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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
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Venues & topics
Species
Archive

The Clay Pit (3)

Venue: The Clay pit
The Clay pit

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

Arrival time: 13.00
Weather: Clearing after heavy rain during the morning.
Breeze freshened once rain had stopped. Bright afternoon.
Swim: Main lake. First bay on SW bank.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Shimano Exage reel with 5lb line, 16 hook on 5lb fluorocarbon link. Insert waggler.
Bait: Sweetcorn
Fish: A few roach.

My neighbour’s father was house-sitting while they were away and I had suggested a day’s fishing. We originally planned to go to Stamford but a morning of heavy rain, and an uncertain outlook, modified our plans. Instead we went to a local pit, which is much closer. In the event, after a little more rain the afternoon brightened with a freshening breeze and it was quite pleasant.

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Species: Roach

River Welland (14)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 3lb 13oz

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

Arrival time: 11.15
Weather: Overcast and windy, with a little rain.
Stiff downstream breeze made life awkward.
Swim: The large pool.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Baits: Cheese and maggots
Fish: Three chub, best fish 3lb 13oz

I had a few jobs to do last week so it’s been two weeks since I was last on the river bank. The large pool has been so reliable that I’m afraid I went back there again.

My last visit was relatively disappointing but this time I had only been there about 15 minutes when my rod top was pulled around further than I think it has ever been before.

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Species: Chub, Dace

River Welland (13)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 2lb 15oz

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

Arrival time: 11.30
Weather: Very hot with a light on-and-off breeze.
Swim: The large pool.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Cheese
Fish: One chub 2lbs 15oz.

They say unlucky 13. My thirteenth trip to the Welland and it was a bit disappointing. I suppose I may have become bit blasé after a few very successful trips.

It was hot, very hot, and the river was clear, but it usually is in the summer. Also there were far more people walking along the bank. It’s the school holidays so perhaps the river is being fished a bit more. There was certainly the ubiquitous litter in the spot I fish. Or perhaps the chub had moved elsewhere; you can’t catch what’s not there, as Richard Walker said.

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Species: Chub

River Welland (12)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 4lb 0oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 11.30
Weather: Overcast but bright and reasonably mild.
Occasional light breeze.
Swim: The large pool.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Cheese & luncheon meat.
Fish: Four chub, best fish, two at 4lbs.

Yet another trip to the Welland. I really like the tranquility of the place, and the chub aren’t bad either.

There was a bit of flow today, which I find always helps. The first fish came after only fifteen minutes (11.45). A small pull on the rod tip was followed by a positive bend; no trouble hooking this one. As usual it tried for the various reeds and buried itself in the bottom weed nearer the bank, but the weed is soft and I extracted it without incident. A nice 4lb fish on cheese.

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Species: Chub

River Welland (11)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 2lb 8oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 11.20
Weather: Started bright and warm but thunder clouds moved in.
Little wind.
Swim: The large pool.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Cheese & luncheon meat.
Fish: Three chub, best fish 3¾lb

Another weekly trip to the Welland. The forecast was for heavy showers but I thought I would take a chance. Read on to find out what a mistake that was.

After setting up I cast out with a piece of Gloucester cheese, courtesy of Helen when my cheddar sticks ran out. It soon became evident that the chub didn’t mind the change. A chap stopped and was chatting to me. I had only been fishing for about ten minutes when he arrived and about five minutes later (11.40) the rod tip pulled round and I was into my first fish. After a spirited fight a 2½lb chub was in the net. A nicely coloured fish.

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Species: Chub

River Welland (10)

Venue: River Welland
Chub 4lb 8oz

More photos in the full report

Arrival time: 12.15
Weather: Overcast but bright, although clouds were threatening.
An easterly that freshened and became quite chilly.
Swim: The large pool and a bit of roving.
Tackle: 12ft Korum multi-feeder, Shimano bait caster, 8lb line, 8 hook tied direct. Two/three SG shots on a short link.
Bait: Cheese, worm and bread flake.
Fish: A couple of small pike followed by two chub. Best fish chub 4½lbs

Back again to the Welland. There were actually a couple of anglers on the stretch today. One was pole-fishing the far bank not far from the town while the other seemed to be roving. I made my way to the large pool, which was free.

I started with cheese but had brought some lobworms to see if I could tempt a large perch. There were a few sharp taps on the cheese but nothing that characterised a chub. I persevered but the lull was only broken when a jack pike of 1½lbs took the cheese as I was retrieving. Fortunately it was lip-hooked and soon returned.

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Species: Chub, Pike, Perch

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