Wednesday 28/05/2008 Carps AC - Burley Fields

Well this venue produced the best match for me in 2007 with 60lb of Skimmers, and has done so far in 2008 with 58lb 6oz of Roach - with a smattering of Skimmers! Even the incessant rain could not spoil the day, as it gave my tackle a good clean! I drew peg 7 on the day which put me in the far right hand corner (looking from the car park). At the last Carps AC match Gordon Canning's had some Skimmers in this peg, so off to the peg with anticipation. I started on the 3 metre whip with caster and caught Roach to 8oz straight off. I then tried for the Skimmers at 10 metres with paste having fed earlier with 25o ml of pellet. This resulted in a run of six Skimmers to 2lb - then pestered by Roach. I fed the line again then back after the Roach with caster. After an hour back out on the Skimmer line which resulted in a couple more Skimmers, then again pestered by 10oz Roach! I decided to fish the remainder of the match on the 3 metres whip with a change to GOT expander pellet, which resulted in a number of quality Roach to 1lb.

My mate Darren Gillman (pictured top right with his 8lb Carp) drew peg 1 which was one above the bridge on the left hand bank. Darren pipped me on the silvers by 1lb 2oz! Darren also had one 8lb Carp for a winning weight of 67lb 8oz (Darren's Silvers also included three Barbel for 7lb - yes Barbel there are also big Chub in the lake to 6lb). Darren picked up £40 and myself £30 for the Silvers pool - by default. When we both pickup we have a stop in the pub, this time it was the Essex Arms in Kingswood. We both also picked up an Indian curry next door in the Curry Kings - end to a perfect day.

Full result (mostly Silvers)

1. Darren Gillman 67-08-0 peg 1 (Qualifies for the Wednesday Carps Silvermaina)

2. Mike Nicholls 58-06-0 peg 7

3. Steve Jefferies 47-11-0 peg 6
4. Dave Bacon 42-01- 0 peg 5

5. Andy Gard 40-01-0 peg 2

6. Andy Britt 36-04-0 peg 3

Top silvers:

1. Darren Gillman 59-08-0 peg 1

2. Mike Nicholls 58 -6-0 Peg 7

3. Andy Britt 36-04-0 peg 3

Sunday 25/05/2008 - Carps AC - Summer Individual Series - Round One - Viaduct - Campbell - Cary and Lodge

I was hoping to draw Lodge Lake to keep away from the Carp Slaying. However, it wasn't to be. I drew peg 127 on Campbell - right slayers peg. I must admit I have lost my way a bit on Campbell. I have this belief in Silvers fishing that distracts me from framing through Carp slaying. Overall I fished bad. I started after the Ronnies as usual - there were so many 1oz fish in my swim I could not get to the bottom in three foot of water. Whether I fed heavy or light I caught a 1 oz Ronnie. There must be millions in this lake. I went out at 9 metres for Skimmers and caught one Bream a couple of Skimmers an five Tench in the first half hour on paste. The wind dropped and once again I tormented by Ronnies and 2oz Skimmers. Half heartily tried the waggler and had three carp for 19lb 15oz. I kept thinking of the Silvers and kept trying for the Skimmers and Tench instead of persevering with the waggler. I weighed 15lb 12oz of Silvers for a total of 35lb 11oz. I was one out from winning the section by a numerous defaults. In any case it would not have been deserved with the way I fished. Incidentally, this would have been my twentieth consecutive pick-up. Some lessons learnt for next week I think!

The match was won by Roger Young (pictured right) with 134lb 10oz of Carp from Campbell peg 125. Roger caught half his fish on the pellet waggler and half on the straight lead. Roger's wife informed me that he is otherwise known as "The Purple Plonker". I wonder why (see photo)? I personally thought he fish a good tight match. Runner up was my pairs partner in last years Bowd Valley evening series Jerry Pocock (pictured bottom right). Shaun Townsend (third in the Silvers) has drawn with Jerry this year - must be hot favourites.

