Wednesday, November 05, 2008
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Monday, October 20, 2008
Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital Charity Pairs Match - Coleman's Cottage - Wood Lake - 19th October 2008
This Match was a Pairs Competition in support Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, but with a twist.
One of the Pair fished for Silver Fish and the other for Carp. We had all of Coleman’s Cottage Wood Lake, http://www.colemansfishery.co.uk/
So with 22 Anglers in 11 pairs, Ed was able to spread us out quite well with alternate pegs for Silver & Carp.
I was Paired up with Dean Peters who was our Carp man with me on Silvers. I drew Peg 5 whilst Dean had 21 (which is not normally a good peg) The Hot peg area, 10-14 & 26-30 only drew one pair close together with Big John (C) and Big Steve (S) next to each other on 11 & 12 respectively. The next ‘Closet pair’ were Big Mick Byrne © next to me on Peg 6 and Mick (Silver King) Wagg who had Peg 1.
The weather was best described as fair – cloudy but pleasant – but the wind was forecast to increase for later – which it did and got chilly with it despite it being South Westerly.
I decided to set up on the rig that always does well for me here – the Maggot Feeder fishing to the Islands – But I have never fished this part of the lake before – but Barbel were reported to be had on maggot in the margins in recent days. I set up on the Waggler at 6meteres and on the Pole for the Margins- All on light hook links – size 18 and 2lb line fishing with Red maggot.
The normal ratio on the maggot feeder for me here was 5 Chub, 2 Barbel, to 1 carp so I could live with that today.
Now my main problem is going to getting through the Carp to hopefully get to the Silvers as they were very active in my swim – Did I just say that ‘Have to get through the Carp’ – Normally it is the other way round. I had a mini Jacuzzi going at 5meters I was hoping that it was Bream but the bubbles are too big.
At the whistle I tried the Waggler to the bubbles at 5 metres – Nothing doing apart from line bites so perhaps the Carp are mid water and the small stuff are underneath. I was dead bottom so I went 2” over depth and immediately get a Small Skimmer , swiftly followed by a small Roach – Result. I was hoping for Barbel or Chub – but alas no, then I get a couple Carp so decide to move out to the Island on the Waggler at 1st then switched to the feeder, had a few Chub then a few more Carp- so into the margin which I had been drip feeding with loose maggot – A small Roach then all of the size 8 Elastic was pulled out by a big carp. – Being smashed up in quick succession I switch top kits to Bully Boy with 16 elastic but of course bumped off the small Roach that happened along, but the margins were dead – I tried later with Size 24 and Pinkie and still got smashed up by a carp.
It got to the point were I decided to stay on my original plan and use the maggot feeder to the Islands and hope for the occasional Chub or Barbel. Or in reality what was plan B – catch the carp to get them out the swim and hope the Silvers move in – I still can’t believe I’m writing this. – it certainly is not Butter.
Boozy who was fishing opposite me was having the same problem but was having a better Silver to Carp Ratio and we both cheered each other and proudly displayed each silver when we caught one. Interesting Steve Barrett was next to Boozy fishing for Carp but seemed to have a Shoal of Barbel in his swim though I am not sure if was not catching the same fish as he was returning all of his Silvers not netting them.
We did have a ‘submarine’ patrolling our swims for most of the afternoon which we all blamed for not getting the fish we wanted – the ‘Submarine’ was Big Johns Top 4 attached to a big carp. We all had attempts to ‘catch it’ making contact but nothing good enough to ‘net it’ it disappeared completely late afternoon and never seen again – I hope the carp managed to ‘ship it’.
Come the weigh-In – The Silver King Wagg had 42lb of carp had a few Pounds of Silver- I had 35lb of carp and 8 1/2lb Silver – (no Barbel).
The big weight came from were I expected – in the middle stretch – Big John who had lost his 1st ten Fish (including the ‘submarine)’ weighed-in 71lb – I guess it would and should have be more like a Ton. & Big Steve his Partner weighed in 11lb of Silver.
Dean my partner only managed to get the fish going in his swim in the last Hour for 19lb of carp. Olly Wagg put in 65lb from the edge of the ‘Hot Zone’ whilst his partner Boozy somehow had 14lb of Silvers to become the ‘Silver King’. Now with Olly & Boozy coming 3rd & 1st in their respective matches and Big John & Steve C being 1st & 3rd in theirs –we had a tie on points but BJ & SC won on weight by 2lbs 8ozs
Despite the moaning about the Carp – what a great days fishing in the Middle Of October – In a normal match at this time of the year I would have been well chuffed with mine – and possibly would have done better with different tactics fishing for the Carp not trying to avoid them, and not forgetting the Main reason for the day – fund raising for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital the beneficiaries of £383 ! -Well done everyone who fished.
One of the Pair fished for Silver Fish and the other for Carp. We had all of Coleman’s Cottage Wood Lake, http://www.colemansfishery.co.uk/
So with 22 Anglers in 11 pairs, Ed was able to spread us out quite well with alternate pegs for Silver & Carp.
I was Paired up with Dean Peters who was our Carp man with me on Silvers. I drew Peg 5 whilst Dean had 21 (which is not normally a good peg) The Hot peg area, 10-14 & 26-30 only drew one pair close together with Big John (C) and Big Steve (S) next to each other on 11 & 12 respectively. The next ‘Closet pair’ were Big Mick Byrne © next to me on Peg 6 and Mick (Silver King) Wagg who had Peg 1.
The weather was best described as fair – cloudy but pleasant – but the wind was forecast to increase for later – which it did and got chilly with it despite it being South Westerly.I decided to set up on the rig that always does well for me here – the Maggot Feeder fishing to the Islands – But I have never fished this part of the lake before – but Barbel were reported to be had on maggot in the margins in recent days. I set up on the Waggler at 6meteres and on the Pole for the Margins- All on light hook links – size 18 and 2lb line fishing with Red maggot.
The normal ratio on the maggot feeder for me here was 5 Chub, 2 Barbel, to 1 carp so I could live with that today.
Now my main problem is going to getting through the Carp to hopefully get to the Silvers as they were very active in my swim – Did I just say that ‘Have to get through the Carp’ – Normally it is the other way round. I had a mini Jacuzzi going at 5meters I was hoping that it was Bream but the bubbles are too big.
At the whistle I tried the Waggler to the bubbles at 5 metres – Nothing doing apart from line bites so perhaps the Carp are mid water and the small stuff are underneath. I was dead bottom so I went 2” over depth and immediately get a Small Skimmer , swiftly followed by a small Roach – Result. I was hoping for Barbel or Chub – but alas no, then I get a couple Carp so decide to move out to the Island on the Waggler at 1st then switched to the feeder, had a few Chub then a few more Carp- so into the margin which I had been drip feeding with loose maggot – A small Roach then all of the size 8 Elastic was pulled out by a big carp. – Being smashed up in quick succession I switch top kits to Bully Boy with 16 elastic but of course bumped off the small Roach that happened along, but the margins were dead – I tried later with Size 24 and Pinkie and still got smashed up by a carp.
It got to the point were I decided to stay on my original plan and use the maggot feeder to the Islands and hope for the occasional Chub or Barbel. Or in reality what was plan B – catch the carp to get them out the swim and hope the Silvers move in – I still can’t believe I’m writing this. – it certainly is not Butter.
Boozy who was fishing opposite me was having the same problem but was having a better Silver to Carp Ratio and we both cheered each other and proudly displayed each silver when we caught one. Interesting Steve Barrett was next to Boozy fishing for Carp but seemed to have a Shoal of Barbel in his swim though I am not sure if was not catching the same fish as he was returning all of his Silvers not netting them.
We did have a ‘submarine’ patrolling our swims for most of the afternoon which we all blamed for not getting the fish we wanted – the ‘Submarine’ was Big Johns Top 4 attached to a big carp. We all had attempts to ‘catch it’ making contact but nothing good enough to ‘net it’ it disappeared completely late afternoon and never seen again – I hope the carp managed to ‘ship it’.
Come the weigh-In – The Silver King Wagg had 42lb of carp had a few Pounds of Silver- I had 35lb of carp and 8 1/2lb Silver – (no Barbel).
The big weight came from were I expected – in the middle stretch – Big John who had lost his 1st ten Fish (including the ‘submarine)’ weighed-in 71lb – I guess it would and should have be more like a Ton. & Big Steve his Partner weighed in 11lb of Silver.
Dean my partner only managed to get the fish going in his swim in the last Hour for 19lb of carp. Olly Wagg put in 65lb from the edge of the ‘Hot Zone’ whilst his partner Boozy somehow had 14lb of Silvers to become the ‘Silver King’. Now with Olly & Boozy coming 3rd & 1st in their respective matches and Big John & Steve C being 1st & 3rd in theirs –we had a tie on points but BJ & SC won on weight by 2lbs 8ozs
Despite the moaning about the Carp – what a great days fishing in the Middle Of October – In a normal match at this time of the year I would have been well chuffed with mine – and possibly would have done better with different tactics fishing for the Carp not trying to avoid them, and not forgetting the Main reason for the day – fund raising for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital the beneficiaries of £383 ! -Well done everyone who fished.
Results:
Labels: Charity Matches
Monday, October 06, 2008
Linda Mead Memorial Sunday Series Match - A12 Cuton Match Lake - October 5th 2008
The Great British Summer of 2008 put in a brief appearance again for the October Linda Mead Sunday Series Match - Yes it was Wet, Windy & Wet. Mercifully it was only light rain for the Draw and Set up and drizzle for the weigh-in. However in between the Wind drove it the rain in from the West only to for the wind to Stall and the Rain to tip it down around 1.30 to 2pm then the wind shifted round just to make it awkward for those of us under the brolly.
