Nicholas S

Undoubtedly a magnificent fish but was it really necessary to chap it on the head? Wild Brown Trout of that size are rare creatures and should be preserved.

An invertebrate rising from the river bed to the surface to hatch is a major trigger for a fish. Holding back suddenly will make your bait behave in this manner and can result in an aggressive bite!

Well done Rusty, a cracking Perch! I still haven't encountered mr 3lber. How come you didn't use the drop shotting gear?

Good thanks Steve! Yep Trevor is partly to blame but I've been following the thread on here and that also got me intrigued. I've just started a new job so I've moved back to Reading! Working for a Danish Energy company so at the moment I'm working in Copenhagen but back most weekends and will soon be working in London. Should make it easier to meet up for an overdue session though Plenty of fishing stories to report too, caught some fantastic Grayling recently What you up to on the weekend of 12/13th Nov?

Would loved to have joined you guys this weekend but unfortunately I'm tied down. Just bought a drop shot rod too! Looking forward to hearing how you get on. N

Terrific report Chris. You are indeed back in business by the sounds of things, very glad to hear it! Cracking Chub, even more special when it's caught trotting. N

What a day Tigger, well done! Good to know that the rivers in your part of the country are in good health and the fish are prospering. N

Well done Ian, really enjoyed the report and the pics! Catching one Barbel on the pin is hard enough but you seem to make it sound positively easy! Nice brownie and Roach as well. N

Fantastic Rusty, well done! Love the pre-baiting device! Never caught a Barbel on the pin, I will have to give it a go soon. N

Sounds like a good days fishing! That ST looks really fresh, real bar of silver. Lovely Barbel too! N

Nice one Steve, a cracking run of Perch! I would love a big Thames Perch this season, it seems like there's never been a better time to catch one. N

Sounds like a great opening day Chris! Interesting to hear that you caught 2 Grayling so far down. I would be very surprised if they have been stocked. More likely something to do with the opening of the Lambourn perhaps? Certainly hope they manage to establish themselves.

A great write up as always Chris. Really evoked the magic of the opening of the season. I'm guessing that's a nice sized Chub lurking in the water in your pic?

Terrific write up Rusty and WHAT a Tench!!! A fine reward and a real beauty too. Well done, that is a fish of a lifetime! N

I used drennan 'feeder braid' a couple of seasons ago and it was awful so I'm not surprised you've binned it. I now used powerpro for my feeder fishing, it may not say 'feeder braid' on the packet but it works just the same and is far superior to the Drennan braid. N