Since the start of the slightly more settled weather, I have been fishing the Kennet at Burghfield in search of a barbel or two.

It has been a bit of a struggle, not only for me, but the rest of the lads who are fishing this stretch, and blanks are not uncommon.

On my latest trip last Saturday, I left Oxford around 5am, and settled in a swim on the top weir. The river was still well up and pushing through, but it looked in good nick.

After baiting up with a dropper using hemp and maggot, I set up a Drennan Oval feeder, one of the old type, a size 12 hook and a back lead about three feet from the feeder.

The first cast produced a good bite that I messed up, then I had a barbel weighing 9.3.0, followed by another of 7.12.0 and that was it.

This stretch holds some huge fish and while I was there, a chap landed a 15.12.0 barbel, but it is not easy fishing and the place just switches off at times.

l THE new 2009 Richworth Linear brochure is full of information on all their waters and is available by phoning 01908 647320, emailing brochure@linear-fisheries.co.uk through the Linear website www.linear-fisheries.co.uk, or writing to The Fishery Manager, 7 Crow Lane, Lower End, Wavendon, MK17 8AR.