i know how you feel Neil, I always find once you've had a fish (any fish) you're mindset gets more positive.
When I fished the Loddon years ago I knew for a swim that held perch - so in time I just used to go there chuck a lobworm in, loosefeed red maggot and then invariably get one withtin half an hour. Then I'd proceed to the other swims after chub&barbel in a far better frame of mind!