Despite vowing that I would limit myself to afternoon visits after the last trip, I went for the day again and this time things worked out a bit better. I wasn't first on site this time but had decided to fish the (north-east) reed corner having not done too well on the west bank the previous week. I rather like the reed corner but it tends to produce smaller fish.

On this occasion I had regular sport up to about 3pm, when things went dead. I fished on until 7pm but then called it a day. It was a very hot day, necessitating the umbrella to provide some protection.

Click any image to launch large format slide show.

I free-lined all day alternating between flake and luncheon meat. The best fish was a 12¼lb mirror; things were touch and go for the first few moments as I fought to keep it out of the reeds. I had already lost one fish in the reeds earlier in the day. I caught 8 carp and another barbel, which was only just over a pound but it really gave a good account of itself. I thought it was a much larger fish.

Mirror (5lb) - flake [08.00]
Mirror (4½lb) - flake [08.15]
Leather (6lb 10oz) - luncheon meat [09.10]
Mirror (4lb 6oz) - luncheon meat [09.35]
Barbel (1lb 4oz) - luncheon meat [10.20]
Leather (6lb 0oz) - luncheon meat [11.45]
Mirror (12lb 4oz) - flake [13.05]
Mirror (8lb 4oz) - luncheon meat [14.30]
Mirror (4lb 0oz) - flake [14.55]