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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More photos in the full report
We had a week away at Bashley on the edge of the New Forest in Hampshire and Orchard Lakes was just down the road. I had two visits, one for a day and the second for the afternoon. It was a lovely week, this first day in particular being very warm.
I fished the largest of the five lakes.
Only one photo today.
Larger light-box version in the full report
Well, after last week's disastrous day I decided to fish the west bank. Unfortunately despite arriving at opening time that spot was taken, the problem being that the normal entrance was closed and access was from the 'Pool', where there is nothing to stop people arriving before 7.00.
Buoyed by last week's success I went back to the reed corner, but the wind on this occasion was much stronger and it proved very difficult to control my favourite free-lining approach. I resorted to light ledgering in the end but the day was really a disaster.
More photos in the full report
The wind was forecast south westerly, which meant blowing right into my favourite reed corner spot. I took the gamble, the lake being as calm as a mill-pond when I arrived. Also, wisdom has it that one should fish into the wind.
More photos in the full report
Despite vowing that I would limit myself to afternoon visits after the last trip, I went for the day again and this time things worked out a bit better. I wasn't first on site this time but had decided to fish the (north-east) reed corner having not done too well on the west bank the previous week. I rather like the reed corner but it tends to produce smaller fish.
More photos in the full report
Well, first week of retirement so first full day over the lake. Got there just before 07.00 and was first on the water. Took the tree swim as it was sheltered from the westerly wind.
As I was there for the day I tried a bit of float fishing in the margins, but despite lots of bites I hooked very little (one small roach), suggesting that they were mainly small fish. I resorted to free-lining the margin as this has proven to be a reliable technique on all previous visits.
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