Dutchess lake after 2 days of rain

Popped down to Dutchess lake this morning
and after 2 days continuous rain this is
how it looked.
This is the swim I fished on Tuesday.
Where I was sitting is now under around a foot of water!!!!

The lake is about 3 feet deeper than when I fished it.

Also see www.lockleazezapper.blogspot.com

Dutchess Lake 11-01-11

Chose to fish Dutchess again
as I still needed to practice casting with light weights
and floats.

Again I chose the end of the island swim so as to get used to casting
close into reeds.

Same set up as on Sunday and used the same baits.

The ledger / feeder was cast to the island
and also out to the middle of the lake.

The Quiver rod had a couple of small knocks but no proper takes.

The float rod however produce from the off.
A 5BB waggler float was used first because of the
the strong westerly wind. I cast out into the lee of the island,
and had a small Roach straight away.
The bites came steadily through the rest of the day.
9 out of 10 Roach preferred Single red maggot.
In total I had over 70 Roach and three
Skimmer Bream the best fish of the day
was this 3ld 14oz Bream.

During the day I changed down to smaller floats,
as the wind eased down and changed to the north west.

It was cloudy at first but the sun eventually came out.

Another great day out.

Dutchess Lake 09-01-11

Decided at the last minute to go down to the
local lake instead of the River Frome.
I chose the swim at the east end of the island.
Fishing to the point of the island with a ledger set up.

I also used a waggler set up, casting slightly to the right of the above
photo. From close in by some reeds out to around half way.

When I first got there over 1/2 of the east end of the lake was covered by ice.
That knocked out my first two choices of swims.
Below the ice can be seen and is less than 1/2 what was there when I arrived.

The ledgered Cheese paste, Halibut pellet or Maggot failed to produce
any bites.
The waggler also failed to register any bites until 13.00.
When I had a small roach half way out with a single
red maggot. I was loose feeding 6 or maggots every cast.
My grandson had just arrived (with his mum and dad)
when I caught it.
He was well pleased with it, as can be seen.

This was the biggest fish a small Skimmer.
In all I had 6 Roach and 2 Skimmers.

A very pleasant day the sun kept me warm
even with the westerly breeze trying to cool me down.
I fished from 09.00 till 14.00
Frosty at first. In the shade the frost stayed on the ground all day.

Bristol Frome, Stapleton

Having been feeling under the weather for a few days, I decided
to go for a walk.
Went for a walk down the Frome from Blackberry Hill
to the Colston Weir.
Here are some of the photos

Colston Weir

Nice stretch of Rhododendron to trot a float by.

This stretch of water is run by the Amalgamated Fisheries
you need to be a member to fish this stretch or buy a day ticket.

Christian Malford 02-01-11

Went to the River Avon at Christian Malford
started at 08.00 and finished at 15.00.
I fished the 3rd swim down stream from the road bridge.
This is on the Amalgamated Fisheries ticket.

I have the Adult River Permit
this costs £25.00 1st January to 31 December.

I decided on this swim as I was told it was one of the best swims.

I used a ledger rod with 8ld line, 2 1/2ld hook length,1/2oz ledger
and size 12 / 14 and 16 hooks. This was for a static bait presentation.
I interchanged the ledger with 2 x SSG shots for a slow
bounce style method.

Also used a 5BB Avon Crow Quill float and 4 x 4 stick Float
4ld main kine and 2 1/2ld hook length.
This was used to trot the float down the river.

Baits used were Bread, Maggot and Halibut
Paste and Pellets.

The weather chilly at first but not to bad later,
over cast with some short sunny spells
and light north east wind.
Result:- Blanked!!!

But the Kingfisher kept me entertained as did a Water Rail, (type of wader bird).
Very nice and peaceful bunch of fishermen up there.
Having chatted to a few of them I came to the conclusion
that a combination of poor fishing by myself, washed in salt from the roads
and a lot more anglers there (due to most lakes being frozen) were the reason for it poor
results.

Roll on next time.

Rockingham 26-12-10

Fished the grass bank from 08.00 till 12.00.
The photos below show what it was like down by the sea.

The photos were taken around 09.00.

It also shows were an earlier tide had come over the top.

All I managed was one 4 inch codling on black lug
on the good old wish bone rig.

It was so cold that the fog was freezing to anything it touched.

However as usual I enjoyed the trip.

Snuff Mills again 21-12-10

Must be mad, back down Snuffers.
Just maggots today with
the same style of rig with a heavier float.

I was greeted with ice on the water from both banks

Well to cut a short story even shorter!
I blanked. Not even a bite.

I could not get the float to trot down the river properly.
First the line kept falling down on the ice so slowing
the float. Then the line was freezing to the rod eyes.

Gave up after 45 minutes.
Really pretty down there tho.