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
Had some spare time on a day off so went over to the lake at 4.00 pm. Good decision!
It was a beautiful September day; warm, bright and just a breath of wind.
Couldn't get my 'spot', but this turned out to be fortuitous. I fished a swim near the car park where I had seen others do well.
More photos in the full report
Helen was working at Chipping Norton on 3 September so we stayed in the town overnight and I visited the local Butlers Hill Fishery.
I was first on the fishery and took a corner swim on the first lake. This is the deepest of three lakes with allegedly the biggest carp. It is a small lake but very 'inviting'. The corner swim was ideal for stalking carp up against the reed beds
More photos in the full report
Fourth time this year - really 'hooked'.
The day started chilly and damp - but quiet as there were very few people and cars were banned from the bank because of recent heavy rain. It got out brighter about 1.00 pm and warmed up considerably by the end of the day.
More photos in the full report
Another day at The Lake.
The day started perfectly. A mist over the water; classic 'tench' conditions. It was very hot with a light wind.
Went for the same swim again as I felt I knew 'all the tricks'. However, things didn't go too well.
More photos in the full report
Well, I remembered the camera this time!
The weather was perfect but the day started slowly. Apparently there had been a match on the Sunday and a lot of bait was thrown in, leaving the fish rather full.
I fished the same swim as on the 19th.
I've been keen to get back to Fields End since the successful trips I had last year. Finally the weather forecast was favourable and off I went.
I got there as it opened (7.00 am) and set off for the same swim as I fished in 2006. The reeds had closed in, leaving a much smaller opening, making what was a tricky swim even harder. After a slow start, when a number of carp inspected my floating crust and shied away, things really improved.
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