Sunday 21/04/2024 - Westerleigh - The Shanks Match - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

I like this fishery for many reasons. Planned for a bit of Carp fishing on Shipp's Canal today. It wasn't to be as ended up on my usual peg 16 on Taylor's. As Glenn Bailey said to me - "silvers it will be then". I fished the peg enough now, so nothing new, same old, well nearly.

Sun cream on, making sure it's nowhere near my eyes today1

Set up the waggler only because of plenty of time which would also be useful whilst having a cuppa. The usual two rigs - 4x14 Winter and the short Ronnie rig, boring now.

Started at top set plus two barrels initially with 4 mm expander over GB laced with micro. I couldn't believe it every put in a tiny F1, tiny being less that 4 oz. Switched to LR on the hook and the same except did have a decent Skimmer and a 4 oz Tench. Gave up the line for the Ronnie rig with GB laced with Pinkie with single LP on the hook catching Ronnie's and the odd Skimmer. Hooked a big Skimmer which jumped out onto the bank and couldn't get to it without pulling the elastic out a lot so tried teasing it back in the water unfortunately the hook pulled.

Weighed 17 lb 5oz with the lost Skimmer getting me closer to 20 lb! The twat on the weigh sheet mixed my Carp and silvers weight mixed up - oh that was me!!

The match was won by Vince Shipp (pictured with the silvers winner - prefer the bottom picture to the one above) with 114 lb from peg 8. Vince caught on pellet and meat fishing 12 inches deep fished close around and off the island. Well done matey.

The venue fished very well with the canal throwing up 4 x 90 lb + weights of quality carp to 14 lb.

Back to the New Inn where we were Doomed, Bar a couple.

That's it for this week getting the kit ready for Whiteacres.

Weigh Sheets:

Saturday 20/04/2024 - Alcove Club - Whitehouse Farm - Margret's

Thought I would limber up for Whiteacres non-sponsored angling festival next week with a double header. The match was advertised as both lakes but with only 10 booked in Tony sensibly chose the one lake - Margret's. As it was a knock up decided to try a few things out.

Peg 7 for me not been on of this side of the lake before, so would be interesting. Sandwiched between Kev and Pete on peg 6 end peg today. Pete has won a few matches off the peg with Carp.

The Canadian Geese were making a right racket obviously didn't like the pair of Barnacle Geese - found their match. 

The pegs are a bit of a birdcage for the feeder chucker's as Pete found out breaking his feeder tip casting out. He was getting frustrated and was thinking of packing in but talked him round.

Set up various rigs and rods. The far far island is a very long cast and is where the Carp and Chub tend to hang out together. Tried casting a maggot feeder over but it wasn't man enough needs to be heavier - got some in the garage. My chose was the waggler and even though the light looked good couldn't see any colour tip tried, so binned it. Played about with a few pole rigs until the second half and sat on the long Ronnie rig with GB and LR's and caught 5 lb of tiny Perch which were really having a munch - guessing finished spawning. Added a couple of small Skimmers and a fan tail thing and 5 lb of Ronnie's which were either spawning or thinking about it and were reluctant feeders.

Finished with 11 lb 7 oz of silvers. Learnt a bit more about the lake.

The match was won by Pete Watkins (pictured with his catch) with 55 lb 8 oz from peg 6. Pete caught on the Hybrid feeder. Think I got the name right as Pete was showing me all the various method feeders he uses. It was white maggot hook bait with micro and maggot feed. Well done matey.

The Silvers was won by retiring Match Secretary Tony Welsby (pictured with the match winner) with 17 lb 12 oz from peg 13. Tony had a decent Chub and some F1's on the feeder the rest coming on the pole.

Have to mention John Treasure's Carp of 19 lb 7 oz helping him to second over all.