Not the best of conditions to mark the Summer knockout Final which was being 'fought' out between Dean Peters and Roy Digby, Roy drew peg 40 one of the fancied pegs in the relative quiet area under the trees and close to the Island in between the lakes whilst Dean drew exposed Peg 24 in open water
You will note that all I have spoken about yet is the weather - Well that was the only real talking point of the day as the Fishing can at best be described as hard, especially when you have to sit and watch someone else (the eventual winner catching on the same method you are using only 5 yards away. - that's what I had to do !!!- from my position under the brolly all I could see was Rob Blackburn initially pull in some nice Fish - the best being a 7 lb 4 Oz Common Carp
Most of his fish were caught in the 1st and last hour - with like me very few in between - i did have a Nice Perch of around 1lb late on.
I was most impressed by the quality of Music on Radio 1 on a Sunday morning being DJ'd by Edith Bowman, I think she call's her Show the Sunday lie up to midday then Wake up noon to 1p. I was only listening as the BBC stations were the only ones I could pick up on my Portable DAB radio and to drown out the traffic noise form the A12 running adjacent an the hammering rain on the Brolly.
The results speak for themselves see below this Lake does not fish well under the pressure of a Match - I've fished 2 matches here now and both were 2 'poor' days - Don't think I will be booking a Match here again:
Congratulations to Dean Peters on winning the Summer Knockout
Oh and Gary Somerfield said I had to mention that he fished with a wet bum most of the day !!
Match Result:
You will note that Rob's Win Lifted him 5 places in the League.
Singles & Pairs League Positions
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Pleasure Fish LCL 27th September 2008
The belated summer weather drew me away from the Saturday afternoon Football on TV to the lake for a couple of hours for a rare pleasure fishing session.
Suzy (my Jack Russell) stop off at Big Johns for ½ pint of Red maggots en –route.
I made my way to Peg 16 and Cyril Boozy who was over on peg 13 shouted across – “did I forget the house as well” a comment regarding that I had loaded my Match Gear on the trolley- but I had not – when I started to set up I noticed I had left my feeder Arm at home – Dohh ! Especially as my tactics was going to be Small Method and hair rigged Sweetcorn on the feeder for Bream / Small Carp and maggots on the Pole in the margins for Roach /Perch I already had a problem. Quickly resolved though as I was able to lay it down on the ground with a post acting as the rest and the bait runner on.
I had a good 3 hour session the weather was perfect sunny with little or no wind. I had lost of good Roach on the pole in the margins to the right – In the meantime Cyril has successfully landed a nice 13lb Mirror ( don’t know what bait he was using.) and he called it a day after that.
It was around 6.45 pm when I just answered a call from the wife whilst still landing Nice Roach that I would be home in ½ hour that I had the Feeder reel scream I lifted in this was something BIG and it was making its way to the Lilies / weed in the out of bounds area. I had no option but to hold on this rod had never had such a big bend in it but alas once in the weeds that was it the 5lb snapped!
Oh well time to pack up then, but I have a ¼ pint of maggot left so I up the feed rate on my spot and continued with the Pole attack there – I had being using Size 16 to 5lb line with Double red maggot. Dusk was on its way – as I had what I though was Perch Bite – lifted in but the elastic started to pull out – this was a carp! I played with my four sections – didn’t need to put any more sections on – good job as they where still in the bag! A good 10 minutes Fight and it was in the net – Black Mirror tipping the Scales at 10 1/2lb – that will do what a way to finish what was truly a pleasure session. – pack up and home for a shower dinner and the TV and a few beers!
Suzy was good as well sits patiently.
Suzy (my Jack Russell) stop off at Big Johns for ½ pint of Red maggots en –route.
I made my way to Peg 16 and Cyril Boozy who was over on peg 13 shouted across – “did I forget the house as well” a comment regarding that I had loaded my Match Gear on the trolley- but I had not – when I started to set up I noticed I had left my feeder Arm at home – Dohh ! Especially as my tactics was going to be Small Method and hair rigged Sweetcorn on the feeder for Bream / Small Carp and maggots on the Pole in the margins for Roach /Perch I already had a problem. Quickly resolved though as I was able to lay it down on the ground with a post acting as the rest and the bait runner on.
I had a good 3 hour session the weather was perfect sunny with little or no wind. I had lost of good Roach on the pole in the margins to the right – In the meantime Cyril has successfully landed a nice 13lb Mirror ( don’t know what bait he was using.) and he called it a day after that.
It was around 6.45 pm when I just answered a call from the wife whilst still landing Nice Roach that I would be home in ½ hour that I had the Feeder reel scream I lifted in this was something BIG and it was making its way to the Lilies / weed in the out of bounds area. I had no option but to hold on this rod had never had such a big bend in it but alas once in the weeds that was it the 5lb snapped!
Oh well time to pack up then, but I have a ¼ pint of maggot left so I up the feed rate on my spot and continued with the Pole attack there – I had being using Size 16 to 5lb line with Double red maggot. Dusk was on its way – as I had what I though was Perch Bite – lifted in but the elastic started to pull out – this was a carp! I played with my four sections – didn’t need to put any more sections on – good job as they where still in the bag! A good 10 minutes Fight and it was in the net – Black Mirror tipping the Scales at 10 1/2lb – that will do what a way to finish what was truly a pleasure session. – pack up and home for a shower dinner and the TV and a few beers!
Suzy was good as well sits patiently.
Labels: Pleasure Fish
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Big Johns Angling Summer League Match - Bury Hill (Dorking - Surrey) - Milton Lake - 14th September 2008
A pleasant drive down to Leafy Surrey for the Final Match of the Big Johns Angling Summer League Match at Bury Hill Milton lake – Just west of Dorking, the weather was good as well
–
Nice & Sunny – some say it was our Summer !!! Well at least I dusted off my sunglasses.
I drew peg 17, on my way I saw that Olly had drawn peg 20 with reed beds on parallel right of the swim platform twitching away with Fish. I said to Olly I see you are going to have fun in there today – "Yep – you remember Newlands Hall mud pool swim I had" was the reply - Only too well – you lost about 10 rigs that day.
My peg (17) looked great reeds to Both sides and an inviting bed of Lily’s out in front (see Pictures below) which were casting distance for Waggler bomb or feeder. So I set up on pole 3 lines in circle a bomb and a Waggler.
At the whistle went out on the bomb with size 18 3 lb 12” hook link– had a bite 1st off – Started feeding the margin and pole lines (in fact tried all day there with nothing more than a few tiny Perch).
I drew peg 17, on my way I saw that Olly had drawn peg 20 with reed beds on parallel right of the swim platform twitching away with Fish. I said to Olly I see you are going to have fun in there today – "Yep – you remember Newlands Hall mud pool swim I had" was the reply - Only too well – you lost about 10 rigs that day.
My peg (17) looked great reeds to Both sides and an inviting bed of Lily’s out in front (see Pictures below) which were casting distance for Waggler bomb or feeder. So I set up on pole 3 lines in circle a bomb and a Waggler.
At the whistle went out on the bomb with size 18 3 lb 12” hook link– had a bite 1st off – Started feeding the margin and pole lines (in fact tried all day there with nothing more than a few tiny Perch).
Olly on the other hand was Snapped off on his two put ins and the question Mason Mills was asking each time was "Olly you going to get that one in" each time Olly had one on. John Buck was pulling them in the distance though!
Quite worrying for me was that I was snapped off of tow good bites during the morning session, the same thing that was happening at the last match at Tylers Common. There were no sharp features here – I must surely have a bad batch of Hook links – I changed over from the Kasman Animal to Preston Hook links and went to size 14 with bigger baits – Pellet & Sweetcorn but the bites were no better.
However I faired better than Steve Caellejo (sorry I don’t know the correct spelling – perhaps someone can advised via the comments, but soon to have new nickname before the end of the day) – His Pole section #6 snapped when pulling in after 1st cupping !!!!
Midday I swapped over to the Waggler with Pellet, Single, & double maggot plus worm and cocktails of each– Just a few Roach to show for it though (sprayed maggot). Finally the float buried and sailed away – Into a Carp of around 4lb gave a good account of itself but safely landed a lovely looking full plated Mirror after 10 minutes. But that was it the next 3 hours were only graced on all methods with a couple more small Roach,
However, the last hour was between Olly getting smashed up and Steve Claalejo to my left making a lunge for his feeder rod, which had been pulled in by a carp I would suspect? The Lunge resulted in him going in the drink much to the joy of everyone who saw it and he received much applause especially as he caught the rod.
I ran round to get a photo only to find the Camera’s battery had gone. The air as you could imagine was punctuated by laughter and blue language as Steve (now with the nickname flipper ‘praised’ his friends for helping in his hour of need. Somehow he was under the impression that I went to help – Nah I’d only gone to try and record it – Of course the jokes relating to whales, doplhins etc were sounding around to keep the lughter going for 1/2 hour. At least it was a sunny day but I think he got cold and was please the match came to an end and weigh in completed.
As expected the weights were not great – Results below and Final league tables. We got off the bottom. Looking at Team table is has an inverse synergy team 5 was 1st with team, team 4 second and so on.
Quite worrying for me was that I was snapped off of tow good bites during the morning session, the same thing that was happening at the last match at Tylers Common. There were no sharp features here – I must surely have a bad batch of Hook links – I changed over from the Kasman Animal to Preston Hook links and went to size 14 with bigger baits – Pellet & Sweetcorn but the bites were no better.
However I faired better than Steve Caellejo (sorry I don’t know the correct spelling – perhaps someone can advised via the comments, but soon to have new nickname before the end of the day) – His Pole section #6 snapped when pulling in after 1st cupping !!!!
Midday I swapped over to the Waggler with Pellet, Single, & double maggot plus worm and cocktails of each– Just a few Roach to show for it though (sprayed maggot). Finally the float buried and sailed away – Into a Carp of around 4lb gave a good account of itself but safely landed a lovely looking full plated Mirror after 10 minutes. But that was it the next 3 hours were only graced on all methods with a couple more small Roach,
However, the last hour was between Olly getting smashed up and Steve Claalejo to my left making a lunge for his feeder rod, which had been pulled in by a carp I would suspect? The Lunge resulted in him going in the drink much to the joy of everyone who saw it and he received much applause especially as he caught the rod.
