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
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
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
Monday, June 16, 2008
Big Johns Sunday League Match - Colemans Cottage Pathfield Lake - 15th June 2008
25 Anglers fished Pathfield Lake at Coleman's Cottage in the latest Round of Big Johns Angling Summer League
I went straight-out on the maggot feeder - Tap tap from small roach - retrieve the Rig - full of detritus - Hmm !. Reposition - nothing retrieved filthy again - Tried to the left same result too much rubbish on the bottom - in the meantime I feed a trickle of pellets at 8m and in the margins and to the carp on the surface to my left- did not see any movement but gave it a try on the Pellet Waggler set at 18 inches at 8m- nothing so went up and down with the depth and different pellet types - nothing switched to maggot - a couple of small roach, the Carp are just not feeding - probably resting from the hammering they got on the match the previous day or an Oxygen problem (although Gerry the bailiff says not oxygen levels are good !)
Into the Margins nothing but small Roach and the very occasional Small Skimmer and Gudgeon. Change tactics I try to 'bully' the sun bathers into eating something firing maggots at them - Then a Visitor comes into the swim just below the surface a Common of around 4lb This looks more like it - perhaps he is on the hunt I wonder- Sprayed a few maggots and he-pursues them - I go with a Size 16 with single maggot set at 12" as high as I can be under fishery rules on the pole and intercept him on the way through - several attempts later he' s on the elastic Pulls out and a spirited fight its safely in the net.
Dan Keeling came round to se how it was going and was amazed by the carp in the swim- especially the one under the platform on peg 24 - I fired a few more maggots at him - I am sure I detected some movement - so I place a double maggot in front of him & bang goes for it on the drop and he's on - I called Dan back to show him - Got in in the net & went about 3 1/2 lb.
The only movement I had in the Margin's was from Roach. I tried all baits there only roach to maggot I'm Afraid.
In the end I achieved my goal of a Days Pleasure fishing which I hard to work hard but pleasurably having to think and experiment plus I finished equal with Steve Barrett in 9th Place to help reduce the relegation points difference to the next to bottom team - slow but steady progress - Mainly due to Mick Wagg finally scoring some useful points !. - Keep it Up Team - we are slowly coming back into contention.
Result Single Positions
. 
Today for me was always about chilling out and pleasure match fishing as opposed to going all out to get the best I can. So as luck would have it Drawing last which has become the Norm for me now - I drew Peg 23 - down the Southerly end and with nobody to my left and two free swims to my right - Plenty of room to explore there then.
Today for me was always about chilling out and pleasure match fishing as opposed to going all out to get the best I can. So as luck would have it Drawing last which has become the Norm for me now - I drew Peg 23 - down the Southerly end and with nobody to my left and two free swims to my right - Plenty of room to explore there then.
Got the my peg (I remembered my nets this time), loads of carp of 2-3lb on the top but looking a bit lethargic - Looks like the North wind has blown then down here and they can't be fussed to swim away. When I was plumbing up I could actually place the plummet on their heads and they did not bat an eye lid - Hmm! Worrying this - If they are there is there anything in my swim that I will be able to catch - My days pleasure match fishing may just look like a frustrating day - But lest see what else in in here. I plumbed up at 8m and in the margins - I could reach the Island with my 11m extension but my Middy Hot spot is too heavy for that. So set the maggot feeder on there and to the 'wall' to my left
. 
Well we had a late start as the popularity of the on-site Café caused a delay as the 'porky's (looks at the pot calling the kettle black!) waited for the Breakfast - that Meant a 0930 all In - I duly blew the Whistle as Ed says the Only thing BJ has to do and he can't find his whistle.
Well we had a late start as the popularity of the on-site Café caused a delay as the 'porky's (looks at the pot calling the kettle black!) waited for the Breakfast - that Meant a 0930 all In - I duly blew the Whistle as Ed says the Only thing BJ has to do and he can't find his whistle.
I went straight-out on the maggot feeder - Tap tap from small roach - retrieve the Rig - full of detritus - Hmm !. Reposition - nothing retrieved filthy again - Tried to the left same result too much rubbish on the bottom - in the meantime I feed a trickle of pellets at 8m and in the margins and to the carp on the surface to my left- did not see any movement but gave it a try on the Pellet Waggler set at 18 inches at 8m- nothing so went up and down with the depth and different pellet types - nothing switched to maggot - a couple of small roach, the Carp are just not feeding - probably resting from the hammering they got on the match the previous day or an Oxygen problem (although Gerry the bailiff says not oxygen levels are good !)
Into the Margins nothing but small Roach and the very occasional Small Skimmer and Gudgeon. Change tactics I try to 'bully' the sun bathers into eating something firing maggots at them - Then a Visitor comes into the swim just below the surface a Common of around 4lb This looks more like it - perhaps he is on the hunt I wonder- Sprayed a few maggots and he-pursues them - I go with a Size 16 with single maggot set at 12" as high as I can be under fishery rules on the pole and intercept him on the way through - several attempts later he' s on the elastic Pulls out and a spirited fight its safely in the net.
That was the pattern of the day wait for some to come in and intercept. I had one carp under the flotsam by peg 24 that was sat there for most of the morning I kept trying to provoke by spraying maggots it but was not interested. The others would slowly amble around my swim taking around 30 mins to do a lap, I could even place a bait on their heads - amazing - they even had the audacity to come into a sit on top of the keep nets slowly gulping air and looking directly at me and putting up the preverbal two fingers or in their case the pectoral fins to me. I am sure that I could have scoped them up with my landing net - Believe you me I was tempted !
Dan Keeling came round to se how it was going and was amazed by the carp in the swim- especially the one under the platform on peg 24 - I fired a few more maggots at him - I am sure I detected some movement - so I place a double maggot in front of him & bang goes for it on the drop and he's on - I called Dan back to show him - Got in in the net & went about 3 1/2 lb.
The only movement I had in the Margin's was from Roach. I tried all baits there only roach to maggot I'm Afraid.
