River Great Ouse - Offord (16)
Arrival time: circa 11.00 at swim
Weather: Overcast, no wind and very cold (3⁰C)
Tackle: 11' 6' John Wilson Avon Quiver with 1.5oz quiver, feeder / simple SSG link, 6lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Bread flake & cheese paste
Fish: Blank
I returned to the point of the Triangle at Offord where I lost a fish a couple of weeks ago. The intention was to make good on that loss, but the conditions were entirely different.
The main flow was almost non existent meaning that the crease between the main flow and the lock cutting had effectively disappeared.
Undaunted, I set up and cast to the point where the crease had been, the logic being that the fish would perhaps remain in that location as food would still be coming down with the flow. But whereas last time I had a bite within seconds, today I didn't have a touch.
I stuck at it for just over an hour, during which time I tried a cast to the far bank hoping to roll the bait under a raft. But all my efforts were in vain.
I had originally intended not to move around, after overdoing it a bit along the Chubb Stream the previous week. But I had started to get very negative vibes about the swim. I therefore decided to walk over to the Mill Stream.
Unfortunately at the Mill Stream there were a couple of chaps already in what is regarded as the 'hot' chub swim. Moreover, they hadn't caught anything. So the prospects weren't great.
And so it turned out. I fished at the head of the stream for about an hour but, just like on the main river, I never had even a sniff of interest in the bait. I was now quite cold and pretty despondent. I decided to pack up early as there didn't really seem much prospect of success.
Before leaving I tried the 'chub swim' as the two chaps had left shortly after I arrived. I didn't really expect to catch but it was a final throw of the dice.
So, a blank I'm afraid. It was, however, good to be out for a few hours.