Tuesday 26/08/2025 - Hobnobs at Harescombe - Match Lake

Another glorious day for fishing. Glenn and me off to Harescombe Match Lake again with the Hobnobs. Another nice breakfast with Pete Greenslade, John Smith and Pete Turner joining us.

If Carlsberg did match organisers.

Into the draw bag and peg 6 for me. Good company with Pete Turner on 5 and Tony Welsby on 8.

Two paste rigs - at top set plus three barrels, the other for right hand margin to see if I catch there this time!

Started on the long line with kindered paste and micro and had six quick Carp feeding a small amount of micro every fish and started to think I was going to empty it, nope, it was clear these were the fish that had missed yesterday's dinner. Kept going on the line nicking the odd now F1's. The wind picked up and although the wind was forecast to from in the SE the valley decides which way it's going to hit the Match Lake, blowing in every direction of the compass which can catch you out. A change now required so had a plumb around and decided to have a go at top set plus one which was about 6 inch shallower and anticipated it would take me out of the worse of the silt. Changed the feeding to minimum loose fed wet 4's. This worked for a while adding F1's and a few decent Skimmers. Started loose feeding wetted 4's in the margin and kept testing with the paste for the millions of nibbler's if present went back to the short line nicking the odd fish but had slowed considerably. At last went in the margin and the float sat still and had a run of Carp and F1's that was until I had a period of foul hooking - bugger.

Weighed 58 lb 10 oz for 5th. Felt that I haven't got the feeding right but got some clues for the next match. Very enjoyable day with the highlight seeing the delight on Pete Turners face when I retrieved his  number 7 and 8 that had blown in the lake - pleasure matey.

Glenn won his section again (pictured) pegged next to the winner Phil Auger (pictured with his catch) on peg 19 who won with 93 lb 7 oz. Not sure how he caught as my assistant Sports Journalist didn't know, only he caught mainly long tight over, but couldn't identify hook baits etc..."YOUR FIRED"

Runner up was worth a mention Rich Rogers who sat on the Tea Bag all match for 84 lb 10 oz. This method seems to be following me everywhere.

John Smith invited us for a pint on the way home but failed tell us which pub he was going to - apparently cider pickles brains. Glenn and me stopped again in the White Harte - No Geoff Francis stuffing himself this time.

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 24/08/2025 - Alcove Club Match - Whitehouse Farm - George's

I have been concerned as of late as to what the dry, warm weather is/will have on our still waters and fish. With water levels well down and water warming up and reducing the dissolved oxygen both adding to the stress of fish especially if kept in keepnets for long periods. Fish are habitual and will get confused and stressed with their margin haunts no longer available to them. Be watchful everyone. So, it was good to see our club match this Sunday switched from "all in" to Silvers only and them being spread over two keep nets. I have found that silver fish won't feed if the oxygen is too low and of course are not susceptible to the dreaded KHV.

Jonny Amato pictured with his club loan wheel barrow fully loaded including his trusted peg guard dog - prevents sky lining plus new dog house.

Wasn't sure if the Skimmers would feed so decided to forget skimmers and only take maggot and GB.

Into the draw bag and peg 3 for me. First time for this bank. walking around pegs 1 to 5 looked very Carpy, especially 1 obvious signs of bring popular with the Carp Anglers. I was delight to find I would be sitting under a large Willow all day with the Sun behind me. Set up the Waggler as a back up if struggling for bites, long and short Ronnie rigs both to fish in the shade of the Mr Willow. The short was set at half depth and the long full depth at 3 1/2 feet. After feeding a pot of loose GB and red unconscious Maggots

started on the long Ronnie rig with single LR and had a Rudd off the top first put in, so a quick change to the short rig and for an hour caught small Rudd. Ronnie's and Perch off the top by just loose feeding now LR's. When it slowed had a quick go on the Waggler and Maggot had one Ronnie and far slower, that was binned. Switch to the long rig on the bottom and started to introduce GB and caught small fish steady to the end. Did have two better perch, one 8 oz Skimmer and two 6 oz Hybrids. Although I didn't hook a Carp had suspicions one might have come in and had a look.

Weighed 17 lb 14 oz which I was very happy with. I love catching small
Silvers. Very enjoyable day. However, Could see Kev Murch opposite catching Skimmers on paste! As it happened I was wrong about the Skimmers with a few caught on worm and caster too. I did sneak my section though plus another tub of Blackberries.