At the weigh-in and the usual banter of each of us did how we did it etc. IT was a hot / cold end as far as the weights were concerned - No nee to ask where end I was at ! And vastly different stories regarding what the fish where and where not having - From paste working to not working two pegs apart - Masses of fish in the swim but not taking one bait but another and having to strike at a certain point of float dip to ensure fish were not foul hooked.
In the end I achieved my goal of a Days Pleasure fishing which I hard to work hard but pleasurably having to think and experiment plus I finished equal with Steve Barrett in 9th Place to help reduce the relegation points difference to the next to bottom team - slow but steady progress - Mainly due to Mick Wagg finally scoring some useful points !. - Keep it Up Team - we are slowly coming back into contention.
Result Single Positions
Team Positions
Labels: Big Johns League Match
Monday, May 19, 2008
Big Johns Sunday League Match - A12 Cuton Lakes Chelmsford - 18th May 2008
27 Anglers congregated at A12 Cuton Match Lake alongside the A12 (funny enough) adjacent to Chelmer Village. This was a late replacemnt for Churchgate Fisheries Top lake - which we could not fish as it under re-modlelling.
We had our own Car parking facility and after an Orderly Draw - One Line !!!- (I will do this at our next Lee Chapel Match). I'm surprised to see motors started and the majority driving to their pegs - Oh what Luxury ! I'd already unpacked mine and having drawn Peg 1 had the furthest walk, which when said and done was not that far - I have longer and more arduous - Horseshoe at Tyler's spring's to mind. Do you think I am padding this intro out well I guess I am, that was the the highlight of my day and I guess a fair few others.
When I got to Peg 1 - what a lovely swim - everything you could wish for - overhanging Trees, a reed lined island with hole in the reed bed exposing bits of the island allowing a tight approach and lots of open water - Look at the pictures I took from my phone - apologies for the quality The video may or may not play.
But and I mean BUT, I saw no real fish activity, well not the sort you would except at this time of the year, but the wind had changed from that lovely south westerly to the North-East and had been cold for the past three days or so coming off a real hot spell. Olly said I had the 'Hot Peg' perhaps he was right - too hot for the fish and they have moved off to a cooler peg - Funny how this turnt out not to be too far removed from the truth.
I decided on a three pronged attack - feeder (method/maggot) to the island gaps, a pole line at 9m straight out and under the tree to my right with any bait that 'goes' and Paste in the margins later on.
With Ed texting me the night before to bring the LCFC Weigh Sling as he lost his, it was not a surprise when Ed phones' me at 0845 for me to blow the whistle as yes you got it BJ had forgotten his again!!
Duly done at 0900 straight on the method to the island whilst gently feeding the other lines. Hmm! Not a murmur, recast several times to different 'holes' over the next 20 mins - still nothing, I have just decided mentally to give it 2 more minutes then make a change to the maggot feeder when slam the tip goes round violently - I managed to get the big fish out of danger by the Island reeds and it makes for the gap down to the Peg 40 but put the power on get it back then it makes a dive for the reeds on my right - Nope not having it - wrapped around the reeds so it game over hook pulls and its gone.
Little did I know that was the last bit of action I would see until 1130am. In the meantime I tried everything in my armoury on every line, Sweetcorn , pellet of all flavours types maggots, worm, meat Paste of various flavours hook sizes down to 22 - Not a Sausage, no not the meat - the slang term for not having a bite !. What am I doing wrong ????? - Well I'm not alone several of my peers have walked past at are having similar experiences - Some thing is amiss here.
Then at 1130 just after chatting with my fellow suffers I thought I'd knocked my rod of its Perch - ( No not the fish !) - So lifted up and there was a commotion over in the Island reeds - My word I've Got a fish on - the Adrenaline is pumping now that wakes me up & what a cracking fight - A small Mirror of around 2lb in my net !!! - Well I ain't blanking.
The morning moves into the afternoon the sun pokes it head out for a while but disappears behind the clouds before too long - I can't even have a pee in the bushes as there seems to be a Charity Walk going on along the Canal - A day long procession of 'I bought the Green event T shirt' clad people all day plodding along.
The only Actvity in my swim are the Terns swooping down and picking off what ever Fly's are hatching thorough the water surface. I would like to say they were Mayfly's but did not look big enough - More like Gnats - So good on you Terns. The only other actvity to report were the Ducks squabbling and a pair of Wood Pigeons repairing their nest on the overhanging tree to my right and myself being awoken by my snoring as I nod off.
By 2pm my silver keep net is out & dried everything apart form the pole at 9m set on my Preston Pole Holders (I knew they would come in handy one day.) at 1439hrs (how precise is that bored or what) the float dips - I'm almost too shocked and momentarily freeze, but recover to grab the pole and land my 2nd fish of the a 2oz Roach.
I blow the whistle at 1500hrs - Ed & Mick Wagg come round to pick up the weigh sling and proceeded with the weigh-in with me - 2Lbs on the button - Well I'm in the lead for a moment at least !. I 'm all Packed up by 1510hrs and on the walk to the car I rack my brain for the last time I had such a poor day on Match. I now remember - the very 1st Coarse Fishing Match I fished as 'Guest' with borrowed gear and no clue - I Blanked that day - but not since - when was it - September 2000.
The best pegs were on the Lee side of the Island - With John Buck & Rob Blackburn 1st & 2nd respectively - Rob tells me that he lost as many fish as he caught where they dived for the reeds. Same ratio as me then !
Whilst talking to Mick Scoles who fishes here regularly he said that the owner had concerns about the fishing in the last week and found the Oxygen levels were down and that Aerators were coming this week - I hope they are in time and the fish don't suffer - Hopefully it will be much improved by the time we come here in October for the Lee Chapel Match - Oh and I finished 20th - 2 guys did not even weigh in !!!
We had our own Car parking facility and after an Orderly Draw - One Line !!!- (I will do this at our next Lee Chapel Match). I'm surprised to see motors started and the majority driving to their pegs - Oh what Luxury ! I'd already unpacked mine and having drawn Peg 1 had the furthest walk, which when said and done was not that far - I have longer and more arduous - Horseshoe at Tyler's spring's to mind. Do you think I am padding this intro out well I guess I am, that was the the highlight of my day and I guess a fair few others.
