19/01/2026 - Rare Stillwater Winter Tench.

John Caffrey a well-known long time Sussex angler, arrived on a cold frosty morning at a small pool around quarter acre in Horsted Keynes West Sussex to find the pool with a thin layer of ice on top, as John said to himself "It seemed a no-go fishing session". John walked around the pool, until he arrived at the top end where a stream flowed into the pool, where he found some open water. The weather was overcast, around 5 degrees, with a wind chill factor much lower. He held little optimism of a bite.

John decided to try fishing the venue, even in these cold conditions, starting with a size 18 hook on a small feeder set up, using double maggot. After an hour or so a very small roach was landed ,as he said, "I was more than happy to save a blank". John fished on for an hour or two before the rod tip went around. Striking he expected bream, but the fish soon woke up, John realized it was something very different. After a reasonable fight He was astounded to see a very nice tench of 3ib 2oz. An amazing catch on such a cold day and during prolonged cold weather.

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