Managed to drag myself fishing today despite a dismal (and inaccurate!) weather forecast.

Got to Lechlade at about 10ish, not very busy only five or six other fisherman, but excited to be told that a 26lber(!!) can out a couple of days ago (why I am always excited about fish that have ALREADY been caught??)

The water was looking in pretty good nick, visibility up to about 5-6 foot but more than enough to have a decent stalk. Unfortunately they have lopped down the overhanging willow next to the first swim you come to which always seemed to hold a decent fish under it (thanks for pointing it out BB!). Otherwise it was like Avington used to be in the summer-that is to say that every little nook and cranny(sp.?) had a decent fish in it, normally it seems that you have to look in ten likely spots to find one fish but today they had all spread out and behaving fairly normally not like their usual shoaling selfs!

Walked down the near bank to the far corner and got a feel for things by having a chuck at most of the fish I saw, nothing giant but nothing under 5 or 6. Got to the bottom corner and got a 8 1/2lber which put up a decent scrap in the cold water. Wandered round the rest of the lake, there was a shoal of about 20 odd fish in the furthest corner under the trees that a couple of guys were hammering.

Got all the way round to the top corner by the garden on the far side and was tempted by a nice looking fish that took a fair while to coax into taking-9lb. That was my lot, done in one lap and about an hour or so-I think its fair to conclude that the lake is fishing well in winter mode!

I saw a couple of big double browns that were both male and not in the slightest bit interested in what I was offering! I think perhaps I could have been a bit more selective and tried to nail bigger fish but in to be honest I had a list of jobs from my wife of things I should be doing on my day off so kind of glad to be able to wet my net and keep her sweet!

This a a picture of the fish from today, not desperately exciting but thought someone might like my stringer, its made from a hip replacement, doubles up very well as a priest as well-let me know if anyone wants one Ill have a look into making some more. Made one for my Dad-thought it might come in handy if takes a tumble on the bank cos he isn't as save on his feet as he was!

great fish wish i went to lechlade if i had enough money

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David (little machin)