When I got to Peg 1 - what a lovely swim - everything you could wish for - overhanging Trees, a reed lined island with hole in the reed bed exposing bits of the island allowing a tight approach and lots of open water - Look at the pictures I took from my phone - apologies for the quality The video may or may not play.
Peg one in the North East Corner
But and I mean BUT, I saw no real fish activity, well not the sort you would except at this time of the year, but the wind had changed from that lovely south westerly to the North-East and had been cold for the past three days or so coming off a real hot spell. Olly said I had the 'Hot Peg' perhaps he was right - too hot for the fish and they have moved off to a cooler peg - Funny how this turnt out not to be too far removed from the truth.
I decided on a three pronged attack - feeder (method/maggot) to the island gaps, a pole line at 9m straight out and under the tree to my right with any bait that 'goes' and Paste in the margins later on.
With Ed texting me the night before to bring the LCFC Weigh Sling as he lost his, it was not a surprise when Ed phones' me at 0845 for me to blow the whistle as yes you got it BJ had forgotten his again!!
Duly done at 0900 straight on the method to the island whilst gently feeding the other lines. Hmm! Not a murmur, recast several times to different 'holes' over the next 20 mins - still nothing, I have just decided mentally to give it 2 more minutes then make a change to the maggot feeder when slam the tip goes round violently - I managed to get the big fish out of danger by the Island reeds and it makes for the gap down to the Peg 40 but put the power on get it back then it makes a dive for the reeds on my right - Nope not having it - wrapped around the reeds so it game over hook pulls and its gone.
Little did I know that was the last bit of action I would see until 1130am. In the meantime I tried everything in my armoury on every line, Sweetcorn , pellet of all flavours types maggots, worm, meat Paste of various flavours hook sizes down to 22 - Not a Sausage, no not the meat - the slang term for not having a bite !. What am I doing wrong ????? - Well I'm not alone several of my peers have walked past at are having similar experiences - Some thing is amiss here.
Then at 1130 just after chatting with my fellow suffers I thought I'd knocked my rod of its Perch - ( No not the fish !) - So lifted up and there was a commotion over in the Island reeds - My word I've Got a fish on - the Adrenaline is pumping now that wakes me up & what a cracking fight - A small Mirror of around 2lb in my net !!! - Well I ain't blanking.
The morning moves into the afternoon the sun pokes it head out for a while but disappears behind the clouds before too long - I can't even have a pee in the bushes as there seems to be a Charity Walk going on along the Canal - A day long procession of 'I bought the Green event T shirt' clad people all day plodding along.
The only Actvity in my swim are the Terns swooping down and picking off what ever Fly's are hatching thorough the water surface. I would like to say they were Mayfly's but did not look big enough - More like Gnats - So good on you Terns. The only other actvity to report were the Ducks squabbling and a pair of Wood Pigeons repairing their nest on the overhanging tree to my right and myself being awoken by my snoring as I nod off.
By 2pm my silver keep net is out & dried everything apart form the pole at 9m set on my Preston Pole Holders (I knew they would come in handy one day.) at 1439hrs (how precise is that bored or what) the float dips - I'm almost too shocked and momentarily freeze, but recover to grab the pole and land my 2nd fish of the a 2oz Roach.
I blow the whistle at 1500hrs - Ed & Mick Wagg come round to pick up the weigh sling and proceeded with the weigh-in with me - 2Lbs on the button - Well I'm in the lead for a moment at least !. I 'm all Packed up by 1510hrs and on the walk to the car I rack my brain for the last time I had such a poor day on Match. I now remember - the very 1st Coarse Fishing Match I fished as 'Guest' with borrowed gear and no clue - I Blanked that day - but not since - when was it - September 2000.
The best pegs were on the Lee side of the Island - With John Buck & Rob Blackburn 1st & 2nd respectively - Rob tells me that he lost as many fish as he caught where they dived for the reeds. Same ratio as me then !
Match Result
Whilst talking to Mick Scoles who fishes here regularly he said that the owner had concerns about the fishing in the last week and found the Oxygen levels were down and that Aerators were coming this week - I hope they are in time and the fish don't suffer - Hopefully it will be much improved by the time we come here in October for the Lee Chapel Match - Oh and I finished 20th - 2 guys did not even weigh in !!!
League Positions
As they say - That's fishing and Our team is Still Bottom by an increasing Points Margin - Good job thereis no relegation in this League - Ed any prizes for the wooden spoon ????
Team Positions
Oh and Big Johns's If you have not been there lately the website I mean not the shop !
Labels: Big Johns League Match
Monday, April 21, 2008
Big John's Summer League Match - Monks Lake, Maidstone, Kent - 20th April 2008
My 1st match Fishing experience in the Garden of England (I've only had a weekend's Pleasure Fishing in Kent before) was rewarding in more ways in one.
An early start again for the trek across the Thames and down the M20 to Monks Lake. Arrived in overcast conditions with a slight 'high' mist and joined the back of the BJ convoy. If I had planned to meet up with everyone at that precise moment it would never of happened. To get into the Car Park you have to queue and pay your dues before entry - A bit like a Macdonald's Drive-Thru but with a barrier and minus the food (although around the other side was a Clean & Tidy Food van cooking breakfast - I had a Sausage & Bacon Sandwich which was 10 times better than a MacDonald's Brekkie.
Less of the frivolity and onto the main reason why we are here - 2nd Match of the Big John's Summer series. We were fishing Match 1 lake which was the highest Lake and had demanding views over the Quite extensive complex. A bit exposed as well - I hate to think what it would be like here in the winter in the wind, rain or snow - Brghh! Apart from a brisk North Easterly wind the weather was kind to us we even had some watery sunshine for a long period of the Afternoon & Bright sun for a whole HOUR !