The match was won by  club Treasurer Tony Welsby (pictured) from my favourite peg 10 with 24 lb 9 oz. Tony caught mainly Chub to 3 lb short on Maggot. Well done matey.

Took all my remaining Maggots home to be looked after now they're £4 a pint. Wonder if the price will go down once the weather issues are over - remains to be seen.

Weight Sheet:

Tuesday 19/08.2025 - Hobnobs - Harescombe - Doughnut

When the Doughnut was first mentioned I went and had a look which was just after it had been dug and partly filled and pre-platforms (pictured bottom centre). It was to be a Silvers only pool. However, as history tell us it didn't work out. It has since been restocked with 2 tons of Carp no silvers remaining. As I hadn't fished it Glenn and me decided to give it a go with the Hobnobbers.

Was told the water level was down as you would expect with the dry spell we are going through which may require setting-up down in front of the platforms.

After another nice breakfast drew peg 11 which meant nothing to me. Got to the peg and yep had to set-up in the dry margin. The advantage was wont have to do my joints exercises today! Once set up it felt safe but didn't look it. Glenn was on peg 5 and able to sit on his platform. There was plenty of fish on the end of the island on the mud bank. Too far for me - waggler and Mag? - wind too bad.

Just two paste rigs one for top set plus two barrels in 5 foot and one for the margin to the right in 30 inches. Hopes were high.

Started on the long line with paste over micro. A very slow start for most. Finally had a few small Carp both Mirror's and Common's which fought well above their average 2 1/2 lb weight. Kept feeding the margin with hard 4's but only manged one better Carp losing a fouler after repeated attempts. The fish seemed to be a bit scatty which might be due to the lower water levels. Spent most of the match on the long line but found the as soon as the paste started to fall would get liners. Subsequently had a few foulers. Found it was a case of fishing the feed out which resulted in a couple of Carp prepared to get their heads down. Swapped from micro to feeding hard 4's which had the same result. Swapped to really soft paste which helped hold the float still in the wind. Had a walk down to Glenn who had just started catching after a long slow start, the walk helped ease my stiff back.

Finished with 20 Carp for 54 lb 15 oz for no where but a decent enjoyable days fishing. Must say the fish are in excellent condition.

The match was won my Glenn Bailey (pictured with his catch and collecting his winnings from head Hobnob) with 97 lb from peg 5. Glenn caught on paste at two barrels. Well done matey.

Very close contest two 90's, two 80's and three 70's that's proper match fishing which makes it feel like a fairish venue.

Back to the White Harte for a pint where we found Geoff France's with his Wife and Daughter having a meal. He was feeding up on his main stay food - Asian curry's. No Lemon in his cider - did check.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 05/08/2025 - Harescombe - Hobnobs - Match Lake

For some reason my blog has become infested with annoying adverts, need to investigate, but guess it won't be easy - Google language is from some time in the distant future and is difficult to understand.

Had a call from matey Glenn Bailey who wanted to fish a match with me. So with him busy on Thursday we decided to get on the Hobnobs match at Harescombe which is every Tuesday. So contacted Tony Cook - Chief Hobnob (pictured chatting to Glenn on peg 8) who gladly booked us in and making us very welcome - a good feeling. The match was on Match Lake.

After a decent breakfast with Glenn and Mark Lodge who we discovered is the Land Lord of the New Inn Frampton Cotterell!

Twelve booked in so plenty of room. Again I was hoping for a peg on the near side especially today as would have to barrow my kit round. In to the draw bag and it was peg 24 on the far side for me and the longest walk, whilst Glenn was on peg 8 sat by his van. From previous results pegs 24 and 25 (empty today) seem to be all or nothing pegs. Found myself next to matey Rich Powell on peg 22 so good company - hope he puts the maggots I gave him to good use Thursday.

Only had paste so one rig for top set plus three barrels and a RJ bullet for the RH margin which I kept trying to find the margins full of very small silvers which mashed the paste to death did spear a few of the blighters😁.

Started at three barrels and had a two F1's and a small Carp before it went iffy. The wind picked up making presentation of paste in 3 foot of water difficult so dropped down to two barrels and refed the line with micro. It was soon clear that it was going to be a difficult day. I basically struggled to about 90 minutes to go and had three Carp which I hoping was the start for a dash to the finish - alas not just the odd F1. Glenn who was also struggling started to catch at the same time as me but fortunately he carried on to the end (pictured with his third overall catch of 64 lb 9 oz and especially good to see him back to his old self).

