20 August
River Kennet - Thatcham
0630 - 1000
Bright and sunny. AT 14º -> 20ºC. River VERY low.
10 Chub; 3 over a lb (two not by much - the other around 2lb) all the others small - 4-6oz. 6 Roach - all around the same size as the small chub (and occupying the same swim). 2 Gudgeon - a rare sight in these parts. 1 Ruffe - a MUCH rarer sight. 3 brownies - all small.
I first fished the Kennet in 1969 at the age of 8 when I was taken to a weirpool on Lower Benyons by my Great Grandfather. Using a tank aerial rod and a wooden starback reel I caught a 1½lb perch - needless to say I was in heaven! The following season after some very intensive sessions of swimming lessons I was allowed out on my own! (I have a propensity for falling in to this day!) I've fished the Kennet every year since and in all that time I've never caught a Ruffe from the river - until today! In fact I've only caught the species on two occasions before, once in the mid 70s (8th Oct 1976 to be precise) when Paul and I bunked off games at school to 'guest' on the Loddon and more recently on the canal at Avington.
So a lively and productive morning - great to see some juvenile chub in the river again - has been a feature of the last couple of seasons. And was rather hoping against hope to see a barbel on the bank as I've heard of the odd one being caught from here this year (plus I had one myself from here last August). I guess that was just being greedy!
Edited by Chris Plumb
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