Well what can I say? All the hard work and organisation of getting the boat sorted for the Thames went out the window overnight as the rains came making perch fishing impossible.

It looks like its going to be a similar picture as last winter as the weather changes on a daily basis and with no settled weather the fish will feed in short bursts. Predicting these is nigh on impossible, especially on the rivers and as I speak to anglers on them they are reflecting inconsistent returns and a sense of frustration.

Monday came and l quick look at the Tidal Thames confirmed our suspicions, a chocolate coldrum was pouring over the weir making perch fishing a non-started and a dangerous proposition in a tiny 2m boat!

Plan B was bought into operation so I decided to find the water that produced the five-pound plus perch in AT last week and after some phone calls located it. You have to book on in advance so Wednesday it was and I waited with anticipation. Tuesday night however the skies cleared and the temperature plummeted, -1 was the reading as we met at the gates at dawn after an hour and a half drive.

A high-pressure system interrupted the overcast week and with bright blue skies and no wind it was going to be a hard day and after fishing all day all that came was two small perch to my livebaits. The only consolation is that the lakes only two-acres and knowing its also produced the British Record a year or two back, you’re never far away from a fish of a lifetime.

After that freezing morning and some forty-eight hours later the temperature was reading 15 degrees and the planned for roach session was abandoned as the barbel would be having it, or so I thought. Friday I was fishing by 2pm but by 10pm and after dropping in eight swims not so much as a tremor came my way. I even fished a second rod baited with lobworm after dark in the hope that an eel may turn up. Again my arrival was to late as the river had dropped, back to its normal height and colour. The Loddon is a short river, just 28 miles long so if you want to get the best from it you need to be on it as the rains come, although I know this it just wasn’t feasible this week.

Two venues that have the pedigree of producing a record- breaker were fished this week, it only takes one bite!