Whilst at Willow myself and Michael Townsend discussed how rudd seem to show on the turn of the New Year on the venue and this got me thinking.

If they turned on within such a deep venue surely they would be doing the same on shallower venues. Having Frensham ponds on my doorstep maybe it was worth a visit in such mild conditions but with over a hundred acres spread over two ponds, location wasn’t going to be easy. The little pond was the obvious answer as l had spotted rudd topping at dusk the previous week but something told me to head for the big pond and having caught a few good rudd back in the summer l headed straight back to the area these came from as this would be a good starting point. It wasn’t until the rods were out that l then questioned what the hell l was doing, as even in summer this place can be tricky. My thoughts disappeared as an hour later a good fish splashed in front of the swim, albeit away from where l had spodded some Sonubaits hemp and maggots.
Half an hour later the indicator sprung into life and a tench fell to my helicopter double maggot offering. This indicated the start of a frantic winter feeding spell and through the hours of darkness another nine tench came to the net, the best just over six-pounds plus three rudd to 2lbs 5oz and the icing on the cake was a 2lbs 4oz perch at dawn. Unheard of in February but just to show that catching a difficult venue on the right day, and following a gut feeling can pay off. Gagging to get back l returned on Thursday but the overcast, still conditions had changed and a strong southwesterly had sprung up as well as clear skies. A six-pound tench soon after starting plus a missed run raised my hopes but it soon became apparent things weren’t happening and the intended night stay was bought to an abrupt end at midnight when the temperature dropped sharply away.
Friday l visited MBK, Pump Station Pond and enjoyed catching lots of silver fish on the pole up in the water. The venue is reported to contain a few good perch, however all my attempts failed to supply the desired whopper and l settled for just one around the two-pound mark plus the occasional carp that sucked in my lobworm hookbait.
If the weather continues to stay mild then my targets over the next week will be based around stillwaters. The lake that l had tried for pike last week has thrown up another thirty so cant ignore this but it’s a desire to catch a winter three-pound rudd that now has my pulse racing as well as a big perch. Hopefully Fred Healy can help me out so l have arranged a day with him towards the end of the week. Fingers crossed!