Saturday 06/06/2026 - Tuesday 09/06/2026 - Viaduct Fishery Holiday - Campbell Lake

Saturday 06/06/2026: Viaduct Open

There are usually 12 of us that stay at Viaduct for this week in the Lodges. However, a decision was made to try Hillview this year. Geoff and me decided to return to Viaduct. Geoff tried to book Viaduct but we couldn't get a Lodge as all booked up, so we stayed in a in a Town house in Somerton (pictured). There was some pro's - only 3 minutes flat walk to the pubs and restaurants. It served it's purpose very well.

I've not been to viaduct for a year and it looked exactly the same - very well kept, nice to meet with Matt Long and some of the regulars. Some of them fish Campbell Lake 3 to 4 days a week, so up against it.

Into the same draw coffee can and peg 118 for me and would you believe it 119 for Geoff. Although I would prefer to fish for Silvers I like to keep my options open until the finish. So decided bait wise Live Red Maggots (LR's), GB, Paste and micro. Simple Like me.

Got to my peg to find Matt (pictured) Checking the oxygen levels which was 55%. Glad he was taking anal temperatures with that probe.

The wind was blowing hard into peg 123 but was effecting our side to some extent. Plan was to start short at top set plus one barrel and add two more barrels if the wind dropped. Set up a short Ronnie rig for maggot and GB down the left into the bay which meant fishing uncomfortably behind yourself, which from last years results expected to catch Skimmers rather than Ronnie's.  A 0.4 gram PC paste float to be used on the one barrel line which plumbed to have a hard bottom which was a good sign, plumbing up at three barrels found it 4 inches shallower - Umm.

Fed the one barrel line with some micro and the Ronnie rig with GB laced with plenty of LR's which is where I started with double LR on the hook and was amazed to find it solid with small Ronnie's. Well after a pound abandoned it as you won't win anything on Ronnie's - YET as I reckoned you need at least 55 lb to frame in the silvers pool, so went out on the one barrel line with small piece of paste and had a little run of Skimmers which on the river would weigh 3 to 4 lb, for net limit purposes count them here as 2 lb and you will be definitely under the 50 lb limit. Had an angry Carp, after which refed with micro and had a few more Skimmers followed by another Carp and that's how a pattern formed. Just as I was thinking of opening the three barrel line the wind picked up finding it difficult enough presenting at one barrel so stayed on the one line all match.

My five Carp weighed 25 lb 8 oz and my 27 Skimmers 45 lb 14 oz. for a total of 71 lb 6 oz for nowhere overall and 4th in the Silvers. Very enjoyable day except for the bloody cold wind needed another layer.

Geoff amazed me today. He fished a straight Drake waggler shallow at 30 metres in a very very strong wind to weigh 90 lb with Carp to high double figures on banded pellet. I except that the Drake would be more stable than the short pellet waggler, nonetheless remarkable. I knew he lost a few as could hear him cursing. Amazing.

Now here's a thing. Since Viaduct opened as a match venue I have fished 220 matches and with it being only an hour from home via a steady drive left me wondering why I stopped fishing here as it's much better than most venues I'm fishing at the moment. Geoff felt the same and we promised to start coming more regularly - if we can get booked in that is. A great day's fishing whatever and very competitive.

The match was won by Mark Wynne (pictured) with 168 lb 11 oz from peg 114. Not sure how he caught, guessing the feeder in some form. 

The Silvers was taken by Any Akehurst (pictured) with 79 lb 3 oz from peg 123. I could hear a worm chopping machine working hard, so guessing he fished worm over worm short. Well done to both and the other framers.

Booked the Globe for dinner, firstly had a couple of pints of Rascal in the White Heart, we both went for the steak pie with too many chips - luckily Geoff was available to prevent wastage. It was acceptable, pie certainly looked home made. 

Result:

Overall:

1. Mark Wynne - 168lb 11oz - peg 114

2. Phil Hardwick - 131lb 8oz - peg 130

3. Paul Bell - 124lb 6oz - peg 128

Silvers

1. Andy Akehurst - 79lb 3oz - peg 123

2. Nigel Hargreaves - 70lb 3oz - peg 127

3. Ant King - 50lb 7oz - peg 124vce of paste

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 07/06/2026: Viaduct Open

With an extra layer on into the draw tin and peg 116 for me another good peg. Use to be good for Silvers. Nice to meet up with Tea Bagger Adrian Jeffery again (pictured), who said it was a good Carp peg down the edges, but difficult to get them out to the right along the brambles. I had been thinking keeping options open was leaving me short in both silvers and overall. But decided to keep to the same approach. 

