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I had planned a couple of days on the Kennet a few weeks earlier but had been laid low by a stomach problem, but quickly rearranged it before the coarse season closed with my fishing buddy Reg. Travelling up from Devon, I had agreed to meet Reg at 10am to start fishing in the parklands just above Newbury.
Gary, the river keeper suggested we fish started just above a metal bridge as a couple of chub had been taken there recently. I set up the trotting gear and after a couple of trots to get the depth right was immediately into the usual trout. However, a couple of casts later, struck into a good chub which pulled the scales down to 5lb 1oz; a great start.
After a couple more trout, we moved up to the hatch pool where I touch legered and Reg could use his delicate quiver tip. Reg experienced steady sport fishing just off the far bank, whereas I caught one or two fish. I then moved to trot down another carrier catching a solitary trout.
We ended the day fishing a deep pool behind a bridge with freelined lobworm catching more trout and a few chub.
I had experienced one of those days where nothing works properly. All the casts are too short or too long, or I got snagged. It tried a feeder which caught on the far bank. I walked around as I don't like losing tackle and managed to free it, but ripped my quilted trousers on barbed wire in the process - saving a few quid but knowing it will cost me in the future.
The highlights, other than the chub was watching birds of prey. I has seen buzzards, kite, a sparrowhawk and even a barn owl amongst a host of songbirds.
The second day, it was a clear, crisp, frosty morning. I was on my own and having been so disgusted with my fishing performance on the previous day, I decided to start by breaking all my tackle down and setting up all over again. I fished immeasuably better on the second day, but all I caught was masses of trout. I think I must have caught every one in the river ranging from 1.5lb to about 3lb!! I stopped counting when I reached the mid-twenties.
Try as I may, I really struggled for the coarse fish catching only two or three smaller chub of around 2lb. I really wanted a perch and fished all the likely looking pegs only to be rewarded with yet more trout.
I ended the day moving back up to where I caught the good chub on the previous day - and caught another 8 trout in 10 trots!! So ended up at the hatch pool as the light started to fall. I then caught a chub followed by.....another trout. Gary came and joined me borrowong my trotting rod, and he managed a trout from the carrier just behind me.
Then it happened, I stuck into a fish which I thought was another trout, but turned out to be a 2lb+ perch. What a fabulous way to end a day. Gary waded over and fished the far side of the pool and he caught a 5lb+ chub on float tackle. Although the fish were now on the feed, it seemed the ideal time to pack up and celebrate our catches with a piping hot cup of tea with hobnobs.
It had been a great couple of days and I was delighted with my perch, and the company was great too which is always equally important.
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