Alders Lake - Thatcham

1830 - 2230

Warm, overcast and muggy (for the most part - skies clearing and getting cooler and dew-y when I packed up). AT 22º -> 16ºC

1 Tench; 4lb 2oz. 1 Carp: 2lb 8oz. 1 Roach - handsized.

It's that time of year when venues are chosen for the quality of the blackberry picking! 3lbs picked in a little over ½hr - which has already been converted into Jaq's wonderful bramble jelly this morning - was followed by 4 hours watching a mainly stationary float! Did at least land 3 of the 4 bites I had - the 4th resulted in a rather unequal battle with a largish carp who plodded up and down the central channel for quite a time. I could make no impression on it and eventually it decided enough was enough and headed for the lillies where it threw the hook - which I miraculously got back!