Thursdays 27/11/08 Bathampton AA Over 55's and Disabled - Bridge Pool

I decided not to fish today, as I had too much preparation to do for my long weekend at Stafford Moor Fishery, which begins tomorrow, with a 5 am start! I am fishing an open on Friday and a double header - Veals Teams of Four Saturday and Sunday. So no blog until Monday, when I will update on how I/we fared.

However, I did run the start of the match today and spent a bit of time walking round. I decided to have a experiment with a small video (as you will see, Film Producer Mike Nichols need not worry). The experiment was focussed on getting it on to the web, Now I can concentrate on the quality of the video! So you budding film stars watch out the Silverfox is about!!



The video is of "The Real" Pete Phillips landing a six pound Common Carp first put in on peg 26. Pete caught it on Red Luncheon meat!
I also caught Bob Dark (pictured right) landing a double figure Mirror from peg 24. Bob caught this fish on a piece of worm.

Bob Warren kindly phoned in the result which follows:

Colin Golding won the match from peg 17 with 46lb 5oz. Colin used his usual method of 6mm expander over 6mm expander fished at five metres. Colin's catch comprised of three carp for 26lb 12oz and 19lb 9oz of Silvers (mainly Skimmers to 1lb), which also gave him first in the Silvers.

I must admit, it was nice, to hear that Kevin Collins was runner up with 30lb from peg 23. Kevin caught his fish on single red maggot at seven metres (Kev, don't tell anyone about the shotting pattern and feeding) - A good result, expecially with improvements still to come, on hook lengths, elastics and pole. Keep it up matey

During my last match on Bridge Pool, fishing peg 24, I was 99% certain that a huge Pike had chased a 4oz Roach that I had hooked, resulting in an inactive Silvers peg for some while. Interestingly, today, BobFeltham, hooked a huge Pike, which he did finally lose. Bathampton AA committee put a bounty on it's head and get it back in to the Main Lake!!

Full Result:
1. Colin (Mr. Pastry) Golding 46-05-0 peg 17
2. Kevin Collins 30 0-0 peg 23
3. Bob (The Bread) Price 26-0-0 peg 16
4. Tom Coulston 24-04-0 peg 4
5. John Wild 23-03-0 peg 3
6. Dave Bacon 18-14-0 peg 9
Top Silvers:
1. Colin Golding 19-09-0 peg 17
2. Ian Sheppard 11-08-0 peg 29
3. Bob (MD) Feltham 10-0-0 peg 15

Sunday 23/11/2008 Carps AC - Rood Ashton

When I decided to fish Rood Ashton my mind my saying "your not going to catch in two foot of water in November, especially based on a forecast of extreme weather conditions.". However, my wallet was saying "get a few more Silver points and you will win the aggregate". My heart was pulling me to the Silvers open match at Viaduct (40 pegs).

I thought the match might be a lottery, which, it proved to be. NO ONE HAD A BITE! So I had achieved my objective and defended my postion in the Silvers. However, the match was indeed decided by lottery!

The lottery result follows:

1. Bill Ferris (£50)
2. Gordon Cannings (pictured top right) (£30 well deserved as he fished to the end)
3. Mike (new member) (£25)
4. Bob Price (pictured bottom right) (£15 well deserved as he also fished to the end)

This is the first season I have not fished the K&A canal during the winter months. I am now wondering whether the change to commercials is the right move. Lets, wait until the end of the year, and then reflect.

Thursdays 20/11/08 Bathampton AA Over 55's and Disabled - Withy Pool

A warm winters day was ahead of us with temperatures in the high teens. It was the warmest i have been since July!! we were all anticipating a great days fishing. All forgetting that the fish are always a few days ahead of us Anglers when it comes to sever weather changes! "Blizzards and icy winds forecast for weekend as Arctic blast sweeps in from the north"

Being one of the youngest and slightly more cognisant than most anglers attending today's "Coffin Doggers" I have to be prepared for the likes of John Bradford (the boss of Avon Angling!). John started to unpack his gear to find he had left his rod holdall home, duh! I always carry two poles so loaned John my Carp pole and two top sets. As it happens, we draw next to each other, and arriving at his peg John informed me that he had broken one of the (my) top sets getting to his peg! So lent him another. Tony Rixon will enjoy this one.

I drew peg 56 in the bay behind the furthest island. I was happy with this, as last time I drew it, I had 26lb of quality Roach. There were four of us behind the island - Terry Bruton, Doug Sutton, John Bradford and me. Doug Sutton was the only one to weigh in with 2lb 8oz of Silvers. I had two Eyes, one Roach and a DNW.

