Armed with a new rod and reel from J & K, I decided to go over to Rushey and try them out.

They both handled the rubbish coming down the river very well, but the fish were not forthcoming.

Other parts of the river seem to be producing large chub. Alain Urruty and Patrick Newman have both caught six-pounders on bread.

Over the last few weeks, Orchid Lake over at Dorchester has been producing a few decent fish including several large 20s and one fish of 33.11.0 which fell to Shaun McDermott.

Two weeks ago, I highlighted ther stretch of the Thames from Carrotts Ham to Kings Weir. This week we will go from Kings Weir to Godstow.

The first 50 pegs are similar to Carrotts and the methods used there will produce fish. The hot spots are the bushes on Pixie Meadow side just above the A34 flyover and from the bushes going upstream to the first bend.

Just below the flyover is a large hole, which holds chub, roach and perch.

The island where the river splits (one channel goes to the lock) is another highly-rated area and could produce some really big fish.

From the road bridge, the lock is called the Nunnery and produces a lot of small fish plus the odd bonus. It's a good mixed fishery for summer and winter.

I went along to the latest Upper Thames Fisheries Consultative meeting held at Wolvercote British Legion, where the lack of silver coming from the Cherwell and Thame was discussed.

Cormorants are thought to be causing the problem, but the Consulative claimed that shooting these birds was not the answer. They suggested that fisheries needed to produce an action plan.

One suggestion was that clubs should apply to the EA for permission to place obstacles in the river so small fish can hide.

However, a lot of thought would have to go into this as anything going into the river would restrict its flow, possibly causing flooding problems.