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Diary of an average angler

fisherman

This diary dates back to a holiday in 2003 when I think the urge to get back into fishing took off. From around 2007 the trips became more frequent with 2010/11 probably being the peak of activity.
Things again pick up in 2020 - a sort of rebirth!

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River Great Ouse - Houghton (15)

Trout Stream

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Arrival time: 10.15
Weather: Chilly again after a warm spell. Cold northerly wind, alternating between overcast & sunny.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, two SSG link, 6lb line to 8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake
Fish: One Pike & one chub.

My final trip of the river season so I decided on the Trout Stream as it had been the most consistent of my winter venues. The level was down considerably and the water clear, and with bright sun when I arrived it wasn't the best of conditions for chub fishing. Overcast periods followed but these didn't improve the fishing, which can be summarised as not having a bite! Fortunately, after trying numerous spots I did have a bit of luck to round off the river season.

River Great Ouse - Houghton (13)

Trout Stream

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Arrival time: 10.30
Weather: Chilly with sunny spells. Little wind.
Tackle: Drennan 1¾lb TC 12ft 'Specialist Barbel', Shimano 5000 RE baitrunner, 2SSG link, 8lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake.
Fish: Two chub.

Following the success at the Trout Stream the previous Friday, when I lost a big fish, I decided to return only four days later. The choice of date was influenced by the forecast of more turbulent weather towards the end of the week. I basically repeated what I had done on the previous occasion, visiting the same spots. I also looked further downstream to where the stream merges with another channel. Quite a long walk, which I regretted!

River Great Ouse - Houghton (12)

Trout Stream

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 10.30
Weather: Overcast and chilly with a brief bright spell later. Little wind.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, two SSG link, 6lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake.
Fish: One chub.

I hadn't been fishing for a month. Christmas, followed by a flu bug, flooded rivers and challenging weather kept me away from the water. I decided to return to the Trout Stream as it fishes far better in the winter and I had a cracking day there back in November. Things started well when I hooked into a big fish but went downhill fairly rapidly. But having got over a minor crisis I had a good session in the end.

River Great Ouse - Houghton (11)

Trout Stream

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Bright start but clouding over and becoming colder. Occasional gusty wind.
Tackle: Korum 12ft 'Multi-feeder', Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, two SSG link, 6lb line to #8 eyed hook.
Baits: Bread flake, cheese paste & worm.
Fish: 4 chub all taken on bread flake.

I hadn't attempted to fish the Trout Stream during summer as previous experience of extensive vegetation both in the water and on the banks had dissuaded me. But, having had a stroll along the stream a few days earlier, it was looking promising with a number of fishable spots. I set off hoping for at least one fish but in the event the session turned into something quite memorable.

River Great Ouse - Offord (39)

Triangle & Mill Stream

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Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Chilly with low cloud cover and complete absence of wind.
Tackle: Korum 10ft 'All Rounder' 1.1lb TC, Shimano ST2500FB baitrunner, small bomb leger, 6lb line to size 8 eyed hook..
Baits: Bread flake & cheese paste.
Fish: One decent chub.

My plan was to go to the tip of the Triangle section and fish the crease between the main flow and the outflow of the lock cutting and mill stream. I had been successful with this approach in the past. On this occasion the main river flow wasn't all that strong, meaning that there wasn't actually a well defined crease. Whether this influenced the fishing it's hard to say but there was certainly no immediate action.

River Great Ouse - Offord (37)

Mill Stream

You can view the video on this page or open YouTube by clicking the YouTube icon above.

Arrival time: 09.45
Weather: Sunny with clear sky, clouding after midday. Becoming very warm.
Tackle: 11'6" John Wilson Avon with 1.5oz quiver, Shimano 5000 RE reel, 6lb line direct to 6/8 hook.
Baits: Bread flake & cheese paste.
Fish: One lost chub & one chublet

I thought I would have another crack at the mill stream having not done too well on a previous visit. A number of large chub were spotted under the road bridge and after not being able to cast to them from my first spot, I found a difficult but much closer location. I later moved along the stream, which seems more overgrown and weedy than ever. A truly challenging venue.

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