Back to the end of the reeds in the NE corner where I fished last week. I was the only one on the lake when I arrived and throughout the day nobody came anywhere near the corner where I was fishing. There were in fact no more than six people on the lake at any time. So, the conditions were perfect; it was quiet and I had a really good day.

The first fish came after only fifteen minutes and I caught throughout the day. Bread flake was again the most productive bait and I took only one fish on luncheon meat if one discounts a small perch that took it. I used small pellets to ground-bait the swim on a little but often basis.

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I lost four fish during the day all because of failed hook-hold. One was, I think, a really good fish. It took 20-30 metres of line off the reel in its first run, which took it far out into the lake. I was happy with this as it kept it from the margin snags. However, it then kited around to the left and was at risk of getting into reeds about 30 metres away from me. I applied side strain but at that point the hook-hold failed. It must have been a high-teens fish, at the very least.

Welcome additions to the catch were tench and crucian carp, with two crucians at 2lb 2oz. Both good fish. The largest tench was 4lb 3oz but it was in poor condition. Its body was malformed and it had a lot of mouth damage. Perhaps because of having been hauled in on beefy carp tackle too many times.

Here’s the day’s summary:

07.45 - Mirror 3lb
08.00 - Common 3lb 4oz
08.35 - Tench 3lb
08.50 - Mirror 3lb
09.25 - Small perch on luncheon meat
09.35 - Leather 6lb
09.50 - Crucian 1lb 12oz
10.20 - Leather 10lb (photo)
10.50 - Leather 6lb 8oz (fought like a 12 pounder!)
11.15 - Common 4lb 5oz - luncheon meat
11.45 - Lost big fish
12.10 - Crucian 2lb 2oz (photo)
12.20 - Lost another good fish but probably foul-hooked: scale on hook.

The wind blew up a bit at this point and I legered for a while but then I returned to the waggler.

13.40 - Common 5lb 5oz
13.45 - Crucian 2lb
13.50 - Crucian 2lb 2oz
14.30 - Mirror 6lb 12oz
14.45 - Common 5lb 8oz
14.55 - Leather 6lb 8oz (fought hard and I thought it was larger)
15.05 - Fish lost - hook hold failed
15.15 - Fish lost in reeds - hook hold failed
15.25 - Another fish lost - hook hold failed
15.45 - Tench 4lb 3oz (in poor condition)
15.55 - Common 4lb 14oz
16.05 - Tench 2lb 14oz
16.30 - Common 4lb 14oz
17.00 - Leather 7lb
17.20 - Leather 7lb 11oz
17.30 - Common 4lb 14oz

18.10 - Packed up.

All fish taken on bread flake except where indicated.

Although there were no really large fish the fact I had sport throughout the day was very rewarding. Even the smaller carp fight hard, as do the tench, and while the crucians are nowhere near as powerful they still give a good account of themselves.

If all days were like this I would be more than happy.