2.45pm - 4.30pm. AT 5C, but felt quite mild with little wind.

Today I had an assignation with the Lambourn ladies, though I was a little nervous how they would greet me as I have ignored them for the last year. I have also largely ignored my AN 'pin since Santa brought it last Christmas - at least, I have never used it on a pacey water, which the Lambourn is in parts. So this was an attempt to put both omissions right. It was also the first time I have used my Greys rod with its extension to 15 ft on a small river, or (for some reason) used sweetcorn to try and entice the ladies.

The two aims were therefore to try and beat my meagre grayling pb of 1lb, and also get some experience using the pin.

Arrived later than I intended (as usual ) so was a bit short of time, but the ladies were reasonably accommodating. I used a 16 hook as I thought this would just about be viable for both maggot and sweetcorn, but another time I think I will put on a 14 and stick to sweetcorn, though probably feed maggot as well. Wasted a bit of time adapting to the centre-pin, and it didn't help that one of my waders developed a leak.

Nevertheless managed 5 fish, best 15.5oz - short of my pb, but best for me on this water, though still well below what the river contains. Quite a good day, and made me want to come back for more.