Set up two paste rigs - 0.4 gram for three barrels and 0.3 gram for top set in the risky Bramble margin to the right - could lead to be a bit of fun. Very deep margin which I do like.

With the wind off my back beginning to regret the extra layer feeling hot 

Fed the the two paste lines with micro. Started on long line and had a few silvers but was slower than yesterday with more Carp about. Now still early in the match is where I should have upped the feed and larger pieces of paste and concentrated on the Carp. I didn't because it looked like it was fishing harder for the Silvers. My paste rigs were 0.16 straight through which was totally under gunned for the size of the Carp I was hooking especially the foulers!!! Spent some time changing broken rigs. Last hour went down the edge and for 45 minutes I was catching Carp very quickly losing a few due to rushing them and either breaking or hook pulling - Note to Adrian, I never lost a fish in the brambles. It was manic couldn't put in quick enough with Carp taking the paste on the drop. Didn't want the match to end.

Silvers weighed 27 lb 1 oz for 4th silvers and Carp weighing in at 63 lb 14 oz for 90 lb 15 oz for 7th and one out of the section. So again the keeping options game isn't getting me there. But a very enjoyable day, except when an angler's umbrella fishing on Carey took off in the wind landing on me. "We" were lucky I had moved my pole as by then I was just on the top set.

Geoff had a tough day on spit peg 128. I didn't fancy it.

The match was won by Jason King (pictured) with 186 lb 7 oz from peg 119. When I walked up to the end bank for a pee he was playing a fish on the pole so guessing he caught most of his Carp on it.

Silver's was won by matey Nigel Bartlett (pictured) with 50 lb  5 oz from peg 123. Nigel fished worm short and down his left hand edge. Well done to both and framers.

We had booked a table in the White Hart for a Sunday three meat roast, very nice. Geoff had my Yorkshire pudding, cripes this boy can eat for England.

Result:

Overall

1. Jason King - 186lb 7oz - peg 119

2. Adrian Jeffery - 156lb 15oz - peg 113

3. Dick Bull - 120lb 7oz - peg 126

Silvers

1. Nigel Bartlett - 50lb 5oz - peg 123

2. Rich Butler - 37lb - peg 130

3. Mark Vigar - 28lb 11oz - peg 115

Weigh Sheet:

Monday 8/06/2026: Pleasure day

Firstly back to M&M cafe to find Mandy still there. Very nice small breakfast for me Fat Bastard one for Geoff.

Geoff was keen to get fishing. I have a problem pleasure fishing as I get bored within the hour of starting. Needed to re-tie my paste rigs on 0.22 GLine which was probably and over kill from the 0.18.

Finished the rigs by lunch so wet down the fishery to watch Geoff but first a cup of tea and a Mars Bar which now are half the size of the original sat on the bench on Lodge Lake. A beautiful day.

Found Geoff fishing peg 66 on Lodge needing another Carp for 100 lb. - pictured.

There were for Belgium anglers staying in a Lodge also fishing Lodge Lake. So had a walk around to have a look at their tackle. Certainly geared up for the Carp. Found out they were regular's to Viaduct. They also fished the matches.

Geoff's favourite meal tonight - back to the Space gallery for an Indian. I had a pint of larger in the Unicorn Hotel which I couldn't fully drink and upset my stomach for a short while so couldn't do the meal justice. Geoff was fine should have had the same cider as him. I did notice another pint of the same larger had been left un drunk. Geoff pictured with two different bottles of ciders.

Tuesday 09/06/2026 - Viaduct Open

Weather was to be warm with occasional light showers. So a question of coat on coat off - Factor 50 sun cream on.

Had a chat with Nigel Easton, who mainly fishes for Silvers but is not adverse to catching Carp. I chuckled at his dry humour. He said " Everyone is fishing for Silvers these day's, I wish it would go back to only me"

Into the Tin and yet another good draw for me with peg 124. Notice Incognito had drawn peg 123. Arrived at the peg and found 124 had sunk at the back making a big step down. I proof tested it before putting my box on it. So plenty of hip and knee physio today so won't have to bother tonight. The wind had changed sides now blowing hard into peg 119. So this week has been a question of the draw tin keeping me out of the wind even though I have been chasing it.

Geoff was on 115 looking cold.

Went and had a chat with 124 who was chuffed to show me his new purchase, a sea boat rod to help fling his Winky-Wanky bags helicoptering out to the middle of the lake. Incognito pictured sat under his parasol. Very good company and could have been a a sit down comedian but probably wouldn't pay as much as he wins with the Winky-Wanky.

As this was my last match decided to stay with the same approach of beefed up 0.4 gram PC paste rig to fish top set plus two barrels, similarly a beefed up 0.3 gram for both margins.

