I took a chance on the wind today (the forecast was far better for tomorrow but I had things to do) but while it was fresh, it wasn’t too much trouble in the Tree Corner. The story of the day was plenty of bites, almost one a cast, but most were unhittable. I expected this on flake, but a change to luncheon meat produced similar problems. I can understand how a small fish can tug at flake and register a bite, but the missed bites on lumps of meat remain a mystery: crucians perhaps.

There was only me and three people from the caravans on the lake. I was completely alone in the SW corner, which suited me fine.

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It’s probably best to summarise the day as a list.

07.45 - Crucian - 1lb 14oz - flake
08.20 - Tench - 2lb 14oz - flake
08.25 - Roach - 8oz - flake
08.40 - Crucian - 1lb 10oz - flake
09.35 - Crucian - 1lb 12oz - flake
09.55 - Tench - 2lb 11oz - flake
11.00 - Small Perch - luncheon meat (a surprise!)
11.45 - Roach - 13oz - luncheon meat
12.03 - Ide (I think) - about 8oz - luncheon meat

Wind veered to northerly at this point

12.10 - Common carp - 4lb - luncheon meat
13.10 - Crucian - 1lb 6oz - flake
13.50 - Roach - about 8oz - luncheon meat
14.00 - Roach - 1lb 1oz - luncheon meat (should have photographed it)

The roach had some scale damage. Possibly predation but there are no pike in the lake.

15.20 - Leather carp - 7lb 8oz - flake (fought extremely hard)
15.35 - Crucian - 1lb 7oz - flake
15.45 - Tench - 3lb 11oz - luncheon meat

Wind now more westerly.

18.35 - Lost fish from margin.
(Ran strongly and hook hold failed after a few seconds. Suspect barbel.)
19.00 - Barbel - 4lb 12oz - luncheon meat
19.15 - Barbel - 5lb 0oz - luncheon meat.


Both of the carp were challenging on my match rod but for out and out persistence the barbel take the prize. The fish I lost was, I’m sure, a barbel, as the initial run was similar to the next two fish. Deep and fast.

The barbel seem to exhibit the same power throughout the fight, until they finally give in, whereas the carp noticeably tire. These barbel have grown very quickly over the last two or three years. It will be interesting to experience them when they get nearer 10lbs, or perhaps bigger.