Bob Goes Fishing

Fields End (121)

Early spring session

31 March 2025 Venue: Fields End

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Arrival time: 09.30
Weather: High pressure conditions. Clear blue sky with negligible wind.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy TX Float rod, Allcocks 4" centrepin, 4BB waggler with lift-method single shot, 6lb main line to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Maggots, luncheon meat & bread flake.
Fish: Lots of Rudd and 3 perch.

With the forecast for little wind I decided to go to Fields End Water, my local pit. It's an exposed lake and I was keen to grab a windless day fishing on the waggler. As it was early in the year I took maggots as a smaller bait option but I also had luncheon meat and bread flake. There's a good head of rudd in the lake although I hoped that I might tempt a crucian or two, and perhaps a bigger carp patrolling the margins.

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Species: Rudd, Perch

The Clay Pit (22)

Side pond

19 March 2025 Venue: The Clay Pit

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Arrival time: 09.30
Weather: Fresh start but becoming quite warm. Sun all day with light clouds and just a hint of a breeze.
Tackle: Greys 12' Prodigy TX Float rod, Allcocks 4" centrepin, 4BB waggler with lift-method single shot, 6lb main line to 14 eyed hook.
Baits: Maggots.
Fish: 3 tench.

With the close season in force on the rivers I went over to the Clay Pit to try my luck for some spring tench. We had had a few warm days and when I arrived the water in the side pond was coloured, indicating some aquatic activity. On my previous trip in winter the water had been clear and I blanked. Chatting to a chap as I tackled up, he informed me that he believed that cormorants had raided the pond, which was a bit disheartening. But I took a positive view that even if this was true perhaps the tench had evaded their attention.

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Species: Tench

River Great Ouse - Houghton (15)

Trout Stream

11 March 2025 Venue: River Great Ouse |Houghton |Trout Stream

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Arrival time: 10.15
Weather: Chilly again after a warm spell. Cold northerly wind, alternating between overcast & sunny.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, two SSG link, 6lb line to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake
Fish: One Pike & one chub.

My final trip of the river season so I decided on the Trout Stream as it had been the most consistent of my winter venues. The level was down considerably and the water clear, and with bright sun when I arrived it wasn't the best of conditions for chub fishing. Overcast periods followed but these didn't improve the fishing, which can be summarised as not having a bite! Fortunately, after trying numerous spots I did have a bit of luck to round off the river season.

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Species: Pike, Chub

The Chubb Stream (17)

07 March 2025 Venue: Chubb Stream

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Arrival time: 10.00 am
Weather: Warm for early March with a strengthening breeze
Tackle: Ryan Burns 'Arrow' 10' split cane rod, Trudex centrepin, 2xSSG link leger, 6lb line direct to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake & worm.
Fish: Blank

The Chubb Stream hasn't been that kind to me of late, with only one chub from my previous two visits this season. But with the end of the season approaching and the reported water level being the most favourable of my local venues, I decided to give it one more go. I took my cane rod and centrepin hoping for a memorable session but it wasn't to be.

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Species: Blank

River Great Ouse - Offord (41)

Mill Stream & Car Park Pool

25 February 2025 Venue: River Great Ouse |Offord

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Arrival time: 10.30.
Weather: Much milder than of late with warmth in the sun and a gentle breeze.
Tackle: Drennan 1¾lb TC 12ft 'Specialist Barbel', Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, 2SSG link, 8lb line to #8 eyed hook. (Tackled up for small stream chub!).
Baits: bread flake & cheese paste.
Fish: One bream.

Having been away from the water for almost three weeks I was keen to get out, even though recent heavy rain was affecting the rivers - again! I missed a perfect day the previous week when the rivers had fined down but I wasn't feeling up to going. It turned out to be a last minute decision on choice of venue as I compared the water level data on the government web site. In the end I opted for Offord as it was the only one of three possible choices that was not showing rising levels. It also offered some choices if the mill stream proved not to be fishable.

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Species: Bream

River Great Ouse - Houghton (14)

Trout Stream

07 February 2025 Venue: River Great Ouse |Houghton |Trout Stream

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Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Overcast with a bitter easterly wind. Some dampness in the air.
Tackle: Drennan 1¾lb TC 12ft 'Specialist Barbel', Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, 2SSG link, 8lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake, cheese paste & maggots
Fish: One Pike.

After blanking at the Clay Pit I decided to return to the rivers, choosing the Trout Stream as it had been kind to me on recent visits. The forecast was for an easterly wind with a low risk of rain, so I took a chance. This turned out to be a mistake, as the wind was strong and absolutely bitter. And to make things even less appealing, the stream was high and coloured. I started about midway along the stretch as I had done on earlier visits.

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Species: Pike

Bob Goes Fishing

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Fields End (121)

The Clay Pit (22)

River Great Ouse - Houghton (15)

The Chubb Stream (17)

River Great Ouse - Offord (41)

River Great Ouse - Houghton (14)