3.30-4.45pm

Cold and bright, so a short grayling trip on the Lambourn. I took some sweetcorn along in the hope it would winkle out a pounder.

First cast in a swim I haven't found much use in the last couple of years, and a beautiful 1lb 3oz male grayling took my maggot as I was winding in. Perhaps he thought it was a nymph? Anyway, mission accomplished on first cast! Only the third pounder I've had.

Then pretty hopeless fishing by me, and too many tangles not helped by the cold. Just 2 more grayling, and a couple got off on sweetcorn, one a decent one.

Then I noticed the landing net had frozen up, and was covered with ice crystals - and an iced slug, which I am sure must be a delicacy in some part of the world! This one could speak, and I distinctly heard him say that it was time to go home for rice cakes (I know, I know) and jam and a hot cuppa. I did as I was bid.