub!).
Baits: bread flake & cheese paste.
Fish: One bream.

Having been away from the water for almost three weeks I was keen to get out, even though recent heavy rain was affecting the rivers - again! I missed a perfect day the previous week when the rivers had fined down but I wasn't feeling up to going. It turned out to be a last minute decision on choice of venue as I compared the water level data on the government web site. In the end I opted for Offord as it was the only one of three possible choices that was not showing rising levels. It also offered some choices if the mill stream proved not to be fishable.

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Species: Bream

River Great Ouse - Houghton (14)

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 with a bitter easterly wind. Some dampness in the air.
Tackle: Drennan 1¾lb TC 12ft 'Specialist Barbel', Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, 2SSG link, 8lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake, cheese paste & maggots
Fish: One Pike.

After blanking at the Clay Pit I decided to return to the rivers, choosing the Trout Stream as it had been kind to me on recent visits. The forecast was for an easterly wind with a low risk of rain, so I took a chance. This turned out to be a mistake, as the wind was strong and absolutely bitter. And to make things even less appealing, the stream was high and coloured. I started about midway along the stretch as I had done on earlier visits.

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Species: Pike

River Great Ouse - Houghton (13)

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: 10.30
Weather: Chilly with sunny spells. Little wind.
Tackle: Drennan 1¾lb TC 12ft 'Specialist Barbel', Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, 2SSG link, 8lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake.
Fish: Two chub.

Following the success at the Trout Stream the previous Friday, when I lost a big fish, I decided to return only four days later. The choice of date was influenced by the forecast of more turbulent weather towards the end of the week. I basically repeated what I had done on the previous occasion, visiting the same spots. I also looked further downstream to where the stream merges with another channel. Quite a long walk, which I regretted!

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Species: Chub

River Great Ouse - Houghton (12)

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: 10.30
Weather: Overcast and chilly with a brief bright spell later. Little wind.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, two SSG link, 6lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake.
Fish: One chub.

I hadn't been fishing for a month. Christmas, followed by a flu bug, flooded rivers and challenging weather kept me away from the water. I decided to return to the Trout Stream as it fishes far better in the winter and I had a cracking day there back in November. Things started well when I hooked into a big fish but went downhill fairly rapidly. But having got over a minor crisis I had a good session in the end.

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Species: Chub

River Great Ouse - Offord (40)

Triangle - Lock cutting
Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord

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

Arrival time: 10.30.
Weather: Chilly and overcast with little wind.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano match rod, Rapidex II 2400 centrepin, 6lb line, 4lb pre-tied Drennan hook length to 16 red wire hook.
Baits: maggots.
Fish: Small perch & roach.

With the river only recently returned to some sort of normal after yet another spate of heavy rain, my plan was to go to the Triangle section and fish the lock cutting. The spot near the bridge was my destination but unfortunately two other anglers were already there. I walked to what was effectively the end of the cutting and set up there. It wasn't as sheltered a spot as I had been aiming for but it wasn't affected by the fast moving water in the main streams. The sitting position was quite high above the water which made it a bit awkward.

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Species: Perch, Roach

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