June 27th 7.45pm till 10.15ish.

Went to the river bank for the first time this season, after work with Pete along with a small radio to hopefully here the French go out of the world cup.

The path down to the river bank from Blackwater is easier now following some work to cut down the undergrowth and widened the path to avoid the awkard steps.

Went to one of our favourite swims at Pipe bridge that last year we totally blanked on...but in the past has been good.  Some logic heh!

To our suprise the swim didn't look that fished which is unusal, and we had to cut a path through the wild grass to get near the bank and cut some nettles to clear the swim for the rods.

We both went for our only available bait, some halibut pellet boilies, as I failed to find the luncheon meat I was going to bring before setting off.

Around 8.30 I had a run on the line and after my "lightening" response (in the loosest possible terms) found the fish was still on the line (the rod was down a steep slope on a bait runner rig.) An mighty fight ensued as the fish had natuarlly taken cover in the streamer weed that was near where I had cast it.  Moving it out after about 5 mins it promptly lodged itself in another set.  Pete had to cut another swim out so I could get a good angle on the rod to free it from the weed.  First day back on the bank and it was a smashing 11lb barbel! 

After carefully unhooking on the mat and then recovering the fish in the water I cast out again, no further bites but I kept grinning till the French won the match.