Arrival time: 10.00
Weather: Sunny and cold with a very fresh wind.
Tackle: 12' Korum Multi-feeder, open-ended feeder, 6lb line, 8 hook.
Baits: Cheese paste.
Fish: Blank

Today had promise, the weather being particularly inspiring after all the rain we've had recently, although it was cold. The water level was also good and it wasn't too coloured. But despite all the favourable indicators the fish were proving to be elusive.

I started on the mill stream and didn't get a bite in what is quite a reliable swim. Not a touch. I stuck it for about 45 minutes and then moved to the head of the stream. I met another angler who had been fishing the weir pool, catching only gudgeon. The omens weren't good.

At the head of the stream I at least had some bites, but I suspect that these were smaller fish wrestling with my fairly large chunk of cheese paste. I certainly couldn't hook any.

Around midday I decided to go over to the main river, hoping to get the spot that I had the previous week. The fishery was a bit busier than usual but I found the swim vacant, only then to see a roaming angler who I'm certain had probably tried it before I got there. If he had, and had managed to take any fish, this wouldn't bode well for me as the swim effectively died the previous week after I took a chub.

I nevertheless gave it an hour or so, during which time I again had some movements on the rod top that I would attribute to smaller fish, but there was nothing I could hook and I ended the day with a blank.

Talking to people during the day it appeared that everybody was having a difficult time catching and when I packed up, at around 1.00 pm, others had also left early. Challenging times.