With rain due and the prospect of hiding under a brolly, a lake seemed a better option than a river bank. A change of tactics though. With maggots left from Saturday, I thought I'd fish light, aiming to get the silvers going that might stimulate the pike into accepting a juicy half-mackerel dangled on a sleeper rod a few yards away near the rushes where I suspected predators might lie.

Part A of the plan worked superbly, with 21 roach to 6oz (though most smaller) plus 21 bream (larger with one of 2lb 10)

Needless to say, Plan B was less successful, the dead bait being ignored completely - a regular occurrence in recent weeks.

With an hour to go I was approached by the bailiff who looks like Neil Warnock and has the temperament to match. 'We need to have words' he told me. Turns out that 'we don't lift fish out of the water, every fish must be netted.' I looked at my pike-sized 3ft net and pictured the one or two ounce roach that he must have seen my lift. He sensed my incredulity. 'Gravity applies to all fish. It's in the rules. Bring a smaller net next time.' He left with a 'have a good rest of your session.' Being a good boy and not wanting to risk my permit, I switched bait to corn to perhaps reduce the number of nettings to fish of a slightly larger size that wouldn't have them **** with laughter at the size of my net and didn't get another bite. 

Still, after two consecutive blanks it was good to boost the averages and bring a fairly sorry November's fishing to a close.