Paul Greenwood (pictured top right) drew peg 121 and had the complete Campbell end bank to himself and made the most of it with a magnificent 78lb 6oz of Tench to easily win the Silvers.
These matches are paying the same in both the Silvers and overall weights, plus sections of ten.

Top Individuals:

1. Roger Young 134-10-0 peg 125 (Campbell)
2. Jerry Pocock 127-12-0 peg 81 (Cary)
3. Andy Neal 124-12-0 peg 116 (Campbell)
4. Tony Whittcomb 103-06-0 peg 135 (Campbell)

Top Silvers:

1. Paul Greenwood 78-06-0 peg 121 (Campbell)
2. Tom Thick 48-14-0 peg 131 (Campbell)
3. Shaun Townsend 34-06-0 peg 76 (Cary)
4. Shane Caswell 24-10-0 peg 123 (Campbell)

Wednesday 21/05/2008 Carps AC - Viaduct Fishery - Match and Middle

It was a late decision to fish this match. My ten mile planned walk was cancelled plus with the match being fished on Lakes which I anticipated would be less peggy than the usual Match Lakes - Campbell and Cary I decided to book in. This lake suffered with fish loss two years back and has been since been rejuvenated by joint owner - Steve Long. It has not been fished much since then, so it was an unknown quantity. I travelled again with Bill Ferris, or as I have now nicked named him JIT (Just In Time).

Just before the draw Steve Jackson was over heard to say to Tom Thick "I don't want a snotty nosed school kid telling me how to fish".

I drew peg 29 on Match Lake. I found my self on a long right hand corner peg next to Colin Golding who was next to John Bradford - so interesting trio contest for the Silvers. I started on the Caster and after 10 minutes no indication! Out on my Skimmer line and started to put some Skimmers, Roach and small Carp together. I tried the paste in the margin without any serious indications. I fished the rest of the match out at 10 metre on my Skimmer line. I weighed 19lb 13oz of Silvers and 15lb 3oz of Small Carp for second in the match and second in the Silvers and a pick up of £35.

Tom Thick (pictured with one of his seven doubles - for 82 lb of Carp) won the match with 109lb 3oz from peg 38 on Middle Lake (well known as the "Mister Crabtree Swim"). Tom Also won the silvers with 27lb 5oz. Interestingly enough Tom Drew next to Steve Jackson (peg 37) who could only manage 30lb 4oz. Well done Tom - you made my day.

Full Result:

1. Tom Thick 109-03-0 peg 38
2. Mike Nicholls 35-0-0 peg 29
3. Joss Garrett 31-10-0 peg 35
4. Steve Jackson 30-04-0 peg 37
5. Paul Barnfield 26-10-0 peg 43
6. Steve Jefferies 26-04-0 peg 36

Top Silvers:

1. Tom Thick 27-05-0 peg 38
2. Mike Nicholls 19-03-0 peg 29

Paul Barnfield qualified for the Wednesday Silversmania by triple default with 11-03-0

Sunday 18/05/2008 Carps AC - Sedges - Tile

This is the second time I have fished this new lake (Tile Lake pictured top right - for reference peg 40 is bottom right corner) and I must say once again I enjoyed it very much. The match was well pegged and organised, in fact a pleasure to fish. I travelled with my mate Darren Gillman and stopped at the Hill Top Cafe - which both Darren and I agree is the best breakfast on our circuit. The wind had changed to the North East causing the temperature to drop to 12 degrees. I drew peg 29 which placed me one from the far left side end with the wind blowing in to me at 11-0 clock. Darren drew peg 21 which was an end peg - the same side as me, which placed us in the same section! Darren said the wind had been blowing in to his end (end margin that is!) for some time which boosted his confidence of catching a few fish. Mark Jefferies drew this peg in the last match and DNW'd.

