Life is but a dream

THANKS to the Tartan Curtain, it was not until after the summer solstice that I could head south in search of my annual chalkstream fix, so by the time I arrived in Stock-bridge I was fish-hungry and ready to ‘kick some fin’. I started loading up with yet more flies from the irrepressible Alistair Robjent’s excellent emporium and awaited my host, Michael, who had kindly invited me to an exclusive Test beat for the day.

There had been a severe heatwave (34˚C in Hampshire) and any sensible fish would have been lounging in the shade with a sombrero and a nice margarita;