Kennet & Avon Canal - Avington

0730 - 1130

Mild, overcast and drizzly. WT 53ºF. AT 55ºF.

2 Perch; 2lb 0oz & 1lb 11oz. 18 Roach: some really chunky ones with 2 over 1lb - best 1lb 2oz. 1 Chub <1lb (just). 2 Skimmers to 1lb 6oz. 1 Gudgeon.

First time I've ever fished this bit of club water - and it was the whispers of big perch showing last winter that had me pulling into the car park whilst it was still dark. I'd recce'd the water a couple of times during the summer and had my eyes on a likely looking area. However, after an hour my float fished lobworm remained 'un-bothered' so I switched to float fished maggot - just to see if there were any bait fish around. Of course I'm sure you can guess what happened - I had the bigger perch pretty much first cast on maggot! There followed a slow but steady return - never quite sure what would turn up next - though it was mainly roach. Excellent stamp of redfins too - a nice and unexpected bonus!

Bonus Roach