After a couple of really productive sessions I was really hopeful of a couple of bites. I'd come armed with the ever reliable sprats, sardines and mackerel and the plan was to hit the same swims as before using the same methods of drifting and ledgering.

But after moving 3 times with nothing to show for it, it was clear today was going today was going to be tough...

As it turned out, the only bite of the day came late afternoon after moving to the 6th swim. The 'dead tree swim' has produced the goods in the past and this session was no different - a good looking micro jack pike that took a stinky sardine that was nearly as long as itself!

And that was it. I didn't get so much as a knock in any of the other swims but it was lovely to be out on the bank in the unseasonal November weather.

Fingers crossed it's not a sign of things to come! I've hit the Crane Stretch a couple of times over the last month so maybe a trip to Swineford for the next session is in order?

And the only one to grace the bank was the smallest pike I've ever caught... Possibly, the smallest pike in the Avon?!

All good fun though ;)

I lost more than I caught! But it was a great day, I learnt some new skills 'twitching' sprats and catching jack pike on a float rod and covered some new water that I've not fished before.

All in all, fantastic fishing!

As it turned out, pretty well! I had 10 or so chub, no monsters but plenty of fun. I also had a chance to try out my keepnet, the hope being it would increase the catch rate as released fish wouldn't spook the shoal. I *think* it worked ;)

I caught chub after chub, a dustbin lid bream and a trout - all in the space of a few hours ;)