Back after last Thursday's success. The day started well with three carp before 09.00. These were all on luncheon meat and were not big fish. A 3lb common, 5½lb common and a 4¾ mirror. The last one was in fact foul-hooked in the pectoral fin.

Things then went quiet until just after 10.00, when after striking as the float moved sideways I landed a beautiful 2lb crucian carp, my largest to date from Fields End and a personal best.

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At 10.35 I lost a fish in the reeds; the magic transference of hook phenomenon! Then, at 10.50, I landed another 2lb crucian. So, a marvellous brace of crucian carp. All fish were taken on luncheon meat, corn and bread not seeming to have any effect on the day.

I then had to wait until 12.40, when a 6½lb common took the luncheon meat. After this things went really quiet and the wind had freshened making conditions less favourable. A number of hooks were lost on a snag near to the reed bed and on one snagging I actually lost my float as well.

I became a bit despondent and packed up at about 6 o'clock, having not taken any more fish. It had started raining at this point, another good reason not to stay.

Interestingly a chap who sat in the next swim moved around to the reed bed near the boat ramp, at the shallow end of the lake. Not many people fish this spot. I had a few takes there last summer and had it on my agenda to try. He had told me that he was surface fishing. The wind was blowing into that corner and as I sat there blanking he pulled out one fish after another. Something to consider for the future.

Also, the new warden fished a few swims around the lake and had a good late afternoon session, taking crucian, a good tench and a 9+lb carp.