I decided that I would wait to last to draw my Peg as there would still be a choice - Peg 26 Ed Pearce was sure that was the hot end peg next to the aerators. Ed & Olly Wagg drew each Others Peg's as per normal - Olly had Peg 28. Peg 26 was not the hot Peg next to the Aerator that was Peg 23. Nobody had drawn Peg 27 so Olly and myself had quite allot of water to work with. The Swims here are nicely laid out with good solid and importantly wide platforms and the Point arm swims that back on to each other and interlace enabling Poles to shipped back with no fear of Pushing the angler behind into his swim ! Plus also interlaced with the opposite swims across the water.
An early start again for the trek across the Thames and down the M20 to Monks Lake. Arrived in overcast conditions with a slight 'high' mist and joined the back of the BJ convoy. If I had planned to meet up with everyone at that precise moment it would never of happened. To get into the Car Park you have to queue and pay your dues before entry - A bit like a Macdonald's Drive-Thru but with a barrier and minus the food (although around the other side was a Clean & Tidy Food van cooking breakfast - I had a Sausage & Bacon Sandwich which was 10 times better than a MacDonald's Brekkie.
Less of the frivolity and onto the main reason why we are here - 2nd Match of the Big John's Summer series. We were fishing Match 1 lake which was the highest Lake and had demanding views over the Quite extensive complex. A bit exposed as well - I hate to think what it would be like here in the winter in the wind, rain or snow - Brghh! Apart from a brisk North Easterly wind the weather was kind to us we even had some watery sunshine for a long period of the Afternoon & Bright sun for a whole HOUR !
I decided that I would wait to last to draw my Peg as there would still be a choice - Peg 26 Ed Pearce was sure that was the hot end peg next to the aerators. Ed & Olly Wagg drew each Others Peg's as per normal - Olly had Peg 28. Peg 26 was not the hot Peg next to the Aerator that was Peg 23. Nobody had drawn Peg 27 so Olly and myself had quite allot of water to work with. The Swims here are nicely laid out with good solid and importantly wide platforms and the Point arm swims that back on to each other and interlace enabling Poles to shipped back with no fear of Pushing the angler behind into his swim ! Plus also interlaced with the opposite swims across the water.
Position of the Pegs & Key Features on the Lake
I set up on the Pole with Three lines in Mind at 11m , 7m and margins, Plus Maggot Feeder and Pellet Waggler - My rationale being that this is a heavily fished & stocked water it should fish well on all methods - a matter of finding the one for the day. Reported stock was mainly small carp to 3lb with the odd bonus fish to 8lb. Ide & Chub of reasonable size as well. So all rigs were Light Size 18/16 to 2 1/2 lb Line.
At 0845 my phones rings - Who's calling me now ? - I have not finished setting up yet - arggh!! - I grovel around to find the phone in my front pocket - looks at the screen - it's Ed !!! So I wave to him (left opposite from where I'm at) & answer at the same time - what an odd thing to do !!! Upshot is that BJ has forgotten his whistle so do I have one ?- Yep so it's down to me to Start/Finish the Match.
I blow the whistle 4 times in each direction just to make sure everyone heard it this time!.. I'm go with the Pole @ 11m with single Red Maggot not a touch - I noticed Olly is the Pellet Waggler So I give that a try - nothing. I try the Pole at 7m - nothing - hmm! Nothing - A quick look around not much else going apart for Mason Mills two pegs down on my left who was having some luck on the Pole.
So when all else fails get on my trusted old Maggot Feeder - Heavy small In-Line Fox in this case - Loaded with Mixed and a single Red Maggot on size 18 12" 2/12lB Hook Link. Fire out to Mid lake , instant success - Pull round within 30 seconds and a nice little Common graced my net. I clipped up on my next cast (small Fish so no real danger of smash up's) I kept going like this for a 1/2 hour and I noticed Olly had set up and was now using the Maggot feeder and having success also - Copy cat ! - Boozy who was opposite to right slightly was on the Pole at 11m with maggot and was getting the occasional Fish or what seem to be occasional.
All went quiet on the feeder tried a few positions but the fish seem to have moved off. So I came into the margins to my right which I had been feeding at regular intervals with small pellet & Maggot/Casters. No sooner had I dropped in then the float sunk and tore off and pulling the elastic - Great Fight from a Lovely Looking Barbel of around 1 2/lb. I then had a couple of Ide then more Barbel until I'd killed that swim off for the time being. So it was back out on the feeder, the Pole at length was not an option - I just cannot handle it in a strong cross wind.
I found that where I was clipped up that it would catch on what appeared to be a snag on the drop and had to pull it clear but as I was catching it seem to work- Went quiet again after another good session on bringing in more carp and One Barbel. So back on the Margin swim and a few more Barbel and Ide and a couple of small carp. Did not last as long this time, back on the feeder but lost the clip an was overshooting the mark and not getting much there,
In the mean time Olly was still pulling them in on his feeder. I lost a sizable fish when the 5lb main line snapped - It was not that a bigger fish, big then after setting up again with a bigger feeder, I came a little shorter and discovered something that I should have figured out 5 hours earlier there is a shelf down the middle and once I rolled down to the bottom of the shelf on my side I got into a lot of fish (or was it more feed ?) - if only I had found it earlier - in the last Hour I put 20lb of small carp in the net!. (I wonder if it was a gravel bar and nicked the line on the 'snag'' which caused the line to break - most feasible answer me thinks!)
Time for one more cast before the whistle. I'm sat there counting down - 10 secs left and the rod pulls round - Whistle in mouth blows the whistle, then announces Fish On which Olly retorts 'you can't do that'- Another tidy little Carp of around 2lb.
I Packed up with just the nets in the water attached to my seat box so I don't do a Rob Blackburn. Go up to watch the weigh-in which was already underway - Only to Find out that Boozy was in the lead with 62Lb. Where & when did he catch them I wondered ? and asked if he had brought them with Him. When we got to Ollys' peg and I was surprised that he did not have more- I even Checked his nets to make sure there was no hole in them !
I was up next and I was really chuffed that I had 55lbs, enough for 2nd place but with some really good anglers to come I jested to BJ that I will end up like Moses again - coming 4th or Beyond.
Mason - well what can I say - Poor S*d suffered with a Migraine midway through the day and had to go walk about and lost some valuable fishing time at least 45 mins I reckon. With his weight of 52lbs he really would have been in contention for the Prize Money if he had fished for that time.