And finally can anyone remember that stuff we use to put on our faces to stop sun burn - used some today - but still it not that warm for the time of year.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 17/04/2024 - Bitterwell Silvers Open

Another visit to Bitterwell Lake for various reasons - Plenty of quality silvers, no pot holes, nice and clean, no mud. Would to say it was local, well it is, but South Gloucestershire Council which is liberal lead has totally bollocks all the traffic in our area. Their recent contribution is temporary traffic lights in Pucklechurch whilst they extend the cycle track which isn't use by cyclist preferring instead to still use the road!!

Planned to give expenders a go over small tight balls of GB laced with micro and expanders. However, luckily had pre-erected the waggler in case.

Peg 5 for me along the road side reasonably happy with it except for the wind which is driving me to madness. Plumbed around with a 4x14 rig and found the same depth at top set plus one, two and four barrels. I now wished I had plumbed in a bit

closer. Tried three lines with the expander approach which accounted for about 5 lb and 2 foul hooked Carp, whilst Marcus next door was catching steady on the wag and mag. The second half picked up the waggler with double LR's over loose fed LR's fished at 20 metres. It took a while to build the the line, mainly to the wind effecting accuracy which gradually got better and better adding 10 lb of quality 2 bream some Skimmers and 2 small Tench to 3 lb. Two more Carp hooked landed an 8 lb Common.

I weighed 15 lb 10 oz, didn't quiet catch Marcus up. Will still try and get the expander sorted here though.Thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the match and can't wait to get back for some more learning which wont be before I'm back from Whiteacres festival.

Shane Turner fished a brilliant match short on the pole (no option left a pole section home 😂) to take the win with 34 lb 11 oz from peg 24. Shane caught quality Skimmers and Tench on caster. Well done matey well deserved.

Lots of quality Skimmers and Tench to 5 lb caught. However, no sign of the Roach as of yet.

Result:

1st Shane Turner 34lb 11oz peg 24 

2nd John Fuidge 34lb 1 oz peg 12

3rd Mat Taynton 31lb 1oz peg 15

4th Paul Isaacs 29lb 12oz peg 19

5th Keith Turner 19lb 12oz peg 3

6th Martin Mcmahon 17lb peg 21

7th Marcus Murley 16lb 7oz peg 7

8th Mike Nichols 15lb 10oz peg 5

9th Les Harper 15lb 7oz peg 13

10th Ali Gibbs 9lb 7oz peg 20

11th Gary Morris 4lb 14oz peg 1

12th T-bone 4lb 12oz peg 25

13th Geoff Smith 4lb 4oz peg 23

John Macey dnw peg 18

Tuesday 09/04/2024 - Bitterwell - Silvers Open

It was a shock to hear Glynn Sage had passed away suddenly. We were only talking a few weeks ago. During our conversation we discovered we had claim to fame in common. Both had shaken the hand of the actor who's hand fondled Marilyn Munro. RIP matey.

Even though the whether looked awful again still went to Bitterwell lake to have a go at the good head of silvers. I did expect some protection from the wind though - not.

It was good to meet up with matey Dave Lewis, we go back a long, long way, a good all round angler, and proof that you don't need the best tackle to catch😎 - pictured less his smile he's waiting to have his set of £7,000 teeth screwed in shortly.😁

Drew peg 12 which all but once has been a bit of a bogey for me. So wasn't that happy especially with the wind hacking in to it. But good company with Geoff Smith whom we not only had a fishing match we also has a pissing match, Geoff won 5 -4, Me winning the fishing match though - good laugh.

Waggler or feeder, feeder won out due to the wind as wouldn't be able to feed the wag properly. Didn't expect the Ronnie's to feed, so just set up a 4x16 rig to fish top set plus two barrels then three barrels if the wind subsided. The wind was awful gusting in all directions with the tow all over the place - direction and pace. It wasn't about presentation today but hanging on. Had a really good start catching some decent Skimmers. Not sure what happen whether it was the wind effect but I started to tow into skimmers foul hooking them with none reaching the net. Very frustrating. However, because I was foul hooking it doesn't mean if the conditions were perfect they would have picked up the baited hook anyway - who knows? I under armed the feeder accurately over the pole line and for a second thought I had it sorted catching a skimmer first try, alas not only had one more over the longer pole line last but one cast. All caught on small hard balls of GB laced with LR's.