I ran round to get a photo only to find the Camera’s battery had gone. The air as you could imagine was punctuated by laughter and blue language as Steve (now with the nickname flipper ‘praised’ his friends for helping in his hour of need. Somehow he was under the impression that I went to help – Nah I’d only gone to try and record it – Of course the jokes relating to whales, doplhins etc were sounding around to keep the lughter going for 1/2 hour. At least it was a sunny day but I think he got cold and was please the match came to an end and weigh in completed.
As expected the weights were not great – Results below and Final league tables. We got off the bottom. Looking at Team table is has an inverse synergy team 5 was 1st with team, team 4 second and so on.
Result
Final League Standings -
Single========================Team
Labels: Big Johns League Match
Friday, September 12, 2008
Linda Mead Memorial Sunday Series Match - Tylers Common Horseshoe Lake - September 7th 2008
Fresh back from Our French trip we (with the exception of Olly - Prior Appointment at Gatwick Airport) gathered at Tyler's Common Horseshoe lake for Octobers Linda Mead Memorial Sunday Series Match. This meant that Olly's opponent in the Knockout Cup Roy Digby was straight into the final - provided he weighed in one fish to face either Dean Peters or Paul Hyde.
The weather had not improved -still damp but at least not too windy but the rain did relent once we starting setting up.
But alas not the case - I started off on the maggot feeder and found it hard to get bites - I constantly fed the margins all day to encourage them in there later - Janet (Bailiff) reported good weights from the centre area of the arm yesterday "using Corn over pellet in the edges".
I switched to the method / cage feeder / and back to the maggot feeder as that was the only thing that seem to get any form of regular bites. Then when I did get them I lost in total around 20lb of fish as the hook links sheared. I had some ridges in the only area I could get bites (they must have been sharp). I did switch to worm to give it a try - which did result in a 7lb Common but that was all.
Rob Blackburn was having slightly better luck on my right in Peg 52 landing regularly but mainly small Carp. Steve Barrett to my left down on Peg 56 was struggling and I could not see too much as top what was going on elsewhere. Oh I had a couple of fish turn up in the Margins at 10 to 3 !! And winkled one of them out on the pole using Corn !!!
Come the weigh-in - I surprisingly had 29lb - mainly due to the lump, but my partner Ed Pearce and Kev Keeling seem to have the knack of getting the fish to follow them around this Lake. Ed Recorded 118Lb to win from Kev with 107lb in 2nd and my partner from last year Garry Somerfield was 3rd with 91lb. Dean Peters got the better of Paul Hyde with 40lb vs 33lb to go through the final of the Knockout at Cuton A12 lakes next Month.
I still managed to get a few Points finishing 13th. Most worthy of note was Dan Keeling - fishing from 'Hot Peg 3' which he drew after everyone else drawn and put together a 75lb bag !! Good Work Dan!!
Memo: Dan was taking the place vacated by Big Mick Byrne who was on Holiday at White Acres. I noted that in This weeks Angling Times Mick had finished 2nd in the Residents Match at White Acres on the previous Thursday
-
The weather had not improved -still damp but at least not too windy but the rain did relent once we starting setting up.I drew on the South bank of the Centre Arm (peg 53) which proved to be productive the last time we were here for Big Johns League Match a few weeks Earlier, hopefully would be the same today !
But alas not the case - I started off on the maggot feeder and found it hard to get bites - I constantly fed the margins all day to encourage them in there later - Janet (Bailiff) reported good weights from the centre area of the arm yesterday "using Corn over pellet in the edges".
I switched to the method / cage feeder / and back to the maggot feeder as that was the only thing that seem to get any form of regular bites. Then when I did get them I lost in total around 20lb of fish as the hook links sheared. I had some ridges in the only area I could get bites (they must have been sharp). I did switch to worm to give it a try - which did result in a 7lb Common but that was all.
Rob Blackburn was having slightly better luck on my right in Peg 52 landing regularly but mainly small Carp. Steve Barrett to my left down on Peg 56 was struggling and I could not see too much as top what was going on elsewhere. Oh I had a couple of fish turn up in the Margins at 10 to 3 !! And winkled one of them out on the pole using Corn !!!
Come the weigh-in - I surprisingly had 29lb - mainly due to the lump, but my partner Ed Pearce and Kev Keeling seem to have the knack of getting the fish to follow them around this Lake. Ed Recorded 118Lb to win from Kev with 107lb in 2nd and my partner from last year Garry Somerfield was 3rd with 91lb. Dean Peters got the better of Paul Hyde with 40lb vs 33lb to go through the final of the Knockout at Cuton A12 lakes next Month.
I still managed to get a few Points finishing 13th. Most worthy of note was Dan Keeling - fishing from 'Hot Peg 3' which he drew after everyone else drawn and put together a 75lb bag !! Good Work Dan!!
Memo: Dan was taking the place vacated by Big Mick Byrne who was on Holiday at White Acres. I noted that in This weeks Angling Times Mick had finished 2nd in the Residents Match at White Acres on the previous Thursday
- Well Done Mick - I wonder how it gone on this week.
Results and Standings:
Singles
Pairs
Knockout
Labels: Lee Chapel Sunday League Match
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Carp Fishing Holiday - Lake Bossard 30th August to 6th September 2008
On the 30th August Olly Wagg, Dean Peters, Mason Mills and I travelled 300 miles via the Channel Tunnel in anticipation on catching a life time’s fish at Lake Bossard http://www.60pluscarp.com/ in the Champagne –Ardennes region of France.
On arrival complex lived up to it billing on the website
“The main lake (Bossard 1) is definitely not just another overstocked hole in the ground with a 6ft barbed wire fence around the perimeter. It is a stunning 23 acre lake set in 200 acres of forest with carp to 68lb. The other lakes (Bossard 2 and Bass Pool) are also located in stunning surroundings near to the main lake”
On arrival complex lived up to it billing on the website
“The main lake (Bossard 1) is definitely not just another overstocked hole in the ground with a 6ft barbed wire fence around the perimeter. It is a stunning 23 acre lake set in 200 acres of forest with carp to 68lb. The other lakes (Bossard 2 and Bass Pool) are also located in stunning surroundings near to the main lake”
Steve the Owner made us most welcome and took on a tour of the Main lake – Olly chose his swim as the 1st One we came to – Tight Squeeze’ Dean & Mason chose the next one ’61 (named so as the 1st fish Steve caught here was a 61lber) – being a double Swim. I choose the next one ‘Bonsai’ named after a late friend of Steve.
We were joined later by Kev & nark from Norfolk as they got lost. They set up on 1 & 2(but moved the following day to the top end.
The rest of Saturday was set up; evening meal cast the lines out for the night.
Sunday was a bright Sunny day which meant the lines stayed out as very little activity so we all went spinner fishing on the Bass Pool for the early part of the day. We all managed to capture a Small bass each.
I decided I would put some baits out on my marks as I said to Mason "you won’t catch anything if you don’t have bait in the water whatever the conditions”
I was rewarded at 5.30pm with a run and take on my rod that was set on a hard patch in the middle of lake along the top edge of the river bed that runs through the Lake.
It snagged on something out there but got it out. I gave a shout and help was at hand even though I knew it was only a low twenty, mason was 1st a got my other rods out the way then Dean got the Movie out to record and Olly arrived in time to see it a superb Common into the net & landed.
Cheers and handshakes all round as the 1st fish on the bank went 24lb 14ozs.
Alas that was it until Thursday Evening. No other bites at all from anyone, mark was reporting he had not yet seen a fish –
We were joined later by Kev & nark from Norfolk as they got lost. They set up on 1 & 2(but moved the following day to the top end.
The rest of Saturday was set up; evening meal cast the lines out for the night.
Sunday was a bright Sunny day which meant the lines stayed out as very little activity so we all went spinner fishing on the Bass Pool for the early part of the day. We all managed to capture a Small bass each.
I decided I would put some baits out on my marks as I said to Mason "you won’t catch anything if you don’t have bait in the water whatever the conditions”
I was rewarded at 5.30pm with a run and take on my rod that was set on a hard patch in the middle of lake along the top edge of the river bed that runs through the Lake.
It snagged on something out there but got it out. I gave a shout and help was at hand even though I knew it was only a low twenty, mason was 1st a got my other rods out the way then Dean got the Movie out to record and Olly arrived in time to see it a superb Common into the net & landed.
Cheers and handshakes all round as the 1st fish on the bank went 24lb 14ozs.
Alas that was it until Thursday Evening. No other bites at all from anyone, mark was reporting he had not yet seen a fish –
How that was about to change. The intervening time was spent on sessions on Bossard Two where Carp to 20 lb and Koi to 10lb were stalked by all. The other major events were the explosion from a Military exercise on the nearby farm land and Thunderstorms.
In fact I believe Aircraft were dropping Bombs - on 3 occasions on Thursday Morning we had three exposions that made the bivvies move ! Well it woke Olly up.
Rain was very much the order of the rest of the week with very long periods of up to 16 hours of sustained moderate to heavy rain. Mason was flooded out and by Wednesday evening he had enough and after Dinner He and Dean made their way back to The UK.
Steve was concerned about the fish not seeming to feed and thought it may have been the fact that he had cut the weed two weeks before and the disturbance and sudden abundance of natural food was caviar compared to what we had to offer. We had tried every natural bait we could lay our hands on to no avail. I will leave what they were to your imagination.
Steve likes the water and has a relationship with his baby such that he will don his wet suit and get out into the lake and clear hard patches as ‘Dinner plates’ for you - On Wednesday evening he cleared the spot I had the fish from on the Sunday and prepared a shot spot to just under the Tree to my right and place markers for each. On Thursday he boated out a bait for me some 300 yards. Later that evening just as dusk arrived I had a Run and somehow it pick up my 300 yd line even though it was back lead at the rod end. I managed to shout for help on the radio and Kev arrived shortly after. It proved a difficult fight and was now dark, once landed in the net we saw the reason – it had managed to get the 300yard line around its Dorsal such that - that was the way I fighting it. –
Steve was concerned about the fish not seeming to feed and thought it may have been the fact that he had cut the weed two weeks before and the disturbance and sudden abundance of natural food was caviar compared to what we had to offer. We had tried every natural bait we could lay our hands on to no avail. I will leave what they were to your imagination.
