I snuck out before dark this morning, confident of where I was going to be fishing and expecting results. So why exactly was it then, that 2 hours later I found myself sat on my bedchair scratching my head, confidence evaporated and surrounded by uncast rigs, PVA foam and a selection of different baits!?

Despite my success on the popped-up corn by the water inflow on my previous session, after some heavy rain I could see there was a heavier flow pushing through the area. This had sown a seed of doubt in my mind regarding the use of a popped-up bait - surely it was just inviting leaves and debris to foul themselves on my hook? Reeling in my first cast after half an hour, I found it was indeed sporting a neatly hooked leaf.

After some serious to-ing and fro-ing I ended up swapping my rods around and fishing the slack lined bottom rig to the inflow baited with a RSG boilie, and the pop-up corn as a roving rod to patches of bubbles that kept appearing in front of me.

I still wasn’t exactly happy that my presentation was good enough, but it was just as I contemplated another re-cast that the indicator let out a single beep. At the rod as quick as flash, I noticed the previously slack line was now tight - yet the bobbin remained still. After a second or so, the rod tip twitched and I lifted back the rod in hope of some resistance. Unfortunately there was nothing on the end - damn! It was one of those situations that left you wondering if waiting longer would have yeilded a full blooded run

The rest of the day was uneventful, and I failed to settle with any confidence on either of my set-ups. This emotion was matched by the weather which went from blue skies and sunshine to overcast and drizzly as often as I paced the muddy bank. In the end I packed in before dark and retired to have good think of a better strategy for next time. Never mind, just one of those days I think!

Stumble it!