I set up one rig for the Skimmers at 10 metre, one for the Ronnie Roach and two rigs for the margin - paste and pellet. My main target was Silvers, as the wind was too strong for feeding the pellet waggler to the opposite island. I initially potted in 250ml of micro pellet on both the 10 metre line and in to the right hand margin. However, I started on the Ronnie rig which I needed to add four number 11 back shot to counteract the effects of the wind. In the first two hours I had about 12 lb of Silvers - Perch and Roach. I then tried the RH margin and had a bonus 4lb Tench on paste. Back on the Ronnie rig resulted in Eels galore with the odd Ronnie. In the last half hour I decided to focus on the Eels and had ten good Eels for about 10lb. I tried the Skimmer line - to no avail. I weighed 28lb 11oz of Silvers and 1lb 7 oz of Carp (Five!). This gave me 1st in the Silvers and 5th overall in the match with a total weight of 30lb 9oz and a pick up of £50.

Martin Rayatt won the match from peg 35 adopting the same method as the previous winner, Glenn Bailey - pellet waggler just off the opposite island for 64lb 15oz - all Carp. Runner up was matey Darren Gillman (pictured right) with 33lb 7oz of mainly Carp and Eels. Darren fished in to the end margin with paste (Carp) and red maggot (Eels).

Full Result:

1. Martin Rayett 64-15-0 peg 35
2. Darren Gillman 33-07-0 peg 21
3. Bryan Slipper 32-14-0 peg 37
4. Paul Lock 31-10-0 peg 33
5. Mike Nicholls 30-09-0 peg 29
6. Mark (Podge) Jefferies 30-02-0 peg 36

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 28-11-0 peg 29
2. Paul Lock 23-08-0 peg 33

Wednesday 14/05/2008 Carps AC - Huntstrete - Withy Pool

I have been asked a number of times how I prepare my expander pellet, so that they all sink! The following is how I achieve this (irrespective of pellet manufacture):
Put the desired amount of pellet in a bait tub and just cover with cold tap water. Leave for sufficient time for the pellets to absorb all of the water -about a couple of hours which enough time to prepare them on the morning of the match.

Once on the bank (or at home before you leave) pump the pellets as they are i.e. do not add any water – very important this as pumping in water will give the pellets neutral buoyancy, which dependant on the properties of the surface tension will cause the pellets to float. However, neutral buoyancy pellets can be good for hookers to counter act the weight of the hook!

It was another good turn out. Nice to see Bob Sheppard in attendance - back from the IOW. I didn't realise how much I missed his moaning (Colin take a back seat). To be fair I don't think Carps AC has quite got a grips of pegging this venue. I believe the aim of the pegging should to create as much space as possible, which means, for example going for every other peg, ensuring the whole thirty nine peg are evenly spread - a number of permutations are possible to achieve this.

Today I traveled with my mate Darren Gillman who had taken a weeks holiday (thanks for the "Hungry Horace" breakfast - still digesting it), so I knew I was up against it for the Silvers pool. Darren drew peg 41 which, due the pegging gave him an end peg. This peg also has some recent form with big Roach.

I drew peg soixante neuf. Bob Warren said it was a good Silvers peg - enough said! I fed my ground bait mix at 10 metre, but started on the Ronnie Roach caster rig. I started well catching Ronnies, Rudd and some Perch. After two hours it slowed so went out on the 10 metre Skimmer line and caught six small Skimmers. Back to the Ronnie caster rig and caught more Perch, but much smaller. I had a walk round the lake which indicated that I was most probably just ahead with the Silvers, so stuck with this to the end. I weighed about 9lb of mixed Silvers and 9lb of Perch for a total weight of 18lb 2oz for first in the Silvers pool and a pick up of £40 (plus £1 from Bill Ferris).

The match was won by Chris Fox with 51lb 1oz of Carp from the next peg 68. Chris fished the pellet waggler shallow in to open water with 12mm banded pellet, over loose fed 8mm pellet.

Steve Jefferies did well to come second from un-fancied peg 51 with 44lb 3oz.

Full Result:

1. Chris Fox 51-01-0 peg 68
2. Steve Jefferies 44-03-0 peg 51
3. Leighton Palmer 42-05-0 peg 50
4. Andy Britt 41-14-0 peg 44
5. Andy Hempstead 29-0-0 peg 67
6. Darren Gillman 22-10-0 peg 41

Top Silvers:

Mike Nicholls 18-02-0 peg 69
2. Bill Ferris 15-08-0 peg 41 (giving Bill too many tips for comfort!)

Thursdays 08/05/08 Bathampton AA Over 55's and Disabled - Withy Pool

Before the match I had my usual stroll around the complex. The Roach on the main lake were spawning as were some very large Carp. On to Withy and the Carp were mustering in the margins along the pegs in the sixties. Next was Bridge where it was reasonably quite with some Roach spawning and some Carp gathering in peg 18.

I drew peg 26 which is usually a good silvers peg, so off to the peg with a spring in my stride. I set up the usual Skimmer, Roach and paste rig. I went for three balls of ground bait on the Skimmer line. I can’t think of anything worse than getting your balls stuck in your cup! This happened today. I had to swill in some water to loosen up. This partially defeated the object of getting the feed quickly to the bottom pass all the “widgers”. I made sure that the next two balls were tighter and smaller. I started on the caster and caught five decent skimmers and some Roach before the Carp moved in. I tried the Skimmer line but due to the wind it was difficult to present, especially as they were only 2-3 oz fish, so I gave it up. I persisted with the silvers, but they were far and few between (spawning?).
I finished with 11lb 12oz of Silvers for joint first with Bill Ferris and six Carp 49lb totalling 60lb 12oz for first overall and a pick up of £25.

As usual Roy Garland (pictured top right) was in attendance to add to his Saturday Bristol Evening Post Angling Page (well worth the read). Roy is not only a professional photographer he was also a professional Drummer, supporting many top named acts in his time.

It was nice to see Tom Coulston in the frame again with 57lb 6oz of Carp to 18lb! Tom was not the only one to land double figure Carp, John Bennett (pictured right) landed this double from peg 30.

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 60-12-0 peg 26

2. Tom Coulston 57-06-0 peg 14

3. Pete Bryer 56-04-0 peg 15

4. Bob Price 53-11-0 peg 16

5. Colin Golding 53-04-0 peg 18 (I lost 18 Carp)

6. John Bradford 52-04-0 peg 11

Top Silvers:

1. Bill Ferris 11-12-0 peg 4

1. Mike Nicholls 11--12-0 peg 26

3. Bryan Sheppard 6-02-0 peg 7

Wednesday 07/05/2008 Carps AC - Bullock Farm - Match Pool

This match was published to be fished on North Pool, however, due to the turn out it was changed to the Match Lake. What a good SMASHING decision this turned out to be, with both the weather (24 degrees) and venue record being smashed!

I pegged the match with Charlie Barnes, but permanent pegs 25 and 26 were occupied by pleasure anglers (Charlie Barnes remarked that they were the best pegs on the Pool) so we pegged round them! I drew peg 5 which was permanent peg 21. I was quite pleased with the draw as it was a good peg for the Silvers. As usual I started on 4mm pellet for the Crucians. In the first fifteen minutes I landed just the one Tench! I decided to switch to caster and caught Crucians steady all day with the odd small Carp. I weighed 35lb 8oz Silvers and 26lb 12oz of Carp for 62lb 4oz. This gave me first in the Silvers and second overall and a pick up of £30.

Tom Thick drew peg 24 and SMASHED the Match Pool record with a total of 115lb 4oz. Tom fished his usual bait of maggot, fished over potted maggot. Tom caught the majority of his Carp in the margins in front of peg 23. Well done Tom! The record was confirmed by Phil the venue owner.

It was nice to see Steve Jefferies (pictured top right) out fishing again after a winter lay-off. Steve finished third overall with 37lb 7oz from peg 16.

Bill Ferris (pictured right) qualified for the Wednesday Silversmania buy triple default!

Full Result:

1. Tom Thick 115-04-0 peg 24 (New Match Pool six hour record)
2. Mike Nicholls 62-04-0 peg 21
3. Steve Jefferies 36-07-0 peg 16
4. Andrew Shearn 36-05-0 peg 19
5. Colin Golding 32-12-0 peg 276.
6. Mike Owens 30-10-0 peg 18

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 35-08-0 peg 21
2. Tom Thick 15-10-0 peg 24
3. Colin Golding 15-02-0 peg 27
4. Bill Ferris 15-00-0 peg 17 (Qualifies for the Wednesday Silversmania by default)

PS: Whilst fishing today I have thought of a nickname for Bullock Farm - LANDPHIL!

Sunday 04/05/2008 Carps AC - Rood Ashton

This was my first visit to Rood Ashton and it won't be last as this is the venue for the Carpsmania final, for which I have qualified. A good choice I think. Many anglers have said to me that the lake is shallow and silted up. True it is shallow at about two foot, however, there is no signs of it being silted. I believe this to be a very old lake originally constructed by an estate for stocking with Wild Carp perhaps for a food source. The following is some history that might apply to this lake.

It was the Romans who first brought the carp to Western Europe way back in the forth century AD but it was not until the 1400s (this explains why Darren Gillman's map to Rood Ashton was dated 1390 - true ask him) that they were first introduced into British waters. Introduced initially by monks as a food source, carp became established and were stocked into estate lakes and fisheries, and once available, quickly became a target for anglers. In support of this both Darren and I caught some Wild Carp, which by appearance are Common Carp but build like torpedo's! Rood also translates as "Crucifix".
Any way back to the match. I drew peg 12 on the day which was in the middle of the far bank. I was convinced by many that there was twenty pound of Roach in every peg (quote - John Bradford - Avon Angling). I set up a rig for Carp, which would serve paste at ten metres and in both hand margins (same depth). I also set up my main attack for Ronnies at four metres and at eight metres.
I started on the caster in great expectation - however, after fifteen minutes not a sign of a Ronnie Roach - not even an indication. A few Carp were coming out so I changed to paste and had fourteen Carp in Fourteen put-in's. Then my struggle started. Went down to see Darren who was on peg 14. Daz had twenty Carp on paste. Ran back to my peg (got to beat yer mate-haven't you?). I had a quick flirt with the waggler, which resulted in one lost foul hooker. I then fed in rotation RH margin, ten metre and LH margin. I caught another six Carp for the remainder of the match. I ended up with twenty one Common Carp Carp for 86lb and second on the match and a pick up of £50.
This was a Carp Silversmania Qualifer and the top Silver weight went to Bob Gullick (pictured top right) with 21lb from peg 22.

The match winner was Alan Oram (pictured bottom left) with 95lb from peg 17. Alan caught on paste down the left hand margin over 6mm hard pellet.


As far as I am aware there were only one or two Mirror Carp caught.
Oh, yes - what about the twenty pound of Silvers from any peg. The nearest John Bradford got to anything silver was pushing Tom Coulston's car out of the mud behind Terry Bruton's swim (pictured bottom right!).

Full Result:

1. Alan Oram 95-0-0 peg 17
2. Mike Nicholls 86-0-0 peg 12
3. Darren Gillman 73-09-0 peg 14
4. Ron Wotton 72-04-0 peg 10
5. Jamie Smith 68-08-0 peg 6 (lost 30 Carp on feeder!)
6. Shane Caswell 67-13-0 peg 3

Top Silvers:

1. Bob Gullick 21-0-0 peg 22 (Sunday Silversmania Qualifier)
2. Bill Ferris 11-02-0 peg 18
3. Shaun Townsend 6-08-0 peg 1
Top Junior:
1. Ryan Houghton 20-08-0 peg 1a