I've had days almost exactly like this on the Swale in winter, but without bumping into the "expert" I guess.
But 1 in particular..
I did exactly the same thing one afternoon. I was sat there freezing my nuts off in December with that wonderful N.Yorks - Vale of York winter fog eating into my bones, wondering why the hell I was on the bank. I knew I wasn't going to get any Barbel (despite my initial enthusiasm based mainly on poxy angling rag articles!), so I chucked a huge lob worm down the edge in the hope of catching 'owt.
Ended up with a 6Lb 8oz Chub (PB by a mile!) and followed it up with a 5 lber next cast. Totally transformed that day, from abject depression to total joy - surley that's what angling is about some times!
Reading the article just brought it all back, which was great.
I really, really miss the Swale now I live in Canada, but it has it's compensations.
cheers,
Paul.