An odd sort of day really. The night before I was in two minds whether to go because of the forecast wind. Then I didn’t sleep too well, but as I was awake at 05.30 I decided to go.

The other thing is that because of a bit of bad organisation I only had one rod with me.

To cut a longish story short, I decided to sell my Fox Warrior feeder rod (I’m never going to take to heavy feeder fishing) along with my Korum rucksack (bought for use on the bike but I’ve since fitted panniers, which are easier and safer) and my Korum rod holdall (too bulky and overkill for light roving fishing). I ordered a Grey’s quiver system that takes individual rod bags, but unfortunately they were out of stock, and I had already committed to send my old tackle off by courier; so, no rod holdall.

Click image to view larger version.

I took my barbel rod as I had decided to target carp. The 12lb line is a plus in the reed swim and within half an hour I had a 6lb leather on the bank. Five minutes later I lost a fish, the hook hold having failed. At 08.45 I hooked a really good fish that steamed off but unfortunately the line was trapped behind my reel. A resounding crack (I thought the rod had broken) accompanied the line breaking at the reel, but it also broke near the hook. A double break like this is, I would think, quite rare. It was probably the best fish of the day and I silently cursed.

I caught throughout the day, and lost seven fish, three of which were breaks, the others in the reeds.

On waggler
07.30 - Leather 6lb - seedy bread flake
07.35 - Lost fish - hookhold
07.45 - Broken - line caught on reel
08.15 - Mirror 4lb 5oz - seedy bread flake
On leger
11.20 - Common 5lb 6oz - luncheon meat
11.50 - Roach approx ½lb - luncheon meat
12.20 - Leather 5lb 5oz - luncheon meat
12.45 - Leather 6lb 6oz - luncheon meat
13.55 - Leather 7lb - luncheon meat
14.10 - Broken (restraining from reeds)
14.30 - Mirror 11lb 6oz - luncheon meat (photo)
14.45 - Broken - possible line weakness
15.20 - Lost fish in reeds
16.20 - Mirror 6lb 7oz - luncheon meat
16.50 - Lost fish in reeds
17.00 - Lost fish in reeds (and terminal tackle)
19.00 - Leather 4lb 3oz - foul-hooked

I packed up soon after 19.00.

As you can see I caught a lot of fish, but perhaps because I was tired the day didn’t seem that good. The wind in my face all day didn’t help, even though it was warm, and losing so many fish is always psychologically challenging.

I think I did as well as anybody else around the lake, particularly after lunch when things tend to go quiet.

Perhaps I need to fish a different swim. The reed-corner swim is secluded and suits my style but I do lose a lot of fish there. Also, I’m considering half-day outings as whole days in warm weather can be a bit draining.