As we got to Steve Barrett on one of the hot pegs and he weighed in well short with 42lbs (one up to Boozy !). I thought I am with a chance for some Money here, but Kev Keeling was going to 2nd last weighing-in . Biggest laugh of the day came when BJ weighed in - with Ed weighing it as well - was a close thing with BJ pipping Ed by 12ozs so Big Macs on Ed for a change. BJ rubbed salt into his wounds by phoning Mum and telling her that her Son's a Loser. I think someone will be eating Humble Pie ( sorry paying for Apple Pies to go with the Big Macs) in the not too distant future.
When Kev Keeling weighed in 42lb 12ozs. I was going to be to in the Money .
So Congrats to Boozy - I still don't know where & when he caught the Fish - (probably at the same time as me - why I did not notice) and I was as singing I'm in the Money loud all the way back to my peg to pack up the nets and load my cart.
So to top off the day a treat I did not even have to queue to go through he Dartford Tunnel and was home within the Hour !! With some additional money in my pocket - Don't tell the Missus though !-
I have identified what I'm spending it on - A Mega Tray for my Seat Box - Why - At around 1pm I had decided to give the margins a rest and go back on the feeder so I could have a bite to eat and drink but alas no sooner that I had a cup of coffee in one hand and a Pork Pie in the other I was having to put both down somehow and play a fish, but nowhere to put in my side tray - no way was I giving any of them up, So Pie in mouth, Rod in right hand only did I place the Cup in one of the Maggot bait boxes and I was OK - - No I need bigger tray !
Results:
Look how close the weights are ounces in it in some cases - I think we will be visiting here again next year.
I can't believe our team (2) is still bottom of the Team Competition after the excellent day we had as a unit - Just goes to show what a poor 1st Match we had at Newlands
Oh and I will be interested to see the results form the Fish O'Mania Qualifier that will fished at Monks this Coming Wednesday 23rd April
Team Positions
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Labels: Big Johns League Match
Monday, March 17, 2008
Big Johns Angling League Match - Newlands Hall Moat Lake - 16th March 2008 -
1st match of the New Season but felt like Winter not Spring! The good weather of the previous week had the lake Fishing well but alas the day we turn up – Cold Drizzle and Light rain brought in a Fresh Easterly.
30 Anglers fished this inaugural 2008 Big Johns Angling League Match – with quite a few new faces. This year the League has the addition of 6 teams of 5 and Mystery Weight Money prize in match.
Draw made – Ed pulled out fancied #1 swim for Olly Wagg who was smiling like a Cheshire Cat. I drew Peg 22 which turnt out to be in the middle of the South bank in wind!
I decided to try the Pole given that reports where Corn & pellet on Size 16/14 had been catching all week and the fact it was only a couple of feet my thought was that too shallow for the feeder.
2nd drop at 9meters on Corn had a strong take and 1 a minute later a 2lb Common was in my keep net – Good Start but the wind and the rain picked up, the wind swirling it was difficult to get good presentation ,but I persevered at varying lines – with only a small F1 to show. Tried various pellets and smaller rigs no Joy. Steve Barrett to me left was catching regularly at 9m on Pellet, (I found out afterwards – soaked in Aniseed!)
I thought I’d use the planned mid-match weigh-in to set up on the feeder but Ed came round and cancelled that due to the poor catch rate.
I was just rebaiting my rig and the wind took the top section in the trees to my right – So nearly had a ‘Blakey’ Moment trying to retrieve it (falling in that is). So that was it – Time for the feeder, - Small cage feeder to size 16 12” 2.5Lb Hook link Sweetcorn Bait – Dynamic feeder /maggot/Sweetcorn in cage.
1st put in at 15 meters (4m From the Island) get a pull round but miss it, then again I drop in the same place and ‘climb’ into my seat. Get another stonking bite – Fish On but somehow I have managed to get the line round the bottom of the boot! Must have caught it whilst climbing!
Not deterred I patiently keep going – and was rewarded with a bite every now & again to keep me occupied. At the rain eased off in the afternoon.
Thanks god the whistle went at 3pm – My hands are frozen (not literally just really cold).
The weigh-in took an Hour, and weights were interesting with End pegs doing well yet the main banks variable. Top weight was an impressive 104lb with a couple in the 80-90’s. Olly weighed in around 60lbs, As for team 2 (the team I’m in Mick Wagg ‘had a bite’ after his blanks on his last Two Lee Chapel matches weighed in around 17lb, Kev Keeling 23lb. Mick Byrne cannot remember I managed 19 ½ lb (I was pleased with that given the date and the conditions beats some of my summer weights!) the Other guy – David I think went home early.
Terry Middleton won the Mystery weight prize of £20
Next BJ Match – another new one for me – Monks near Maidstone.
30 Anglers fished this inaugural 2008 Big Johns Angling League Match – with quite a few new faces. This year the League has the addition of 6 teams of 5 and Mystery Weight Money prize in match.
Draw made – Ed pulled out fancied #1 swim for Olly Wagg who was smiling like a Cheshire Cat. I drew Peg 22 which turnt out to be in the middle of the South bank in wind!
I decided to try the Pole given that reports where Corn & pellet on Size 16/14 had been catching all week and the fact it was only a couple of feet my thought was that too shallow for the feeder.
2nd drop at 9meters on Corn had a strong take and 1 a minute later a 2lb Common was in my keep net – Good Start but the wind and the rain picked up, the wind swirling it was difficult to get good presentation ,but I persevered at varying lines – with only a small F1 to show. Tried various pellets and smaller rigs no Joy. Steve Barrett to me left was catching regularly at 9m on Pellet, (I found out afterwards – soaked in Aniseed!)
I thought I’d use the planned mid-match weigh-in to set up on the feeder but Ed came round and cancelled that due to the poor catch rate.
I was just rebaiting my rig and the wind took the top section in the trees to my right – So nearly had a ‘Blakey’ Moment trying to retrieve it (falling in that is). So that was it – Time for the feeder, - Small cage feeder to size 16 12” 2.5Lb Hook link Sweetcorn Bait – Dynamic feeder /maggot/Sweetcorn in cage.
