Storm Kate had filled the back garden with water and knocked some trees over but the high winds had abated by late afternoon. I had the lake to myself. It was relaxing sitting beside the water in the sunshine but the breeze was a problem. I had a rainbow on a small Montana and then lost another bigger fish. It was time to find somewhere sheltered.

After a short drive I signed in at a lake deep in the woods, the Secretary was already there in the hotspot. First cast with a small, leaded GRHE nymph produced a hard fighting brownie. After 45 minutes I had a take from another fish which fought really hard, it was foul-hooked in the side !

A couple of pints at the Black Horse and then pan fried trout fillets for tea. It had been an easy start to the season.