![Image](http://i57.tinypic.com/51on6p.jpg)
To my surprise there was only one other angler. It would have been rude not to join him. I chose my swim and sat down to set my rod and reel up. Last trip I forgot the bait. This time I had left the reel at home. It only took five minutes to pop home and get it.
I decided to use the same method as last week, free-lined luncheon meat in the lilies with a sight bob about 3 feet up the line. It didn’t work because a swan zeroed in on the sight bob every cast.
![Image](http://i60.tinypic.com/2eb95rk.jpg)
I didn’t want to risk hooking a swan so I had to think of another approach. The other angler had caught a couple of tench on ledgered maggots so I thought I would try a bait on the bottom. I was using a Bruce and Walker Mk IV G, a Mitchell 300 and new Drennan sinking 5.6lb bs line straight through to a size 8 barbless hook. I put some sinking putty on the line about 12” away from the bait and cast to the edge of the lilies.
![Image](http://i59.tinypic.com/11joxeh.jpg)
![Image](http://i59.tinypic.com/23s6kcx.jpg)
Nothing happened for an hour and then out of the blue, the indicator shot up to the rod and a tench was hooked. It fought hard and weighed about 4lb 8oz.
![Image](http://i61.tinypic.com/2j3kuu8.jpg)
After that I added a piece of crust to the luncheon meat paste to balance it and the bites became more regular and I got into a routine, landing another five tench all about 3-4lb.
![Image](http://i59.tinypic.com/2yl77s8.jpg)
I put some mashed bread and crumbed luncheon meat (flavoured with Tutti Frutti) into the swim next to the lilies. A couple of casts later I hooked into a much bigger fish. It fought well and I was glad of the power in the rod. The tench weighed 6lb 8oz and as it was exhausted, I returned it without a photo.
As the sun went down the swim went quiet, the breeze had a bit of a chill and I decided to pack up. Seven tench, sunshine, peace and quiet; just the job.
![Image](http://i59.tinypic.com/2z9it61.jpg)