After the day I had at this lovely lake yesterday, I just had to return today.

I setup in exactly the same swim as yesterday, this time bringing the camera. It was warmer and the sun shone more intently than yesterday. As I looked out onto the water, I could clearly see that yesterday I had been casting my first rod into what looked like thin silk weed. The edges of the weed beds shone clearly in full sun.

A lot of people avoid at all costs fishing in weed, but it has certainly worked for me in the past and it did so yesterday.

I setup both rods exactly the same as previously and settled in the warm sun.

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I hadn’t caught anything yesterday from under the over-hanging bush, but today out of the corner of my eye I saw the float zip away and the reel screamed. I thought that I had hooked one of the lakes small Carp but no, as soon as the fish came to the surface it was clear I had hooked one of the Golden Tench. It fought well, but nowhere near the strength of it’s green colleagues. In fact, it fought on the unhooking mat and I struggled to get a quick picture before returning as quickly as I could to the Lake.

I did catch a couple of small Carp later in the afternoon, all around 4-5 lbs. However, later that afternoon the rod on my left sprang into life and I was into an absolute rocket. A fight with a 5lb Tench that was greater than any Carp three times it’s size, what a battle! Although I was using 6lb line it tested all the tackle to the limits. Nearly loosing the fish in lily beds, I simply put the rod down and let out a little slack line. After a minute the fish had freed itself and was off again out into the Lake. I eventually got it under control and landed what was easily the best Tench I have ever caught, not the biggest, but certainly the most memorable.

What a day. The season is well on now, and although it is possible to catch Tench all year, I for one will be packing the Tench gear away now looking forward to next year and even greater battles with the Tinca.