Well, I finally managed to escape last week. I bit the bullet and drove up to the river Culm near Exeter. I had a few things to do in the morning on this particular Sunday, so ended up on the road very late in the day. I arrive at 3:30, so only had a few hours till 7pm and the light fading on me.
I found a great many 'Chubby' looking swims on this particular stretch, and was soon sat with the quiver tip bent against the maggie feeder under an overhanging tree.
I was traveling very light indeed, so light I only had my bait bucket with a few spares in the lid, so I tried about 4 swims in my very short stay.
As it happens, I didn't catch a thing, but I had several knocks on the tip, which sent my heart racing as I haven't caught a chub yet.
However, I'm pretty sure the knocks were from very small fish attacking the maggots from the feeder.
But I shall keep trying :-)