December arrives and as is usual at this time of year time for fishing is limited and often non-existent due to the weather. Anyway I decided to chance my arm at Bowood peg 10 on December 3 following a rise in temperature from -4C the previous day to the balmy heights of 3C. Setting up with a chianti style float on a 0.08mm hooklength to a 20 with spread shotting to investigate all depths – I got nado, zilch, not a sausage or as it is that time of year not even a pig in blanket! HOWEVER, the pike rod saw action having acquired a new batch of sardines with fish of 7-10, 14-04 and 5-08 in a session lasting only 2.5hrs.

The 14-04.

Rain on the Monday meant that on my return to peg 10 on Tuesday I was faced with water that looked like stewed tea and flowing! I did not expect to get any pike and was right! I did surprise myself as ten minutes in the float (a 1g Paster) disappeared and a rather shocked blade of an ounce came swinging in! That was i,t I had started at 9:15 but packed up at 10:50 knowing any further efforts were futile.

Weather and family visits then prevented any further outing until the 15th. I fished from 9:30 to 12:15 and by the time I left the three other anglers who were piking had blanked as I had with the pike. I was surprised to see the water still very coloured with a visibility down to about 3-4 inches despite a fairly dry period, this may have been partly due to the major construction work taking place to repair the bridge into the estate. I persevered with the light rig and size 20 but as usual could only get interest when using double maggot, ending with 12 blades, 6 roach and a rudd for a level 1lb.

Hopefully I will get out a few times before the end of the month but Merry Christmas to anyone who reads this!