River Kennet, Newbury, Sunday 15th August 2010

A second attempt to repeat the perch success of last week met with similar results to Friday 13th. The favoured swim again produced only crays, no sign of stripeys large or small.

I suppose it was expecting a bit much to simply turn up and catch again, it is a large water and there will be loads of potential places for them to hide. It’s just case of more exploring until I find other swims where they’re comfortable, obviously I was lucky to happen across them last weekend. Again I only had lobs with me and I think that probably reduced my chances of catching other species, I have caught roach and chub on them before but it’s not what I’d call a common occurrence.

A blank was saved by a wander along the canal and a couple of small perch being tempted. It was a very pleasant walk (if a little long) with the only fishing being the occasional stop at a likely looking swim.

So a couple of uneventful trips in terms of catch reports, it was all going so well too. Lesson learned when perching with lobs is to always have alternative baits, just in case they don’t co-operate. Maggots are ideal as a feed and hookbait but if I can’t get to a tackle shop I’ll at least take a loaf of bread next time.