Rivers Lambourn & Kennet, Newbury, Tuesday 23rd February 2010

After yesterday’s difficult day I had plenty of maggots left over and so it seemed rude not to invest them in a couple of stretches of water which would possibly provide a better return.

No need to describe the Lambourn (but I will), it was the same as it always is at this time of year, a healthy flow and gin clear. The Grayling too were particularly friendly almost arguing over who was going to go for the bait. Apart from a complete absence at the short section above the weir they seemed evenly spread over the rest of the Shaw stretch. All I had to do was trot one of the deep glides created by the introduction of the gravel beds and bites were forthcoming. The recent works have changed the character of the river so perhaps the Grayling haven’t yet become comfortable in particular spots. Whatever the reason I landed five in an hour and lost count of how many shed the hook, it was the same hook that I used yesterday so I wouldn’t have thought it had blunted.

Another half an hour and the biting wind and rain got to me so I retired to the car to consider my options. I still wanted to fish but didn’t fancy a canal session, there were a number of club river stretches available to me but the clincher was the [almost forgotten] shopping list sitting on the dashboard. I have to pass Waitrose to get to a particular venue and so the problem was solved, fish until I can’t feel my fingers and get the shopping on the way home. Venue dictated by real life practicalities…whatever next?

On arrival I was dismayed to see the river as high as I’ve ever seen it. With the weir fully open the water was rushing through creating waves big enough to surf in the pool. A closer look, however, revealed that the colour was very good, not muddy at all and I could see the bottom down to about a foot. Tactics would be to trot the slower running parts, there’s a number of bends and often in these conditions the flow is distinctly split across the river.

No sooner had my float hit the water in the first swim than under it went and the rod bent into something reasonable. At first I thought it was a big Chub but it turned out to be a particularly energetic small Chub of about two pounds. It took me everywhere and whenever it neared my bank it made a dive for the snags at my feet. 15’ of Harrison blank soon prevented any further antics and it was with much pleasure that I netted my first non-chublet Chub from this venue for a while.

The wind was getting up and the rain getting heavier so I decided to look for a less exposed place to fish (swim choice dictated by personal comfort…whatever next?). The answer was to hide behind a big tree and trot a near bank slower section. Similar result, first trot and a bite followed by a quick couple of thumps and then a slack line. I trotted the swim for another twenty minutes but nothing was tempted. Clearly the tactics were working but the Chub weren’t shoaled up, either that or hooking one spooked the rest, I would just have to keep looking for them picking off individual fish.

I left the sanctuary of my tree to look for other swims but by now the wind was colder and the rain more persistent. My hands were blocks of ice and I just couldn’t face any more fishing. It was a real shame, I’m convinced that had I stayed it would have been a good day.

Waitrose in Newbury has the most wonderful hot air hand drier in the gents lavatory. Apologies to anybody who was waiting outside in the queue.