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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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River Welland (19)

Chub 4lb 0oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 10.45
Weather: Bright cloudy.
Moderate westerly wind.
Swim: Roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 6 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Luncheon meat.
Fish: Three chub, best fish 4lbs.

It’s been nearly two months since my last visit, although the lead up to Christmas accounted for the best part of December.

The river had obviously overflowed the meadow during the last deluge. There was a lot of flotsam laying around and the bank-side trees were decorated with various litter that had washed down with the flood water. Considering the banks are normally about six feet above water level, there must have been a lot of water!

River Welland (18)

Chub 4lb 8oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 10.45
Weather: Bright morning clouding over in the afternoon.
Light south-westerly wind.
Swim: Roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 6 hook tied direct. Four SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Luncheon meat.
Fish: Three chub, best fish 4½lbs

Only the second time on the Welland this season. The forecast was for a mild day and they were right. About 13º C, which is good for November. The river was running quite strongly, which was good to see, as I can’t remember the last time that I saw a decent flow on this stretch. Hopefully it will clear out some of the debris and dead vegetation.

I decided to walk the bank today and had my new ‘Chub’ bag, which is a very small shoulder bag for essentials. I had my canvas bucket for bait and food. Other than this I was only carrying the rod, landing net, rod-rest and a light stool.

River Welland (17)

Chub 3lb 0oz

Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report

Arrival time: 10.15
Weather: Sun and clouds.
Strong westerly wind.
Swim: The large pool and roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 6 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Baits: Cheese and luncheon meat.
Fish: Two chub, best fish 3lbs.

First trip to the Welland this season.

Unfortunately I hadn’t managed to get to the Welland so far this season, so I missed my summer chub stalking. However, the river was low and there were still opportunities.

I started at the large pool, which has been very consistent over the past few years. Today, however, I didn’t get a touch on either cheese or luncheon meat.

River Welland (16)

Chub 4lb 5oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 10.20
Weather: Overcast, calm and damp.
Hardly a breath of wind.
Swim: The large pool and roaming.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 6 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Cheese and luncheon meat.
Fish: Three chub, best fish 4lb 5oz and small pike

I didn’t manage to get to the river last week, so this trip was my last before the close season.

I was hoping that I could end the season with a good day and things certainly started well. I catapulted some loose pieces of cheese and luncheon meat before I tackled up. First cast was with luncheon meat and after a minute or so the top twitched and then pulled round. The first fish was on. A brief battle, during which the fish repeatedly tried to get into the margin vegetation to my left, ended with a fine 4lb 5oz chub on the bank. It was only 10.40.

River Welland (15)

Chub 2lb 12oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Bright, still and pleasantly warm.
Mist was just clearing as I arrived.
Swim: The large pool.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 6 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Cheese and luncheon meat.
Fish: One chub of 2¾lb

At last, my first fishing trip since October. After posting in January saying I would be going, there was the snow, and then I caught one of these viruses that just don’t seem to go away.

I set up in my normal spot and catapulted some bits of cheese and luncheon meat into the flow near the far bank. Things looked perfect; calm and quiet, although the river was a bit low and judging by the debris, in the form of dead vegetation, it didn’t seem to have benefitted from a good winter flush through.

River Welland (14)

Chub 3lb 13oz

Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report

Arrival time: 11.15
Weather: Overcast and windy, with a little rain.
Stiff downstream breeze made life awkward.
Swim: The large pool.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Baits: Cheese and maggots
Fish: Three chub, best fish 3lb 13oz

I had a few jobs to do last week so it’s been two weeks since I was last on the river bank. The large pool has been so reliable that I’m afraid I went back there again.

My last visit was relatively disappointing but this time I had only been there about 15 minutes when my rod top was pulled around further than I think it has ever been before.

© 2025 Robert Bassett

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