Weighed 12 lb 7 oz for halfway. Left with sever wind burns on the forehead. Decided not to fish again in high winds if avoidable. Don't be the next person to mention global warming to me.

The match was won by Paul Issac's (pictured with his catch - quality Skimmers and Tench) with 38 lb 15 oz from end peg 25. With the wind off his back he used the waggler throughout catching on either corn or maggot. Well done matey and to your lad Charlie for the under 15's England selection.

Runner up was Des Shipp (pictured) with 25 lb 10 oz from another wind effected peg 18. I got the feeling from expletives that he's not fond of the wind either . Well done in that wind.

Result:

1st Paul Isaacs 38lb 15oz peg 25

2nd Des Shipp 25lb 10oz peg 18

3rd Martin McMahon 18lb 13oz peg 4

4th Charlie Isaacs 18lb 7oz peg 20 

5th Keith Turner 16lb 10oz peg 19

6th Les Harper 16lb 9oz peg 6

7th Bagger 14lb 4oz peg 8

8th Dave Lewis 12lb 10oz peg 21

9th Mike Nicholls 12lb 7oz peg 12

10th Ali Gibbs 9lb 12oz peg 5

11th Marcus Murley 8lb peg 15

12th Gary Morris 7lb 11oz peg 1

13th Kai Hurley 5lb 12oz peg 7

14th Geoff Smith 3lb 4oz peg 10

Ricky Mills 🏆🏆 dnw peg 24

Shane Turner dnw peg 3

Simon Haydn dnw peg 13

Sunday 07/04/2024 - The Shanks Float Only - Westerleigh - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

Was looking forward to the match until seen the forecast - 50 mph winds and rain. luckily little to no rain. Before all that Geoff and me got a Spoons breaky in us.

I was praying for a peg with the wind off the back. Prayers answered Peg 20 it was. The wind was off my right shoulder, blasting into peg 17. Felt for those on pegs 15 to 17, especially Glenn who was probably on the worse form peg 15. It was bad enough with the wind off the back. Good company with John on peg 19 who appeared to be twitching to get up the pub, but was on the scales 😒 - pictured.

I had planned to have a go with paste, two things prevented this, the wind plus left the paste in the fridge 😢! However, had the expanders so set up a 4x14 to fish them over micro and loose fed 4's over the top down the shelf to the right with tow. Foul hooked two lost carp on this so was abandoned. The short Ronnie rig was set up but without any Ronnie's feeding was a waste of time only catching a few tiny Rudd. So the most of the match was spent on the 4x14 Winter initially at top set plus one barrel for 5 lb of Skimmers then adding another barrel for another 5 lb of Skimmers, all caught on double DR's over GB laced with Pinkie. The fish were up in the water and caught the majority of the silvers 6 inches off. Out on the bar Carp were topping so set up the waggler and had a few chucks on it, however, because of the wind felt the feeding wasn't accurate enough - presentation wasn't too back though.

Weighed 10 lb 2 oz of all Skimmers for the silvers win.

Seen Glenn disappearing out the carp park for a FOE surprised he lasted as long as he did.

The match was won by Steve S (pictured with the silvers winner) from peg 1 on Shipp's with 56 lb. Steve caught at 12 metres fishing meat over meat. Well done Matey.

Back to the Inn with most of the usual suspects. I'm not sure picking up at this venue is financially wise.

Thanks to Bri Shanks for running the match in his usual efficient way 👍

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 28/03/2024 - Shiplate Farm - Cost Cutter - Main Lake

Glenn and me booked into Shiplate. We've not been there for a year. Dom Sullivan is now match organiser. I was really looking forward it until we seen the weather forecast. Shiplate Farm is close to the coast (W-S-M) so the conditions were going to be far worse than inland.