Fed micro on all lines starting on the long line and had a good start on the Silvers before the same cycle of Skimmers and Carp form. Had a few lumps in the margins and the decision to up to 0.22 wasn't far away as I had some right lumps with one just boring me to unintentionally pull the hook. The margin didn't quit come to life as it did on peg 116. Thinking I fed too often not giving the Carp time to settle - shying away from feeding.

My silvers weighed 43 lb 7 oz for 5th Silvers. The Carp weighed 61 lb 3 oz for a total of 104 lb 10 oz for 5th overall and just out of a pick up. The fish certainly didn't seem to mind the heavy line. Very enjoyable day especially being with Incognito who doesn't fish in the winter, spending his time in Hawaii collecting second hand shirts.

Geoff weighed 94 lb 2 oz. So not far behind.

No guesses who won today - peg 123 (pictured) with 158 lb 15 oz. He caught on the Tea bag with worm or maggot hook bait. Interesting he didn't have one Skimmer on it. The method involves shutting your eyes and casting out followed up with loose feeding a mix of 4's and 6's to the centre of the ripple which last quit a while. The loose feed is best kept in a large Aldi shopping bag which holds just enough for an entire match. Well done matey thanks for the entertainment.

The Silvers was won by Ant King (pictured) with 83 lb 10 oz from peg 119. Not sure how he caught except it was pole short or in both margins - worms or maggots? Well done a great weight on the day.

We booked the Unicorn Hotel for dinner and found Geoff had a table named after him (pictured). We started in the White Hart for a few Rascal's first. We were apprehensive about the food, but were pleasantly impressed, really enjoyed my pub made Lasagne. The Aspall cider was good too.

Result:

Overall

1. Howard Webb - 158lb 15oz - peg 123 

2. Tom Thick - 139lb 01oz - peg 131 

3. Lee Kerry - 125lb 04oz - peg 110

4. Kevin Collins - 120lb 13oz - peg 118 

5. Mike Nicholls - 104lb 10oz - peg 124

Silvers

1. Ant King - 83lb 10oz - peg 119 

2. Nigel Easton - 55lb 08oz - peg 112

3. Darren Duffield - 51lb 12oz - 129

4. Mat Rowe - 51lb 11oz - peg 128

5. Mike Nicholls - 43lb 07oz - peg 124

Weigh Sheet: Yes Thomas was here today on the weigh sheet, apparently he just passed his fundamental GCSE Maths. Most impressive.

Summary of my time at Viaduct:

• Get to know the pegs better 
• Decide on either Silvers on Carp and fish light with maggots or worm (at the mo) over small amounts of feed. Paste good for Carp with more feed (but not as much as Incognito).
• Great place to spend time - a need to replace some of the tired platforms.
• Great company
• Book early for a Lodge become very popular. They are building two new one's for next year.
• Book early for matches
• Definitely not going to leave visits on a yearly basis have really missed the venue. Be back soon.
• Thanks to the Matt, Steve and Helen for their service.
• Thanks to Geoff Francis for organising everything and cooking a couple of great breakfasts and being great company.
• After the last match my arms were aching due to lifting the munters over the keep nets, have to get on the Dumbbells.
• Pub food was acceptable, but difficult to get exceptional food these days. 

Sunday 31/05/2026- Ron Hardiman's Summer League - Round Three - Westerleigh - Shipp's and Taylor's Pools

Weather has been up in the 30's, today a definite change but very comfortable for fishing. 

My turn on Taylor's. Into the draw tub and peg 22 for me. For company on 23 was matey Lee Waller - not a great peg at the mo. My peg has been fishing well for Carp over to the island at 16 metres. Set up a 7" Bodied Drake waggler to fish to the island. However, it was flat calm on the island but it was a bit gusty halfway across making keeping the waggler on station for long difficult, but if the Carp were really having a go it might be OK. A 4x16 Winter to fish top set plus two barrels in 7 foot of water. Set up a PC 0.5 gram paste float to fish three barrels. I was going to keep an eye on Neil Mercer opposite and if he started catching on it I would plop some in. The short Ronnie rig was last in the roost.

Started on the Winter rig with single LR on the hook over GB laced with the same. Having liners from Carp up in the water munching the feed on the drop, but wouldn't follow it down. Umm. After a lost foul hooker and some more feed had a decent Skimmer. After that had one tiny F1 and one tiny Skimmer before being pestered by tiny Ronnie's. Looked like most were struggling early doors. Lee was catching a few small F1's. Picked up the waggler with double DR's on the hook fished it over heavy feed of LR's was getting indications only to find it was small Ronnie's. So put a big pot of Micro in at three barrels for the paste to wait for some fizz. Meanwhile would fish the Ronnie rig single LR over loose fed the same. Blimey the Ronnie's were really having it. Noticed Neil had started to bag on the paste, so plopped some in not any indications not even from the Ronnie's, abandoned it just as I heard Lee fall in the pool. He had slipped in off the bank and was having trouble getting out so I went round to give him a hand with the help of him catching hold of the but of his landing net handle. Afterwards I sat the match out on the Ronnie rig adding a couple more Skimmers, but noticeably no Tench. Had one large battle weary 6 pound Mirror Carp (mouth was in a bad state probably from method feeders) and four more small F1's.

Weighed 24 lb 3 oz for last in section. However, mission accomplished with my silvers going 13 lb 2 oz and silvers win. Not one blow over the paste line. There is a rule here that absolutely no gardening which hindered me in both margins, just a few sedges nipped off would have got me a nice margin to fish - nice depth tight in.

Our Pool and the match was taken out by Neil Mercer (pictured for once not playing a Carp) from peg 14 with a massive weight of 201 lb 3 oz. Neil caught mainly at three barrels using paste over BIG pots of 4's. Well done matey nice to watch.

Shipp's was won by Tom Thick (pictured) with 122 lb 14 oz from peg 8. Tom caught initially on top two, down his margin and a few shallow all caught on meat  over meat feed. Well done Tom nice to see you again, always been a treat fishing with you. 

Back to the New Inn with the usual suspects. Thanks goes to Paul Elms for buying a round - appreciated, but the conditions that were not to mention the P word.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 24/05/2026 - Ron Hardiman's Summer League - Round Two - Westerleigh - Shipp's and Taylor's

Just back from Whiteacres and feeling a but jaded, so no prep and left over bait of maggots, casters and GB so limited to probably silvers.

My turn on Shipp's and pre-draw could see some big Carp cruising around with the odd rushes moving so not long before a full spawn, especially as the temperature has at last become comfortable 30 degrees C!

Peg 9 for me which has replaced peg 4 used in the winter league. It's a good Carp peg - silvers not so much. I have done well fishing over to the island which is reachable with 11.5 metres and one of the short stubby bits in the end. However, wasn't going to be bothered with that today as the reeds were moving a lot and thinking foul hooking, couldn't be assed more like. Loads of big Carp cruising between the two islands seen one of the Grass Carp - looked lonely.

Set up a 4x12 Winter to fish top set and two barrels over LR's (soon to DR's in the heat) laced GB, Short Ronnie rig for maggot over loose fed same and a 0.3 RJ swinging the two barrels down the right to some Sedges.

Started long over the GB with single LR and started to catch very small Skimmers. I netted them all due to a lesson given to me by Kim Milson, fishing a match next to him at Durleigh. We were whip fishing which naturally leads to swinging the fish which were mainly 4-6 oz Skimmers. Of course you loose a few swinging. I noticed Kim netted all his Skimmers but swung all the Roach. He beat me but only just ever since have netted Skimmers - soft mouths. Kept a bit of feed going in and wasn't long before bubbles appeared which soon went after landing a decent F1. F1's tend to scatter the Skimmers so rested it in favour of the Ronnie rig catching a few Ronnie's and Perch until hooking an 8 lb Common. So back out and a couple more Skimmers and some Ronnie's until more F1's re-appeared. Went down the long edge to the right with kindered caster and double on the hook. Was soon playing another 8 lb Carp this time a Mirror. Thought I might have enticed the 3 lb Perch that lives nearby with the caster but alas not just more Carp. Spent the rest of the match on the Ronnie rig down the left loose feeding DR's catching the odd Ronnie and Carp on single DR's. No doubt I would have caught much more if I could have been assed to fished over - next time!!

Weighed 4 lb 10 oz of silvers for the silver win - mission accomplished, with the Carp taking my weight to 44 lb and 8 points. 

Shipp's was won by Nick Saunders (pictured with the Taylors winner) with 55 lb 12 oz (weigh sheet had incorrect adding) from peg 6. I couldn't see Nick but from what I could hear he spent the match slapping about his peg with maggot hook bait. NO FEEDING - HOW?? Well done matey.

Taylor's was won by Martin Rayet's stand in young Freddie Harper-Wojtyla (pictured) drawing the winter unfancied peg 16 - summer peg apparently.

In his own words:

"Set up 14m with pellets then top 5 with meat and both edges one maggots and gb and one with meat. Shit first 30 mins no bites then had a nice hour and a bit catching small f1s and little carp about 2 pound f1s 6 ounce to a pound and a half then dried up a bit  with odd bite last 2 hours was good in edge on meat on a top kit ended up with 106 pound what won the section and the lake 🥇🥇🥇and got the important 10 points for mart." 

Nice to see how well Freddie has come on and one to watch for the future. Nice lad too. Keep it up and obviously not listening to Dad anymore. Well done great result.

Matt Tainton won the silvers on Taylors with 10 lb from peg 26. Matt caught on worm over chopped worm. Mine had died overnight! Well done matey.

Well nearly back to the New Inn with the usual suspects to find it closed!! Strange pub. However, a much better pub just across the road. Old Inn much better managed I think.

Thanks to Ron Hardiman for another well run match.

Weigh Sheets:

Monday 18/05/2026 to Thursday 21/05/2026 - Whiteacres Clubman Festival - Python, Pollawyn, Twin Oaks and Trelawney

Looking forward to the week down Whiteacres with Geoff Francis, our 4th year. The first match is Monday but travelled Saturday, separately - too much kit. Geoff followed me down and were slowed to 40/50 mph for some time due to a wide load taking up one and sometimes two lanes. Still made a nice steady drive. We paid for early entry so just enough time for tackle shop a walk around the fishery, finding Ray and Phil Cooper fishing Jenny's. Ray had been keeping a Topper Crow Quill Canal waggler for me as he didn't use it any longer and I might - pictured - Topper made some great river waggler's as well as his famous Avon floats. After our walk Geoff commented on how well kept the fishery was with no litter. We finished up in the club for a pint with the rest of the Over 55's. Geoff, Phil Morgan and me booked up for a curry in the Maharajah - Newquay. Nice outlook but the service was absolutely awful. It took an hour for the starters to arrive then with no signs of the mains arriving Geoff decided to have a right go at the manager - Geoff pictured coming to the boil. We finally got our meal and Geoff got all our drinks taken off the bill - good one - let this be a lesson to everyone - never get between Geoff and food.

Sunday: most of the lads went off to Bolingey for a match. And after a nice breakfast served up by Geoff, we went for a short practice session on Trelawney. As Geoff knows I get bored very quickly when pleasure fishing. Spent a couple of hours fishing and came to the conclusion that it was going to be hard. Paste wasn't really doing it, finding caster down both margins most effective. Packed up and went to the Halfway house for Sunday lunch - very nice.

Monday 18/05/2026: Python peg 24:

Another excellent breakfast served up by Geoff. Usual FB message with our peg number, putting me on Python 24. Walked from our shed and met matey Ian Hudson on a bad draw on Jenny's for the residents match. He said that peg 24 was in the right area.

Set up the short Ronnie rig a 4x10 Speedy for both edges and a 0.4 gram paste float to fish top set plus three barrel's. Started on the paste over micro and fouled hooked a Carp first dob in, In again and had a decent Carp. Other than a scrawny Carrasio the line died. Had been loose feeding both margins with caster which started to produce some Perch, Ronnie's and the occasional decent Carp including a Ghosty loosing another Ghosty soon afterwards. In and out kept trying the paste which produce the odd F1, but mostly stayed in the margins. Always one margin produces more that the other and in this case it was the right. All margin fish caught on the top set.

Weighed 35 lb 9 oz for second section and 3rd super pool. So a reasonable start - up the caster.

All the restaurant's were closed Mondays so Geoff did a delicious Sirloin steak Baggett with trimmings. Just right.

Tuesday 19/05/2026: Pollawyn:

Arrived at the peg and was bitterly disappointed as the peg had no margins except wood from old platform on the right and likewise to the left platform peg 19 old wood - pictured. Umm.

Was told there was a bar at 13 metres so set the a 7" Drake bodied waggler and spent 20 minutes casting it around the deep bowl at various distances and just found it very deep everywhere. Suspect the bar been washed away over the years. So set it up at 4 foot to fish caster shallow at 20 metres or so.

There are two ends of islands at 40ish metres which were probably crying out for the method to be chuck at them, but as I don't do that thought about the pellet waggler but the wind was horrendous so no go on that. 

Plumbed up the paste float at top set plus one and a bit in 7 foot of water and must admit it felt right as it gently sloped off into the bowl and could pulled the paste up the slope. So fingers crossed the fish would like it too.

Set up the short Ronnie rig to fish down the side down tight to the plank towards peg 19 with caster.

Well started on the paste over micro and lost a Skimmer and had one about 12 oz. That was it - I'm in trouble. Picked up the waggler and fished double caster over loose fed the same. Although the wind was awful the bodied waggler presented reasonably well, but the light was difficult. Soon binned it without a sign. Over on the other point pegs one of the two was catching on the method. So decision made to fish the Ronnie rig with caster and caught Perch and Ronnie's for the last three hour's. Nothing about the margin was right.

