Arrival time: 10.30.
Weather: Chilly and overcast with little wind.
Tackle: 14ft Shimano match rod, Rapidex II 2400 centrepin, 6lb line, 4lb pre-tied Drennan hook length to 16 red wire hook.
Baits: maggots.
Fish: Small perch & roach.

With the river only recently returned to some sort of normal after yet another spate of heavy rain, my plan was to go to the Triangle section and fish the lock cutting. The spot near the bridge was my destination but unfortunately two other anglers were already there. I walked to what was effectively the end of the cutting and set up there. It wasn't as sheltered a spot as I had been aiming for but it wasn't affected by the fast moving water in the main streams. The sitting position was quite high above the water which made it a bit awkward.

I had only taken half a pint of red maggots and a small bag of hemp. I at first fed a spot out to my left but the slight breeze was causing surface drift, making float control difficult. I therefore changed my approach, casting to my right, downwind of the breeze, and holding back the float in a static position. This allowed more accurate concentration of feed.

It was a while before I got any sign of fish, and when the first bite came it was a very small perch. Not unexpected on maggot bait. Shortly after a more positive bite was met with firm resistance when I struck, but the hook pulled almost immediately. It was probably another perch and a bit bigger, but I'll never know.

There followed long waits between a few half-hearted bites.

While there is always the prospect of something special turning up when river fishing, on this occasion that wasn't to be. It was a matter of a couple more small perch and a couple of small roach, the last one being the best of the bunch.

I only stayed for a few hours, packing up around 2.00pm. I think my game plan was sound but in the event I couldn't get the fish feeding. I don't profess to be a very skilled silvers angler and my lack of expertise was probably a factor.

One highlight was a chap turning up who watches my videos, and with whom I had recently exchanged comments on an earlier video. It always comes as a bit of a surprise when someone comes up and says "Bob Goes Fishing!".

On the way back to the car one of the anglers at the spot where I had hoped to fish calmly mentioned he had had about 60 fish! I would like to think that was down to where he was fishing but I guess he was somewhat more skilled at that type of fishing. More in the match angler category.

It was good to get out and despite the mediocre success, I'm glad I went.