Prolonged rain filled the river at Petworth, according to the gauge it was up thirty two inches. It was unfishable. I visited Little Bognor, it was still raining. I failed to connect with the three trout that took my dry fly. I filled my head with fishing plans on the long journey back to Devon.

Dartmoor was green, even on the high moor. Frequent showers had kept the rivers up and there were reports of sea trout and a few salmon. I had breakfast early and chose the Sage #3 from the rod cupboard. My favourite beat on the Tavy awaited. The early morning sun was intense in a baby blue sky and as I looked south, downstream, I regretted leaving my hat at home.

There were hundreds of pheasant poults roaming around on the track down into the valley and I left the Defender on flat ground above the river to avoid disturbing them. The top of the beat looked good and I sat there for a while getting used to the rhythm of the rod.

The river was a couple of inches higher than normal but there were no leaves or twigs to snag. The shoot had mown the bracken, Himalayan balsam and Japanese Knotweed to the ground along the true left bank removing the cover and spreading the invasive species.

I focused on the usual holding places but there was no response from the trout. I retraced my steps and had a cup of tea with bacon rolls in the cottage, a perfect end to the morning.

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