I selected a pitch with reeds to the left, a fallen tree bough to the right and lilies both to the left and about 15 metres out. Plumbing showed it to be quite shallow, around a couple of feet. I put in some loose feed sweet corn and luncheon meat and started fishing the margin to the left.

Starting with sweet corn on a 14 hook I was getting bites that I think were small fish. Changing to luncheon meat I caught a mirror carp of about 12oz, which fought very well for its size. I then got what I think was a 1¾ lb crucian carp, although its colouring suggested perhaps a carp/crucian cross. Two fish were then lost because of failed hook hold, and my float ended up in a tree as the hook parted company with the fish. I changed to a pre-loaded waggler with a single sinker shot and increased the hook size to a 10.

A chap along the bank was catching some good fish. I saw him land a chub that must have been about 4 or 5lb, and a carp of at least 10lb. He didn’t weigh them and I found out later that he didn’t actually have any scales. He told me he had also caught barbel.

After catching another carp/crucian of about 8oz in the margins on luncheon meat, I tried fishing out near the lilies in front of me, and what I think was an Ide of about half a pound took the luncheon meat.

I reverted to the margin and using a bigger piece of luncheon meat got the best fish of the evening, a common of just over 6lb. It was a long slender fish, a bit like a wild carp, and fought well. On the bank it wouldn’t stay still long enough for me to take a picture.

After another small mirror of about 8oz I caught a 3½ lb common on bread. The chap I had spoken to earlier had given me a few slices when he packed up. Again it was a slender fish that fought well.

All in all it wasn’t a bad evening, although it was meagre compared with the other chap’s catch. He was catching continuously, and they were good fish. He also mentioned that he had caught good barbel on the Wye.

Unfortunately the evening didn’t end well. A duck took my bread as it was sinking and flew into the tree to my right. Despite help from the other angler we couldn’t get it out, and the line ultimately snapped. The duck flew off with my line, taking my new pre-loaded waggler with it.