Weighed 15 lb 8 oz for 2 points. Definitely left 1 more point on the table needing another pound a which would have been easy if I spent a more time on the Ronnie rig early on. Probably a lot more if I fished the Method!! The wind was awful.

We were joined by Phil "Fuzzy" Morgan for dinner at the Journeyman Restaurant. Best Balti since last time there with son Mark. Regretfully decided on a desert which was huge, luckily I was with two fat helpful bastards.

Wednesday 20/05/2026: Twin Oaks:

Breakfast roll for us today which was enough after last nights feast.

Peg 24 for me. Delighted to find its one of the small crappy concrete platforms that has been replaced. Had an empty peg next door peg 23. However, due to the reeds couldn't get near it and also hemmed in on the left also.

Set up the pellet waggler but wasn't hopeful due to again the horrendous wind. Short Ronnie rig, 4x10 Speedy and a 0.4 gram paste float. 

Started on the paste and micro and had two small F1's before it died. Now sat here writing this I'm wondering if I haven't given the paste long enough - won't ever know now! So had a few chucks on the pellet waggler fishing 4's and feeding fours and decided the fish would have to by starving to take the bait with the wind taking it through so quick - that was binned. Only peg 19 seemed to be catching with everyone else was struggling. So fished the Short Ronnie rig with maggot down the right and the Speedy to the left on caster. Had some decent F1's down the right and some decent Carp down the left on caster. Tried the paste in and out but nothing. Fished the caster side to the end and had another Carp loosing two foulers.

Weighed 16 lb 12 oz for 4 points. With 4 lb each side thought I fished a decent match.

The Two Clome's for Geoff, Fuzzy and me. Must say the food has drastically improved since last there with my Wife. 

Thursday 21/05/2026: Trelawney:

We had a guest for breakfast being joined by Fuzzy Phil. 

Peg 10 for me a short walk from the shed and was able to go back for a cup of tea before the start - 3 hours from the draw to "all in" I find strange.

Usual rigs; Paste, short Ronnie, 4x10 Speedy and a 7" Drake bodied waggler. Plumbed around each margin which was disappointing very shallow. The bank is severely undercut with the bank to the right having collapsed. Not much water on the three barrel line for the paste either where I planned to start. Talking to Fuzzy Phil who fished the lake the previous day explained he was beaten again by his nemesis dobbing big balls of paste around the peg without feeding. This got me thinking. Although I find it impossible not feed decided to cut it back to kindering small offerings of micro. The upshot I had a good first half of the match catching F1's and some decent Carp. The wind once again was horrendous at least the temperature had increased. It slowed and wanted a rest from fighting the wind so first tried the short Ronnie rig with maggot down the left out from the margin and had a couple of Ronnie's and one big F1. Down to the right with the Speedy with caster into a bay created by land slip and had a couple of big Carp, with another one of them completely fooling me into thinking it had come off only having charged into the bank and snapping the hook length. Lost another big Carp both of which would have made a difference. Had a few casts on the waggler with maggot and had a lot of indications only to find the culprits to be small Ronnie's - waggler abandon in any case had to put too much line on bottom to slow the waggler down due to the wind.

Weighed 32 lb 14 oz for second section which was OK. Now regretting not starting a new paste line to rest the margins.

We had a table booked at the Two Clomes with Geoff, Fuzzy Phil, Pete "Cliff" Smith, Jeff Grant, Chris Gay and me. Choose the Sirloin steak which was very good and can recommend this Pub, service is excellent. Chris Gay had won his section on Twin Oak's so thanks Chris for buying a round for us - appreciated.

Overall Results form this weeks Club angler festival:

1st place Will Sweeney with 24 points, with a weight of 156lb 12oz 

2nd place is Dave Elliott with 23 points and a weight of 205lb 03oz

3rd place John Pilling with 22 points and a weight of 195lb 08oz.

I amassed 10 points and 100 lb 11 oz for 38th - could have been worse. Felt the draw on Pollawyn and Twin Oakes could have been better but happy with the other two draws. The venue fished very hard with the weather being unkind for the four days. Very challenging, but enjoyable for me.

The best from our Bristol contingent was Mick "Mucky" Gale in 17th place and John Smith 22nd.

A shame that Haydn Withers had to pull out for a family illness, was well missed . He will be back in 2027.

For family reason I went home on the Friday. However, the lads teamed up the Fry's the lads and fished a 15 pegger at Morgan Porth with Geoff Francis taking the match with 146 lb on paste. Well done matey.

Weigh Sheet:

Apparently Jeff Grant befriended a Jack Russel a dog because of similarity in leg length.

This is what happens when you take on Granty in a drinking session - Turbo recharging.

Me and Geoff have already booked in for next year - can't wait. The rest are in the process of also re-booking.

Tuesday 05/05/2026 - Hob knobs - Harescombe - Match Lake

Back to Harescombe with Glenn to fish the Hob Knobs match on the Match Lake. Sixteen fishing. Another decent breakfast which had to be devoured quickly as head Hob Knob was enthusiastic for an early draw. Effects of holidays.

Was nearly last to be called up to the draw bag. Good way to draw, no mass gatherings and time for a recorded draw.

Peg 1 for me. Hopefully peg 29 wasn't in - it wasn't so plenty of room - pictured.  The wind was blowing quite hard down to the end bank and was quite cold. 

Applying learning last match I dug out four Speedy float rigs - 4x10's and 4 x 12's to try out. Love these floats, designed for Malman by Nick Speed - not sure what he used them for but I like them for long lining in margins when windy.

Bait wise had 7 mm meat, micro, GB and LR's. Once again don't' have the patients to wait hours for fish to turn up on it and that was how it was today, so no more discussion on this. Has to be instant to keep me interested.

Set up a 4x10 Speedy. A small margin bush had attracted me on the top set and plumbing around was perfect depth and slope. Could easily reach the end bank with three barrels so chose a line with the same depth as the bush line.

Started by loose feeding micro and LR's down to the bush. But wasted time fishing out one barrel over loose fed meat and after 30 minutes gave it in. Went down to the bush with singe LR and expected to be pestered by small silvers. I was getting indications which was liners from Carp and soon had a 3 lb Carp in the net. Next put in hooked another that was really angry and took ages to get in close, thought it was fouled - it wasn't, started to pull harder which resulted in the rig line snapping above the float. Close inspection revealed I had put on a silvers Speedy with 0.12 rig line which I attached 0.16 hook length thinking it was 0.16 rig line. Duh. Set up again and back to the bush which had gone quiet so went over to the end bank where I had been loose feeding LR's. Presentation was perfect as the strong wind was causing the rig to swing round and away from the bank. I was soon in to a purple patch catching regularly decent Common's and Mirror's and the odd big F1's. Did foul hook a couple. The wind dropped leaving the rig becalmed which certainly slowed the catch rate. So back to the bush and two more there. Back out to the end bank which had really slowed but had a 1 1/2 Skimmer on the drop. Last hour was really difficult only catching one more, losing a foul hooker on the all out.

Weighed 36 lb 14 oz for a close won match. That's it now until Whiteacres in 11 days time with plenty of tackle sorting to do.

Here's a thing had a Common Carp which looked really sick so isolated it in a separate net for Gary to diagnose. Apparently it had Carp Pox and would be fine in a few weeks. Apparently similar to human Herpes.

Back to the Lamb with the usual suspects for a pint or two in my case.

 Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 03/05/2026 - Ron Hardiman's Summer League - Round One - Westerleigh - Taylor's and Shipp's

Round one of Ron's Summer League today. Weather looked reasonable, with hardly any wind which would likely effect the silver fishing. However, on the start on any league it's only sensible to start to catch the heaviest weight and get some good points. So Carp targetted.

Nineteen fishing with one "unavailable".

First round is a random draw following matches swop between the two pools. So you stay fishing with the same ten anglers throughout the league.

Into the draw bag and peg 16 on Taylor's for me. Far from being the best peg. it's been poor for some time usually last on the pool. However, you never know - staying positive. For company on 15 was Shaun T and peg 17 Tony M. Our pool had the full 10 fishing with the absentee being on Shipp's peg 1.

Well had to give the paste a go. I should know this peg well by now, drawn it a few times and fishing any closer than three barrels you are fishing over a rocky bottom and difficult to plumb. Sensibly it's best to fish just short of the bar at 13 metres. So set up a 0.4 gram PC paste float to fish top set plus three barrels. The peg does have a good margin to the left so a 0.3 gram paste float was set up for that. The usual short Ronnie rig in case! Finally set up the waggler to fish on the bar in 30 inches of water.

Fed half a pot of micro on the long paste line and plopped in the paste and had a fouler first attempt, which didn't reach the net. After which the paste was getting pestered by I think were small Tench, too small for the size of paste, so put on a small piece and had a 8 oz Tench, so refed and had a few casts on the waggler with double LR's over loose fed same and once again foul hooked a Carp which broke me. Subsequently got pestered by small Ronnie's. Meanwhile Paul Elmes opposite was catching well short (good short peg). All along our bank was struggling. So on to the Ronnie rig to put something in the net fishing single LR's over loose fed same and caught small Perch and Ronnie's for a couple of hours before trying the long paste line again but with no sign of a fizz it was soon abandoned back to the Ronnie rig. Nick S on 14 was blanking at this time Shaun T had a few F1's long on pellet. So stayed on the Ronnie rig and had three Skimmers and a couple of Tench when the rain started and the line went completely dead. It was either due to the rain or Carp had moved in. Luckily it was the latter had a 5 lb dumpy Carp on the Ronnie rig with single LR. So time to pick up the margin paste rig, so fed some micro and with great expectations as it was plopped in and it just sat there without any indications!! Shaun was now bagging in his margin on meat. So went back on the Ronnie rig and had three more decent Carp and some F1's (well F0.5's as they were so small). Shaun T and me needed another hour as Paul E opposite had stopped catching at the same time we started to catch.

Weighed 40 lb dead with 9 lb 9 oz of silvers enough for the pool silvers win. I would have settled for 6 points off this peg at the start. Very enjoyable day's fishing.

Taylor's was won as expected by Paul Elmes with 87 lb 11 oz from peg 20. Paul caught short on meat and 14.5 metres out to the bar fishing pellet. Well done matey.

That man on fire on this venue Bela Bakos (pictured with the winner on Taylor's pool) easily won Shipp's with 102 lb 8 oz from peg 11. Bela started short with meat and had a few F1's, switching to long over to the end of his right side island with pellet and started to catch better stamp of Carp. He later dropped back short on meat and was rewarded with a beautiful 12 lb Grass Carp (foul hooked apparently). he also manged to properly hook some munters that do come in close to your keep net on this peg late on and are very difficult to hook properly. Well done matey.

Couldn't help noticing a number of anglers now suffering with injuries from fishing very long. Think it's time to introduce a 13 metre limit. Even the best pole you can buy are heavy fished long.

Back to the New Inn for a pint and the usual banter.

Weigh Sheets - Rain effected:

Tuesday 28/04/2026 - Hob Knobs - Harescombe - Match Lake

Back to Harescombe with angler and good friend who needs  no introduction other than looking at his roost - pictured.

The day before the match the temperature was comfortable enough to sit in the garden tying hooks. Looked at the forecast for today and it did say expect the temperature to be 5 degrees colder. Should have considered the wind chill factor as arriving at the fishery there was a very cold NE wind blowing. It was bloody freezing.

Head Hob Knob wasn't available today so Katherine did the honors with the draw etc...

After a nice breakfast, into the draw bag and peg 18 for me. Luckily Glen was next peg 20 so parked behind empty 19. My other next peg was 16 occupied by matey Chris Gay. The fish were attempting to spawn - certainly going through the motions particularly in peg 16. Sat on my box to find the wind blowing it at me at 11 0 clock - bloody freezing.

Glenn and I haven't been here for a good few months so were well out of touch and will be fishing with good bunch of anglers that fish the venue two to three times a week.

Had paste, maggots. micro and GB. I was doubtful about the paste. Fish spawning up edge of the sedges, so didn't bother with a margin rig as thought it would only lead to fouling. So a short Ronnie rig, 4x12 Winter to initially fish top set plus three barrels and a 0.3 gram paste float to also fish long to the left of the Winter rig.

Fed some GB and Maggot on the right Winter line and loose fed some maggots on the Ronnie rig line. Started with a small ball of paste over some micro and had a bite first put put in, well not a bite exactly but a fouler that came off. Never mind gave some enthusiasm for the paste. Well an hour in and having lost seven foulers and nothing in the net except a speared micro Ronnie, so gave it up. Tried double maggot on the Winter line and lost a Skimmer which might have also been foul hooked! Plenty of moaning going on about how cold it was and how poor the fishing was. The wind was a pain long to sulked on to top set plus one and batten down the hatches. Fished double LR's with GB and experimented with different feeding and started to catch some F1's, some skimmers and one decent Roach and was surprised when a Bream (not a Skimmer) flew off the hook, indeed if it was hooked, Learnt a bit about the feeding for next time. The Ronnie rig was left in the roost today due to the poor presentation due to the strong wind.

Weighed 12 lb 12 oz for seventh from bottom, lost 10 foulers - final score 10 - 7 to the Carp -  duh. On hindsight should have set up a margin rig.

The match was won by regular Phil Auger (pictured with his catch) from peg 11 with a great weight on the day of 42 lb 15 oz. Phil caught mainly long over to the island at 14 metres fishing either maggot or caster hook bait fished over loose fed same. Well done matey.

Back to the pub with John S, Pete G and Glenn B for the usual moans.

Weigh Sheet: