River Kennet, Newbury, Sunday 22nd November 2009.

Having tried twice in the past two weeks without success on this particular stretch I've finally managed to catch something.

A dawn raid saw me poised at a likely looking Perch swim waiting for sufficient light to see the float. Lowering in the lob about a rod length out produced a beautiful Perch of 1lb 5oz. A couple of smaller Perch followed until the sun came out about 08:45 at which point bites stopped.

Next to the Perch swim was a good looking trotting stretch so I alternated between the two for the rest of the day. One chublet came from the trot but I suspect that once winter’s really here it’ll produce more. When my arm got tied I lowered another lob into the Perch swim, four more small ones were caught in that fashion before the end of the day.

All in all a very pleasing session, no big fish but I’ve made a start on learning the venue. I didn’t see another angler all day.

At the recommendation of Andy_1984 a portable gas cooker is on the Christmas list so I’m well on the way to coping with the frosty Winter days that bring this venue to life.