The warmest and driest November since records began is what the met men are saying and, although we still have a few days left to come, there is in all likelihood little chance of anything dramatic happening to change the scenario.

As far as the local fishing goes the continued mild spell  has meant decent returns on both the stillwaters - where the commercials in particular remain in top form.

On the rivers a slight overnight cooling off has meant chub, rather than barbel, to the fore during the past few days with some good perch showing too.

The biggest story on the local rivers though is not of fish being caught, but of fish being rescued with the Environ- ment Agency Fisher- ies Team in action on the upper reaches of the River Kennet at Manton last week where the river had actually run dry, leaving hundreds of fish stranded and in distress.

Responding to a report by a member of the public, Environment Agency Fisheries Officers successfully netted the fish from isolated pools in a section of the river that had dried up as a result of the exceptionally low rainfall although some fish, including a number of prime grayling, were recovered dead.

Fisheries officer Dan Horsley said: “This is the first time we’ve carried out this type of operation so late in the year. Fortunately we were able to transfer the fish downstream to a location with a secure flow.”

The Environment Agency is collaborating with Action for the River Kennet and local riverkeepers to protect fish stocks in the upper Kennet during the low flows.

Onto rivers which are not only flowing well, but fishing well and the highlight of the week is from Twyford’s St Pat- rick’s Stream where last Saturday evening Windsor angler Michael Tennyson enjoyed a terrific short session roving on the lower part of the venue.

Armed with a Drennan Medium Feeder rod and a light link leger set up with 6lb mainline and a 4lb fluorocarbon hooklength to a size 10 hook Michael presented a piece of bread crust a couple of inches off bottom.

First to fall for the tactic was a splendid Pat’s chub of 6lb 2oz but the best was yet to come as well after dark, on what was a misty night, Michael connected with a better fish which really tested his kit to the limit and he confesses to being ‘shocked’ when he first saw the fish ready for the net.

The chub weighed in at a marvellous 6lb 10oz, the best reported from the venue so far this season, and it beat Michael’s previous best of 6lb 6oz which he took from the River Wye last year.

Any anglers wishing to report catches may contact me at ian@bigfishtrail.com