Steve likes the water and has a relationship with his baby such that he will don his wet suit and get out into the lake and clear hard patches as ‘Dinner plates’ for you - On Wednesday evening he cleared the spot I had the fish from on the Sunday and prepared a shot spot to just under the Tree to my right and place markers for each. On Thursday he boated out a bait for me some 300 yards. Later that evening just as dusk arrived I had a Run and somehow it pick up my 300 yd line even though it was back lead at the rod end. I managed to shout for help on the radio and Kev arrived shortly after. It proved a difficult fight and was now dark, once landed in the net we saw the reason – it had managed to get the 300yard line around its Dorsal such that - that was the way I fighting it. –
However a long slim Common which went 25lb 10oz.
That was the signal for Mark to start catching up the far End Over the next two days he managed to land Two PB’s – 44lb Common, 36lb 10oz Mirror and a number of other Twenties and his last fish on the pull in on Saturday morning was ‘Newt’ A small fish caught from the stock pond by a lad on a recent trip and put in Bossard One as a Trophy Fish – So that cost Steve another Bottle of Champagne (he offers a bottle for PB’s)
This a beauty or What ?
I had an Lovely 18lb 10oz Plated mirror from the centre Dinner Plate area on Friday afternoon. I called Steve as there should not be any fish less than 20lb in here. He inspected and agreed to release back as this would Twenty by the Winter – I would very much like to catch it again in a few years time – I only regret not taking a photo of it.
Olly only managed a PB Tench of 7lb 10ozs and a large Rodent, Kev did not have anything either.
I did have one really good bite – Wasp Sting on my top lip – I so engrossed in a book I was reading I forgot a was around I picked up my Beer for a swig and hey presto.
The facilities, food and the Company are superb, yes the Fish did not want to play ball but that’s fishing. I will be back next year – but I’m not saying when. I’ve worked out when the best time will be
Olly only managed a PB Tench of 7lb 10ozs and a large Rodent, Kev did not have anything either.
I did have one really good bite – Wasp Sting on my top lip – I so engrossed in a book I was reading I forgot a was around I picked up my Beer for a swig and hey presto.
The facilities, food and the Company are superb, yes the Fish did not want to play ball but that’s fishing. I will be back next year – but I’m not saying when. I’ve worked out when the best time will be
Labels: Pleasure Fish
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Lee Chapel Wednesday Stan Memorial League Match 20th August 2008 (Silver Fish)
7 Members fished this Evening Silver Fish Match – the penultimate & my last for this year.
I drew #1 walk off draw so went for my normal peg 25, I was Joined in Peg 24 by Mick (Silver King) Wagg – Big Mick Byrne and Ted to my left with Martin Johnson and Matt Keeling further down the meadow bank Pegs 20 ish and Garry (No mates) Somerfield on the road bank (peg 9 Carp Alley) all on his own.
I fished close in to start using single red maggot Size 18 on 2lb line to Match Kit of Middy Hotspot Pole. Had a few smallish roach to start with but had to keeping inching further out to keep the bites and fish coming ended up at 7 metres. Which whilst not being prolific was steady.
I drew #1 walk off draw so went for my normal peg 25, I was Joined in Peg 24 by Mick (Silver King) Wagg – Big Mick Byrne and Ted to my left with Martin Johnson and Matt Keeling further down the meadow bank Pegs 20 ish and Garry (No mates) Somerfield on the road bank (peg 9 Carp Alley) all on his own.
I fished close in to start using single red maggot Size 18 on 2lb line to Match Kit of Middy Hotspot Pole. Had a few smallish roach to start with but had to keeping inching further out to keep the bites and fish coming ended up at 7 metres. Which whilst not being prolific was steady.
Gary had a nice bream midway through the match and got stick into a carp which hung for 5 minutes or more , then got into something else which pulled his elastic – it turned out to be a Nice Big Perch of around 2 ½ to 3lb.
The Rain came down at 8pm and it was somebody had removed the lake of fish all of us experienced a drying up of the bites. With darkness descending fats we packed up at 8.30 pm. Not surprise to see Gary winning with Matt Second and me 3rd. ( 5 1/2 lb of small Roach). I struggled to find my Pole caps whilst packing away which delayed me getting the gear to the car – Thanks to Matt & Kev for carting my gear to the car and out of the rain.
The Rain came down at 8pm and it was somebody had removed the lake of fish all of us experienced a drying up of the bites. With darkness descending fats we packed up at 8.30 pm. Not surprise to see Gary winning with Matt Second and me 3rd. ( 5 1/2 lb of small Roach). I struggled to find my Pole caps whilst packing away which delayed me getting the gear to the car – Thanks to Matt & Kev for carting my gear to the car and out of the rain.
Labels: Wednesday League Match
Monday, August 18, 2008
Big Johns Angling Summer League Match - Tylers Common - Horseshoe Lake - 17th August 2008
25 Anglers fished the latest Big Johns Angling Summer League Match at Tyler's Common Horseshoe Lake. The venue was changed from Mill Barn Canal lake to Here at the last minute as the former was not fishing at all well. This meant that we were to use the Far Bank (North Side nearest the sewerage works) and I and I believe most others have never fished this bank so was bit of an unknown
I drew last as per normal and got Peg 22 mid way up that far bank. When I got there - no Peg Number and there appeared to be a peg (1 foot wide gap in the reeds) midway between pegs 21 an 23.
I managed to get my feeder arm out to the left on top of the reeds and run a pole line to under the tree to my right (in the hope that I could encourage some carp in there later in the day).
I set up on the same method that did so well for me last time here only a few weeks ago - Flat In Line method to a 2" Inch size 14 hook link with two hair rigged 6mm Sonu pellets and the pole set for either side in the Margins.
I drew next to Mason again ( I am sure people are going to start Talking), with Olly Wagg Opposite the only one of the Bossard crew missing was Dean Peters - he was don in the 'hot' peg # 35. - (Bossard is the name of the lake in France we four are going to in the 1st week of September).
At the Whistle - 1st cast slap bang in the middle of the two islands directly in front of Me - Its not there for more than 30 seconds and round the tip goes and I'm into a 2lb Common straight away - Looks good - Well that did not last long - it was another 2 hours before something else was to grace my net. I tried in the margins changed baits - worm, corn, meat, maggot. Olly on the other side had only managed a few Roach, Mason was doing as well as me - Paul Hyde was picking out a few on the feeder close to his Island - Reports via the mobile telephone network Mason was son and Dan Keeling on his walk round were saying the same thing - Slow & Quiet. Now that is a term you don't normally here about Tyler's in the summer Quiet - both of the fish front and the wind ! I wondered if there is a relationship there ?
Both Olly & I change tactics at the same time - Olly went onto the cage feeder and I onto my fallback when the going gets though- the good old maggot feeder. Mind you I did not have the instant response I normally get not even a sliver fish - Olly did not have long to wait for his then he started to get a regular catch rate. Then I got into a few but after 3 fish it goes quiet. Came back into the margins which I'd fed regularly all day - nothing but perch, roach and skimmers - all very small - I did manage a mall skimmer on Sweet corn there. No activity there at all. So I stuck to the Maggot feeder varying the position along the island. Even Olly tried it several times and made the comment it was no good in my swim and went back to his regular line.
Boozy & Steve Barrett were up the middle arm a coupe of swims up from Olly and only managed to get a few fish going in the latter part of the match. Mason finally managed to coax one nice common of around 6lb from the Margin to his left.
Paul Hyde continued his good catch rate then late on he got his Margins going but seemed to be having trouble with his Elastic looked a bit light - spending a lot of time getting those fish in - so lost a few pounds I fancy as I looked on enviously and glancing down to my motionless margins - I did have a final dabble in there - nothing but a Rudd - but a nice sized one of about 3 ozs though.
Come the weigh-in I was surprised to see that I beat Olly by Four pounds ! His fish must have been smaller than mine - (mind he was fishing close to where I fished last time - where I had lots of fish but all small) Dean had managed ~ 42lb down on the hot peg whilst Paul Hyde and Kev Keeling fishing opposite each Other recorded 65 & 70 lb respectively.
Plus points of the day for me - I did not get snagged on any of the islands and hence did not loose any feeders and much to my surprise I did not get caught up in the reed bed I was fishing from and to top it all I beat Olly !
I drew last as per normal and got Peg 22 mid way up that far bank. When I got there - no Peg Number and there appeared to be a peg (1 foot wide gap in the reeds) midway between pegs 21 an 23.
I managed to get my feeder arm out to the left on top of the reeds and run a pole line to under the tree to my right (in the hope that I could encourage some carp in there later in the day).With the wind coming from the South-West - and rain threatening Pole work was going to be difficult If I needed to have the Umbrella Up. As It happens we only had a few spots all day - I set off from home in a downpour earlier in the morning but mercilessly it stopped upon arrival.
I set up on the same method that did so well for me last time here only a few weeks ago - Flat In Line method to a 2" Inch size 14 hook link with two hair rigged 6mm Sonu pellets and the pole set for either side in the Margins.
I drew next to Mason again ( I am sure people are going to start Talking), with Olly Wagg Opposite the only one of the Bossard crew missing was Dean Peters - he was don in the 'hot' peg # 35. - (Bossard is the name of the lake in France we four are going to in the 1st week of September).At the Whistle - 1st cast slap bang in the middle of the two islands directly in front of Me - Its not there for more than 30 seconds and round the tip goes and I'm into a 2lb Common straight away - Looks good - Well that did not last long - it was another 2 hours before something else was to grace my net. I tried in the margins changed baits - worm, corn, meat, maggot. Olly on the other side had only managed a few Roach, Mason was doing as well as me - Paul Hyde was picking out a few on the feeder close to his Island - Reports via the mobile telephone network Mason was son and Dan Keeling on his walk round were saying the same thing - Slow & Quiet. Now that is a term you don't normally here about Tyler's in the summer Quiet - both of the fish front and the wind ! I wondered if there is a relationship there ?