Weighed 33 lb 9 oz for last but one. I think today result was partly to do with the draw and my feeding which I'm still trying to sort it out, came away thinking I'm over feeding. I must say the fish are in great condition with Gary taking good care of his fish, spraying anti-bacterial on fish with any signs of infection. A first time time for everything tripped over three Scotch Eggs 😂.

The match was won by regular C J Booth (pictured with his catch) with 76 lb 8 oz from peg 12. Not sure how he caught. Well done matey.

Glenn and me have booked into the match on the Doughnut in two weeks time which will be the first time we've fished it, could be interesting.

Finally it looks like Mark Lodge not only can pull a decent pint but also good pegs!!

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 03/08/2025 - Alcove v. Royal British Legion (RBL) - Whitehouse Farm - Margret's and George's

Twenty minute drive to this lovely picturesque fishery. Nineteen fishing so it would be ten on Margret's and nine on George's.

But first my annual forage for Blackberries which are abundant here. Nice full tub for my tart.

Was hoping for George's. However, found myself on peg 8 on Margret's. The lake was at least two foot down - need some serious rain.

Have previously caught Chub to 3 lb on the maggot feeder here, but due to the levels didn't bother to set it up, instead favouring the waggler but some concerned that the hacking wind right to left would make this difficult. Short Ronnie rig and a 0.3 margin paste float for the RH side and a 4x14 Malman slim to fish top set plus four barrels.

Fed some loose GB with loose LR's on the long line and a big pot of micro down the RH side. With single LR on the hook caught a 6 oz Skimmer first put in which hopefully would be  the start of a good day on the Skimmers. Alas not the Ronnie's were very active and were first to the hook bait. After three Ronnie's and the same number falling off picked up the waggler and as I thought the wind wasn't helpful. Missed a bite to find the double LR hook bait sucked right out - Chub? Had a few more casts but was missing bites due to the wind and having to lay too much line on the bottom. Normal circumstances would have fished shallow waggler binned. Had a look on the paste in the margin with no indications binned that. So the Ronnie rig was my last chance to put some fish in the net which I fished down the LH side with single LR over loose fed LR's and hand fed looseish GB with the depth set at 30 inches. The upshot was caught initially lots of small Perch and once they got pissed off of my GB started to catch Rudd and Ronnie's to the end. The fact that I caught silvers all match shows the Carp didn't show causing the usual disruption.

Weighed 15 lb 14 oz for first silvers and not a sign of a Carp (silvers winner pictured with the match winner).

The match was won by Matt Challenger - Owner of Scott's Tackle with a new match record of 152 lb 5 oz from Georges peg 19 which included a fair few doubles including a 20 lb 1 oz Carp (pictured - don't look like a twenty on Matts hands - 😂). Matt caught long down his LH margin fishing paste over micro and 4's. Matt lost a few Carp and went home with two broken top sets and number six - get yourself a Drennan margin pole. Don't think his picked up help much towards the replacements. Well done matey.

Driving home I wondered what the record silvers match weight is.

Great day out but could have been better if it wasn't for the bloody wind.

Well done to all the framers.

Margret's

George's:

Thursday 24-07-2025 - Harescombe Cost Cutter - Match Lake

A few of the over 55's decided to have a go at Harescombe Match Lake. Not fished this Lake for some years but have fond memories. Back then it was primarily F1's building the weights with a smattering of Carp, Barbel and Chub. I understand there has been a complete change and restocking. With the Barbel and Chub now gone and a reversal of F1's for Carp being the target for better weights.

After a small breakfast, which was very good and adequate for me. There are "Fat Bastard" ones if you going to wait all day for an Indian!

Into the draw bag and peg 21 for me. Mid Lake far side (right side in picture). Geoff was on the same side end peg 16. Opposite me Chris Gay peg 9.

Catching F1's on paste can be a nightmare, subsequently have never used it here. However, with Carp being the new target decided to give it a go. Set up a 0.4 PC paste float and plumbed at top set plus two barrels to find 2 1/2 foot of water a lot less than I remember, the water levels was well down the stream that runs through now dry. So with that over gunned switch to a 4 no 8  PC paste float. Amazed that in was the same depth in tight to the margin so one float did both. Set up a 0.3 gram RJ for corn. Simple. Little concerned about the depth and how it would fish.