1st put in at 15 meters (4m From the Island) get a pull round but miss it, then again I drop in the same place and ‘climb’ into my seat. Get another stonking bite – Fish On but somehow I have managed to get the line round the bottom of the boot! Must have caught it whilst climbing!
Not deterred I patiently keep going – and was rewarded with a bite every now & again to keep me occupied. At the rain eased off in the afternoon.
Thanks god the whistle went at 3pm – My hands are frozen (not literally just really cold).
The weigh-in took an Hour, and weights were interesting with End pegs doing well yet the main banks variable. Top weight was an impressive 104lb with a couple in the 80-90’s. Olly weighed in around 60lbs, As for team 2 (the team I’m in Mick Wagg ‘had a bite’ after his blanks on his last Two Lee Chapel matches weighed in around 17lb, Kev Keeling 23lb. Mick Byrne cannot remember I managed 19 ½ lb (I was pleased with that given the date and the conditions beats some of my summer weights!) the Other guy – David I think went home early.
Terry Middleton won the Mystery weight prize of £20
Results
Next BJ Match – another new one for me – Monks near Maidstone.
Labels: Big Johns League Match
Monday, October 29, 2007
Big Johns Angling Sunday League - Tylers Common Horseshoe Lake 28th October 2007
A week later than originally planned the final round of Big Johns Angling Summer League was held at 'Windy City' Tyler's Common Horseshoe Lake. The weeks delay meant that summer had officially past with the Clocks going back during the night and a forecast that did not want you drawing a peg facing South /South West. - Rain and wind (Wind - well that is given assumption at Tyler's). British Summer Time had truly ended.
That said we had a tussle for the Championship - Ed Pearce and Olly Wagg - Ed has been leading all the way but Olly still had a strong chance if he won and Ed finished well down the leader board. Only 6 points in it going into today’s match
We all felt that the draw could decide this with Peg numbers in the low 30's being favourite being at North East end -the recipient of the South Westerly with Peg 31 in the corner being the 'HOT' one.
As per normal Olly and Ed drew each others Pegs and somebody was smiling like a Cheshire Cat - That was Ed - Olly had drawn him Peg 31, and Ed had drawn 39 for Olly. It would appear that Ed would only need to wet his line to win.
I was suffering from the remnants of a heavy cold and of course drew a facing wind peg - My age - 51. As we made our way up the 'arm' of the horseshoe Olly was calling for Ed to came and look at his peg - he deemed to be unfishable as he would not be able to use his feeder because of the tufted Grass, Mine and Mason Mills' response was that we had fished from worse swims this year and he should just get on with. Ed reviewed and agreed for Olly to move up a peg to peg 40.
My approach was hunker down and fish with maggot feeder today - I not also that was how Olly had set up also. I tried to set up my Brolly but would not afforded any protection, so gave it up as a bad job - Put some waterproof trousers on Zipped up my thermal jacket and prepared for the rain. Boozy to my right on Peg 50 also tried to set up his brolly but it immediately gave way under the pressure of the wind. I think Rob Blackburn lent him one for the day.
Talking of Rob Blackburn - our prime candidate for 'Entertainer of the Year' it was reported that he had caught an empty Mackerel Tin on another lake somewhere, The Lads - (who will remain nameless) had put a empty can stuffed with two Mackerel into his landing net. He would remain oblivious to this until the weigh-in.
At the All-In as if to say welcome to Winter the rain started - light at 1st, then hard, light, then drizzle. This went on like this all day, I used my 'bulk' to keep my maggots dry. I had a good start a couple of small Commons of 1 lb a piece form the Island - I was having trouble casting to the same place against the swirling wind. I reckon I only hit the same spot 5 times during the day.
This was my 1st real session on my new 10ft Abu Enticer Feeder Rod which I had purchased from Big John a month or so ago - What a lovely little rod it is - It played the bigger fish (7lb) just the same as the smaller 1/2lbers - great through action and makes the fight really sporty.
Mason to my left two pegs down was also going well on the pellet spring feeder in the opposite swim between his Islands whilst Boozy was on the Pole and not doing anything much. Sport was erratic during the day for me, I tried Various setups on pellet, Sweet corn, maggot combinations but had best take rate on 12" 2.5Lb size 16 Hook link with Double red maggot to Fox in Line Maggot Feeder at Mid distance. I had a right purple patch between 1.20 and 1.40pm and must have put 15lb in the net. I think Boozy spotted this and he moved into the middle on the feeder and started to bag up - he 'nicked' my fish.
From my position I could not see what was going on behind me on the Olly front - but when I did look round he appeared Quiet, whilst I could see Ed down on 31 and did look to be doing much at all.
At the weigh -In we started at the point of the 'arm', and having the usual how did you do chat as you do - Rob Blackburn indicated that Olly had bagged up and he himself landed a nice 7lber but did a 'Boozy' missed the keep net with it - Perhaps the Carp had an aversion to the Mackerel.
Big John himself weighed in 1st with 17lb 10oz then Mick Wagg with 21lb 8oz. Next Up was Rob Blackburn who immediately found a Mackerel Tin and threw it out with a few choice words. I tried to record on my phone Video but he was to quick
He weighed in 30lb 2 oz to have the last laugh. Across to Boozy - Wow - he really did bag up in that last Hour – 42lb 6ozs in total (What would have happened if he hadn't messed about with the pole for most of the Day ? Back across To Olly - Out came the net and Ed's face was Picture of realisation that perhaps he was not going to win. Two weigh-ins for him for 57lb 8ozs.
Then across to me - Much to my surprise 32lb 10oz - I thought I had about 20lb then to Mason no surprises here had a good weight having watched him pull most in during the morning session (he went walk about three times - Boozy had thought he packed up at 1pm).
The weights started to drop away which is totally the opposite of what we expected at the outset - last time we were here in similar wind conditions the lower 30 pegs were the big catch holes - not today the big pegs were in the middle - the wind had been blowing from the North / North east for most of the week and only South West for the past two days so perhaps they were on there way down there when Olly, Boozy, Mason and myself intercepted them ?