Both Olly & I change tactics at the same time - Olly went onto the cage feeder and I onto my fallback when the going gets though- the good old maggot feeder. Mind you I did not have the instant response I normally get not even a sliver fish - Olly did not have long to wait for his then he started to get a regular catch rate. Then I got into a few but after 3 fish it goes quiet. Came back into the margins which I'd fed regularly all day - nothing but perch, roach and skimmers - all very small - I did manage a mall skimmer on Sweet corn there. No activity there at all. So I stuck to the Maggot feeder varying the position along the island. Even Olly tried it several times and made the comment it was no good in my swim and went back to his regular line.
Boozy & Steve Barrett were up the middle arm a coupe of swims up from Olly and only managed to get a few fish going in the latter part of the match. Mason finally managed to coax one nice common of around 6lb from the Margin to his left.
Paul Hyde continued his good catch rate then late on he got his Margins going but seemed to be having trouble with his Elastic looked a bit light - spending a lot of time getting those fish in - so lost a few pounds I fancy as I looked on enviously and glancing down to my motionless margins - I did have a final dabble in there - nothing but a Rudd - but a nice sized one of about 3 ozs though.
Come the weigh-in I was surprised to see that I beat Olly by Four pounds ! His fish must have been smaller than mine - (mind he was fishing close to where I fished last time - where I had lots of fish but all small) Dean had managed ~ 42lb down on the hot peg whilst Paul Hyde and Kev Keeling fishing opposite each Other recorded 65 & 70 lb respectively.
Plus points of the day for me - I did not get snagged on any of the islands and hence did not loose any feeders and much to my surprise I did not get caught up in the reed bed I was fishing from and to top it all I beat Olly !
Downside is that despite scoring good Points our team is still on the bottom closing the gap by 9 points to only 6 behind - could we do it at Bury Hill ?
Result with Guestimate Weights and Single & Team Standings
Labels: Big Johns League Match
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Lee Chapel Wednesday Stan Memorial League Match 13th August 2008 (All-In)
What a change from the previous weather wise, 10 hardy soles braved the windy conditions (gusting to 45mph at times) to fish this weeks Wednesday Stan Memorial league match. I had decided on Monday after seeing the weather Forecast that being an all-in match that I would be on the tip and going heavy with Method / hair rigs bait not matter which swim I ended up with. As it t happens I was well down the pecking order at picked Peg 12 the closet. I could get to the Easterly End of the lake.Why - The wind had been blowing from the South west for days and this is where I Think the fish would have migrated to, It would appear I was not alone in This Theory as most others had gone to that end. - Big Mick Byrne who walked off 1st wet to his normal Road Bank Peg 14 and Matt Keeling who was 2nd off went to peg 16 the other prime peg in these conditions.
I set up on the ABU Enticer feeder with a maggot feeder to start and I decided not to put in any keep nets - I figured they would get wet for nothing - If I was going to catch it was going to be big so there would be no need for them anyhow. At the whistle 1st cast drop just short of the island but the long hook link blew on in the wind and caught the edge of the bush on the island - Snapped off trying to release so had to set up again. Next cast a little shorter no sooner had it dropped to the bottom a Fierce Roach Bite but not hook - So up the anti - to double Red maggot - no real bites, Started to feed the area under the tree immediately to my left in preparation to drop one in there later.
Ted (Billy No Mates) over all alone on the meadow Bank on Peg 26) had landed what looked a small carp over on Peg 26. I conducted a sweep with the maggot feeder around the island - result = One very small perch 1/2 the size of my Thumb - I chucked it back but as doing I thought to myself that could be important but dismissed it as I was going big tonight.
I switched over to the Korum flat method with Hair Rigged double sweet corn on a Size 14 2" Hook Length I tries several places by the Island and Mick Wagg who had set up on his normal Carp Alley peg 10, was soon into a lump on the Middy Hot Spot pole - even with 16-20 Elastic was giving him the right run around. I put my bait runner on and went over to observe - After a 10-15 struggle the size 16 hook pulled - We think it may have been foul hooked as all we saw was the paddle of a good size Carp - easily a Barney Rubble.
I went back and gingerly positioned the method under the tree with a AAA shot positioned 23 feet from the method to pin the main line down on the deck as I was fishing almost on top of the tip ( a mini back lead I suppose). Nothing doing 1st off I rebaited a couple of times and on the next drop within 30 secs had a slow pull round - I gently leaned into it - It was a good fish but had not raised yet that it was hooked. It took me 15 minutes to get it up in the upper layers for my 1st Glimpse of it which did not look all that big but I was managing to keep it in my swim. Kev Keeling gestures across looking at his wrist watch - Yeah I said must be fouled hooked.
Anyway after 20 minutes I finally get it into the landing net - Just ! The hook was right in the scissors of the Mirror Carp - This was a double - When weighed better than I though at 12lb 12 ozs. No further fish though - Big Mick to my left lost a good fish I believe, then I noticed the elastic being pulled on Matt's Pole - His fight did not last along as Mine & landed in pretty good time a good looking Mirror which went 10lb 10zs. Now Mason had told me that he seen Matt Land a good Perch of over a 1lb and I had seen him land other Silvers so I had already given up winning tonight.
At the whistle it was an easy pack up as nothing to weigh in - no wet nets to dry but it had just started to rain.
Weigh-in conducted - Surprise - Surprise Both Matt & I had the same weight of 12lb 12oz - what price that small perch now!!! - It would not have trouble the scales and I would only expect to be awarded a 1/4 ounce for it but it would have been the winning fish ! That said justice was done - I normally fished medium set up on these matches similar to Matt did here and normally get a few fish so only having one fish I should not really win on weight -alone whereas Matt had a few more so really is the Moral Winner tonight.
A shake of hands of mutal congratulations between us - What a great sport this is !
Labels: Wednesday League Match
Friday, August 08, 2008
Calender Picture
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Lee Chapel Wednesday Stan Memorial League Match 6th August 2008 (Silver)
A good turnout (11 members) plus a few spectators for this weeks Wednesday Evening Stan Memorial Silver Fish Match on another pleasant and still evening.I had 4th Pick in the walk off and luckily Peg 24 was left available so in I went - not virtually in the water you understand but you get what I mean I hope. Mick Byrne had moved over from his normal location on the Road Bank to Pick Peg 25 ahead of me and Mick Wagg had gone over to peg 9 - (Carp Alley)
I set up nice a light with same rig as the last Silver Match - Size 18 to 2.5lb line 6-8 Elastic on my Middy Hot Spot Match Kit. Set up for two lines - Arc sweep at 3 & 5 metres.
It was possibly going to be a curtail match time wise as the nights are already drawing in but it was pretty clear so should be able to go till 8.45pm.
At the whistle - 1st Drop in with Single red maggot I'm in with a nice 4-5 oz Roach, but then it is slow and only smaller stuff for the next hour _ I keeping bumping the bigger ones off - perhaps my elastic is a bit tight but it is the same as it was two weeks ago - I persevered but allowed my frustration to show and had a mini tantrum after a series of missed bites / lost Fish, which did not go unnoticed by Kev Keeling who was keeping a 'watching brief' behind his Son Matt over on the Road Bank in Peg 11. That served to remind me that I supposed to here enjoying a relaxing evening's fishing in good company not getting all competitive !
I kept going and the fish got smaller and smaller but at least I was landing them and putting weight in the net bit by bit. Over on Peg 9, Mick (The Silver King) Wagg was having a few but nothing big apart from the occasional Carp which were dispensed with the normal quote 'P** off you b#####s, and short shrift on pulling the pole up meant they did, however I believe he did have a sizable Bream on a one stage which he may have been a bit aggressive with or thought it was a carp or fouled hooked - Mick - please use the comment button.
Gary (Cruiser) Somerfield to my left on Peg 27 joined in the Carp fun also with a run of two late on - The 1st pulled his elastic for ages and after two failed attempts to get into his landing net which reportably was stated to be too small as its head would not fit in Spectator Martin Johnson rushed round with Mick Wagg's landing Net, but you can guess the next bit can't you - just as Martin arrived the carp had decided it had had enough and smashed Gary Up. The 2nd was a little more active and smashed him straightaway. Of course it will be All-In next week and the carp will not show.
I had heard a little bit of splashing from bigger fish further up to my Right where Dean & Barb Peters were fishing - I think Dean has had a couple of large Skimmers.
I was hoping they would not move into my Swim - A few Tench bubbles had moved in on my 3 metre Arc so I went out to 5m but the fish were even smaller - went out to 6 & 8m same problem.
By this time the bubbles had dispersed so I came back to the middle of the 3m arc - but looks like everything has gone , then all of a sudden the floats slowly disappears and the elastic pulls out - my immediate thought is large Tench but no Tench Knocking or Carp thumping - could it be a bream if it is it could Mr or Mrs Bream - I have never caught them. So I take it careful just in case - slowly gain ground and it surfaces - It is one of the 'Big' Bream so I put the tip into the water to reduce the upward pressure on it and successfully play it to the net - I think largely unnoticed by everyone else. (was this the same one That Mick lost or Mr or Mrs Bream off on a loner ?
I had another sizable Roach and that was it Match finished at 8.50 pm.
Weigh-In done and I had just over 10lb - with the Bream - Should have weighed it separately as I don't think I had 3lb of Roach - estimate at 7 to 7 1/2 Lb.
Enough for me to Win with Dean 2nd and Matt Keeling, 3rd - a swift pack away and departure - good job too as just as I'd finished packing away the gear at Home a huge thunderstorm descended on us - with heavy refreshing Rain & good 'cleaner' for the Nets left to 'Dry' in the Garden.
Labels: Wednesday League Match
Monday, August 04, 2008
Lee Chapel Linda Mead Memorial Sunday Series Match - Churchgate Fisheries - Top Lake - 3rd August 2008
18 members fished what would probably be our last match on this lake as is it undergoing remodelling to split the lake into two one of 20 peg all fish and one of ten pegs (Koi, Crucians & Tench).
After discussion with regulars and the Bailiff (Tony) over the past I decided on what pegs to leave out for the draw but a few I felt was still going to get a dodgy peg.
I drew peg 12 was next to Dean Peters on 13, Kev Keeling was on 10 with Paul Hyde on 9. The Other Quarter Finalists were a little further apart but could see each other - Mason Mills on 21 and Roy Digby on 14.
Today would be all about getting close to the Island, Kev Keeling and Paul Hyde had the ends of each Island. However there was a bit of good banter on who was fishing in who's swim during the set up - mainly due to the blustery conditions, however I did have to sort of arbitrate who had which bit of the Island for Kev and John Buck (a little tight there ) but amicable agreement was achieved.
Dropped on the mark again, but before I'd even sunk the line the rod tip goes round - Now this is a different fight - strange one but comes in quite quick and I see the long thin shape of a Grass Carp. I tried to net it but its sees it as is off I apologies to John for carving across his swim, but get it back but it ain't given in - and proceeds to runs around all over my swim. Finally after 10 minutes it ahs given up and in the net.
Dean had landed another Grassie making 6 now and Kev asked him to send one down for him, as he like me Had not caught one as yet. Not 15 minutes later Kev has one on and then Paul Hyde has one - another 1st as he had never caught one before so 3 PB's in one match - Not often that could be said I Wonder.
Now every time I looked down my lake to my left Terry Middleton always seem to have a bend in his Rod but he had not visited the scales -so they were either below 7lb or he had forgotten the lake rule of any fish over 7lb needing to be weighed & returned.
A couple of weigh-ins had fish close to the 7lb mark and close they were ! Luckily Terry did not have any but admitted that he thought it was just Grass Carp that needed to be weighed & returned and Olly was winding him up just prior to getting his nets out.
Now when we got round to Big Micks he needed 5lb 1oz to claim 1st Spot (5lb was a draw with Dean). Now when he pulled out his net he has one Common in there and looked about 5 lb. The tension mounted as the fish was put in to the weigh-sling and onto the scales. It went 5lb 3ozs and Mick had pipped Dean by those 3ozs. There was a close call further down the result as Big John pipped Terry Middleton by 1 ounce.
Results & Standings
After discussion with regulars and the Bailiff (Tony) over the past I decided on what pegs to leave out for the draw but a few I felt was still going to get a dodgy peg.
The draw threw up some interesting pegs in relation to the Knockout Cup where the mini-matches were effectively next to each other.
I drew peg 12 was next to Dean Peters on 13, Kev Keeling was on 10 with Paul Hyde on 9. The Other Quarter Finalists were a little further apart but could see each other - Mason Mills on 21 and Roy Digby on 14.
Today would be all about getting close to the Island, Kev Keeling and Paul Hyde had the ends of each Island. However there was a bit of good banter on who was fishing in who's swim during the set up - mainly due to the blustery conditions, however I did have to sort of arbitrate who had which bit of the Island for Kev and John Buck (a little tight there ) but amicable agreement was achieved.I had my own problems trying to get the method to island accurately. And just before the off I snagged it on the Island - so did not get going until 5 mins after the horn.
Dean was in almost immediately but I could not get a bite whilst only fishing 3 yards to his left on the Island. Dean was getting into the Grass Carp - small but what lovely fish they are. After spending an hour and half without a sniff on all different baits with the Method and with any chance of a semi-final place in knockout gone with Dean landing further substantial Fish long gone I switched to the maggot feeder. Instant success 30 seconds after dropping it in a nice wrap round - but sluggish fight - thought it was a large Bream but was a lovely looking Common of around 4lb.
I then put on a Home grown Worm from my wormery which I have been developing since March. This was held on by two red Maggots on a size 14 /4lb 12" hook length to the Fox in line feeder.
Dropped on the mark again, but before I'd even sunk the line the rod tip goes round - Now this is a different fight - strange one but comes in quite quick and I see the long thin shape of a Grass Carp. I tried to net it but its sees it as is off I apologies to John for carving across his swim, but get it back but it ain't given in - and proceeds to runs around all over my swim. Finally after 10 minutes it ahs given up and in the net.
All Grass Carp here have to weighed & returned immediately which I do but not after getting Mason to witness the weight and take the Picture -
It went 8lb 2ozs - a new PB as this is the First Grassie I have captured and even better taken on a My own home grown Worm - a double 1st.
Did I say Mason - wasn't he on Peg 21 ??? - Well despite his best effort he could not get a bite round there and had come round for a chat with Dean. Both Fred Saunders (16) & Rob Blackburn (18) were also having trouble trying to coax the fish onto the hook as well - Roy Digby on 15 was fairing a little better having a nice Grass Carp.
Now other things seemed to be happening to my left and occasionally I would see Big Mick Byrne walking to the scales with a carp in the net through the gap between the two islands from his Peg 26.
Now other things seemed to be happening to my left and occasionally I would see Big Mick Byrne walking to the scales with a carp in the net through the gap between the two islands from his Peg 26.
Kev Keeling had his own little disco going in his swim on the end of the smaller island - they were 'hanging out' under the overhanging small tree mainly carp. In fact at one point he cast his feeder over the tree and dropped his feeder in amongst them with the Line settled in the tree. 10 seconds later the tree is 'rattling' but the fish does not seem to want to come out to the side. I am not sure if Kev got this particular fish in or not and I was busy with my own swim - by this time I was in a shoal of Skimmers. - Not big but still fish all the same.
Dean had landed another Grassie making 6 now and Kev asked him to send one down for him, as he like me Had not caught one as yet. Not 15 minutes later Kev has one on and then Paul Hyde has one - another 1st as he had never caught one before so 3 PB's in one match - Not often that could be said I Wonder.
Now every time I looked down my lake to my left Terry Middleton always seem to have a bend in his Rod but he had not visited the scales -so they were either below 7lb or he had forgotten the lake rule of any fish over 7lb needing to be weighed & returned.
Well Mason packed up & left shortly after 1pm and Rob Blackburn had also packed up at 2pm - Rob did that just in time as we had what could be described as a heavy shower - funny that contrary to a normal heavy summer downpour the wind actually stopped ! It only rained for 20 minutes or so but enough to make everything soaking wet.
Come the weigh-in it was very interesting and tight for key places & knockout Places ( well not for me - Dean had spanked me). Paul had just edged out Kev despite his 'Disco dancing' and Roy was through on the basis that Mason had thrown the towel in earlier. A couple of times comments' were made that I was being to pedantic about getting the exact ounce during the weigh-ins to which I retorted that matches are won 7 lost on a ounce - to which Dean said ' Yeah' tell me about it'
A couple of weigh-ins had fish close to the 7lb mark and close they were ! Luckily Terry did not have any but admitted that he thought it was just Grass Carp that needed to be weighed & returned and Olly was winding him up just prior to getting his nets out.
Now when we got round to Big Micks he needed 5lb 1oz to claim 1st Spot (5lb was a draw with Dean). Now when he pulled out his net he has one Common in there and looked about 5 lb. The tension mounted as the fish was put in to the weigh-sling and onto the scales. It went 5lb 3ozs and Mick had pipped Dean by those 3ozs. There was a close call further down the result as Big John pipped Terry Middleton by 1 ounce.
Results & Standings
Labels: Lee Chapel Sunday League Match
Lee Chapel Wednesday Stan Memorial League Match 30th July 2008 (All In)
Around 8 members fished on yet another pleasant evening. I was fairly low down the walk off draw but still managed to get Peg 24 next to Mick Wagg on 25 - Two weeks on the trot we had sat like this - Big Mick Byrne had moved a little further down this week to Peg 15 the other end of the island on the road bank.I beefed up my gear as it was an all in match tonight as did Mick Wagg - we both struggled and I could only manage a few small Roach - Mick Wagg had better luck with a 2lb 10oz Tench to boost his net.
Big Mick Byrne was catching regularly against the island - a mixed bag by all accounts.
The Guy (sorry I don't know his name) over on Peg 6 (to the left of the Drain) gets into a carp at 2025 and was still struggling with it at 10 minutes after the whistle on what look like 6 elastic. But it finally pulled out and was lost, leaving Big Mick the winner.
I managed to scrap around for a total of 1lb 4ozs and was just pleased to get more than the 9ozs from the previous Sunday.
Labels: Wednesday League Match
Monday, July 28, 2008
Old Esthameians Charity Match 27th July 2008 - Aveley Club - Cranham Lake
Around 40 people attend the annual Charity Match held at Aveley Clubs Cranham Lake - This year beneficiaries were from teh the Chraities Pool but I did notice a prominent Cancer Research UK Banner and a magnificent £1300 was raised on the Day.
Usual thanks to Martin Haimowitz for organising the day, and all the sponsors (listed in Credits at end of entry) for providing the Raffle and Food - of which was in plentiful supply throughout the day.
Now what about the fishing. Did not bode well as I listened to Fisherman's Blues on the ay to Cranham and a live report form Rob Hughes on the latest qualifying round of the UK Carp Championship - over 20 anglers fishing that event had not had a fish caught in over 24 hours !
The draw made and strange as it may seem the 'Big John Crew' where basically lined up on the tree Bank - Dean Peters, Me, Mason Mills, Olly Wagg, Mick Byrne, and Mick Wagg with Big John, Boozy and Ed Pearce equally spaced on the Railway Bank.
The Carp were trying their best to mimic the frequent trains on the adjacent railway running up and down on top in the centre of the lake. . The sun was already beating down and it was in no doubt going to the be the hottest day of the year with No wind , I decided that it was not going to be a carp day so rigged up light targeting the Bream, Barbel and Chub on method, Waggler and Pole- something I was going top regret later in the day.
At the off I tried to see if I could pick off one of the carp on top in the middle before all the feeder activity completely spook them. Cast the Waggler set at 2 foot with no dropper weight size 14/ 3.5 lb hook link. - Placed the rod on the pole rest and across my lap and started to get some more maggots in the catapult pouch at the rod lurched forward, the reel jams in the pole rest and the line snaps at the Float is left to slowly drift off down the lake for the rest of the day. Set up again but no joy, continued to spray maggot to see if I could get the chub to the top of this deep lake - but no sign.