Won't bother to include the episodes in margin only to say wasted too much time there catching nothing. Latter realising this probably due to the fish not really wanting to feed.

Fed the long line with some 4's and a little 2 mm expander and went over it with the paste. Getting indications straight away from silvers catching a couple of Skimmers and a very small F1. The better F1's moved in and found it very frustrating trying to catch the blighters. After catching six F1's it went quiet but was fizzing. Had been topping up with 4's and expanders, so stopped the feed for a while and fished away from the fizz and had a run of four decent Carp. I knew my feeding wasn't right but was learning on the job. Caught the odd Carp steady to the end. Matey Chris Gay (pictured with his second placing catch) was catching well opposite over to the far bank and thought he had a bit more than me. Here's a thing my impatience lost a decent Carp and got that feeling it was going to cost you.

Weighed 46 lb 15 oz for 4th overall and a section win. So reasonably happy with the result, but not convinced the feeding was right.

A very close match with only a few fish between the framers, which in my opinion is what match fishing is about. A very good match venue. Will have to try the Doughnut sometime. I'm not  great fan of these high weight matches. Very well managed fishery.

The match was won by Steve Brown ( pictured with his catch) from peg 14 with 54 lb 15 oz. Chris told me he had caught over shallow with caster.

Geoff and me planned for a after match Indian and Geoff thought it best to go motorway down to the ring road citing schools were out so less traffic. Well I was OK until got to the ring road and hit traffic due to an accident with police filtering us from three lanes to one. However, one of the benefits is the road is usually clear after an accident. Had a phone call from Geoff who had mistakenly gone back onto the M4 instead of the M32 and had to go to Bath junction 18 where there was also and accident. Anyway I was one pint up by time Geoff arrived at the Mughal Palace!!! Another great memorable day out.

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 17/07/2025 - Windmill Silvers Knock Up - Top Lake

Last minute decision to fish the Windmill Silvers knock up on the Top Lake if I could get a lift, which Kev Winstone kindly offered. We had the usual fishing chat about our ups and downs in recent matches – more good luck than bad for both. I then changed the subject to how his Solar Panel business was doing. He balled me a googly saying he just bought a funeral business in Kingswood!! Thinking diversification or waiting for punch line. Kev explained the business was doing exceptionally well they had out grown his current offices and would convert the property to offices. However, he may keep the cold storage for his bait! If anyone wants Solar or overnight battery storage Kev’s your man.

https://helpinusolar.com/

Whoops, unpacking the van realised I had brought my Carp pole case instead of the Silvers case. Duh, did have a couple of Ronnie top sets and the waggler. No 4 metre whip though which I was favouring.

Nine fishing today which fills this small lake as it has a lot of inaccessible areas which the Carper’s like. In to the draw box and peg 3 for me. So off to find the peg along a sloping path had to help Kev with his overloaded trolley he was next peg.

No platforms but I was able to get down the bank just in the water a long time since did this – closer to the water the better the fishing. But had the usual experience of the front legs gradually sinking over the six hours.

Set up the waggler and a long Ronnie rig. Set both to 3 foot so would fishing well off bottom. Only crap maggots and GB on the tray.

Fed a ball of loose GB with LR’s on the Ronnie line started on single LR and started catching Rudd and Roach Fry. Suspected the fry liked the GB too much, so switched to loose feeding. This worked to some extent and started catching tiny Skimmers, Ronnie’s, Hybrids and Rudd to 3 oz. Stayed with this until hooking a Carp subsequently switching the waggler over loose fed LR’s using it to hand as a whip (sort of). Kept switching between the two line throughout after being Carped. Only landed one one beautiful Common Carp of 8 lb out of three hooked.

These certainly came to mind - however, these are bigger that most of our fish.

Weighed 8 lb 3 oz for second placing. 

The knock up was won by Shay Gillman from Lily peg 10 with 10 lb 8 oz. Shay struggled until the last hour when he started to catch some proper Roach. Well done Matey.

Now here's a thing I was wondering why Tony Rixon was hanging around Kev's van who was still packing up, instead of heading back West. Then the  "Pound coin" dropped - Tony loves a pick up no matter how small.

Back to the Ringer for a cold one or two with the usual suspects. Baps looked great.

Weigh Sheet: