Against expectations I managed to grab an hour and a half on the Upper Thames today. I hadn't planned it, expecting to be somewhere on the M6 this evening, but I had some hookable halibut pellets and 2mm feed pellets left over from tenching, and went on a whim at about 8pm. The swim I was headed for is a fair way down the Thames path, about half an hour's brisk walk. I'm still harbouring hopes for a Thames barbel, if I'm honest, and that's how far you have to walk before you find any swims with both depth and pace. So, sweating in the evening warmth and ignoring the various chubby swims en route I got to my intended swim at about half eight. And found someone in it. Damn. I found another swim a little further down which looked equally good, though, and settled in there.

I had a fairly strong run in front of me, with an eddy on the far side and a slack running the length of a reedbed. I started off fishing a large hookable halibut pellet on a size 8 to 6lb line and a 1oz Arlesey bomb and putting it on the edge of the faster water. After a while I switched to a half-ounce bomb, which I was able to roll downstream. I was using a catapult to feed pellets across to the edge of the faster water, but I didn't feel confident of where they were hitting the bottom, so I switched to a small feeder. This eventually brought a clonking bite which I connected with, and for a few seconds I thought my Thames barbel plans were off the ground. It couldn't keep up the power, though, and a nice chub of about 4lb came quickly to the net. I've had bigger chub from the Thames, but not many from this area of the upper river.

I was soon forced to pack up by the failing light, a thirst for a cold beer and the knowledge that if I didn't get my arse into gear the offie would be closed. I'd come out in shorts, and as dusk fell I realised that I wasn't going to be able to see the nettles along the path. My legs are still tingling now. I've been stung by the vegetation and feasted upon by the insect life, but at least I made it down to the riverbank and put a short session in. Hopefully better to come.