Day 11 - 24th May 25

Half day today

First job today was to replace my Zalk key with the correct one. I called the Hattem Tourist Information Office yesterday and they immediately recognised me - they knew they had given me the wrong key. The replacement went without a hitch. Out of interest, I asked what the wrong key was for and it was for a bird cage in the office - I didn't quite understand why a bird needed to be kept under lock and key but I guess something was lost in translation.

After that I had a few housekeeping tasks before heading out for a half day fishing.

De Gelderse Kolk

Location

I had been told about this lake by someone that reads my blog. He reported decent Bream in there. It attracted me today because the only real peg on the lake was favourably positioned with respect to the wind - yes another windy and rainy day today (no complaints here though - come on you Vecht!).

The lake is fairly shallow all over with max depths of between 5 and 6 feet. I therefore cast down the middle at about 36m.

Another peg with easy access

I did not ball-in any feed today but instead had 2 minute casts for the 1st hour and then reduced to 6 minute casts. I started with worm on the hook. After the hour of 2 minutes casts (groundbait loaded with hemp, wheat, caster, smashed corn and chopped worm), I hadn't had a bite or seen any liners etc. I then fished an hour of 6 minute casts - still nothing. During this 2 hour period, I always used worm but varied it between full and partial worm and cocktails of worm with caster or corn.

I then put on a couple of maggots and, whilst I didn't see the bite, after the 1st 6 minute cast with maggot, they were sucked dry. So, encouraged I chucked out again with maggots and this time got a proper bite that resulted in a lovely Tench. I nearly lost it in some nearby lillies (which you can see over my shoulder) but managed to navigate it through them.

5lb 13oz - I was pleased with this

Bites were few and far between. All I ended up with was the Tench, a couple of small Roach and a small Perch (when I tried worm again toward the end).

I was away by 6:30 to prepare for a day on the river tomorrow and have a good meal.