The weather made it desperate to draw either pegs 9, 8, 7, or 6. In to the draw bag and peg 14b stuck to my hand. With the wind blasting into peg 15 corner found myself on the second worse peg weather wise. Normally would have been happy with it.

The plan was to fish expander over GB laced with micro with a few expanders. Set up a 4x14 to have a plumb around. Its very shallow close in but could get to a decent depth of 5 foot at top set plus two barrels. I was expecting the float to go against the wind, alas not it was sitting with the wind at 45 degrees! Further up the lake the more pronounce the tow got against the wind. The wind was too strong on my peg and was overcoming the tow. Set up a short rig to fish the top set in the shallow water 2 1/2 feet where it was still going with the wind but a lot less.

Tried the planned expander but got nibbled out by Ronnie's. Thought about setting up a GB feeder but had left the worms home. The thought of packing in crossed my mind as it was almost unfishable. Changed to caster and GB and did have plenty of bites in-between holding on to the brolly. I did hook a large Carp who's pectoral fin caught the line which helped me nearly net it early. Got a bit impatient and broke the rig line - well over 10 lb.

The upshot we were all glad to hear the all out. My Ronnie silver  weighed  15 lb 4 oz for nowhere. The silver weights were low today which frustrated me even further because couldn't use my planed attack.

Shaun Putney had a close shave with a medium size tree just to his left blowing over into the lake. Shaun lucky to get away with just brown underpants.

The match was won by Colin Fellows with 114 lb 2 oz from peg 5. Colin caught on the Method.

The Silvers was won by Roger Kimberley (pictured) with 24 lb 14 oz from peg 8. Roger caught Skimmers at 10 metres using either worm heads or double caster.

No double or a single bubble for the van today. We did have a double van spill though. Lol

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 24/03/2024 - Alcove Club - Rover - White House Farm

Looking forward to this match, not done many rover matches. Good turn out with 19 fishing. I'm a novice on this venue, so thought it important to have a walk around to see where I fancied. Didn't fancy Margret's which appeared to be of colour. Got to Georges which looked good. The wind put me off the low numbers. Pegs 18, 10, 8 and 7 would be my choice. 10, 8 and 7 are the longest walks which would put some off going there and is around Chub Island.

Didn't want to be in the early one to pick my peg as wanted some space so happy with 13th to pick. My turn came and only 2 before me had selected Georges so peg 10 it was. I did have great company with Steve Brown on 11. Peg 10 is opposite a very small island with plenty of over hangs, plus it's under a tree which necessitates casting over the left shoulder, both obstacles to keep me on my toes.

Set up a 7" bodied waggler on 3 lb Maxima and 0.14 GLine hook length to 18 - 808. Can't see face on how much the bushes overhang so had a few casts without the hook to find the best ares. The long Ronnie rig which would be first to try.

Loose fed some LR's over to the island. The wind was perfect for feeding and casting. Fed the Ronnie line with GB laced with LP's. Soon catching small Ronnie's and a couple of bonus Skimmers on double Pinkie. The line went quite and pulling pack to re cast pricked a Carp which bow waved out of the peg towards peg 8. Refed so time to try the Waggler with single LR on the hook. Had an immediate response from Chub to 3 lb landing five loosing one which hooked up on my keepnet. It went quiet so came off the island a couple of metres and had some Ronnie's to 6 oz and a couple of hard fighting 8 oz Hybrid's. I had been loose feeding the Ronnie line with LR's on the Ronnie rig line and went over that to rest the island line and had some nice Ronnie's. Back out on the island and had some small Chub and more Ronnie's. As the match progress kept switching between the two lines to keep the Ronnie's and small Chub coming.

My silvers weighed 32 lb 7 oz for surprising first overall. Very enjoyable day's fishing at a well managed fishery.

Thanks to Tony Welsby for the well organised match, guess rover matches are harder to run.

Weigh Sheet: