End of Season I wanted to get back on the Old Nene before the river season closed. The banks were still a muddy mess in March after the busy winter match scene, so I decided on nearby Benwick, where it’s a bit easier and less mucky to set up. I also wanted to see how the fishing compared to when I visited this spot last summer. Back then it was a case of battling a way through the small fish, discovering plenty of good bream and tench were present as well. I set up a light waggler rod, aiming to cast over towards the far bank, also my Cadence Margin Pole in reserve for closer in. It had taken ..read more

In Deep Hybrids thrive particularly well in deep stillwaters that hold big shoals of roach and bream. I first encountered them in big numbers over in Ireland while exploring the peaty Loughs and rivers, always enjoying catching these streetwise fighters. You could be dealing with lively red fins one minute or sluggish bronze slabs the next, when suddenly something very different and angry turned up. This cross-breed inherits all the agility of big roach, combined with the weight factor its bream ancestry provides. Hybrids have become so dominant in certain venues, some people believe they are ..read more

Guest Writer Phil Beret With sub-zero temperatures upon us and whilst freezing my wotsits off waiting for a winter roach, my mind wandered back to a session in much warmer conditions last year when the target was rudd. I had planned to have a crack at some big rudd I had known about for a while and with a rare full day free and perfect conditions forecast, I knew I had to make the most of it. 100 acres for the fish to lose themselves in. The venue itself was a bit of a challenge, a large lake of over 100 acres, so a lot of water for the fish to lose themselves in. The plan was to fish maggot a ..read more

Monsoon Season  It’s been one of the wettest winters I can remember and by far the muddiest. The Old River Nene around where I live fished exceptionally well, despite all the extra coloured water surging through it. But having watched winter league anglers struggling to set up on the treacherously steep and slippery banks, a less demanding venue seemed like a good plan. I was also tiring of spending hours cleaning up my kit and car after so many mucky and damp experiences. For my next outing, I decided to revisit the Carp Lake at Manea Fisheries. No need for a barrow, platform or foot pla ..read more

Unknown Factors Canals are fascinating venues because you never quite know what might turn up in them. Some are connected to rivers, while others may be linked to lakes, drains, or gravel pits. Fish movement is common due to locks being operated and streams that feed these waterways from nearby reservoirs. There can be times when canal towpaths appear devoid of life, only to be entirely different on return visits. Your approach is important. Canals can be temperamental, requiring methods that carefully suit their characteristics. Fish might be close in, shoaled in the deeper boat channel, or t ..read more

Park Life This stretch of the Old Nene is known as Wigstones, where a footbridge crosses the river into parkland on the outskirts of March. I arranged to meet with some anglers who live not far away near Peterborough, who know the stretch well. This was going to be my first go on the famous venue, even though I now only live five minutes’ walk away. It gets far too busy here for my liking during the warmer months, when I prefer to seek quieter areas a bit further from civilisation. The only problem waiting for winter to arrive was the heavy rain it brought with it, making the narrow and shallo ..read more

Right then – you’ve put together enough kit to go on your first fly fishing trip based on these previous Beginners Blogs. Now what? Do you just turn up? What is expected of you, and what do you need to know to make the most of it? Most of what follows isn’t a big deal, but going into something new can be a little daunting, so it’s nice to know what to expect. Decide on your fishery You will never forget your first trip, no matter how it pans out, so spend a little time researching before you make your choice. I’m assuming we are dealing with stillwater fishing in the UK for Rainbow Trout. Ther ..read more

Feature Peg My first winter in the fens began with a few frosty mornings, but gales and heavy rain were the most dominant features. It was difficult to imagine how things would pan out after such hectic sport during summer and autumn. Local places like March and Benwick are renowned cold weather hotspots, visited by anglers from far and wide, but the nomadic shoals of fish can come and go in the blink of an eye. I returned to this bridge swim not knowing what to expect. I caught plenty here during balmy summer days, and the sheltered spot looked perfect to continue performing well. Nothing muc ..read more

As I write this, the clocks have gone back, and I’m listening to the sounds of a brilliant new band called Bleach Lab. They play beautiful melancholic melody, which is absolutely right up my street, and their signature tune is a track called “Life gets better”. It resonates immensely with me at the moment, and it would be totally remiss of me not to acknowledge the unbelievably kind feedback I got from the last Cadence blog I wrote. The response has been so kind, and truly humbling. I would like to thank all of you who got in touch and sent me so many wonderful, positive messages. I hope it ac ..read more

What odds and sods will you need as a Beginner to Fly Fishing? You already have the rod and reel. Maybe even the fly line. But what else do you need? You may not believe it, but you should be able to compile the absolute essentials for your first trip for next to nothing based on what you already have in the house and a few other suggestions. We’ll assume you’ve got the rod and reel. And thank you if it’s a Cadence Fly Fishing set up. You’ll be well looked after. The aim of this two part series is to go through the minefield of the other bits and pieces you will need to start out on what is li ..read more