So I came in on the method - not a touch - then swap to the pole at 8M just on the shelf which is still over 6 foot. Nothing scale down to size 20 - nothing - Dean to my right has started getting a few Roach at around 8m but looks like he is up in the water but confirms he is on the bottom but it has to be on the spot - 1 foot either way and they are gone.
There is a couple of Bream out from Peg 4 - Boozy had a Slab on his 1st Drop on the feeder -and Ed -well I had not heard anything form him or from the other crew at the far end, The scales certainly were not being called for. Dean kept going on his line for the sprats. but he lost them when he decided to go for something bigger on the feeder.
I struggled in the heat for most of the day for two Roach , 1 Ide and I Rudd the latter being the biggest at 4 ounces. Mason to my left can't even get that. I alternate through all set ups until 2.15 pm when I packed my pole away and most of the other gear leaving the Waggler out I mid water at 3 foot depth with single red Maggot.
I had just finished packing my feeder rod away when I noticed this weird sound that I have not heard for a while - a reel screaming - something had taken a fancy to that little morsel and decided to go for a run down to the car park end of the lake. - Mason shouts to Olly that Blakey's got one on and it must be in your swim, indeed in has veered round and is probably in Mick Wagg's swim by now - I manage to coax it out into open water and by now I had an audience - I did not feel confident - based on the bend in the rod this was around 18lb of angry Carp. Big John shouted across something about "Is that the new Fishing Pose" as I was on tip toe leaning oit to try and get back from the Edge way down the bottom end.
It made for the far bank but turned back half way across, and slowly it cam e back but thrashed on the surface - luckily it was still on but made another bash for the car Park, Mason who had landed his 1st fish of the day (a small skimmer) was bemoaning the fact that the Carp had now trashed his now what was a 'prolific swim'. One observer reckoned it had now arrived at nearby Upminster Station, - no sooner had he said it that it had boarded a train and caught the line in the doors - It was gone and probably on its way to Southend. If and as always in fishing a Big If - If I had landed it would have been the Match winner - but the other guys that had lost fish earlier would have said the same thing. With only 10 minutes left I decided to continued to pack away & Barry kindly weighed in my 4 fish for 9 ounces.
So packed up, gear placed in the car and back to the lake for the results & Raffle - - Still Dean won our section with 4 1/2 lb of those sprats so all was not lost. An BJ was awrarded his only trophy of the Year by Martin in recognition of his contrbution to the day
As always a great day lots of money raised good company - Heres to next Year and dare I say if the weather conditions are the same next year spot the man that will be bringing his carp rod and beefier gear.
Usual thanks to Martin Haimowitz for organising the day, and all the sponsors (listed in Credits at end of entry) for providing the Raffle and Food - of which was in plentiful supply throughout the day.
Now what about the fishing. Did not bode well as I listened to Fisherman's Blues on the ay to Cranham and a live report form Rob Hughes on the latest qualifying round of the UK Carp Championship - over 20 anglers fishing that event had not had a fish caught in over 24 hours !
The draw made and strange as it may seem the 'Big John Crew' where basically lined up on the tree Bank - Dean Peters, Me, Mason Mills, Olly Wagg, Mick Byrne, and Mick Wagg with Big John, Boozy and Ed Pearce equally spaced on the Railway Bank.
The Carp were trying their best to mimic the frequent trains on the adjacent railway running up and down on top in the centre of the lake. . The sun was already beating down and it was in no doubt going to the be the hottest day of the year with No wind , I decided that it was not going to be a carp day so rigged up light targeting the Bream, Barbel and Chub on method, Waggler and Pole- something I was going top regret later in the day.
At the off I tried to see if I could pick off one of the carp on top in the middle before all the feeder activity completely spook them. Cast the Waggler set at 2 foot with no dropper weight size 14/ 3.5 lb hook link. - Placed the rod on the pole rest and across my lap and started to get some more maggots in the catapult pouch at the rod lurched forward, the reel jams in the pole rest and the line snaps at the Float is left to slowly drift off down the lake for the rest of the day. Set up again but no joy, continued to spray maggot to see if I could get the chub to the top of this deep lake - but no sign.
So I came in on the method - not a touch - then swap to the pole at 8M just on the shelf which is still over 6 foot. Nothing scale down to size 20 - nothing - Dean to my right has started getting a few Roach at around 8m but looks like he is up in the water but confirms he is on the bottom but it has to be on the spot - 1 foot either way and they are gone.
There is a couple of Bream out from Peg 4 - Boozy had a Slab on his 1st Drop on the feeder -and Ed -well I had not heard anything form him or from the other crew at the far end, The scales certainly were not being called for. Dean kept going on his line for the sprats. but he lost them when he decided to go for something bigger on the feeder.
I struggled in the heat for most of the day for two Roach , 1 Ide and I Rudd the latter being the biggest at 4 ounces. Mason to my left can't even get that. I alternate through all set ups until 2.15 pm when I packed my pole away and most of the other gear leaving the Waggler out I mid water at 3 foot depth with single red Maggot.
I had just finished packing my feeder rod away when I noticed this weird sound that I have not heard for a while - a reel screaming - something had taken a fancy to that little morsel and decided to go for a run down to the car park end of the lake. - Mason shouts to Olly that Blakey's got one on and it must be in your swim, indeed in has veered round and is probably in Mick Wagg's swim by now - I manage to coax it out into open water and by now I had an audience - I did not feel confident - based on the bend in the rod this was around 18lb of angry Carp. Big John shouted across something about "Is that the new Fishing Pose" as I was on tip toe leaning oit to try and get back from the Edge way down the bottom end.
It made for the far bank but turned back half way across, and slowly it cam e back but thrashed on the surface - luckily it was still on but made another bash for the car Park, Mason who had landed his 1st fish of the day (a small skimmer) was bemoaning the fact that the Carp had now trashed his now what was a 'prolific swim'. One observer reckoned it had now arrived at nearby Upminster Station, - no sooner had he said it that it had boarded a train and caught the line in the doors - It was gone and probably on its way to Southend. If and as always in fishing a Big If - If I had landed it would have been the Match winner - but the other guys that had lost fish earlier would have said the same thing. With only 10 minutes left I decided to continued to pack away & Barry kindly weighed in my 4 fish for 9 ounces.
So packed up, gear placed in the car and back to the lake for the results & Raffle - - Still Dean won our section with 4 1/2 lb of those sprats so all was not lost. An BJ was awrarded his only trophy of the Year by Martin in recognition of his contrbution to the day
As always a great day lots of money raised good company - Heres to next Year and dare I say if the weather conditions are the same next year spot the man that will be bringing his carp rod and beefier gear.
Sponsors & Links
Big Johns Angling - Basildon http://www.bigjohnsangling.co.uk/
Big Fish - Chelmsford: http://www.hlstackle.co.uk/
Bowlers Angling - Dagenham: http://www.bowlersangling.co.uk/
County Angling Hornchurch: No Site
Roberston Angling Dagenham - No site:
Labels: Charity Matches
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Lee Chapel Wednesday League Match - 23rd July 2008 - LCL
I finally found the time to spend to fish one of the Summer Wednesday League Matches.
The intent was to have 3 hours of Pleasure Fishing for Silver Fish with good company ( 7 of us in all) and all the banter that goes in rare glorious summer evening weather.
Of course not fishing the series so far I naturally drew tno#1 in the walk off draw.
I immediately went for peg 25 but thought I’d sit the other side of the tree on peg 24 out of direct Sun. Mick (Silver King) Wagg joined me on peg 25, Ted on peg 27, John on Peg 4, Big Mick Byrne on peg 12, Matt Keeling on Peg 19 (I think) and Martin Johnson on Peg 22.
I set up at 3, 6 & 9m – With size 18 – Size 6 elastic on my Middy Hot Spot match Top Two kit. Bait –Single Red maggot (left over from the previous Sunday’s match)
Started off close in but as expected after an hour had to go out longer as they deserted me as the Carp came crashing though the Swim– The Silver King was having the same problem fishing the same Tactics but was getting a bigger Stamp of Fish – The Bream were ‘no shows’ though.
As we progressed into the last ½ hour Mick had bubbles in his swim and got into the resultant Tench. Then I had the same – Bubbles but could they Bream or are they Carp moving in on what must a big bed of maggots by now?
The Silvers had gone by now so I thought I’d Fish for what was there - I was getting Liners and I shout come on Mr Bream On you get – No sooner said and the Float zooms off but alas the fight tells me its not a bream but turns out to a Perfect true Crucian in the net after giving the Elastic a Good tug.
The bubbles are still there so I go in again No Lines bites so come up in the water – nothing – back on the bottom Oops the Elastic is on the pull again – Heavy pull no real fight is it Bream – after 30 seconds the fight gets more aggressive – Yep a Carp. – Had a good fight on my Light gear – A beautiful Common of around 6lb.
Time to pack up – what a great evening capped by the two Carp!!
No need to ask who Won – the Silver King(12lb) – Matt Keeling (~10lb) I think – hey I finished 3rd with 6lb 12 oz beating Big Mick by 4ozs.
The intent was to have 3 hours of Pleasure Fishing for Silver Fish with good company ( 7 of us in all) and all the banter that goes in rare glorious summer evening weather.
Of course not fishing the series so far I naturally drew tno#1 in the walk off draw.
I immediately went for peg 25 but thought I’d sit the other side of the tree on peg 24 out of direct Sun. Mick (Silver King) Wagg joined me on peg 25, Ted on peg 27, John on Peg 4, Big Mick Byrne on peg 12, Matt Keeling on Peg 19 (I think) and Martin Johnson on Peg 22.
