Last August I mentioned a small river that had attracted my interest. Not much more than a stream in places. I never managed to get there last year but having bought my permit I've at last given it a try.

My quarry was chub. It looked chubby but I had no idea what to expect. With overgrown banks and full of streamer weed there were in fact very few places that could be fished.

I started in a small area of open water with a partially submerged small tree just downstream (1st photo). My first cast with bread flake didn't produce any action. I then tried a worm and started getting knocks. When I reeled in a small perch with my 8 hook well down its throat I decided to change bait again.

Casting out with my ever-reliable luncheon meat it wasn't long before I got a decisive pull characteristic of a chub. And it was. Not big, probably around a pound, but it was a start. And it proved that there were chub to be had.

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I wasn't surprised when the swim didn't produce another bite and decided to start roving the stretch.

I tried dropping in between the streamer weed where I could actually access the water but this didn't produce anything. I then found another small area of open water, much like the first swim, but blanked there as well. I decided at this point to walk to the end of the stream, to where it joins the main river. I remembered a likely spot from my recce last year.

In fact, either my memory was poor or I was just imagining something that didn't actually exist, but the spot wasn't as attractive as I thought. And it yielded nothing.

However, nearby was a classic chub haunt. A tangle of submerged tree partially damming the flow with debris forming a shelter. It was really tricky to fish (2nd photo) but I gave it a go. Typical of chub I got a bite very quickly and landed a small fish, probably no more than 12oz. But it was gratifying, having recognised the potential of the spot.

Walking back there was a long stretch where it wasn't possible to get to the stream due to bankside growth and wide reed beds. But eventually I came to another 'classic' chub haunt (3rd photo). Again it was difficult to fish. Having checked that my landing net would in fact reach the water I dropped a piece of luncheon meat under the overhanging tree branches. The take was almost immediate and the best fish of the day, a chub of 2lb 10oz, was landed after a bit of a struggle in the difficult conditions. (4th photo)

I made my way back to the first swim thinking things might have settled down but had no luck. I continued to make my way towards the start of the stretch and spotted a deepish glide near the far bank. Again my instinct proved correct as the bait was taken before I could rest the rod. Unfortunately this chub was too clever for me and got into the streamer weed, where I lost it.

Moving on I reached another spot where there was a glide on the far bank. And again a rapid bite and another small chub, probably between 8 - 12oz. I was now almost at the start of the stretch and decided to call it a day. I was actually quite shattered with all the walking, the day having become quite warm.

Nearly all the chub took the bait well down, suggesting a fairly fearless take. I don't think these fish were used to being fished for! They were beautifully coloured and in very good condition. I actually changed from an 8 hook to a 10 during the day to make hook removal easier, although chub do have large mouths!

Four fish and one lost wasn't bad for a first outing. I'm not sure that this stream holds really big fish, but the attraction is that you just don't know. I really enjoyed the day. It brought back river fishing memories from my youth and it was a pleasant relief from the sameness of carp fishing on commercials. And an awful lot more peaceful!