Sunday 05/01/2025 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round One - Taylor's and Shipp's

Some snow overnight which luckily turned to rain. Had a call from Geoff Francis and had a tree down in his road, fortunately a local farmer cut some branches enabling Geoff to get through to keep our meet at Wetherspoons. Very mild 10 degrees.

First round today, so all keen to get a decent start. I wanted Taylors first as Shipp's fishes better last, especially the dreaded peg 13.

Into the draw bag and peg 25 (pictured) it would be, one away from practice day. Not the best at the moment, better in the summer.

Even though the silver fishing results all over are really poor for some reason only the fish know. Still set up for them with a short Ronnie rig. Just adding a 4x14 Winter for the expander to fish up to top set plus three barrels. Feed the Ronnie line with GB laced with some Pinkie and the pellet line with "not a lot" of micro and four expanders. Undecided what to started on choosing the expander over the Pinkie as can catch both decent Skimmers and Carp on them, which I think proved to be the right choice.

Out on a 4 mm expander at two barrels and had a decent Carp first put in, another second put and a F1 third put in. Going to empty it - NOT. Other than a lost fouler at three barrels didn't have another bite for four and half hours except for four 1 oz Perch on the Ronnie rig. Could not catch a Ronnie!! I don't think it helped having a hell of a tow against the wind which was making it difficult to hold the rig still. Ended up with six lines in a very restricted peg mainly to try and generate some enthusiasm!!

Weighed 12 lb 12 oz and was amazed and delighted to get a keeper 3 points.

The match and Shipp's was won once again by Vince Shipp (pictured) from in form and his regular draw peg 2 with 58 lb 3 oz. Vince caught mainly at three barrels in open water on maggot over kindered maggot and micro. Well done matey.

Johnny Clarke (pictured) won Taylor's with another stand out weight of 36 lb 13 oz from peg 20. Johnny caught the same as previous match expander over "not a lot" of micro at 12 and 7 metres.

Expect the fishing to improve once the water levels return.

Back for a pint at the pub with the usual suspects to round off a slow but good to be out fishing.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 29/12/2024 - Westerleigh Winter League Practice Match - Taylor's and Shipp's

I Wondered why we needed a practice match - found out today!

Three missing the practice, so 17 of us spread over the two pools. Was going to fish for silvers so didn't mind where I would spend the day. However, was happy to draw peg 26 on Taylor's. recently fished it and had a few Skimmers.

As per last time set up just two rigs 4x14 Winter and a long Ronnie rig. Fed the Ronnie rig line with GB laced with Pinkie. A two barrel line with the same and a three barrel line with micro.

Well had a 4 oz Skimmer first put in on the Ronnie rig with double Pinkie, followed by some tiny Ronnie's. Refed which appeared to killed the line. Went out at at two barrels with the 4x14 Winter and had some more tiny Ronnie's, it was too slow to stay with them. So set up the waggler for over to the end of the island with single maggot over loose fed same - result one Perch. So set up the short Ronnie rig for down the RH edge with single Pinkie over lose fed same and had a few Perch and more tiny Ronnie's, unfortunately lost the margin to dead floating reeds accumulating on the line. Did have an attempt to remove them but futile. The LH was just as bad. Got up and set up a RJ 0.3 Slim for Carp against the reeds at three barrels with GB and LR's - one Perch and another tiny Ronnie. Usually get a few F1's etc... here but no signs. Now for my last gamble the expander over micro. Went out in front at three barrels with the Winter and a 4mm hooker over some more kindered micro and instant bite and a 1 lb Fantail - not what I wanted, following this had three instant Skimmers which when I refed the line completely died. So spent the rest of the match trying new lines around at three barrels for nothing.

Weighed 4 lb 6 oz of silvers and one Fantail 1 lb 3 oz. More practice required.

The match was won on Shipp's Canal from inform peg 2 by Vince Shipp (pictured) with 67 lb 14 oz Carp haul. Vince caught on his favourite soft pellet over micro, short, down the middle and over with the latter producing the Lion's share. Well done matey.

Taylor's Pool was won by Dave (pictured) with 39 lb 5 oz from peg 19. Dave caught mainly at 13 metres with maggot over micro later coming to 7 metres adding a few more small Carp on the same baits. Well done matey.

