First time at the local lake since the end of July. I eased off in August pending my fortnight’s fishing holiday at Docklow.

A bit late arriving but not many people about. As the wind was forecast S to SW, I went in the reed corner swim. There was a chap at the other end of the reeds and he was literally pulling them out when I arrived, and continued to do so throughout the morning, losing a few in the process.

I started with the preloaded waggler and, unusually, didn’t get an early bite, as I often do in this spot before the fish get wise. It wasn’t until 08.15 that I got my first fish, a 3lb 11oz mirror on luncheon meat. I continued with luncheon meat on the waggler until just after midday, when the wind caused me to change to a light leger. I caught two more fish on float, at 08.30 and 08.45, both common carp at 5lb 5oz and 6lb 10oz. The second one, while not particular large, was a fine looking fish, so I took a photo.

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I started legering with a small Arlsley bomb and luncheon meat, using a cork (wine bottle stopper) bobbin. The following fish were caught.

12.15 - Mirror 7lb 0oz - luncheon meat
12.55 - Leather 4lb 10oz - luncheon meat
13.15 - Lost fish and terminal tackle in reeds
14.30 - Common 4lb 10oz - luncheon meat
16.45 - Leather 9lb 12oz - bread flake (photo)
This was a dumpy little fish that seemed to have some curvature on its spine; sort of an S-shape from above.
17.25 - Common 4lb 3oz - bread flake
17.45 - Common 4lb 13oz - bread flake
18.05 - Common 4lb 4oz - bread flake
18.10 - Hook straightened (while trying to restrain fish from reeds).

The 12 hook that straightened was from a batch I bought at Docklow, and another had straightened earlier in the day when pulling out of a snag. I usually buy Drennan Super Specialist barbless and although these hooks were Drennan they were a different type, and are obviously a bit suspect for heavy duty work. I think I’ll replace them soon as possible.

Not a bad day really, although having the wind in my face all day was wearisome, even though it was a relatively warm southerly.

I missed quite a few bites on leger, including a couple that smashed the bobbin against the rod, far too fast for my ageing reactions to deal with. Talking about ageing, an old guy who I’ve seen from time to time arrived during the afternoon and fished just around the bay. He’s a bit unsteady on his feet, and having cast into the same bay as I was fishing was almost immediately into a good fish. When he had netted it he beckoned me over to help. When I got there the effort of landing the fish had completely knackered him. I lifted it out for him, removed the hook and weighed it. A fine fish of 15lb 11oz.

He sat in his car for a while afterwards and then fished for perhaps a couple of hours before leaving without another bite. Such is fishing.