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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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Venues & topics
Species
Archive

River Great Ouse - Offord (1)

Mill Stream

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 08.45
Weather: Bright at first but clouding over and much cooler than of late. Little wind.
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, link leger, 6lb line 12 hook.
Baits: Luncheon meat.
Fish: Chub and dace, and an eel!

Continuing my quest for river fishing in the area I've now joined the Offord & Buckden Angling Society. Its waters on the Ouse are about 35 minutes away and include the main river and back streams. Today I fished the Mill Stream.

I had scouted the waters the previous day and decided on the Mill Stream as it looked 'chubby' and I much prefer smaller streams.

The Chubb Stream (3)

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 08.15
Weather: Cloudy bright with a strong breeze and becoming hot.
Swim: Roving
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, link leger, 8lb line, 10 hook.
Baits: Bread/cheese paste & luncheon meat.
Fish: Two chub, both 2½lb and two eels!

After last week's reasonably successful outing I returned today to the stream.

I started in the spot where last week I lost a fish (the pipe swim). Once again the take was immediate but this time I kept its head up and, although it was still a bit of a tussle, I managed to land a nice 2lb 10oz chub on luncheon meat. Once again it was in fine condition.

The Chubb Stream (2)

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 09.15
Weather: Cloudy bright with a breeze and becoming warmer.
Swim: Roving
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, link leger, 8lb line, 8/10 hook.
Baits: Bread flake, worm & luncheon meat.
Fish: Four chub - best 2lb 10oz.

Last August I mentioned a small river that had attracted my interest. Not much more than a stream in places. I never managed to get there last year but having bought my permit I've at last given it a try.

My quarry was chub. It looked chubby but I had no idea what to expect. With overgrown banks and full of streamer weed there were in fact very few places that could be fished.

River Welland (29)

Chub 2lb 4oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 09.45
Weather: Bright and at 15℃ warm for February, with a freshening wind.
Swim: Roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 6lb line, 6 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Baits: Luncheon meat
Fish: Three chub, best 3lbs 4oz

My grumbling back and resulting sciatica has put paid to golf, but this has spurred me into going fishing. My back, however, is also imposing some constraints on fishing, particularly at Stamford where the banks are difficult and crouching in tight spaces isn't easy when your mobility is reduced.

I was pleased to find that there weren't any other anglers on the stretch. There aren't many fishable spots and the chub are easily spooked.

River Welland (27)

Chub 2lb 6oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 08.40
Weather: Misty and calm and little warmer than of late.
Swim: Roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 6lb line, 6 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Baits: Luncheon meat
Fish: Three chub, best 2lbs 8oz

My last visit to the Welland was on the first day of the season in 2015! My New Year's resolution was to go fishing more often and I've been waiting for the freezing conditions to ease a bit. The conditions today were almost perfect. The river was high but not flooded, with some nice deep glides. There was no wind to speak of and while still cold (it's January), it wasn't bitter. There was, however, an awful lot of mud!

River Welland (26)

Chub 4lb 5oz

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

Arrival time: 09.20
Weather: Started warm and cloudy but became very hot when sun broke through.
Swim: Roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 6lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Two SG shots on a short link.
Baits: Luncheon meat, cheese
Fish: Three chub and a small jack pike. Best fish chub 4lb 5oz.

I can’t remember the last time I went fishing on the first day of the season. Probably when I was a lad. Actually we’re often away in June but this year we weren’t, so off I went.

On reflection going to the Welland at Stamford on the first day wasn’t perhaps a good idea. It’s not easy fishing and often I have the stretch to myself, or there’s only one other angler. Today of course it was busier, with at least four or five anglers walking up and down the stretch, a couple of whom were spinning.

© 2025 Robert Bassett

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