Back to the New Inn for a pint funded by our Lottery winner.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 15/12/2024 - Ron Hardiman Open - Westerleigh - Shipps and Taylors

Nice breakfast with Geoff at Spoons, seemed mild until we got to the fishery which was supposed to be 12 degrees - my ass - it was bloody freezing wind.

The fishery has been fishing hard.

Eighteen fishing so nine on each pool. Into the draw bag and peg 3 on Shipp's it would be. It has won a few matches also some have struggled on it. So not overwhelm with the peg. It seems that fisheries with open water at each have retracted the fish probably because to the narrow parts having been towing due of the high winds of late. The fish like it towing in the summer but not so keen in winter, preferring instead to preserve their energy.

Now here's a thing I thought there was a silvers pool, but apparently not, got confused with the forthcoming Winter and Summer leagues. So only gunned up for silvers Pinkie, LR's and GB. However, Bela shared a large tin of corn with the pool. However, decided to stick with maggot.

The waggler was my first choice as I could reach the end of the island and cast it along the island bank in search of bites. Having set it up and to Bela's (peg 2 again) amusement relised I was under two trees. However, there was a small gap between them and hopefully might be able to sideswipe a cast. Set up and 0.3 gram RJ for the margin and a 4x14 Winter for top set plus  three barrels.

Started at three Barrels with the double Pinkie over GB and had an 8 oz Skimmer second try followed by a 2 ouncer. The Ronnie's then moved in who were really up for a munch. After 30 minutes could already see who were going to pick up the top three pools pegs 1, 2 and 6. So nothing to fish for so stayed on the Ronnie's catching some better ones. Had a go on the waggler and LR's and more Ronnie's. More fun for Bela when the tree snatched my waggler. Set up 11.5 metres to get to the island but the wind was skimming around the end of the island had nothing from it, so packed it away spending a few hours in the RH margin catching two small Mirror Carp and some more better Ronnie's Last hour spent thrashing the waggler around the end of the island which took me a lot of side swiping practice to get it right, catching an F1 and more Ronnie's. Hooked a Carp which took me into some reeds losing both my waggler and the fish. Luckily John on peg 9 retrieved it for me. Back out with the waggler and lost another 10 minutes before the end which, hopefully, Mark Taylor will retrieve for me.

Had Tony on peg 8 (aka as the patio table) kept putting 5 fingers up at me, I translated this as 5 lb, however, he must have been busy with the other hand weighing 12 lb!!

Weighed 10 lb 12 oz for nowhere.

Our pool and the match was won by Bela Bakos (pictured) with 66 lb 1 oz from peg 2. Bela started on two barrels with meat catching instantly. Later moved to the island with hard pellet keeping some decent Carp coming. Some say he was loose feeding as if it was mid summer!! Well done matey.

Taylor's pool was won by Johnny Clark with 51 lb 2 oz from peg 21. Johnny caught at 7 and 12 metres using expander hook bait over micro. Well done matey.

The fish of the match came to Steve Rogers in the first 10 minutes on bread from peg 11. Steve who regularly fishes river matches thought he had a record Chub, in fact is was the pools biggest 14 lb Grass Carp. Mothers Pride must love you, ask for a sponsorship! Well done matey

Back to the Pub waited for a new barrel of Doombar, but couldn't drink even the second poured for me, tasted like vinegar. Amazed how many pubs have stopped selling beers in favour of lagers and ciders.

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 12/12/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter - Match Lake

Attendance was weather dependant. Didn't look too bad so fished. What a miserable day it was, damp and gloomy.

Found out that the Sunday match was about saving a blank with only 20 lb winning.

It seems Dave Haines had some success scaring the Cormorants off the pylons with his whiz bang fireworks.

At last a draw on the far side peg 8 which I was happy with. The peg has some form, but you really need to fish 13 metres, never had the appetite for that, so only set up the maggot feeder and waggler. Only had LR's on the bait tray.

The chuck over to the sedges needed an 8" Drake had a few practice cast and wasn't confident it was going to stay on station long enough due to a skimming wind blowing along the inside.

Fed some LR's and started on the waggler and had one indication which was either a Ronnie or liner. As I thought couldn't keep the float still long enough, but did keep trying it throughout particularly once the wind reduced, had a couple more indications. Spent the lions share of the match on the feeder. Had two small Carp in two chucks which gave me false hope of another bagging session. Subsequent had a couple of hours without a bite. Last couple of hours added four more Carp. Once again the last two Carp were better fish and about the same weight as the other four.