HE's BACK!!! Colin Golding (pictured right landing a 14lb Common Carp - don't show the picture to Matron! You will also notice Colin using his head - as a pull-a-bung) won today's match, weighing more than the rest of us put together!! Colin drew peg 62 and landed ten Carp for 68lb 6oz. Colin fished at ten metres, using his usual 6mm

expander pellet fish over loose fed expander pellet. Watching Colin land the Carp on 14 elastic reminded me what an excellant angler he is. (Colin's 14lb Common is picture underneath). Nice to have you back.

The Silvers was won by Bob Warren (pictured bottom right with his un- seasonal 4lb 4oz Tench) from peg 69 with 8lb 2oz. His catch comprised a 4lb 4oz Tench and 3lb 14oz of Skimmers. Bob would have won the Silvers withpout the Tench as the second best Silvers weight was Bill "The Maggot Man" Ferris from next peg 68 with 3lb 12oz. Well done matey.

Full result:

1. Colin Golding 68-06-0 peg 62
2. Bob "MD" Fetham 13-07-0 peg 60
3. Martin Alexander 12-07-0 peg 67
4. John Wild 9-04-0 peg 48
5. Pete "The Real" Philips 8-08-0 peg 47
6. Bob Warren 8-02-0 peg 69
Top Silvers:
1. Bob Warren 8-02-0 peg 69
2. Bill Ferris 3-12-0 peg 68

Wednesday 19/11/08 Avon Angling Open - Landsend Fishery

I had other plans for today, well Brenda did, new Christmas lights for the tree are needed (they have been OK for the last five years). That was until John Bennett Rang, asking, if I would like to fish Rixon's rip off at Landsend and travel down with him. I couldn't help myself. Re-negotiated the shopping for Saturday with Brenda.

I have fished Landsend Match and Specimen nine times this year and have drawn corner pegs five times. This excludes pegs 25 (which I have never fished) and peg 12 (which I have drawn once, some time back)! Today, guess what drew corner peg 33 (make that six out of ten (60% cornered)). I hate corner pegs. Today especially, as a strong Westerly wind was blowing in to the corner, which made fishing the pole only possible at five metres. To cut three hundred and thirty minutes short I only managed 3lb 12oz of small Ronnies on dead maggot. I was pipped to the Silvers pool by Mike Duckett who weighed 4lb 8oz. On next peg 34 was Gary Wall. During the match Gary's top five became detached and blew in to my peg. Which I helped him recover, Gary kindly gave me the 1 oz Roach that he had on the end as a thank you! Gary did his best to fish over at sixteen metres, only to break his number six section. Again the five and half metres of pole blew in to my swim, alas no Ronnie gift this time!

The match was won by Nick Duckett (pictured right with a double common carp) from in form peg 31 with 75lb 14oz of quality Carp. Nick fished maggot at sixteen metres to the point of the island. This now gives Nick two wins on the trot.

The Silvers was won by Tony Rixon with 12lb 2oz from peg 25. Tony fished seventeen metres (must have been flat calm then!) one metre off the end margin (slightly up the shelf).

Full result:

1. Nick Duckett 75-14-0 peg 31
2. Tony Rixon 47-07-0 peg 25 (flat calm)
3. Colin Dyer 14-08-0 peg 27
4. John Bennett 11-0-0 peg 29
5. Tim Clark 9-14-0 peg 36
6. Mike Duckett 4-08-0 peg 38

Top Silvers:

1. Tony Rixon 12-02-0 peg 25 (flat calm)
2. Nick Duckett 8-12-0 peg 31
3. Mike Duckett 4-08-0 peg 38 (picked up Silvers pool - by double default)

Sunday 16/11/2008 Carps AC - Landsend Fishery

Colin Golding fished today. I thought he looked unwell, however, he was well enough to buy Mike Ducketts Boss box for £100, knocking Mike down from a £150! - a bargain.

The weather had turned mild, with temperatures well in to double figures, The air was damp with mizzle. Bela Bakos asked where I would like to draw -"I didn't mind as long as it wasn't a corner peg". What do I draw corner peg 1 on Match Lake! However, it does have some Silvers previous. The Saturday match was won from this peg with 35lb - all Carp catch by Rod Wotton (the venue Carp expert) - fishing long with pellet. When I got to my peg I was amazed how clear the water was. I could se at least 24 inches down. Due to the water clarity, and that peg 2 was not in, I decided to fish at 9 metres in to open water at 2 o clock towards peg 2 (I like peg 2). This proved to be very uncomfortable and come the end of the match my legs and back had stiffened up. I kicked started the peg by feeding Sensas Black Lake. I slipped on a single red maggot and had a 1oz Ronnie first put in. Out again and had a 1lb 8oz Skimmer. I fed again and had a 2lb Tench!! Um, must be going to fish well! I then had two Crucians of about 1lb 8oz. After feeding again I tried 4mm GOT expander, which resulted in a couple more Crucians and a decent Skimmer. Back on the maggot and a few more Crucians before the Carp arrived. In the last half hour I landed two Carp. I weighed 17lb 3oz of Silvers and 8lb 12oz of Carp for a total weight of 25lb 15oz. This put be first in the Silvers and 4th overall and a pick up of £40. The two Carp were landed using the pull-a-bung. Both Carp went under and through to the other side of my platform. I was able to let the elastic free and pass my top set under my keepnets arms. So pull-a-bungs do have their uses!

The match was won by Nick Duckett (pictured top right) with 92lb 11oz from Specimen Lake peg 35. Nick weighed two Carp for 36lb.

Mike Owen was runner up in the Silvers with 11lb 6oz from peg 25 and qualifies for the Sunday Carps AC Silversmania.

Full Result:

1. Nick Duckett 92-11-0 peg 35

2. Rod Wotton 48-12-0 peg 5

3. John Bennett 29-15-0 peg 27

4. Mike Nicholls 25-15-0 peg 1

5. Gordon Cannings 19-08-0 peg 17

6. Charlie Barnes 18-08-0 peg 15

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 17-03-0 peg 1

2. Mike Owen 11-06-0 peg 25

Sunday 09/11/2008 Carps AC - Plantation - Horseshoe Lake

After heavy overnight rain and a noticeable temperature drop and with heavy periodic showers to come, we all expected it to fish hard. We were not disappointed!
This was my first visit to Horseshoe Lake and on first viewing liked what I saw. I always look forward to fishing new venues as it adds to the challenge - you don't really know what to to expect and hence fish with much more optimism.

I drew peg 12 on the spit element of the horseshoe facing the car park. With the wind blowing hard from the South West I decided to set up one rig for the silvers, which was my usual PB14 - wire stem to help combat the wind. I must say it did pick up the tow very well. Due to the consistent depth I was able to use this float at five metres and seven metres without changing depth. I started by feeding a small amount of Sensas Black Lake with a few dead maggots at five metres, with single dead maggot on the hook. This resulted in one 1oz Ronnie. I then had a Skimmer of 3oz, but it was very slow. I then tried caster to no avail. I fed some micro pellet at seven metres and tried 4mm expander pellet on the hook, which resulted in a run of 3-4oz Skimmers. I decided to kinder pot Black Lake with a smidgen of micro in at the five metre line. I managed to keep the "pea's in a pod" Skimmers coming on and off until the last hour. The thirty odd skimmers weighed 9lb dead, which gave me first in the Silvers and a pick up of £30. My only Carp of 12 oz lifted my weight to 9lb 12oz for 6th overall!


The locals anglers took the main framing spots with Mike Owen (pictured right with his winning catch) winning the match from peg 8 with a mainly Carp catch of 33lb 3oz - an excellent weight on the day. Mike caught at 11.5 metres with 4mm soft pellet, fished over micro pellet.
Runner up was Kev Perry from peg 2 with 15lb 15oz. Kev caught five Carp on soft pellet also.

There was a draw for second in the Silvers (first of the year) with Gordon Cannings and Pete Davis both weighing 3lb 14oz. Both qualify for the Sunday Silversmania by default!

Full Result:

1. Mike Owen 33-03-0 peg 8
2. Kev Perry 15-15-0 peg 2
3. Paul Fairers 12-03-0 peg 1
4. Andy Curry 11-12-0 peg 9
5. Gordon Cannings 10-07-0 peg 5
6. Mike Nicholls 9-12-0 peg 12

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 9-0-0 peg 12
2. Gordon Cannings 3-14-0 peg 5
2. Pete Davis 3-14-0 peg 6

Thursdays 06/11/08 Bathampton AA Over 55's and Disabled - Withy Pool

This match was moved from Bridge Pool to Withy Pool, due to Bathampton AA treating Bridge Pool (see thier website for further details) for the Algae bloom that has appeared over resent years. Again, the forward thinking Bathampton Committee, taking the right actions. Can't wait to fish Bridge Pool again on the 27/11/08 (note there is another "Coffin Doggers" on 20/11/08 on Withy Pool). I understand that they have also treated Newton Park, with further plans for the main lake at Huntstrete.

