I had stated in my sign off at the Mill Stream the previous week that I wouldn't be going to the Chubb Stream because of the dense vegetation on the banks. But having viewed a video on a channel I follow, subtitled ''Jungle Warfare" because of the challenge getting to the stream, I decided that perhaps I should give the Chubb Stream a go. As it turned out there were spots that were just fishable but it was still a challenge, not helped by clear water and bright sunshine.

I started at a spot that I hadn't fished previously but where I had seen chub in the close season. The high nettles had been cleared somewhat, so others had obviously had the same idea. I flicked a largish piece of bread flake to the far bank where it sunk downstream under an overhanging tree. Sure enough, I had a pull almost immediately and hooked a chub.

Landing it proved very difficult as it became entangled in some rushes below my feet and I missed the fish on my first attempt with the landing net. But the second try was more successful and my duck was broken, literally on the first cast. Unfortunately this didn't set the pattern for the day! I tried for a second fish but wasn't too confident and sure enough none obliged so I moved on to the next spot.

The next swim was one I had fished before. In fact I caught a chub there last November, that being my last outing before my ailing hip grounded me. But July isn't November and the swim was heavily weeded as well as being difficult to cast into because of the bankside growth. I tried a few different areas of the swim but without success.

Another move was called for.

The next spot was what I call the pipe swim, where a large elevated gas pipe crosses the stream. On a very early visit to the stream I lost a fish in this swim, catching one on the next visit. However, since that early success I've never been successful again, although I always give the spot a try, but once again no chub obliged.

I next made my way to a spot that on many occasions had been an almost sure bet although more recently I have not been so lucky. There's evidence that the stream is fished more nowadays and this has probably made things more challenging. When I first fished there I had a conversation with a regular dog walker who said he had never seen anybody else fishing on the stream. I'm not sure that would be true today.

Once again the nettles had been cleared back, confirming visits by other anglers. This did however make it a bit easier to fish. I had a pull on the first cast but it wasn't that bold and I didn't connect. After that there was nothing doing despite changing bait and I decided to move again, reluctantly as it's always a disappointment when that swim doesn't yield a fish.

I moved to the start of the next meadow where some trees offered welcome shade, it having now become very hot. But before sitting down for a shaded rest I tried a spot just past the trees where again I had caught previously. But, yes you've guessed it, I didn't get a touch. So I had a sit down with a drink and a snack.

There was one more spot I thought I would try by the bypass. It's where the stream widens, forming a small bay with the flow at the far bank. Again, I have caught chub there on a number of occasions. But this time it was looking very sad. The bay, which previously had been open water, was choked with weeds, while the bankside vegetation rendered the spot almost inaccessible. I decided not to bother.

It was now very hot and I decided to make my way back to the first spot, in the hope it might have settled and would perhaps provide another fish. But it wasn't to be and with the now high sun and the clear water, it was possible to see the bottom across the width of the stream. Certainly not conducive to tempting a wary chub.

In the end, as last November, it was just one fish. This is not an unusual outcome from the little stream and avoiding a blank is something to be thankful for. However, I think I might give it a miss until the weed growth and bankside vegetation dies down, and the water is a bit more coloured.