Arrival time: 10.30
Weather: Overcast and chilly with a light southerly breeze
Tackle:
14ft Shimano Speedmaster match rod, Rapidex 2400 centre pin with 5lb line, 4lb bottom & 14 hook. Insert waggler.
Baits: Hempseed & sweetcorn.
Fish: Blank

After a dispiriting visit to Rookery Waters last week I bought a season ticket for an old clay pit where the fishing is challenging but the ambience is tranquil.

I fished this pit around ten years ago and decided to check it out again as an alternative to commercial fisheries. Many improvements had been put in place since that earlier visit with well-constructed fishing pitches, car parking and otter prevention fencing around the lake.

I had chatted to the chap with whom I spoke back in 2010, who quite amazingly remembered me! He said that the fishing was challenging, largely because it was not fished heavily and it was necessary to work a bit to get the fish on the feed. He also confirmed that there were some large carp, but not large numbers of carp.

When I arrived there were four carp anglers around the lake. I only saw two at first but spotted the others later. They were all playing the 'waiting game' with lines out into the lake. I set up on the south bank and was surprised to find how deep it was close in. I also discovered that there was a carpet of silkweed on the bottom.

I fished corn with hempseed and corn loose feed. However, I was concerned that the corn would sink into the silkweed. Whether it did or not, I didn't get a touch. I tried fishing shallower near some sunken cabbages but that didn't produce any action either.

Concerned about the depth in what was obviously still very cold water, and the silkweed, I decided to move, setting up one pitch further along where there were some reeds and sunken cabbages, and where the depth was only about four feet. I once again fed hemp and corn and baited with corn, but once again I didn't get a touch. Then a swan turned up and literally started clearing up my loose feed from the bottom with a 'bottoms up' exhibition.

I was convinced that any chance of fish after the swan's antics were gone so, once again, I moved, this time a couple of pitches further along. This turned out to be an interesting swim that I will keep in mind for the summer. With a reed bank to the left reaching out into the lake, and evidence of lily pads that will appear in summer, it could be a good bet.

The water was again shallower but again I didn't get a bite. It then decided to rain and as I hadn't taken a coat that was the sign to call it a day. So, once more, a perfect blank; no bites and no fish. But the ambience was great. Lots of wildlife and very little disturbance. I shall certainly be going back and perhaps try bread flake, which I can pinch on in such a way as to ensure it sinks slowly and thus rest on the bottom weed.