So far March has been an almost fishing free month with just one visit to the canal on March 4th. Arriving at the Three Magpies I settled 10m past the moorings and cast out the pike rod at 9:50 and started to set up the usual whip. I had just finished plumbing up when the pike float skated across the surface after a couple of bobs and a strike sees a feisty fight and a 6-08 pike in the net by 9:55!

I missed a further run at 11:00 when the hook pulled just as it was getting within netting range and for the rest of the session 11 roach, 11 skimmers 7 perch and 5 rudd for approx 3lb kept me busy until I packed up at noon. Double maggot was the only bait they would look at, singles produced nothing and even worm only produced a solitary roach.

I did not get a further opportunity to go before leaving for Yorkshire for the mother-in-law’s funeral, returning the following Wednesday.I had intended to visit Bowood one last time but with heavy rain and high winds on Thursday and strong winds on the Friday I just didn’t bother! My season at Bowood has been shorter than any previous, 27 visits at an average cost of £8.89 and an average catch of 2-11. I caught more in the first two sessions last season compared with the total for this season. I have decided not to rejoin as the estate management have done nothing to control the spread of weed or rushes nor even replied to an e-mail I sent asking for their future plans to deal with the issues that I laid out for them. Added to that the increasing appearance of cormorants and the otter plus the access have not left me with the desire to partake in another season. Instead I am going to focus more on the rivers which I have neglected plus High Penn lake along with the K&A canal.

Later this month I have two matches coming up, first at the Glebe and the following Saturday at Boddington.