River Kennet (& Carrier) Marsh Benham

1000 - 1530

Mild and very breezy (too breezy for good float control). AT 9ºC. River low and looking a little threadbare after 3 consecutive months with below average rainfall.

5 Chub: 4lb 10oz, 2lb and 3 between ½-1lb. 16 Roach - various sizes but nothing to warrant the scales. 11 Dace; most small with a couple of clonkers - best weighing in at 12oz. 1 Rainbow; 3lb & a Brownie c2lb.

A trip to my syndicate stretch with Martin (Bayleaf The Gardener - of this parish) as my guest. Alas, I couldn't put him on a big chub - though I at least managed to show him they DO exist! Started on the main river - where I had my 2 bigger chub (& the Rainbow - which was a first cast fish in one of my chub swims and was another non-triploid fish as she emptied her eggs into my landing net!). All the silvers from the carrier where Martin also fared much better - see his blog for the full story!

Rare pic of me actually holding a fish - courtesy of BTG!