On 2 September I fished in sunshine and showers at Mill Dam and caught Rudd, small Perch and Bream, but at least I didn’t blank. Back on the cut at Willington on 7 September, I found a nice swim between two boats and caught several Perch on maggots and worms. After a bit of practice and reading on the canal, I’m getting better, and I really enjoy it. A few days later, on 9 September at Willington, I did some spinning and landed a few Perch. Another blank on 18 September at

I managed five sessions this month, the first on a hot and humid afternoon on 6 August at Longford, a steady session slipping the landing net under two Carp around 2lb on Red Robin boilies. I lost several fish by not striking quickly enough. A cloudy day with some light rain and a few sunny spells on 13 August; fishing red maggots resulted in my PB Carp, just shy of 8lb, followed by a Carp about 6lb, and some nice Roach, Bream and Perch, this time at Birch House Fisheries. A

July began with a heatwave, and on 1 July I was back at Mill Dam fishing late into the evening in 30-degree heat, catching Bream. By 10 July the temperature had dropped to a comfortable 20 degrees, and another evening session proved fruitful at Beechwood, where I landed Rudd and Roach. A late-afternoon session at Longford on 12 July resulted in a nice variety of species including Roach, Rudd, Bream and a few Carp. Another warm, sunny, short evening session at Mill Dam on 1

June didn’t start well, but definitely not as bad as May. As my leg was healing nicely, I headed to Alvaston Park Lake on 5 June, but I blanked, as did everyone; at least I assume they did, as I didn’t see anyone emerge from their bivvies! It was a nice warm day, 23 degrees with a strong, warm breeze and as the man-made lake is quite shallow, the local wild fowl tend to swim down and eat your bait. It’s only the second time I’ve fished and blanked on this lake, but it's known

This month did not start well, and that's an understatement! On 1 May, with the day off, I decided to fish for some Spring Carp on legered bait at Woodrows. After a few hours on the Earl water, my line screamed away, so I struck into what felt like a nice fish. The thing was, as I did so, sitting on the ground, I lost my balance and my right elbow went into my right upper leg, and I heard a snap. At first I thought I had broken my rod, then realised my right foot was tilted o

Back at Mill Dam on 6 April, on a sunny day with temperatures in the mid-teens. A few hours in the afternoon saw me land Roach and Rudd on mixed maggots. On 10 April I was at Springwood, and it was a warm day with just one rain shower. I landed a nice 3lb Carp on float-fished sweetcorn and some Ide and Roach on mixed maggots. Back at Mill Dam on 17 April under cloudy skies and 12 degrees, although it was quite busy with anglers, the fish were feeding, and I had several Roac

More time for fishing this month, and I bought myself a canal ticket for the Trent & Mersey. I’ve fished the canal three times this month and blanked each time! I wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong as I plumbed up and used fairly light tackle. After the third session, on the way back to the car, I chatted with an experienced canal angler who was catching silvers and suggested using small worms on small hooks, size 16 or 18 this time of year. I was using red maggots on a size

I've been busy with work, so only one session again this month. A short session on 26 February at The Coopers Arms under sunny but chilly conditions, with a few showers. I caught Roach and a nice Chub about 2lb. After buying a 13ft Shakespeare Strike Fibreglass rod, I researched the company and found the following brief history. In 1897, an American development engineer by the same name started manufacturing fishing reels in the USA. When William Shakespeare Jnr. held the fir

Bernard Venable's Mr Crabtree. A belated happy New Year to one and all. I’ve not had much chance to go fishing this month, just one session on 12 January at Beechwood where I caught Roach and, despite the chilly weather and clear water, a small Carp on red maggots. Another sparse month of vintage fishing, so following from last month's blog, here’s some more information about other baits and flavourings. Fruit: Most fruits - banana, Apple, Elderberry, Blackberry have been u

I blanked at Beechwood this month during my only session on 19 December, a short session in the afternoon. The water was really high; the pond I was on is fed by the River Trent, and it was also very cold. Merry Christmas, one and all! I haven’t got much to report this month, so I thought I'd include some information I found about various baits. Here are some baits used for Coarse fish. Maggots: Maggots are fly larvae, and depending on which type of fly has laid the eggs, the