After the success on Tuesday (29/9) I returned, this time a bit earlier at 15.30. It was a bright sunny afternoon with fluffy white clouds in a blue sky. A gentle breeze hardly ruffled the water but I was to find that it did in fact cause the line to drift, making the free-lining technique I use not quite as easy.

White bread and luncheon meat today. I started with the always reliable bread and after only 15 minutes had a run, connecting with a medium-sized fish that unfortunately caused a bit of disturbance as I hooked it near the reeds. Like Tuesday's fish, it didn't produce any dramatic runs but gave a dogged fight with numerous lunges as I brought it to the net. It was a 6½lb Common in superb condition and had magnificent colouring - golden flanks and dark red/purple fins.

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Unlike Tuesday, this success was not to be repeated. Carp were jumping all over the lake and there was activity in the reeds opposite, where a bulge below the surface indicated a big fish. There was also movement at various other places around the reed bank. I tried casting to these spots, but with no results. I also tried floating crust but a family of sharp-eyed moorhens meant that the crust was never on the surface for long enough to interest the fish. I changed to luncheon meat but that didn't produce any interest either.

I kept persevering and just before dusk I did have a take. Unfortunately the line had drifted and sunk, so I was watching the remaining loop under the rod top. By the time this moved the fish had obviously had the bait in its mouth for a while and when I tightened it had released it. So that was that. I suppose I couldn't hope to repeat Tuesday's success but I still haven't blanked at this venue and all the fish are beautifully conditioned. One day I may entice a '20'; I'm sure that the chances of so doing are just as high here as at Fields End.