January 4th Great Somerfords Bristol Avon

Full of a cold I had decided to meet my pal Ivor for a spot of fishing on the upper Bristol Avon. I thought that the grayling or perch might be feeding. I walked the 1 mile to the upper end of the fishery to find the perch and grayling however the river was low and clear. The slight snow from the previous night and the frost of -3c made finding a bite rare if not impossible.

I moved from swim to swim trotting a red maggot on very light tackle, size 20 hook and 2lb hooklink. But the result was of no interest at all. There were 4 black death birds (cormorants) who were much better fishermen than me and they cleared off when I arrived.

I moved down to the weir pool in the village and fared no better!

When I finished at 4.15pm Ivor and myself had caught a big fat zero!!!! Drowning maggots came to mind!!

Then the man flu came!!!!