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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

The Clay Pit (19)

Side pond
Venue: The Clay Pit

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Beautiful sunny autumn day with a fresh breeze.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy TX Float rod, Allcocks 4" centrepin, 4BB waggler with lift-method single shot, 6lb line direct to 10 eyed hook.
Baits: Sweetcorn, bread flake and spam. Hemp-based groundbait with added hemp & sweetcorn.
Fish: Two tench and a carp. Two fish lost.

A mild episode of shingles delayed my return to the water, this being my first outing for three weeks. After a couple of challenging trips to the 20ft drain, and general malaise because of the shingles, I decided on an 'easy' session on the side ponds at the Clay Pit. I usually mange a few fish on this venue and being able to park almost next to the swim was a bonus, given my post-viral state! I was fortunate to get the spot I usually fish although there were a few people on the main lake.

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Species: Tench, Carp

Middle Level drains (2)

20ft drain March
Venue: Middle Level drains

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

Arrival time: 10.30
Weather: Chilly start but bright sun and very little wind all day.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy VX Rova Specimen, Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, cage feeder, 8lb main line with 5lb flourocarbon hook length to 10 eyed hook.
Baits: Maggots, bread & corn with hemp-based groundbait & hemp feed.
Fish: A small rudd and a reasonable perch.

A return to the 20ft drain to try a different approach, having been advised to try a feeder and groundbait. I hadn't bought proprietary groundbait for years and chose a hemp-based mixture with worm meal. I also mixed in some sweetcorn and hempseed. In high anticipation I cast in and sat back to watch my low-tech cork bobbin. And not much happened!

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Species: Perch, Rudd

Middle Level drains (1)

20ft drain March
Venue: Middle Level drains

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

Arrival time: 09.30
Weather: Cloudy bright with increasing cloud. No wind to start with but freshening to a light breeze.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano match rod, Rapidex II 2400 centrepin, 6lb line, 3.5lb pre-tied Drennan hook length to size 16.
Baits: Maggots & corn with hemp feed.
Fish: Some small perch and a couple of roach/rudd.

Having ignored the local drains for years because of the difficulty of access, a chance look at a Facebook page alerted me to a venue where it wasn't necessary to risk the steep overgrown banks, and where there was parking. Just outside of March the local club has built gravel platforms and access steps that, while still needing a bit of care, have made access to the water immeasurably more friendly. It's the first time I've fished one of these drains so it was very much a learning exercise.

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Species: Perch, Roach, Rudd

River Great Ouse - Offord (37)

Mill Stream
Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord |Mill Stream

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

Arrival time: 09.45
Weather: Sunny with clear sky, clouding after midday. Becoming very warm.
Tackle: 11'6" John Wilson Avon with 1.5oz quiver, Shimano 5000 RE reel, 6lb line direct to 6/8 hook.
Baits: Bread flake & cheese paste.
Fish: One lost chub & one chublet

I thought I would have another crack at the mill stream having not done too well on a previous visit. A number of large chub were spotted under the road bridge and after not being able to cast to them from my first spot, I found a difficult but much closer location. I later moved along the stream, which seems more overgrown and weedy than ever. A truly challenging venue.

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Species: Chub

GoPro Hero 12 Black

My new video camera
Venue: Techie stuff

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

My trusty headcam expired on 16 August and after trying the alternative of filming with my iPhone, using a neck hoop to mount it, I decided that that didn't really work. After considering other options, such as using a static rather than body-mounted camera, I opted for a GoPro camera, which I'm hoping will give far better results when mounted on the neck hoop.

I didn't replace the headcam like for like as I felt it was unacceptable that it had failed after just only three years of use. Fingers crossed the GoPro will last somewhat longer.

Earith (11)

Trying a different filming technique
Venue: Earith

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

Arrival time: 09.00
Weather: Bright with increasing cloud and windy.
Tackle: Hardy 11' 6" Marksman Specimen Avon, Allcocks 4" centrepin, preloaded waggler, 6lb line direct to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Worms & sweet corn.
Fish: One small rudd and a small tench with a nice Koi carp later in the session.

After quite limited success on the rivers I decided to go to a favourite small lake at Earith. It was also an opportunity to try out a different filming technique after my headcam failed on the previous trip. It's fair to say that it didn't work that well. And the fishing wasn't great either.

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Species: Tench, Rudd

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