Thought I had 35 lb weighed 35 lb 8 oz (without a clicker) for 6th overall. The North Easterly was very cold and glad to get in the car. Although caught most of my fish off the reeds think I got a handle on this feeder fishing tight to the reeds. Wish I  had started on a small open ended feeder with Pinkie might have had a pick up with a silver.

The match was won by matey John Williams (pictured with the silvers winner) with 108 lb 11 oz from peg 12. John fished the pole at three barrels using soft pellet on the hook fished over the same. The fish have shoaled up, I think subsequent to the high winds blowing down the lake legs driving the fish out of the horrendous tow in such conditions, as Gary Bedford was second with 80 lb fishing into the gap between the islands on the waggler and pellet.

Tony "Turbo" Ponting fishing peg 2 picked up both pools in the silvers with two accident Perch stretching the scales down to 1 oz!

Geoff and me stopped in the Griffin pub for a pint. Primarily to see the recent refurbishment. As Geoff said it looked the same except no longer doing food. All but empty, block of flats coming soon me thinks.

Result and partial weigh sheet: 

Thursday 05/11/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter - Match Lake

Some say the wind forecast is usually double at Windmill, think the rainfall should be x10. Right miserable day weather wise. Still haven't used the umbrella due to the wind.

Because of other matches the numbers were down to 11. Waited to last again and at yes out of the 20's, only just though, peg 16 for me found myself next to Geoff Francis on peg 14, unfortunately couldn't really see him.

Must admit arriving at the peg the any waggler fishing would by difficult to impossible due to the wind blowing in at 2 o clock so not only blowing down my side but also cutting across between the islands - bugger. Hey, still set it up love a challenge. Thought the maggot feeder would be important so reluctantly set it up. Last of all a 4x16 so fish top set plus three barrels for a silver or two if lucky!

Had a few casts on the waggler, looked ok but the wind was pulling the inside line away from the island far too fast. Had a  go on the pole with a LR over GB laced with DR's. Could not pick up the tow and hold back and run wasn't going to do it for me, abandoned. Last resort picked up the feeder and worked it all along the far back for one lost fouler. With 3 hours gone and blanking the wind eased slightly picked up the waggler and cast to a small bay where I had been loose feeding LR's with the hope the waggler would stay still long enough in the slight of shelter. Had a 2 lb Carp first cast saving the blank walk of shame. The wind is definitely my enemy as it soon got up making presentation impossible. So spent the remainder of the match of the feeder in the same area with triple DR hook bait. Things started to happen ended the match with 7 Carp. No silvers although I did have a nipped maggot.

Weighed 49 lb 3 oz for second overall. One more Carp would have done it. Felt for Geoff who was beating me until my last Carp caught at on the whistle.

The match was won by Bill Knight (pictured with the silvers winner) with 53 lb 14 oz from peg 8. Not sure how Bill caught but suspect it was the feeder in some form. Well done matey.

Pete Greenslade took the silvers with one 2 lb 14 oz Skimmer caught on maggot and feeder. Well done matey.

With everything soaking wet Geoff and me couldn't wait to get back to the curry house for a couple of Doombar's and a Ruby.

Good luck to anyone fishing this weekend, weather looks awful.

Result: (No readable weigh sheets)

1. Bill Knight 53-14-0 peg 8

2. Mike Nicholls 49-04-0 peg 16

3. John Smith 48-07-0 peg 3

4. Geoff Francis 46-13-0 peg 14

5. John Williams 45-0-0 peg 1

6. Kev Murch 30-09-0 peg 10

Silvers:

1. Pete Greenslade 2-14-0 peg 22 (1 Skimmer)

2. John Smith 2-07-0 peg 3 (1 Skimmer)

Thursday 28/11/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter - Main Lake

Some say my kit and car is very tidy. Now this van (pictured) tidiness is totally alien to me. Guess who's van it is. Two clues it's not Tony Rixon, but the most consistent angler at Windmill. He nearly got knocked over by the spare tyre falling out of the van.

At the last match here everyone blanked! And after a heavy overnight frost this morning most of us were wondering what we were doing here. At least there was little wind chill factor.

I have been trying not draw in the 20's for over a year, so had the last peg and found peg 22 staring back at me. However, pegs 23 and 21 wasn't in the draw, so plenty of room. So fairly happy for a 20's peg for once.