Ed was the last to weigh in and could only muster 7lb - A complete shock and with it his Championship Dreams - How cruel is that - All I can say is pick your own pegs next year !
Top three today – Olly, Mason, Boozy - Oh I finished just out the Money yet again - 4th - Perhaps call this 'Done a Moses' From the joke God said to Moses come Forth - he can fifth and God Lost his beer Money - Na don't work does it
Given the conditions a brief trophy presentation took place and the exchanging of side bet money.
Every picture tells a story – what do you make of these:
Of course no visit to the Horseshoe Lake is not complete without the long push all the way up the hill to the car park against the wind and the rain. But that is no it – that is topped once you get home of washing all the Goose S**t from your tackle etc.
Final League table
That said we had a tussle for the Championship - Ed Pearce and Olly Wagg - Ed has been leading all the way but Olly still had a strong chance if he won and Ed finished well down the leader board. Only 6 points in it going into today’s match
We all felt that the draw could decide this with Peg numbers in the low 30's being favourite being at North East end -the recipient of the South Westerly with Peg 31 in the corner being the 'HOT' one.
As per normal Olly and Ed drew each others Pegs and somebody was smiling like a Cheshire Cat - That was Ed - Olly had drawn him Peg 31, and Ed had drawn 39 for Olly. It would appear that Ed would only need to wet his line to win.
I was suffering from the remnants of a heavy cold and of course drew a facing wind peg - My age - 51. As we made our way up the 'arm' of the horseshoe Olly was calling for Ed to came and look at his peg - he deemed to be unfishable as he would not be able to use his feeder because of the tufted Grass, Mine and Mason Mills' response was that we had fished from worse swims this year and he should just get on with. Ed reviewed and agreed for Olly to move up a peg to peg 40.
My approach was hunker down and fish with maggot feeder today - I not also that was how Olly had set up also. I tried to set up my Brolly but would not afforded any protection, so gave it up as a bad job - Put some waterproof trousers on Zipped up my thermal jacket and prepared for the rain. Boozy to my right on Peg 50 also tried to set up his brolly but it immediately gave way under the pressure of the wind. I think Rob Blackburn lent him one for the day.
Talking of Rob Blackburn - our prime candidate for 'Entertainer of the Year' it was reported that he had caught an empty Mackerel Tin on another lake somewhere, The Lads - (who will remain nameless) had put a empty can stuffed with two Mackerel into his landing net. He would remain oblivious to this until the weigh-in.
At the All-In as if to say welcome to Winter the rain started - light at 1st, then hard, light, then drizzle. This went on like this all day, I used my 'bulk' to keep my maggots dry. I had a good start a couple of small Commons of 1 lb a piece form the Island - I was having trouble casting to the same place against the swirling wind. I reckon I only hit the same spot 5 times during the day.
This was my 1st real session on my new 10ft Abu Enticer Feeder Rod which I had purchased from Big John a month or so ago - What a lovely little rod it is - It played the bigger fish (7lb) just the same as the smaller 1/2lbers - great through action and makes the fight really sporty.
Mason to my left two pegs down was also going well on the pellet spring feeder in the opposite swim between his Islands whilst Boozy was on the Pole and not doing anything much. Sport was erratic during the day for me, I tried Various setups on pellet, Sweet corn, maggot combinations but had best take rate on 12" 2.5Lb size 16 Hook link with Double red maggot to Fox in Line Maggot Feeder at Mid distance. I had a right purple patch between 1.20 and 1.40pm and must have put 15lb in the net. I think Boozy spotted this and he moved into the middle on the feeder and started to bag up - he 'nicked' my fish.
From my position I could not see what was going on behind me on the Olly front - but when I did look round he appeared Quiet, whilst I could see Ed down on 31 and did look to be doing much at all.
At the weigh -In we started at the point of the 'arm', and having the usual how did you do chat as you do - Rob Blackburn indicated that Olly had bagged up and he himself landed a nice 7lber but did a 'Boozy' missed the keep net with it - Perhaps the Carp had an aversion to the Mackerel.
Big John himself weighed in 1st with 17lb 10oz then Mick Wagg with 21lb 8oz. Next Up was Rob Blackburn who immediately found a Mackerel Tin and threw it out with a few choice words. I tried to record on my phone Video but he was to quick
Mackerel Anyone
He weighed in 30lb 2 oz to have the last laugh. Across to Boozy - Wow - he really did bag up in that last Hour – 42lb 6ozs in total (What would have happened if he hadn't messed about with the pole for most of the Day ? Back across To Olly - Out came the net and Ed's face was Picture of realisation that perhaps he was not going to win. Two weigh-ins for him for 57lb 8ozs.
Then across to me - Much to my surprise 32lb 10oz - I thought I had about 20lb then to Mason no surprises here had a good weight having watched him pull most in during the morning session (he went walk about three times - Boozy had thought he packed up at 1pm).
The weights started to drop away which is totally the opposite of what we expected at the outset - last time we were here in similar wind conditions the lower 30 pegs were the big catch holes - not today the big pegs were in the middle - the wind had been blowing from the North / North east for most of the week and only South West for the past two days so perhaps they were on there way down there when Olly, Boozy, Mason and myself intercepted them ?
Ed was the last to weigh in and could only muster 7lb - A complete shock and with it his Championship Dreams - How cruel is that - All I can say is pick your own pegs next year !
Top three today – Olly, Mason, Boozy - Oh I finished just out the Money yet again - 4th - Perhaps call this 'Done a Moses' From the joke God said to Moses come Forth - he can fifth and God Lost his beer Money - Na don't work does it
Given the conditions a brief trophy presentation took place and the exchanging of side bet money.
Every picture tells a story – what do you make of these:
Of course no visit to the Horseshoe Lake is not complete without the long push all the way up the hill to the car park against the wind and the rain. But that is no it – that is topped once you get home of washing all the Goose S**t from your tackle etc.
