My last visit was on 23 October 2009, and Mum died the next day, which left me quite distraught. I did try to go later in the year but the lake was closed for works on the access road. Then it froze!

Going in January, just after the lake had thawed, was always going to be challenging; and so it turned out. I fished the reed corner with sweet corn in the hope that I may at least pick up some roach. I didn't get a touch.

Conditions weren't too bad, with a light breeze that didn't really affect me, but obviously the water was too cold. A couple of guys on the west bank were feeder fishing and although they had a couple of touches, they hadn't caught anything when I left late morning.

The highlight of the day was a sighting of a bittern that flew off from the reeds to my right. I didn't actually know what it was until I got home and checked the book.

I'm looking forward to some warmer weather!