Dorset Stillwater II 130107

Grey, drizzle and 2 hours in. I’ve had 4 carp to 3-4lb perhaps, 2 Rudd. I’ve lost three with the hook hold going, these were Mustard hooks. Another Carp at a 1 lb maybe. The rain eases of at 1sh. I’ve got 2 swims on the go, repeating my location form the previous week. The water is only 3 feet deep where I am fishing and each carp, help hard disturbs the swim. I’ve had fish on mixed corn and maggots left over form a go at the river a fortnight back. The wind and weed have left me with a coarsely set float depth, with the quill nearly flat on the water. I’m trying some (pickled) cockles in the swim but not a touch on a hook bait so far – but I am wondering about trying the small lake for a few hours.

I’m carrying the tail end of a stressful week – so I’m not as relaxed as I might be given a reasonable catch so far. Still nearly time for the rather excellent ‘free range’ Lincolnshire sausages and bread I’ve brought with me to trough. I’ve done well to resist this long.

Quills are fine but some days they are not the optimum design, and this wind is making that clear. SW @ 20mph, so I switch to 4x14 paste float bottom end only. A 3lb carp and a missed bite follows. But the line is well sunk and the float is more stable than before, and getting it in to the hole in the pondweed I’m fishing in is easier – and it stays put also.

I’ve picked the pen back up, as a lift bite just gave me something of a start at the end of the last sentence. It didn’t develop mind. For now I’m sticking with maggot bunches, which have brought most of the fish to heel. The weather is unchanged but I’m NE of the brolly and small tree I’m in the lee of and quite comfortable. I’m wondering about a change of tactics for something larger. I’m not bored, but feel a bit restless. I’m certain a carp just lunged at fry in front of me. Hm. I bumped of a 0.5lb Rudd an hour ago, which is bigger than I was led to believe, was in here. Re-reading the above I realise that creativity has abandoned me today! Cannot be poetic all the time I guess. The float dips and stops. Dips. Stops. A 1oz Rudd on a size 10! Pah.

Still, at least I'm in the Jam Jar Club.

I try corn on the hook for an hour. Nothing. Back to maggots. Several small carp hurl themselves onto the live bait. Just have to stick with maggots then.