The plan for the session was to start at the Mill Stream in the hope of taking a chub or two, then to move to the Top Stream after perch. The first part was challenging, only one chub coming to the net. The second part proved to be even more challenging, with not a bite at the Top Stream, nor in the pool below it. A move to the Triangle on the main river was equally disappointing.

There was nobody on the Mill Stream, so I could try all the swims. I started at the centre of the stretch, this being the 'hot' area for chub. But not today! I've no doubt that the stream had been fished quite hard after the season opened, which might have made the chub all that more cautious. Or perhaps it was the spell of very hot weather, low water level and an extremely bright day that made them hard to tempt.

I moved to the head of the stream where the water overspills into it from the main weir pool. It's a well oxygenated swim and I hoped that this would increase my chances. There were certainly plenty of bites from small fish, a roach coming to the net quite quickly, followed by a dace that was hooked outside of the mouth. But of chub, not a sign.

As a final attempt to find a chub I moved to the swim by the bridge, casting down as far as possible towards the bridge. This broke the duck, a small chub taking the bread flake soon after I cast, which is the usual outcome if there's a feeding chub in the swim. The chub quest complete, if only just, I walked back to the car park and up to the Top Stream.

The walk back to the Top Stream was hot and sticky, the temperature and humidity having increased significantly. And it was only 10:30. A couple of guys equipped only with rods and a single landing net between them were dipping in swim after swim. I thought that they might be after perch but the size of the landing net suggested something much bigger; pike perhaps.

One had dipped in my chosen swim but only for a few minutes, so I didn't worry too much. I changed from the 8 hook to a 10 and started to leger for perch with a small Arlesey weight. I had previously had good sport with perch at that spot but today, not a touch.

Suspecting the heat and low oxygen in the very sluggish Top Stream I dropped down to the car park pool, as it's referred to, fishing where the Top Stream outflow flows into it. It's a small weir but there was hardly any water coming over the apron. There was, however, a side shute through which there was quite a good flow. I hoped that this would attract fish to the area. Good theory, but again not a touch on worm.

As a final throw of the dice, so to speak, I walked across to the Triangle to fish a swim where a large perch had chased in a smaller fish when I fished there once before. It also happened to be under trees offering welcome shade on what was now a very hot day. But despite a tug on the worm on my first cast, that came to nothing, I once again blanked.

On reflection I should have stayed on the Mill Stream, the swim at the head being well oxygenated, where at least I could have had sport with roach and dace with the chance of a chub turning up. In the end I packed up before midday and was pleased to get out of the heat.