After a period of being indoors to avoid the rain and the wind in an exceptionally warm period, I had to get out fishing. I'd been to watch the Exeter Chiefs beat Harlequins in the driving rain, then to watch Mumford and Son in Birmingham, but nothing restores the equilibrium like a day next to the river.
We went to Bristol to see our eldest daughter, so I managed a few hours on the Avon at Laycock whilst she took Sandy around Bath. I arrived at mid morning to find the river up and very coloured as expected, but at least most of the leaves have been flushed through the system.
I decided that a roving approach would be best trying areas of deeper water with steady flows, or smooth back currents hoping the barbel would be lying there waiting for my smelly luncheon meat. I even fished in places where it appeared that nobody else had ventured as the photographs show but all to little effect. I managed just one bite from a chublet in the four hours.
It was one of those days when I wished I had more intimate knowledge of the river bed. Ah so much to learn, even in my advanced years!!