A complete washout, that’s all I can describe this weeks fishing. Two rivers, one lake and twenty-six hours angling for not even one bite, it seems every thing has closed up shop.

The only positive I can take out of the week is the knowledge that the majority of other anglers that I have spoken to are also experiencing the same fortunes.

The high pressure continues although on Tuesday I thought the bubble had burst as a brief low period spread across the south and I rubbed my hands, as no other cars were present as I arrived on the Loddon. Arriving before first light I thought I had the upper hand but after eight hours and nine swims, I returned to the car just as the evening onslaught, fishless. I still cannot believe that on a stretch I know like the back of my hand failed to produce a bite, not even a chub! The only plus from the visit was that I was able to a plumb around which did reveal a few clear spots.

Wednesday evening was really to prove my father wrong as he felt that a stretch on the Thames would be good for bream, especially if we applied tactics and bait that would appeal to them but again four hours and no bites later we left, me happy in a strange way.

Thursday and Friday nights are what I now consider my big-fish nights, however instead of fishing I met four passionate anglers on the banks of the river Thames, location, sorry their secret. A few swims were pointed out and on a very out of sorts evening the group descended, unfortunately the bream showed and the barbel stayed away, just you wait when the rain comes!

Friday, and with a very cold night forecasted, even ground frost, I booked on Frimley Pit 3, in the hope of a big bream or carp. Fishing banded small pellets I was up every two hours and fished what I would consider worthy of a result, but another blank piled up. I did get a few liners thou to raise the blood pressure.

In between the sessions I’ve managed to start getting the small boat ready for the Thames, perch onslaught. Mud feet, life jackets, electric motor and battery sorted just the roof rack left before the first faultfinding session, bring it on, I cant wait!