Final League table
Labels: Big Johns League Match
Monday, September 17, 2007
Big Johns Angling Sunday League Match - Puddledock Fishery - Road Lake - 16th Sept 2007
17 Anglers fished the 30 Peg Road Lake at Puddledock Farm Fishery Upminster for the Penultimate Match in Big John's Angling Sunday League Series.
My expectation were not high as a pre-match viewing in Septembers Southern Angler Guide stated " The Road Lake isn't producing huge weights but will plenty bites from Skimmers Tench & small Carp"
Talking with Mick Wagg before the draw that it may be important to pick the left hand side Pegs 8-20 (East Bank) will pick up from the South West later ( it was calm at this point and a lovely early autumn morning.
I drew Peg 26 mid way down the West Bank. With fish moving in the mid track and at the island at 20 meters I decided that I would opt for a Feeder & Waggler approach today. I set up with the New Middy I-Line Power Feeder and a light 3BB Waggler on the match Rod.
The wind started to pick up mid way through the Set Up hour and started to gust at the All-In whistle. Ist chuck with the pellet feeder to the Island - had a small F1 carp to Sonu Halibut pellet - Olly to my right missed a fish on his 1st chuck on a cage feeder to the Island but didn't miss on the next cast - A Nice 4lb Common. This looked good but that was about it for me- very slow.I simplified the rigs, baits etc. came in to the middle track with feeder and waggler and was reduce to fishing Size 20 / 1lb line on the waggler suing Whip style to catch small Skimmers, Rudd and Roach up in the water on single Red maggot.
Well come the weigh -In - the Bridesmaid became the Bride. Steve Barrett won with Paul Hyde 2nd (i forgot the rest) but all the big weights if you could call 29lb big came from that East Bank- What did i say Mick !
I believe the overall league is still undecided with only few Points between Ed Pearce and Olly Wagg. So it is all on the last match at Tylers Common Horseshoe Lake next Month.
I'm nowhere Only go along for the 'pleasure Fishing and comradery.
Personal Footnote:
Getting me and my gear to the venue was interesting:
I offered Philip (my son) the loan of my galaxy to his Family on Holiday to the Isle of Wight in better comfort than his Ka. So we did a swapped. On the Saturday I trialled getting my gear in.
This meant removed on the rear set cushion (easy only a couple of self tappers would you believe) but getting it all was not but I succeeded, and left it there overnight ready for the Morning - See here.
Labels: Big Johns League Match
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Big Johns Angling Sunday League Match - Lakelands - Hatfeild Peveral July 14th 2007
Temp 18-22 C
Humidity: 73%
Dew Point: 17 °C
Wind: 6 mph ENE
Pressure: 1008 mb (Steady)
Rain / Bright
Humidity: 73%
Dew Point: 17 °C
Wind: 6 mph ENE
Pressure: 1008 mb (Steady)
Rain / Bright
The Journey to Lakelands http://www.lakelandfishery.co.uk/index.htm was conducted in a Thunderstorm and did not look good for the day, but as we arrived the rain eased to make the set up reasonable.
What a pretty lake - but looks 'peggy' Some good swims with lily pads especially down the South side ( see picture Below )
Pegs 17-21 the North side has the island to fish you with a couple of pegs with Lily's then the far corner has tree cover - so a little for everyone.
Dues paid and with everyone present we had an early draw - I drew Peg 15 the far end of the south side - Overhanging tree to my left and a small lily pad to my right. However bubbles were showing straight out in front.
I set up match top kit /light rig and a paste rig on my Bully Boy top kit for later - i also set up the method waggler - thought I'd try later if they come up in the water during the day.
I was ready and set to go by 0845 so took some photo's of the lake and the lads.
What a pretty lake - but looks 'peggy' Some good swims with lily pads especially down the South side ( see picture Below )
Pegs 17-21 the North side has the island to fish you with a couple of pegs with Lily's then the far corner has tree cover - so a little for everyone.
Dues paid and with everyone present we had an early draw - I drew Peg 15 the far end of the south side - Overhanging tree to my left and a small lily pad to my right. However bubbles were showing straight out in front.
I set up match top kit /light rig and a paste rig on my Bully Boy top kit for later - i also set up the method waggler - thought I'd try later if they come up in the water during the day.
I was ready and set to go by 0845 so took some photo's of the lake and the lads.
Boozy - Defintley Not your Best Side
Likley lads - ??? - Not Today
L-R John Buck, Rob Blackburn, Olly Wagg, Steve Barrett, Al Gammon.
1st drop in on single maggot had a small skimmer, followed by a number of small Roach, Had small Tench which pulled the 8 elastic out. Slow all round though although at 1000 Olly brightened our day a little by catching a duck on his feeder - Mind you the duck was not that amused and flew off in disgust once Olly had carefully on hooked it.
Mick Scholes was catching Carp regularly from his swim -Peg 18 all around the 6-5lb mark.
Nothing showing against my lily pad or Boozy's who was to my right on peg 16 who also has a small lily pad to his left.
I noticed that Chub & Ide were rising to my sprayed maggot so I remove weight a shallowed up and had a good run for an hours so catching nice size fish, but they dried up could not keep them there. By 2pm the small carp were cruising just below the surface - I went to the Method Waggler which met with a few comical remarks like - " watch the yachts will be rounding that soon" from Boozy.
Nothing on that - so back on the Pole - Gary Somerfield who was opposite commented on the Goldfish that was 'porpoising' form his swim to mine - I said watch I'll get him - Deposited a single maggot in his path and hey presto there you go hooked and landed. Now that's what i call targeting specific fish - A few minutes later another came into my swim -An again I said and did land that one.
Had a late flurry with a couple of Chub on the drop, Whistle went packed and weigh in - Surprise that I had 15lb 6oz to finish 5th !!!! To score my 1st real Sunday league Points of the Season !!!! Mick Scoles only had 38lb - thought he had more than that
Al Gammon came 2nd with 34lb - Don't know who Finished 4th - Gary S finished 6th , 6ozs behind me, with Ed Pearce (League leader) Out of the big points at 7th.
Links
http://www.bigjohnsangling.co.uk/index.html
http://www.lakelandfishery.co.uk/index.htm
Labels: Big Johns League Match
