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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 Welland (6)

Chub 2lb 1oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 11.30
Weather: Overcast and cold. Some bright spells later.
Swim: Roving
Tackle: 12ft Korum light feeder rod, 8lb line, 8 hook. Two SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Bread flake.
Fish: One chub of 2lb 1oz but some silly misses.

I had a couple of tries on the Welland last winter but failed on both occasions. However, another angler had caught fish so I knew it could be done.

I went straight to the large bay where I had success on my very first summer visit. I fished close in on the edge of the faster water but didn’t get a touch.

Docklow Pools (9)

Common 10lb

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 16.30
Weather: Another fine calm evening.
Swim: Match Pool Peg1
Tackle:13ft Multi-float, 6lb line, pre-loaded waggler and 12 hook.
12ft Hardy Avon, 8lb line, pre-loaded waggler and 10 hook.
Baits: Luncheon meat
Fish: Three carp, best fish 10lbs, a barbel and a small chub.

I was heading for the Mickey Mouse Pool but saw from the road that my favourite spot was occupied. I happened to be next to Peg 1 of the match pool at the time. Now, I have noticed that this peg is very popular and when I had a closer look it was clear that the adjacent pegs were some distance away, making it ideal for margin fishing. There were reeds to the right (photo) and a corner to the left, where the road bordered the lake.

River Wye (1)

Chub 3lb 8oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 09.30
Weather: Sunny with no wind at first, although it blew up a bit during the day and then subsided late afternoon.
Swim: Third pitch downstream from hut.
Tackle: 12ft Hardy Avon, 8lb line, quill float and 12hook. Then a small feeder with 10 hook.
Baits: Maggots, luncheon meat, bread flake and pellets.
Fish: Five chub, best 3½lbs.

My first trip to the Wye. As mentioned in the previous posting, an advance recce had shown only a few fishable spots. I fished the third pitch downstream from where you park. It was a good looking spot with trees overhanging and entering the water about 10 yards downstream.

Docklow Pools (5)

No photo message

Arrival time: 16.30
Weather: Sunny and almost calm.
Swim: Mickey Mouse Pool - Peg 19
Tackle: 12ft Hardy Avon, 8lb line, pre-loaded waggler and 10 hook.
Baits: Bread flake and luncheon meat
Fish: Three carp, best 6¼lbs, a roach just under a pound, some small barbel and a small chub.

Having tried the Figure of Eight pool yesterday I was ready to return. However both the corner swims were taken today. I therefore went on to Mickey Mouse and set up in my now regular pitch 19.

I dropped in down the left margin and quickly had a small barbel of about 12oz. The margin then went quiet so I tried fishing just off the lilies about 25 feet out. The lack of wind made this easier than on previous days.

River Welland (5)

Chub 4lb 4oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 12.00
Weather: Sunny with white clouds. Very warm but with a strong breeze.
Swim: Roving
Tackle: 12ft Korum light feeder rod, 8lb line, 5lb Fluorocarbon hook length, 10 hook. Used two SG shots on a short link.
Baits: Luncheon meat
Fish: Three chub, best 4¼lbs.

I’ve been promising myself a trip back to the Welland since the season opened on 16 June. I went today, over a month later . I had the stretch to myself with only a couple of other anglers arriving later in the afternoon. I started in the swim where I caught two nice chub last July but not a touch today.

River Welland (2)

Chub 3lb 8oz

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

After the successful day on 23 July I returned, this time with Helen. I had decided to fish the spot that produced the two larger fish last time, as it was fairly open and would allow Helen to sit comfortably to watch. However, best laid plans and all that, it turned out that a couple of chaps were already in situ.

© 2025 Robert Bassett

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