Sunday, May 27, 2007
Blakey's Fishing Blog: Visteon Basildon Plant - Annual Spring Hourly v Staff Match - Churchgate Top Lake - 27th May 2007
Blakey's Fishing Blog: Visteon Basildon Plant - Annual Spring Hourly v Staff Match - Churchgate Top Lake - 27th May 2007
Labels: Basildon Plant
Visteon Basildon Plant - Annual Spring Hourly v Staff Match - Churchgate Top Lake - 27th May 2007
Weather
Temp 8> 11°C
Wind: Westerly to Easterly (7 mph)
Relative Humidity (%): 86,
Pressure (mB): 995, Falling
Raining
14 Current and Ex Visteon Basildon Plant personnel gathered at Churchgate Lakes for the Annual Spring Hourly Paid versus Staff match. Mike Hacvker had travelled up from Bridgend specifically for the Match - Well done Mike.
Most hard a hearty breakfast by the time I had got there and the rain had just started and would not stop all day. (Traditional English Bank Holiday).
We made our way up the hill to the top Lake – You cannot park up the path anymore which makes parking spaces a premium now, plus a drag with your gear - Not as bad as Coming back up from Horeshoe Lake at Tylers Common though !
The Hourly’s drew the odd pegs and The Staff the even pegs – I drew Peg 6, but as I got there it was clear that Peg’s 4 & 5 were a double swim – and a bit tight. After a brief discussion I moved down a Peg to #7 and Big Al went down the corner Peg to make way for Dave Ellis in my 'drawn' Peg 6 – So having drawn 6, I was now fishing #7.
I set up on the feeder to the Island – some 75 yards distant, during which time I lost my experimental in line drilled out Middy plastic feeder to act more like cage feeder down through the platform. So set up on Standard Middy green plastic in-line feeder, and a pole l line at 7m where the shelf drops off.
Another of those days to hunker down under the brolly set up tilt style to keep out the rain on the Westerly Wind. Keep nets to the left and the feeder rod to the right. For the 1st hour tried several Baits – Single/Double red maggot Sweetcorn & pellet on size 16 3 lb -6-18” hook links – Best results came from 18” / double red maggot. A number of skimmers and a small slab of 2lb. Came in to the pole line – pastes with size 12 Middy paste setup – Roach bouncing off the paste – Tried Sweetcorn – Alfie Palmer to my right had already had a couple of 2 lb slabs with Corn at this length.
The morning passed quite uneventfully for me – just the occasional skimmer/ Ide on the feeder to the Island – swapping to the 7m line every now and again. Dave Ellis had a low nice looking low double Mirror using the method / corn. I thought about swapping to the method at that point, but just like somebody switching a baffle the wind shifted from Westerly to Easterly in a couple of minutes which meant rain coming into me.
I decided to shift my peg set round so I was now fishing ‘cack’ handed. I got smashed up by a ‘big un’ and lost all the end tackle so I swapped to my favourite In-line Middy 1/2 ounce maggot feeder and had a good run in last 1 hour and half to island on Double red maggot feeder bagging up on Ide of 4-10oz mark.
I kept loosing fish at 6m out, perhaps they were hitting the ‘shelf and bumping off. So I had a high rod position instead of the low side ways fighting position I normally adopt. Which resulted in no lost fish at that mark – Spooky !!?
In the mean time Dave Ellis had a nice Grass carp of 6 ½ lb which had to be weighed and returned (Lake rule) to go along a couple of other nice mid single carp.
What amazed me was I was using the fish as Hand warmers!! Just goes to show how cold my wet hands were aginst the Lake Water temperature.
The early weigh-in had the hourly’s in front with couple of nice nets of carp, Until we got to Paul ‘The Cat’ Mansfield’s nets’ – One small Crucian and 89lb of Bream & Ide. To finish 1st– I was surprised to learn that Paul ahs never had a Ton in a match !!!!
I weighed in 18 Lb12 oz to finish 5th – Much to my surprise,
Dave Ellis 2nd with 29lb 8oz with Mike Hacker a close 3rd with 29lb 5 oz of mainly Silvers.
The Staff run out empathic winners 42 points to 64.
