6.30-9.30pm

Went to an easier water than last week in search of a carp. My plan was to decide when I got there whether to fish on the surface or the bottom, depending how many fish were active up top. There was loads of surface activity, but I realised I had forgotten my fluorocarbon leader and felt that 6lb mono might be a bit light, so fished with a float 12 feet out on the bottom using 8lb soft braid.

I chucked in some dog biscuits and immediately a carp came and snaffled them up, so I was fairly sure I could have had some success on top - but OTOH it was good to continue with what I tried last week.

By the time I had wandered round the lake and held inane conversations with the robin that came and sat on my landing net, but who refused to eat the groundbait I offered him on my shoe, I realised an hour had gone. I can't believe anyone else wastes time like I do, but I enjoy it!

I started with luncheon meat (unflavoured) over propriety carp groundbait, but the carp weren't interested. After an hour I switched to bread and immediately there were little touches and then a good bite and a heavy carp went off like a train, only to smash my 8lb braid. Drat! I must have set the drag on my reel on too high a tension, and not used to fishing in the dark with a different reel from usual I was too slow to adjust. Bad fishing, really, but I consoled myself that I am a novice for this type of fishing and hopefully the mistake won't be repeated.

After that one missed bite, and then the swim went dead. I'll do better next time!