The talk was there would be loads of blanks, so went negative setting up the feeder, but found I had left all my maggot feeders home. Luckily Phil Morgan and Gary Bedford helped out, nice to so Gary back after a 15 year lay-off. A good angler who's done his apprenticeship.. Decided instead to fish a very small cage feeder with GB and Pinkie for an early silver. 

Also set up a 4 x16 Winter to fish top set plus three barrels and a short Ronnie rig. Neither of these rigs got wet. Started on the small feeder with triple Pinkie on the hook and had an instant bite a small Ronnie which fell off swinging it. Out again and one missed bite with damaged Pinkie. Had a liner, so feed some LR's over to the reeds and immediately the reeds started to move and with blanking after 45 minutes set up the waggler and second cast had a Carp which was played very carefully. The rest of the match was a question of catch three instant Carp then a dwell. Kept adjusting the depth from full to one foot off. It was noticeable as the match progressed the fish got bigger. Got pissed off with three Moorhens that came out of the reeds bending them down in the area being fished, so had to switch about to avoid the reeds, but wasn't always possible losing some tackle. The last 30 minutes was manic catching four big Common Carp to 12 lb. Fed just under half a pint of LR's, with double DR on the hook.

Weighed 113 lb 7 oz for the match win. Thanks to the Robin fed throughout for shitting all over my kit. The venue fish extremely well considering recent results. Lovely days fishing on my favourite method. Plus the drive way was much improved.

The silvers was won accidentally by Phil "Fuzzy" Morgan (pictured with the match winner) from peg 24. Phil catching a 2 lb 2 oz Skimmer on the waggler fished at full depth on maggot. Well done Matey.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 14/11/2024 - Over 55's - Main Lake Silvers and 4 oz Carp Only

Out if the blue Tony Rixon decided to run a match on the Main Lake at Hunstrete. The match was soon full of Over 55's with 21 booking in. Sorry 22 Tony forgot himself!! We were all looking forward to getting together again - some for the company, some for the fishing, some for the pub, mostly for all three.

Very misty and damp this morning. The lads ready for the draw - pictured.

Had a look at the revamped Bridge Pool for the first time. (picture of the Pool looking towards the old peg 19 - no island), Pool now island free. For me a much better fishery for this. Well done BAA.

With regards to the fishing most of us didn't know what to expect. The word was you needed to be at the carp park end. Personally, thought 10 lb might win with 5 lb back up weights.

Into the draw bag and peg 16 which is twined with 15 and are very close. Carp anglers like these pegs when they go with mates. Delighted when Dave "The Drain" Lewis arrived on 15. Still the "Drain" as he's come out of retirement.

The water was very clear which decided me to fish the 4 metre whip and waggler. Mixed some GB, LR's and fat Pinkies on the tray - simples.

A lot of big leaves on the Lake today which were being moving around by the light varying wind. So started by feeding some LR's on the waggler line at 25 yards and hand fed some GB and Pinkie on the whip line. Due to the lack of colour set up the pole and pot so I could feed the GB loose on the whip line. Had a few Ronnie's and five 4 oz Carp. The leaves cleared and went on the waggler and ad a few on that but felt the whip was much faster. Spent most of the match on this and had a good middle match until the wind blew leaves over the line so back on the waggler. Back on the whip and hooked a big fish which made mincemeat of my whip rig. Set up another which wasn't the same. At the same time Dave who was probably beating me at this point stopped catching. The last hour was hard for both of us. Switch to Pinkie on the waggler and sneaked out a few more Ronnie's until the reel line tangled - no sure why, investigation to follow.

Thought I might have 12 lb, weighed 11 lb 11 oz for a second section by default which was a pleasant surprise. Beat Dave by 14 oz which was pulled back in the last hour. A number of anglers had considerably over estimated their weights today, easily done if you base weight on numbers of small fish and get the average weight wrong, were they 2 oz or 3 oz? Really enjoyed today especially fishing with Dave, both our type of fishing, we've had enough of Carp fishing.

The match was won by Kev Winstone with 23 lb 7 oz from peg 18. Kev caught at 7 metres on maggot hook bait over GB and caster feed. Well done matey. Thanks for the default. By Tony's body language thought he had beaten you 😁.

Thanks goes to Tony Rixon for once again running a great match with the sections groupings spot on. Hope there's more matches on this lake as it suits me.

Nice to see Glenn Bailey out helping with the weigh in - only there for the cider!

Interesting to note the further from the car park the better the fishing.

Weigh Sheet: