A rare trip back 'home' to Newbs allowed me a visit to one of my favourite stretches, albeit the high water level put pay to a few of my favourite swims.

I arrived after a cold night to bright sun which, as well as making float trotting blindingly impossible,  contributed to many of the resident fish taking shelter.

Except for the trout, of course. I landed three of the snarly-faced swim-trashers but lost another seven, each one leaving the swim in tatters. A handful of roach, dace and chublets kept me interested, but nothing else. As the session progressed it became something of a Newbury Angling Association who's-who of committee members past and present as three others came and went. Only one was there to fish, landing just trout, disappointing for him probably, but almost a relief for me.