I set up at 3, 6 & 9m – With size 18 – Size 6 elastic on my Middy Hot Spot match Top Two kit. Bait –Single Red maggot (left over from the previous Sunday’s match)
Started off close in but as expected after an hour had to go out longer as they deserted me as the Carp came crashing though the Swim– The Silver King was having the same problem fishing the same Tactics but was getting a bigger Stamp of Fish – The Bream were ‘no shows’ though.
As we progressed into the last ½ hour Mick had bubbles in his swim and got into the resultant Tench. Then I had the same – Bubbles but could they Bream or are they Carp moving in on what must a big bed of maggots by now?
The Silvers had gone by now so I thought I’d Fish for what was there - I was getting Liners and I shout come on Mr Bream On you get – No sooner said and the Float zooms off but alas the fight tells me its not a bream but turns out to a Perfect true Crucian in the net after giving the Elastic a Good tug.
The bubbles are still there so I go in again No Lines bites so come up in the water – nothing – back on the bottom Oops the Elastic is on the pull again – Heavy pull no real fight is it Bream – after 30 seconds the fight gets more aggressive – Yep a Carp. – Had a good fight on my Light gear – A beautiful Common of around 6lb.
Time to pack up – what a great evening capped by the two Carp!!
No need to ask who Won – the Silver King(12lb) – Matt Keeling (~10lb) I think – hey I finished 3rd with 6lb 12 oz beating Big Mick by 4ozs.
Ted had packed up early as all he could catch was the Crayfish on pellet and John was fishing for Carp all evening just enjoying the Company and of course the fishing - whati ts all about really.
Labels: Wednesday League Match
Monday, July 21, 2008
Big Johns Sunday League Match - Tylers Common - Horseshoe Lake - 20th July 2008
Some of my 'Readers' have requested that I make my Blog entries shorter - so here we go:
26 Anglers fished the Big John's Sunday Summer League Match at Tyler's Common Horseshoe Lake Middle Arm (Pegs 31-60) - Results below:
Nah ! Can't do that
Did I say Summer above ???? At times during the day I had a Shirt, Fleece and Wind cheating waterproofs battling against the squally North - North Westerly blustery wind (Business as Normal for Tyler's but in all fairness it was windy elsewhere - The fish were warmer than my hands at one point. That said I must be a wuss ! Terry Middleton & Kev Keeling were perfectly happy in shorts all day but they did have their backs to it and facing the Sun when it decided to show itself !!!
I set up on two Pole lines and in line Method Feeder with Short Middy Hair Rig size 14. At the whistle straight out on the method with 6mm Sonu pellet on the hair to the island on Peg 35.
I was just sorting a few things and took my eye of the rod and bang almost lost it the drink as a Carp Pulled it off the stand etc. This would happen for time during the day - no indications before that you normally get with a method as the carp pick away at the method feeder - You could sit there intently looking at the tip and nothing - look away to get a drink or set the bait for the next cast and bang you are catching the butt of the butt of the rod as it heads into the lake.
It took me me a while to sort out the rig after loosing more than I was landing but had to go up to Size twelve hook with two 6mm Sonu pellets - would not get a bite with a single 8mm ! The landing rate increased by 95%- The other thing I did which I never had much success with before was burying the hook bait in the mould - 1/2 filled - indent in the ground bait - place the hook bait in the indent and then cover and press really hard - The bite rate increased and was getting a fish a chuck but they were all of all around 1lb, mark - I was going to need two hours worth of these to catch up with Dean Peters behind on the other bank - he fought gallantly with a Monster Mirror and just got it in his landing net, looked like 18lbs or so to me.
Tried the pole lines only a few skimmers on maggot and a small carp close in - Nothing in my margins at all.
Mason Mills to my right on Peg 34 could not get anything on his feeder line so he came in early under the tree and had some success. He commented that his money was on me being in the frame come the end based on my catch rate and the action elsewhere. - and Deano shouted across that my Blog would be never ending if I did win. I pointed out that I don't win matches but if not I the frame it should help our team try at climb off the bottom of the table !
Midway through the afternoon we had a Visit - An EA Bailiff checking Rod Licences - what a welcome site !!! well for most of us I don't think Richard would agree. When the Bailiff requested his Rod Licence he left his rod unattended for a few seconds and you know what happens next don't you - remember what I said I had nearly done earlier - Yep - In his rod went - Frantic feeling around by Mick Wagg with his feeder rod did not locate it and its was gone. I don't know Richards' Surname but Mason decided to give him the name 'Titanic'
Note - 1st time ever I have been checked by an EA Bailiff.
Come the weigh-in news was filtering down that some big weights had been caught at the top end on the leeward side with Ed Pearce 120lb + I estimate that I might have around 50lb which turned out to be nearer 45lb - I really am useless at guessing match weights over 6 hours, but I was not far off on Dean's Monster - 17lb 4ozs - The biggest Carp I've seen caught on this lake.
Kev Keeling and John Buck up on the leeward end had done well also with bags of over 70lb - - reported that these were fish of a bigger stamp than mine and caught on Maggots in the margins.
Steve Barrett was miffed at this as he sat between Ed & Kev and hadn't brought any maggots. Strange how the two sides of this 'arm' differed on the same day.
Boozy commented that I would probably come up with a theory on the blog why this was. Well I thought hard and long and can only come with a strange one - The wind that was blowing SW all week turned on Saturday night and blew all the big fish round from the North East to the South West because like me they are old but they had more sense than me and sheltered from that wind ! So in answer to that - I have no idea - Goes against all what normally happens on this lake in relation to the weather conditions.
As Richard made his way back up the Hill to the Car Park Big John shouted across to him " Can you see a Rod from up there" the retort was " I heard that" Well at least he had less weight to pull back up than he would normally have!
Got the results from ED on Monday - I finished 6th - Better than I thought but we are still bottom of the pile in the Team Standings - but the gap is getting smaller.
Result / Standings:
26 Anglers fished the Big John's Sunday Summer League Match at Tyler's Common Horseshoe Lake Middle Arm (Pegs 31-60) - Results below:
Nah ! Can't do that
Did I say Summer above ???? At times during the day I had a Shirt, Fleece and Wind cheating waterproofs battling against the squally North - North Westerly blustery wind (Business as Normal for Tyler's but in all fairness it was windy elsewhere - The fish were warmer than my hands at one point. That said I must be a wuss ! Terry Middleton & Kev Keeling were perfectly happy in shorts all day but they did have their backs to it and facing the Sun when it decided to show itself !!!
I set up on two Pole lines and in line Method Feeder with Short Middy Hair Rig size 14. At the whistle straight out on the method with 6mm Sonu pellet on the hair to the island on Peg 35.
I was just sorting a few things and took my eye of the rod and bang almost lost it the drink as a Carp Pulled it off the stand etc. This would happen for time during the day - no indications before that you normally get with a method as the carp pick away at the method feeder - You could sit there intently looking at the tip and nothing - look away to get a drink or set the bait for the next cast and bang you are catching the butt of the butt of the rod as it heads into the lake.
It took me me a while to sort out the rig after loosing more than I was landing but had to go up to Size twelve hook with two 6mm Sonu pellets - would not get a bite with a single 8mm ! The landing rate increased by 95%- The other thing I did which I never had much success with before was burying the hook bait in the mould - 1/2 filled - indent in the ground bait - place the hook bait in the indent and then cover and press really hard - The bite rate increased and was getting a fish a chuck but they were all of all around 1lb, mark - I was going to need two hours worth of these to catch up with Dean Peters behind on the other bank - he fought gallantly with a Monster Mirror and just got it in his landing net, looked like 18lbs or so to me.
Tried the pole lines only a few skimmers on maggot and a small carp close in - Nothing in my margins at all.
Mason Mills to my right on Peg 34 could not get anything on his feeder line so he came in early under the tree and had some success. He commented that his money was on me being in the frame come the end based on my catch rate and the action elsewhere. - and Deano shouted across that my Blog would be never ending if I did win. I pointed out that I don't win matches but if not I the frame it should help our team try at climb off the bottom of the table !
Midway through the afternoon we had a Visit - An EA Bailiff checking Rod Licences - what a welcome site !!! well for most of us I don't think Richard would agree. When the Bailiff requested his Rod Licence he left his rod unattended for a few seconds and you know what happens next don't you - remember what I said I had nearly done earlier - Yep - In his rod went - Frantic feeling around by Mick Wagg with his feeder rod did not locate it and its was gone. I don't know Richards' Surname but Mason decided to give him the name 'Titanic'
Note - 1st time ever I have been checked by an EA Bailiff.
Come the weigh-in news was filtering down that some big weights had been caught at the top end on the leeward side with Ed Pearce 120lb + I estimate that I might have around 50lb which turned out to be nearer 45lb - I really am useless at guessing match weights over 6 hours, but I was not far off on Dean's Monster - 17lb 4ozs - The biggest Carp I've seen caught on this lake.
Kev Keeling and John Buck up on the leeward end had done well also with bags of over 70lb - - reported that these were fish of a bigger stamp than mine and caught on Maggots in the margins.
Steve Barrett was miffed at this as he sat between Ed & Kev and hadn't brought any maggots. Strange how the two sides of this 'arm' differed on the same day.
Boozy commented that I would probably come up with a theory on the blog why this was. Well I thought hard and long and can only come with a strange one - The wind that was blowing SW all week turned on Saturday night and blew all the big fish round from the North East to the South West because like me they are old but they had more sense than me and sheltered from that wind ! So in answer to that - I have no idea - Goes against all what normally happens on this lake in relation to the weather conditions.
As Richard made his way back up the Hill to the Car Park Big John shouted across to him " Can you see a Rod from up there" the retort was " I heard that" Well at least he had less weight to pull back up than he would normally have!
Got the results from ED on Monday - I finished 6th - Better than I thought but we are still bottom of the pile in the Team Standings - but the gap is getting smaller.
Result / Standings:
By the way Heres's a link to where Olly, Mason,Dean & I will be spending the 1st week of September - http://www.60pluscarp.com/
Be warned Extensive Blog entry will follow. & don't forget BJ's Website
http://www.bigjohnsangling.co.uk/index.html
Labels: Big Johns League Match
