After walking around the lake earlier in the afternoon I went down for the evening. I fished the first fishable swim on the far bank, the lake being generally overgrown.

I fished through marginal reeds with lily pads to the left. It was very shallow and coloured. The evening was warm and still.

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After a few nibbles on float-fished flake I got a definite bite at the edge of the lily pads. A good fish was on and it soon became clear it was a tench, which buried itself in the lilies. With a bit of luck I extracted it on 4lb line and a size 10 hook. It weighed 3lb 1oz. A fantastic start.

After this I only had some small roach.