With a forecast for light to no wind it seemed a good day to visit Fields End. The night had been cold and the lake was still, with a light mist over the surface. Nobody there, so spoilt for choice.

Started in the tree corner swim, where I had been last week, but I had also looked at the reed corner, which was looking very inviting. After a very short while, having seen fish movement over by the reed corner, and no movement (or bites) where I was, I decided to move.

I had given some advice to a chap who was relatively new to the sport and was staying on site. Having shown him the reed swim, he settled there, so I went to the opposite end of the reed margin. I hadn't fished this particular spot before, but with the water level having dropped over summer it was possible to sit besides the high platform. This allowed me to cast down the side of the reeds, something not possible from the platform because of the different sight line.

I started with waggler and flake just off the edge of the reeds. I had a few missed bites; possibly crucian, or roach even. At 09.00 I had a more positive take and this resulted in a mirror of just under 3lb. It fought well on my new 10' float rod and the Rapidex centre pin. Things were then quiet for a while, but despite the lack of fish action, it was an absolutely glorious autumn day.

At midday another firm bite on the waggler/flake combination yielded a very nice 4lb 14oz common, which fought well, then just after 13.30 another common of 3lb 10oz. A dumpy little fish that should grow into a fine specimen. Another two hour wait and the third fish. This time a leather of 4lb 13oz.

The lake remained mirror-like throughout the day, save an occasional light breeze that didn't affect the reed corner. At around 16.30 I started catapulting pellets out, and after a while carp started feeding on the surface. However, they ignored my bread crust and my lazy attempts to cast a pellet using my barbel rod with 12lb line with a simple pellet band didn't do the trick either. I should have got the lighter rod out and put on a lighter hook length with a smaller hook. Instead I suffered the frustration of watching the carp feed while ignoring my offering.

While the surface feeding was going on I tried a piece of flake free-lined down the margin, using the barbel rod. This worked a treat with a run only seconds after casting. I fair old tussle ended with a nice 7lb 9oz leather; the best and last fish of the day, despite ongoing frustration on the surface up until just before dusk.

I didn't take any fish photos as none of the fish was particularly special. However, I did take a rather atmospheric shot of the sunrise shortly after I arrived while the mist was still over the water.