So it was pack up time say our goodbyes and home for a nice hot bath and a few beers after hanging out everything to dry in the garage – Should be dry by next week – Clavering here we come.
Temp 8> 11°C
Wind: Westerly to Easterly (7 mph)
Relative Humidity (%): 86,
Pressure (mB): 995, Falling
Raining
14 Current and Ex Visteon Basildon Plant personnel gathered at Churchgate Lakes for the Annual Spring Hourly Paid versus Staff match. Mike Hacvker had travelled up from Bridgend specifically for the Match - Well done Mike.
Most hard a hearty breakfast by the time I had got there and the rain had just started and would not stop all day. (Traditional English Bank Holiday).
We made our way up the hill to the top Lake – You cannot park up the path anymore which makes parking spaces a premium now, plus a drag with your gear - Not as bad as Coming back up from Horeshoe Lake at Tylers Common though !
The Hourly’s drew the odd pegs and The Staff the even pegs – I drew Peg 6, but as I got there it was clear that Peg’s 4 & 5 were a double swim – and a bit tight. After a brief discussion I moved down a Peg to #7 and Big Al went down the corner Peg to make way for Dave Ellis in my 'drawn' Peg 6 – So having drawn 6, I was now fishing #7.
I set up on the feeder to the Island – some 75 yards distant, during which time I lost my experimental in line drilled out Middy plastic feeder to act more like cage feeder down through the platform. So set up on Standard Middy green plastic in-line feeder, and a pole l line at 7m where the shelf drops off.
Another of those days to hunker down under the brolly set up tilt style to keep out the rain on the Westerly Wind. Keep nets to the left and the feeder rod to the right. For the 1st hour tried several Baits – Single/Double red maggot Sweetcorn & pellet on size 16 3 lb -6-18” hook links – Best results came from 18” / double red maggot. A number of skimmers and a small slab of 2lb. Came in to the pole line – pastes with size 12 Middy paste setup – Roach bouncing off the paste – Tried Sweetcorn – Alfie Palmer to my right had already had a couple of 2 lb slabs with Corn at this length.
The morning passed quite uneventfully for me – just the occasional skimmer/ Ide on the feeder to the Island – swapping to the 7m line every now and again. Dave Ellis had a low nice looking low double Mirror using the method / corn. I thought about swapping to the method at that point, but just like somebody switching a baffle the wind shifted from Westerly to Easterly in a couple of minutes which meant rain coming into me.
I decided to shift my peg set round so I was now fishing ‘cack’ handed. I got smashed up by a ‘big un’ and lost all the end tackle so I swapped to my favourite In-line Middy 1/2 ounce maggot feeder and had a good run in last 1 hour and half to island on Double red maggot feeder bagging up on Ide of 4-10oz mark.
I kept loosing fish at 6m out, perhaps they were hitting the ‘shelf and bumping off. So I had a high rod position instead of the low side ways fighting position I normally adopt. Which resulted in no lost fish at that mark – Spooky !!?
In the mean time Dave Ellis had a nice Grass carp of 6 ½ lb which had to be weighed and returned (Lake rule) to go along a couple of other nice mid single carp.
What amazed me was I was using the fish as Hand warmers!! Just goes to show how cold my wet hands were aginst the Lake Water temperature.
The early weigh-in had the hourly’s in front with couple of nice nets of carp, Until we got to Paul ‘The Cat’ Mansfield’s nets’ – One small Crucian and 89lb of Bream & Ide. To finish 1st– I was surprised to learn that Paul ahs never had a Ton in a match !!!!
I weighed in 18 Lb12 oz to finish 5th – Much to my surprise,
Dave Ellis 2nd with 29lb 8oz with Mike Hacker a close 3rd with 29lb 5 oz of mainly Silvers.
The Staff run out empathic winners 42 points to 64.
So it was pack up time say our goodbyes and home for a nice hot bath and a few beers after hanging out everything to dry in the garage – Should be dry by next week – Clavering here we come.
Labels: Basildon Plant
Monday, May 21, 2007
Blakey's Fishing Blog: Big Johns Angling Sunday League Match - Blind Lane New Lake 20th May 2007
Blakey's Fishing Blog: Big Johns Angling Sunday League Match - Blind Lane New Lake 20th May 2007
Labels: Big Johns League Match
Big Johns Angling Sunday League Match - Blind Lane New Lake 20th May 2007
Weather:
Sky: Sunny
Temp: 10- 17°C
Wind E (8 mph)
Relative Humidity (%): 54,
Pressure (mB): 1015, Falling
18 anglers fished the 3rd Big John's Angling Sunday League Match of the Season at Blind Lane New Lake which was specially opened up for us to fish during the complex's Close Season.
After a couple of weeks of rain, dull and windy weather we were greeted by a cloudless sky and the merest puff of wind.
I drew peg 1 and was pounced upon by Olly Wagg to do a swap as he really fancied this swim - He had Peg 4. I had no idea where it was as I arrived just in time for the early draw (Boozy had not arrived so his drawn for him - peg 10). I declined Olly's offer thinking it might be a hot one if he thought that - or perhaps it was a double bluff - perhaps I should have taken him up on the offer ? Only time will tell. I believe you draw your peg yourself and fish where you draw.
Well I had the longest walk as the Peg was right down in the South East of the lake. A nice swim, I can see why Olly fancied it - Nice bunch of Reeds at 10 metres to the corner and easy cast to the point. It is no easy to describe the shape of the lake. The North and South bank face a Long Island so everyone fishing from these banks can fish to it and those on the North West Bank can fish to the East facing point. Those on the North East bank have very little, whilst those on the West bank have either of the Long Island or the South bank end points to fish to. The South bank is effectively a island but it joins the North Bank, hopefully my rough drawing here will help describe it.
Boozy arrived and set up by the off.
The Reeds in my swim where already moving as the carp were searching for food. I was already drawn to it - and rigged up straight away with my Middy Hot Spot Pole - Bully Boy Top Kit with 18 Elastic. I also set up a cage feeder for long work to the South Bank point.
The View of the Reeds in my swim
At the whistle (which was preceded by a barrage of abuse from Olly to Mick Wagg [his brother] to stop chatting and get back to his peg as he was ready and rearing to go at 8.45) it was like somebody had open the Iron Curtain (as my Granddad use to say) - the wind picked up from the East straight down at those of us on the West bank - I was fortunate as I was afforded a little shelter by the trees to my right.
I started with the Cage Feeder with Double maggot with an 12" Size 16 hook link, but my 1st cast fell well short of the Island point but I left it there and had a pull round straight away - 30 seconds later a beautiful slim Common of 1 1/2lb graced my net. Good start me thinks ! Cast to the same spot whilst feeding pellet to the reeds to my right (Thinking behind that is I would guess the owner would have been feeding pellet during the close season).
No further bites forthcoming on the feeder both at mid point and close to Island. So switched to the Pole by the Reeds - 1st with double maggot coupled with maggot / pellet loose feed. A couple of small Mirrors later the Roach moved in so I changed to Jellets Pellet (they stayed on the hook !)- another couple of Small Carp were landed, but the Roach moved in on those as well !!
I then preceded to get smashed up in the reeds despite doing the brave thing by 'striking' sideways into the Reeds - 'Striking' in & out made no difference got smashed up every time - luckily I as able to walk towards the reed and freed up OK. I noticed that around 10 carp of various sizes had moved into the Margins and feeding off the bank side with backs coming out of the water - Not hard to miss that ! - After the worm - try some in there me thinks.
I shallowed up my rig an laid it on there noses - trying to pick out the biggest - Of course as soon as I Hooked one the remainder spooked and I had to wait 10 minutes for them to coma back - So I embarked a period of catching one / resting the margin swim but trying to catch them on the way in - They did not want to know until they were sat the bank edge - muddying it up. I tried paste, sweet corn & pellet but the only bait they would have was the good old maggot. This cycle went on to Midday then they did not return until 2.30pm - Significant that the wind shifted slightly to East /SE - blowing straight at OLLY.
Gary Somerfield who was on the East bank reported after the match that he had Carp in the edges in his swim but they would not take anything not even Maggot !!
I tried the area under my feet and was rewarded with a couple of hard fighting 1/2lb F1's - One was so lively that as I was about to place in the keepnet it jumped out of my hands straight back to where it had come from. I thought to myself - "I wonder how costly that would be"?
During the time I was catching and concentrating on what was going on in my Swim, I did not take too much notice of what was going on elsewhere - Only the regular splashes of netted fish being landed on Peg 2 by John Buck caught my attention. When it went quiet in my swim the only splashing noise was coming from Olly's swim - One after the other for two hours !!.
At the all out whistle I felt exhausted mainly due to burning the candle at both ends for the past few weeks - and the concentration level of today's match.
Being the 1st to weigh in 29+ Lb of Carp and 2lb of Silvers for a total of 31lb 6oz.
I packed up and caught up with the Weigh-in near the end. I Looked at the weights and was surprised by the lack of good weights. When I looked at the associated pegs, nobody from the Island points from West to East had a decent weight, All the decent weights came from the Island points East to West - Wasn't that the way the wind was blowing - ah Yes.
But you will guess the next bit wont you !!! - Who had 118lb sat in a peg he did not want - You got it - Olly - I really should have taken him up on his offer to swap pegs !!. Notably he caught on Maggot not the special paste.
I finished 7th behind that man Mick 'Tiggy' Wagg who always seems to pip me by small amounts - this Time it was 5ozs - I told you that small F1 would cost me didn't I Out of the Points again in that middle ground.
Sky: Sunny
Temp: 10- 17°C
Wind E (8 mph)
Relative Humidity (%): 54,
Pressure (mB): 1015, Falling
18 anglers fished the 3rd Big John's Angling Sunday League Match of the Season at Blind Lane New Lake which was specially opened up for us to fish during the complex's Close Season.
After a couple of weeks of rain, dull and windy weather we were greeted by a cloudless sky and the merest puff of wind.
I drew peg 1 and was pounced upon by Olly Wagg to do a swap as he really fancied this swim - He had Peg 4. I had no idea where it was as I arrived just in time for the early draw (Boozy had not arrived so his drawn for him - peg 10). I declined Olly's offer thinking it might be a hot one if he thought that - or perhaps it was a double bluff - perhaps I should have taken him up on the offer ? Only time will tell. I believe you draw your peg yourself and fish where you draw.
Well I had the longest walk as the Peg was right down in the South East of the lake. A nice swim, I can see why Olly fancied it - Nice bunch of Reeds at 10 metres to the corner and easy cast to the point. It is no easy to describe the shape of the lake. The North and South bank face a Long Island so everyone fishing from these banks can fish to it and those on the North West Bank can fish to the East facing point. Those on the North East bank have very little, whilst those on the West bank have either of the Long Island or the South bank end points to fish to. The South bank is effectively a island but it joins the North Bank, hopefully my rough drawing here will help describe it.
Boozy arrived and set up by the off.
The Reeds in my swim where already moving as the carp were searching for food. I was already drawn to it - and rigged up straight away with my Middy Hot Spot Pole - Bully Boy Top Kit with 18 Elastic. I also set up a cage feeder for long work to the South Bank point.
The View of the Reeds in my swim
Olly sat ready & waiting on the Peg he did not want at 0840hrs -
At the whistle (which was preceded by a barrage of abuse from Olly to Mick Wagg [his brother] to stop chatting and get back to his peg as he was ready and rearing to go at 8.45) it was like somebody had open the Iron Curtain (as my Granddad use to say) - the wind picked up from the East straight down at those of us on the West bank - I was fortunate as I was afforded a little shelter by the trees to my right.
I started with the Cage Feeder with Double maggot with an 12" Size 16 hook link, but my 1st cast fell well short of the Island point but I left it there and had a pull round straight away - 30 seconds later a beautiful slim Common of 1 1/2lb graced my net. Good start me thinks ! Cast to the same spot whilst feeding pellet to the reeds to my right (Thinking behind that is I would guess the owner would have been feeding pellet during the close season).
No further bites forthcoming on the feeder both at mid point and close to Island. So switched to the Pole by the Reeds - 1st with double maggot coupled with maggot / pellet loose feed. A couple of small Mirrors later the Roach moved in so I changed to Jellets Pellet (they stayed on the hook !)- another couple of Small Carp were landed, but the Roach moved in on those as well !!
I then preceded to get smashed up in the reeds despite doing the brave thing by 'striking' sideways into the Reeds - 'Striking' in & out made no difference got smashed up every time - luckily I as able to walk towards the reed and freed up OK. I noticed that around 10 carp of various sizes had moved into the Margins and feeding off the bank side with backs coming out of the water - Not hard to miss that ! - After the worm - try some in there me thinks.
I shallowed up my rig an laid it on there noses - trying to pick out the biggest - Of course as soon as I Hooked one the remainder spooked and I had to wait 10 minutes for them to coma back - So I embarked a period of catching one / resting the margin swim but trying to catch them on the way in - They did not want to know until they were sat the bank edge - muddying it up. I tried paste, sweet corn & pellet but the only bait they would have was the good old maggot. This cycle went on to Midday then they did not return until 2.30pm - Significant that the wind shifted slightly to East /SE - blowing straight at OLLY.
Gary Somerfield who was on the East bank reported after the match that he had Carp in the edges in his swim but they would not take anything not even Maggot !!
I tried the area under my feet and was rewarded with a couple of hard fighting 1/2lb F1's - One was so lively that as I was about to place in the keepnet it jumped out of my hands straight back to where it had come from. I thought to myself - "I wonder how costly that would be"?
During the time I was catching and concentrating on what was going on in my Swim, I did not take too much notice of what was going on elsewhere - Only the regular splashes of netted fish being landed on Peg 2 by John Buck caught my attention. When it went quiet in my swim the only splashing noise was coming from Olly's swim - One after the other for two hours !!.
At the all out whistle I felt exhausted mainly due to burning the candle at both ends for the past few weeks - and the concentration level of today's match.
Being the 1st to weigh in 29+ Lb of Carp and 2lb of Silvers for a total of 31lb 6oz.
I packed up and caught up with the Weigh-in near the end. I Looked at the weights and was surprised by the lack of good weights. When I looked at the associated pegs, nobody from the Island points from West to East had a decent weight, All the decent weights came from the Island points East to West - Wasn't that the way the wind was blowing - ah Yes.
But you will guess the next bit wont you !!! - Who had 118lb sat in a peg he did not want - You got it - Olly - I really should have taken him up on his offer to swap pegs !!. Notably he caught on Maggot not the special paste.
I finished 7th behind that man Mick 'Tiggy' Wagg who always seems to pip me by small amounts - this Time it was 5ozs - I told you that small F1 would cost me didn't I Out of the Points again in that middle ground.
Labels: Big Johns League Match
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Baliff & Test Session LCL 13th May 2007
Weather:
Rain
Pressure 1001 mb falling
Wind Light 2mph NE
Relative Humidity 65%
With a 4 hour window in a hectic weekend this was a quick bailiff and testing session.
I awoke at 0800 having returned from Salisbury at 0130 hrs after attending my Nephews wedding, Had a quick peep through the curtains to view the weather – The forecasted rain had not yet arrived so I made the decision get up and go.
Ann (Wife) was away on our Daughters (Emily’s) Hen Weekend in Spain and my mate Steve coming round to watch the West Ham / Man Utd Premiership football match at 2pm, with rain on the way I had to be quick.
This was a 2 test item session:
Rain
Pressure 1001 mb falling
Wind Light 2mph NE
Relative Humidity 65%
With a 4 hour window in a hectic weekend this was a quick bailiff and testing session.
I awoke at 0800 having returned from Salisbury at 0130 hrs after attending my Nephews wedding, Had a quick peep through the curtains to view the weather – The forecasted rain had not yet arrived so I made the decision get up and go.
Ann (Wife) was away on our Daughters (Emily’s) Hen Weekend in Spain and my mate Steve coming round to watch the West Ham / Man Utd Premiership football match at 2pm, with rain on the way I had to be quick.
This was a 2 test item session:
Item 1 – Suzy – Our 2 year Old Jack Russell
Test Objectives: Will she be content in sitting with me for a long period. Given that there should be no one else fishing the only distraction would be the ramblers and dog walkers that frequent the lake...
Item 2 - TFG Force 8 Day Shelter (10 second Erection).
Test Objectives: Erection Time – How much of my tackle can I protect and still fish sensibly– Does it leak
Having arrived loaded all my Tackle on to my Chub Barrow and walked to Peg 18. – I always take most of my gear – Always gives me the flexibility to change modes of fishing, but the downside is that it takes up a lot of space but I have the loading/ offloading to fine Art – I had the addition of the TFG Force 8 day Shelter which is quite bulky but laid across the top of my pile on the barrow.
The Shelter was an internet purchase from Fishtec 3 weeks previous for £69.99 – The price of a Quality Umbrella I thought but with added bonus Bivvy types protection plus the promise of quick erection time. The day I received this I was surprise by the length of it when collapsed, but even more surprised how long it took to figure out how to erect it, the photo based instruction sheet is not that clear – For someone with an Engineering degree I was embarrassed that I could not immediately understand the physics of it. My 1st was 30 minutes to erect the 10 minutes to collapse.
Test Objectives: Will she be content in sitting with me for a long period. Given that there should be no one else fishing the only distraction would be the ramblers and dog walkers that frequent the lake...
Item 2 - TFG Force 8 Day Shelter (10 second Erection).
Test Objectives: Erection Time – How much of my tackle can I protect and still fish sensibly– Does it leak
Having arrived loaded all my Tackle on to my Chub Barrow and walked to Peg 18. – I always take most of my gear – Always gives me the flexibility to change modes of fishing, but the downside is that it takes up a lot of space but I have the loading/ offloading to fine Art – I had the addition of the TFG Force 8 day Shelter which is quite bulky but laid across the top of my pile on the barrow.
The Shelter was an internet purchase from Fishtec 3 weeks previous for £69.99 – The price of a Quality Umbrella I thought but with added bonus Bivvy types protection plus the promise of quick erection time. The day I received this I was surprise by the length of it when collapsed, but even more surprised how long it took to figure out how to erect it, the photo based instruction sheet is not that clear – For someone with an Engineering degree I was embarrassed that I could not immediately understand the physics of it. My 1st was 30 minutes to erect the 10 minutes to collapse.
The key thing I learned was that the font rods must not be clipped to the skin(not in the instructions) and that you have to twist it over the centre Front rod swivel to erect relatively quickly and then unclip but maintain the swivel in its erect position to collapse. After 5 attempts I got it down to 1 minute. I am sure the 10 sec claim relates to when you have it laid out sliding the centre section slider. The best way I found was to invert it then push the centre slider.
Back to the session. I set up a ledger and Alarm with Spam and gently lowered the bait into the Margins in peg 26 and walked it back to my Swim. It was time to set up the shelter as it just started to rain. Much to my amazement I had it up within a minute. I did not peg it down as I wanted to have the ability to move it around if the wind got up as anticipated. I set up my Pole Roost within the Shelter – it has enough depth to hold one section length of my middy Hot Spot pole. The barrow (including bait sack) to my left and the Seat box in the centre – All rather cosy.
That said this would certainly not suit Match Fishing _ well with the gear I go with – If I reduced that down to a classic match fishing kit then it maybe Ok– ideal for pleasure session in the rain though – I like the Pole shipping with a robust vent Velcro fixing to hold down if not using or to hold up when in use. However being a tall guy with my seat box up high the vent is too low which meant I kept missing it when naturally shipping back. For a normal sized angler (95 percentile) should be OK..
As the wind shifted and veered – in several different direction I received an occasional flurry of water. When the wind shifted to front on the sheltered did try to lift off, That was the signal to peg it down – I used my Bivvy (Chub) pegs as the peg supplied do not look substantial enough..
Item One – Suzy – What can I say - she was brilliant – did not wander off too far – although I did have to exit the comfort of the shelter a couple times as she had gone out of sight behind but only sitting patiently behind the shelter. She sat contently on my lap even during when I was fighting Fish (3lb Tench and 3lb Common carp ) with the Middy hot spot – What a good buy that ahs been so well balanced fighting fish one handed with a dog sat n my lap !!!
I managed to take the picture on Suzy on my lap with my Phone camera at Arms length.
Back to the session. I set up a ledger and Alarm with Spam and gently lowered the bait into the Margins in peg 26 and walked it back to my Swim. It was time to set up the shelter as it just started to rain. Much to my amazement I had it up within a minute. I did not peg it down as I wanted to have the ability to move it around if the wind got up as anticipated. I set up my Pole Roost within the Shelter – it has enough depth to hold one section length of my middy Hot Spot pole. The barrow (including bait sack) to my left and the Seat box in the centre – All rather cosy.
That said this would certainly not suit Match Fishing _ well with the gear I go with – If I reduced that down to a classic match fishing kit then it maybe Ok– ideal for pleasure session in the rain though – I like the Pole shipping with a robust vent Velcro fixing to hold down if not using or to hold up when in use. However being a tall guy with my seat box up high the vent is too low which meant I kept missing it when naturally shipping back. For a normal sized angler (95 percentile) should be OK..
As the wind shifted and veered – in several different direction I received an occasional flurry of water. When the wind shifted to front on the sheltered did try to lift off, That was the signal to peg it down – I used my Bivvy (Chub) pegs as the peg supplied do not look substantial enough..
Item One – Suzy – What can I say - she was brilliant – did not wander off too far – although I did have to exit the comfort of the shelter a couple times as she had gone out of sight behind but only sitting patiently behind the shelter. She sat contently on my lap even during when I was fighting Fish (3lb Tench and 3lb Common carp ) with the Middy hot spot – What a good buy that ahs been so well balanced fighting fish one handed with a dog sat n my lap !!!
I managed to take the picture on Suzy on my lap with my Phone camera at Arms length.
Time came to pack up. With the shelter being wet I did not attempt to completely pack it up – just collapsed it and put in the back of the car – on top of the other tackle.
This is where the limitation of having a single Garage full of everything bar a car To dry the shelter out you need a single garage with nothing else in it . With the rain we have had since this session I have been unable e to get into the garden to pack it up correctly so it is still in its open collapsed state in the Garage.
Verdict:
Suzy: Passed the test with flying colours – will be comfortable in taking Her on any Pleasure session.
Shelter: Worth every penny. Once you get the hang of it –a doddle to erect, did not leak and water run off OK with a good shake. Not sure what the centre cover sheet is for – beautification to cover up the centre rod stack maybe ? – No real function as I can see. Will not suit me for Match Fishing – That will be under my collapsing brolly as before By the way Big enough to get a bed chair in ideal for those upcoming balmy nights. Need to test it in real wet /windy conditions.
Labels: Pleasure Fish
Monday, May 07, 2007
Lee Chapel Sunday League Match - Tylers Common Ash Lake 6th May 2007
Weather:
Temp 9 to 19°C
SW (17 mph) = 30mph at Tylers !!!!!
Relative Humidity (%): 52,
Pressure (mB): 1014, Falling,
Cloudy
23 Members Fished Ash Lake at Windy (yet again) Tylers Common. Corner Pegs 81 & 17 were taken out of the draw (the tight South East Corner).
The match was also the 1ts round in the new Knockout Competition – Top 16 Qualify for the next round
The wind has shifted overnight from North East where it had coming from all week to South Westerly. As the fish seem to follow the wind at Tylers it would be unclear if the shift will have put them off. However with the overcast conditions and a 3 inch chop on the water – it should still favour the corner Pegs facing into the wind.
I drew Peg 23 on the south bank, Gary Somerfeild - my pair’s partner was in the NE Corner so my personal disappointment was tempered by the fact he was in a prime spot. Olly was in the NW Corner and Kev Keeling in the SE corner and Mick Wagg on the East bank Corner – I reckon that is where the main scores will come from.
I set up on my New Pole at 6m as the longest long line I could get and hold table (Shelf drop off) and close in the margins. I also set up on my home made in-line cage feeder to start off whilst I fed my long line.
Had a small 1/2lb common 1st chuck out to the middle on the feeder. 2nd chuck nothing – but when I reeled in found the cage had come adrift – (back to the drawing board on that one). Rest on the maggot feeder with size 18 double maggot. Several small carp followed but was loosing 50% on the pull-in – I went up to size 16 but the bites dried up – so back to 18. and had a few more but then got hit by the Roach – I changed to Sweetcorn but nothing – so came in closer with maggot and got a few more carp but not consistent enough.
I swapped over to the pole and paste on my Homemade Longshank Size 8 hook – no joy. So went to size 14 Middy Paste Rig – and straight into one of about 3lb – best of the ay for me so far.
Today was about hunkering down –with the wind blowing in my left ear and making my eyes water – It was difficult to see how every one else was doing.
I kept going alternating 6m line – margins – (Nothing in there) and the feeder resting each line as it went quiet.
At 1.10 pm I tuned into radio five Live – to listen to see how my Football team (Southampton) were doing in the last day in the Championship – needing a win to make the play-offs – As soon as I tuned in –I found that they had just gone a goal down – oh well at least it stopped the wind whistling in my left ear.
The paste provided my best stamp of fish but I could not hold the fish in the swim.
Come the weigh-in it was as I thought the corners pegs where the Fish were. Gary had a golden 2 hours (noon to 2pm) a fish a chuck just to his left in the margins in that NE Corner! for a total of 58lb. Olly Put together 68lb in parallel corner and Kev hammered them in the Margins with maggot to weigh in a shade less than 72lb. I weighed in a shade under 28lb which I was surprised – did not think I had that Much. Gary & I have already have a agreement with regard tour pairs strategy – Gary will score in summer and I will in winter.
By the way Southampton came back and won 4-1 against Southend to claim the last play-off place – well at least I made it through to the next round of the Knockout Cup finishing 12th.
Temp 9 to 19°C
SW (17 mph) = 30mph at Tylers !!!!!
Relative Humidity (%): 52,
Pressure (mB): 1014, Falling,
Cloudy
23 Members Fished Ash Lake at Windy (yet again) Tylers Common. Corner Pegs 81 & 17 were taken out of the draw (the tight South East Corner).
The match was also the 1ts round in the new Knockout Competition – Top 16 Qualify for the next round
The wind has shifted overnight from North East where it had coming from all week to South Westerly. As the fish seem to follow the wind at Tylers it would be unclear if the shift will have put them off. However with the overcast conditions and a 3 inch chop on the water – it should still favour the corner Pegs facing into the wind.
I drew Peg 23 on the south bank, Gary Somerfeild - my pair’s partner was in the NE Corner so my personal disappointment was tempered by the fact he was in a prime spot. Olly was in the NW Corner and Kev Keeling in the SE corner and Mick Wagg on the East bank Corner – I reckon that is where the main scores will come from.
I set up on my New Pole at 6m as the longest long line I could get and hold table (Shelf drop off) and close in the margins. I also set up on my home made in-line cage feeder to start off whilst I fed my long line.
Had a small 1/2lb common 1st chuck out to the middle on the feeder. 2nd chuck nothing – but when I reeled in found the cage had come adrift – (back to the drawing board on that one). Rest on the maggot feeder with size 18 double maggot. Several small carp followed but was loosing 50% on the pull-in – I went up to size 16 but the bites dried up – so back to 18. and had a few more but then got hit by the Roach – I changed to Sweetcorn but nothing – so came in closer with maggot and got a few more carp but not consistent enough.
I swapped over to the pole and paste on my Homemade Longshank Size 8 hook – no joy. So went to size 14 Middy Paste Rig – and straight into one of about 3lb – best of the ay for me so far.
Today was about hunkering down –with the wind blowing in my left ear and making my eyes water – It was difficult to see how every one else was doing.
I kept going alternating 6m line – margins – (Nothing in there) and the feeder resting each line as it went quiet.
At 1.10 pm I tuned into radio five Live – to listen to see how my Football team (Southampton) were doing in the last day in the Championship – needing a win to make the play-offs – As soon as I tuned in –I found that they had just gone a goal down – oh well at least it stopped the wind whistling in my left ear.
The paste provided my best stamp of fish but I could not hold the fish in the swim.
Come the weigh-in it was as I thought the corners pegs where the Fish were. Gary had a golden 2 hours (noon to 2pm) a fish a chuck just to his left in the margins in that NE Corner! for a total of 58lb. Olly Put together 68lb in parallel corner and Kev hammered them in the Margins with maggot to weigh in a shade less than 72lb. I weighed in a shade under 28lb which I was surprised – did not think I had that Much. Gary & I have already have a agreement with regard tour pairs strategy – Gary will score in summer and I will in winter.
By the way Southampton came back and won 4-1 against Southend to claim the last play-off place – well at least I made it through to the next round of the Knockout Cup finishing 12th.
Labels: Lee Chapel Sunday League Match
