Bob Goes Fishing | Welcome

Please rotate your device

This page is best viewed in Landscape orientation
(or tap anywhere to view in Portrait orientation)

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!

QR code

YouTube channel

Venues
& topics
Species
Archive
Venues & topics
Species
Archive

Rookery Waters (4)

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

Arrival time: 09.00
Weather: Warm and sunny with only a slight breeze after lunch
Tackle:
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Rapidex 2400 centre pin with 5lb line, 4lb bottom & 14 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Hemp seed & sweet corn feed, corn & luncheon meat on the hook.
Fish: Blank

As a change from Fields End, today I went to Rookery Waters in the hope of catching roach from Rook lake. I was to be disappointed.

Having spoken to a chap at Fields End I was led to believe that Rook lake was good for roach. Previously I had only fished Magpie lake at Rookery Waters, but as there had been matches on it on both days over the weekend, I thought I would try something different.

Rookery Waters (3)

Magpie Lake

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Cloudy but sunny later. Very cold.
Swim: Pitch No. 38 Magpie Lake
Tackle: 14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Rapidex Centre Pin, 2½lb hook length to 16 hook.
Baits: Sweetcorn.
Fish: Blank.

Unable to travel to the river because of movement restrictions under COVID, after a bit of deliberation I decided on a few hours at Rookery Waters. I don't particularly like lake fishing in winter and in the event, after a few very cold days, I completely blanked. Not even a bite.

The Chubb Stream (6)

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: A rare dry day with sun! Chilly with a light breeze.
Tackle: 10ft Fishtec Compact Float, link leger, 6lb line.
Baits: Cheese paste.
Fish: Blank

With the water level at Offord showing very high I took a punt on the Chubb Stream. As it turned out the level was up there as well, and more worryingly the water was very coloured.

River Great Ouse - Offord (11)

Sismey Island

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

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Sunny and cold with a very fresh wind.
Tackle: 12' Korum Multi-feeder, open-ended feeder, 6lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Cheese paste.
Fish: Blank

Today had promise, the weather being particularly inspiring after all the rain we've had recently, although it was cold. The water level was also good and it wasn't too coloured. But despite all the favourable indicators the fish were proving to be elusive.

Hinchingbrooke Park (1)

image

Arrival time: 9.00
Weather: Overcast with a fresh breeze. Drizzle soon arrived.
Tackle: Hardy 11' 6" Specimen Avon, Shimano Exage 4000RC, link leger, 8lb line, 8 hook
Baits: Spam, cheese paste.
Fish: None

We were chatting with the manager of Bella Italia in Huntingdon and it transpired that he was a fellow angler. During the course of our conversation he recommended the lake at Hinchingbrooke Country Park. I checked it out on Google and noticed that there was a small stream that was also covered by the club ticket.

River Great Ouse - Offord (7)

Mill Stream

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

Arrival time: 9.00
Weather: Quite chilly but not too windy. Bright spells but clouds were gathering.
Tackle: Hardy 11' 6" Specimen Avon, Shimano Exage 4000RC, link leger, 8lb line, 8 hook
Baits: Spam, cheese paste.
Fish: None

My hopes that the water level would have receded were misplaced since although the level was down, it was still way above normal. Once again I blanked.

© 2025 Robert Bassett

Report bugs to webmaster

Built in RapidWeaver
with Shaking The Habitual's
Source micro framework

Your privacy
Cookies are only used for the correct functioning of this site and to prevent you seeing this message every time you visit.

Read more about third party cookies ☞

Note that links to third party sites can result in cookies being loaded. For example, there are links to YouTube to display the embedded videos from my channel.