IF you think of fishing as a quiet, dreamy bankside pastime ...then think again!

Yorkley Angling Club's Steve Harding had two sections of his brother's £2,000 specialist rod snatched from under his nose as he fished the Redhill lakes at Monmouth on Sunday.

The rod was dragged into the centre of the lake by a big carp. Determined not to lose it, Steve stripped off and jumped in. But the fish had other ideas and made off again, sinking to the bottom and taking the rod with him.

Having given the equipment up as lost, Steve began fishing with a spare rod and was fortunate enough to hook another big carp. This one also took off and, fortuitously for Steve, tangled itself around the line on the missing rod.

Here's the fisherman's yarn...Steve successfully reeled in and landed both fish and saved his blushes, and his pocket, by uniting his brother with the rod that had been given up for lost.

That's honest!

Steve finished out of the prizes in the club competition which was won by junior member Matt Grindle who landed a massive all-carp catch weighing 91lbs 12oz. Dad, Paul Grindle, was in second place with a total carp catch of 80lbs.

Third place went to Colin Stephens who weighed in a total of 69lbs, including 40lbs of roach. Fourth place went to Roger Andrews with 60lbs.

•The Yorkley club's National Fishing Day will be held at Speech House Lake on July 21 from 10am until 5.30pm. The event is a training day for youngsters aged from six upwards to learn about and try their hands at fishing. Bait and equipment is provided.

Anyone interested can book a place by contacting Terry McKensie on Dean 833903 or Nick Stephens on Dean 834031.