Early in April, spring settled in; the flora and fauna were waking up, and I hoped the Carp at Heatherton Pond would be waking up too. The day was my first opportunity to fish the Army & Navy 'Don' 10' split cane rod, which I paired with a Mitchel 410 reel. To begin with, I float-fished maggots on a size 12 hook, hoping to attract some of the small Carp and Rudd. Then I changed to worm, sweetcorn, and bread, but without success. After changing to a spicy shrimp boilie bottom

Happy New Year, piscators. I trust you all enjoyed the festive season and celebrated the New Year safely and sensibly. I've not fished since mid-November for one reason or another, but this month I ventured out. After buying half a pint of maggots, a small tub of worms, and hearing fellow piscators saying Birch House Fishery was fishing well, I thought I'd go and see for myself. I set up on peg 19 of Teal Lake, which is a canal-shaped lake. It was great to be back on the bank

Just one session this month...

September's fishing began on the canal at Stenson Bubble, float-fishing red maggots with a 10'6" split-cane rod and Hardy Altex reel. I landed plenty of Roach, although the Perch were absent, so when the bites stopped, I moved downstream. I watched a Buzzard circle overhead between bites, and did a double-take when I watched a Terepin about the size of my hand float past! After being cancelled due to the pandemic, the Earl of Harrington's annual fancy dress charity match retu

Although I only managed one session this month, it was a good'n! I went to Findern, just south of Derby, parked up near the Trent & Mersey Canal and travelled light. I scooted along the towpath and found a good spot at the end of a row of narrow boats. I set up a recently purchased 10'6" split cane, three-section rod and Intrepid New Deluxe reel with an old float and red maggot on a size 16 hook. A Perch was first to take the bait... Then the Roach came into my swim... After

There wasn't anything to be blue about in June. The month's fishing began at Robin Wood Fishery with fibreglass Carp rods and Cardinal reels. It was the Jubilee bank holiday Friday, and I expected it to be busy, so I was pleased to find it quiet. I fished one rod with a tiger nut boilie and the other with a very fishy-smelling, spicy shrimp and prawn boilie. Both baits were hair-rigged on size 12 hooks. The tiger nut boilie had the first take a few rod lengths out, but was un

The weather's improving, and water temperatures are rising. Encouraged by this and some recent sessions legering with an Avon rod, I dusted down the Carp rods and gave the Abu reels a run. I've been listening to some Carp fishing podcasts recently, and renewed my membership with the Earl of Harrington Angling Club and decided on a club Carp water a short drive from home. Heatherton Pond is a lovely, peaceful place, watching the water and the different wildfowl. I was the only

A week off work allowed a few extra sessions this month. Firstly, at Robin Wood near Swakestone. I settled on Lake 3, peg 19 with the Avon Quivertip rod and Daiwa 1050 reel. As the fake corn did the trick before, I started with that on a light leger. The wind was blowing towards me, so I cast to the right, hoping the fish would follow the wind. Two anglers set up on the opposite bank, both fishing the bomb, and I noticed they weren't using any loose feed, but they regularly m

On a mild, mid-March day, I headed to Birch House Fishery and chose peg 18 on Buzzard Lake with my Masterline Avon AV110-C Carbon Quivertip. I baited up with red maggots and casters and set the rod up with a Daiwa J1350B reel, small maggot feeder, and a size 18 hook. It's been several years since I've used a carbon rod, and I'd forgotten how light they are! Shortly after casting, I started getting line bites, and I soon landed a few small Roach and one a bit bigger. More smal