Well, first week of retirement so first full day over the lake. Got there just before 07.00 and was first on the water. Took the tree swim as it was sheltered from the westerly wind.

As I was there for the day I tried a bit of float fishing in the margins, but despite lots of bites I hooked very little (one small roach), suggesting that they were mainly small fish. I resorted to free-lining the margin as this has proven to be a reliable technique on all previous visits.

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On this occasion, however, things were very slow. I lost a fish at about 10.30, which was probably a small carp; it shed the hook. About 15 minutes later landed a Crucian; my first from the lake. Some 45 minutes later I landed, of all things, a small Barbel, which gave a very good account of itself.

I then had to wait until 13.30 for a nice-looking Tench although it didn't fight very well. Then at 14.45 I had my last fish, a smallish mirror carp. It was hard work, and made worse by watching a couple of chaps next to me catch about 8 carp apiece up to 13lb, fishing floating bait in the middle of the lake. It was obviously one of those days when the margins were not the place to be.

To add to the disappointment, the wind got up during the day and it was very un-July like. I decided to give in at 18.00, and have decided that afternoon trips may be a better bet. Less tiring, and the evening seems to offer a much better chance of sport.

I've included a picture of a friendly chaffinch, one of a male/female pair that I fed during the day.

Crucian (1½lb approx) - bread flake [10.45]
Barbel (1lb approx) - luncheon meat [11.30]
Tench (3¼lb) - bread flake [13.30]
Mirror carp (4¾lb) - luncheon meat [14.45]