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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
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Species
Archive
Venues & topics
Species
Archive

The Clay Pit (12)

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: 10⁰C, overcast with a NW wind. Brightened for a short period.
Tackle: 10ft TFG Compact Float rod, Speedia centrepin, light (5 x no.4) waggler, 6lb line direct to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Maggot & worm.
Fish: Three tench, a small carp, roach, rudd, crucian & perch

I had proposed to go to a river but because of torrential rain the previous day I decided to go over to the local Clay Pit and fish a side pond. I had had a fair measure of success in these ponds earlier in the season but hadn't fished them in colder weather. I hoped for some roach and perch but things actually worked out a lot better.

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Species: Tench, Crucian, Rudd, Roach, Perch

The Clay Pit (10)

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: 11.00
Weather: Warm with sun & cloud and a possibility of showers.
Tackle: 10ft TFG Compact Float rod, Speedia centrepin, light (5 x no.4) waggler, 6lb line direct to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Sweetcorn.
Fish: Five tench, a number of crucians, a small carp and two roach.

After a number of trips to the Nene backwaters I fancied a less energetic day so decided to go over to the local Clay Pit to fish the side ponds. I hoped for a tench or two but would have been satisfied with a mixed bag of whatever turned up.

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Species: Tench, Crucian, Roach, Carp

The Clay Pit (9)

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: 09.30
Weather: Bright sun, becoming very warm.
Tackle: 12ft Greys Rova Float, Advanta Discovery centre pin with 6lb line direct to 12 eyed hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Bread flake, sweetcorn.
Fish: Two tench an a crucian.

I returned to the Clay Pit to have another crack at the side pools with the hope of some tench. On arrival the swim I had fished on the previous occasion was taken so I went to the next pool. The pools are in fact joined by a narrow channel so there was no reason why one should be any better than the other.

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Species: Tench, Crucian

The Clay Pit (8)

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: 09.30
Weather: Bright overcast with rain later and warm clear spells.
Tackle: 12ft Greys Rova Float, Advanta Discovery centre pin with 6lb line direct to 12 eyed hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Bread flake, maggots.
Fish: Carp, crucians and a tench.

I had visited the Clay Pit on the Sunday to try to get some tips on fishing the place as I hadn't had much success in the past. I was lucky to chat to a chap who fished the pole, unlike most of the other anglers there who were fishing at distance for carp. This provided some inspiration for my planned visit on Tuesday.

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Species: Carp, Crucian, Tench

Rookery Waters (5)

Venue: Rookery Waters

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

Arrival time: 11.00
Weather: Sunny and mild with no noticeable wind.
Tackle: 12ft Greys Rova Float, Advanta Discovery centre pin with 6lb line, 3.5lb bottom & 16 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Maggot & worm.
Fish: Mixed bag of carp, roach & perch

A had a bad day at Rookery Waters last year, on that occasion on the Rook lake, but I decided to give it another try, this time on the Magpie lake. It turned out to be a good decision.

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Species: Carp, Roach, Perch, Crucian

Fields End (103)

Venue: Fields End
Crucian 1lb 10oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 08.00
Weather: Overcast and mild with a light westerly breeze. Some light rain.
Swim: Reed corner
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Bread flake and luncheon meat.
Fish: Four carp 5 - 8lb, roach and a crucian.

The holiday park has now reopened and the tranquility of the last couple of visits is now but a memory. Despite only three cars in the visitors' car park the lake was busy. My preferred spot was occupied and I settled in what I call the reed corner.

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Species: Carp, Crucian, Roach

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