The weather was cloudy - as usual, with little, to no wind, but very mild. The first draw put me on peg forty something! After a redraw! John Wild drew peg 47 out for me. A peg I would have chosen. Tony Rixon commented that this time of year calls for a lighter approach and I might like to consider fishing the "pull-a-bung", so I bought one and set it up with black "JRANGE Lastic" (only £9 and is very similar to the black hydro - but without the liquid).
Second put in on caster I hooked a carp and after trying to pull-a-bung the Carp back from 30 metres it broke me! So the pull-a-bung got bunged!! I have renamed it "pull-a-plunker" What a load of bo****ks.

Quickly back to my usual Middy 16-22 blue elastic. With further bad angling I manage to lose another two big carp. However, I caught some quality Ronald's to 12oz on caster, with a smidgen of small Skimmers using 6mm expander pellet. I weighed 15lb 8oz of Roach/Skimmers for first in the Silvers and fifth overall and a pick up of £20.

The match was won once again by Terry Bruton with an all Carp catch, weighing, 69lb 10oz from peg 44. Terry fished his usual method of waggler with hair rigged pellet a full depth. To attract the carp Terry lightly loose fed hard 8 mm pellet.


Runner up was Bob "The Bread" Price from peg 60 with 50lb 5oz. Bob fished the pole at 10 metres and the straight lead with pellet and you guessed it - bread.

Ian Sheppard (pictured right) Landed 45lb 1oz of quality Carp from peg 67. Ian fished both waggler 7 foot deep with pellet and the pole at 7 metres with maggot over loose fed maggot.

Full Result:

1. Terry Bruton 69-10-0 peg 44
2. Bob "The Bread" Price 50-05-0 peg 60
3. Ian Sheppard 45-01-0 peg 67
4. John Wild 15-11-0 peg 69
5. Mike Nicholls 15-08-0 peg 47
6. Bill Ferris 11-08-0 peg 50

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 15-08-0 peg 47
2. Bill "The Maggot Man" Ferris 11-08-0 peg 50
3. Martin Alexander 5-07-0 peg 41

Sunday 02/11/08 - Veals Teams of Four Winter League Round 4 - Landsend Fishery

With the weather turning wintry, with heavy over night rain and a stiff North Westerly blowing, the consensus was that the fishery would fish hard - as it proved to be for some anyway, with many Anglers not breaking the pound.

However, we faired better than most fishing the "Real" Winter League fished on the in flood Brsitol Avon (believed to be the oldest river in England - this is measured by the bankside tree growth). My mate Darren Gillman drew the crane section and framed with 2lb 3oz! Some sections were won with ounces. The match was won from just above the bay at Fry's by Graham Hunt with 4lb!

Charlie drew me peg 51 on John Walter (again). I was hoping for for Sidney's, but was content with my draw. We all knew that one Carp was needed for good points. So it was disappointing to lose a Carp second put in on double red maggot over a nuget of Black Lake ground bait (fits in a kinder pot). However, I then have a run of small Ronnies and Skimmers on single maggot. From what I could see the going was very hard. I kept a few Silvers going for a while at 10 metres until I landed a 8lb 9oz Carp, on single maggot. This decided me to forget the Silvers and fish 6mm expander pellet at 13 metres to the far bank bush which resulted in about ten Crucians to 4oz!! I weighed 6lb of Silvers to go with my Carp, for a total of 14lb 9oz and seventh on the lake and 9 points.

My five peg section was won by Tony Rixon on peg 54 with 17lb (which included a 3lb Bream!).

The match was won by Anton Page (pictured top right - what a lovely set of dentures)

with 115lb 12 oz of Carp from peg 31 on Specimen. Anton caught his 13 fish on the far bank, two foot deep using double red maggot.

Tim Pallant (pictured right) was runner up with 59-10-0 of Carp from peg 83 on Sidney's. Tim caught on soft pellet fishing to the far corner leg.

The Silvers was won by Vince Shipp from peg 78 with 13lb 13oz. Which included what was described as a "Golden Bream"!

Team wise Charle's Angles came joint second on the day with 40 points, which now raises us to the dizzy heights of 5th overall with 38 points!

Ful result:

Carp:

1. Anton Page 115-12-0 peg 31

2. Tim Pallant 59-10-0 peg 83

3. Eric Fouracres 50-13-0 peg 15

4. Steve Kedge 44-15-0 peg 40

Silvers:
1. Vince Shipp 13-13-0 peg 68
2. Kev Perry 9-0-0 peg 58

3. Ryan Shipp 8-13-0 peg 25 (arrived at his peg 2 hours in to the match!)

4. John Gray 8-03-0 peg 72