Wednesday 05/12/2012 - Bitterwell Silvers Only Cost Cutter Open

It was great news to hear that matey Darren Gillman has won the South West Winter League Individual title for the third time. This helped his team Bathampton once again to take the overall team title. After a look back over records it appears that Darren is the first Angler in this league to achieve this, albeit the league being somewhat diminished from its hay days. That said it’s a remarkable achievement. Darren has also won the Commercial House Individual League twice. In a year’s time or so, Darren might be ready to take on us Commercial Fishery boys!

Whilst changing some of Fisheries cow pellets in to some likeness to a GB (by the John Smith process) I was surprised by how much Molasses were included which makes the GB very sticky and strong smelling.

Prior to the draw Gary Etheridge explained how he decided not to fish his peg on last Sunday’s winter league practice on the K&A at Great Bedwyn because it was shallow and too clear. However, Gary lived to regret it as the pegs each side of his came first and second in the match – oh dear!

In to the draw hat (without any hairs in it) and out comes peg 4 in the middle of the car park bank. I wasn’t that keen on the draw as it is very snaggy plus anglers on this bank would have the sun in our eyes all day – and we did. An end peg out of the sun would have been my preference. Although the conditions weren’t favourable for the Skimmers (or any other species come to think of it) it was the species I was going to target.

I set up the same rig as last match here, a 4x12 Stainey. Because of the fishing conditions I set up the waggler which although managed a few bites I missed most of them so no more on the thrashing.

I fed a loose ball of the fishery GB at 9 metres at 2 o clock with a few Pinkies and with double Pinkie on the hook I didn’t have a bite. Once the sun had moved round a bit I fed some Pinkies out in front and had a couple of Ronnie’s and micro Perch – the fishing was really hard. I did foul hook a 1lb Skimmer and it wasn’t until the sun started to disappear that I had a couple of Hybrids and another Skimmer, losing another of about 2lb in the margin rubbish. I weighed a paltry 3lb 5oz for joint sixth with Eddie Wynne.

As expected the match was won from end peg 9 by John Smith (pictured right) with 6lb 15oz. John caught on big maggot over loose potted Pinkie at 13 metres. John fed no GB.

Full Result:

1.      John Smith 6-15-0 peg 9

2.      Gary Etheridge 6-07-0 peg 3

3.      Andy Gard 3-13-0 peg 1

4.      John Andres 3-10-0 peg 7

5.      Steve Dawson 3-08-0 peg 6

6.      Mike Nicholls 3-05-0 peg 4

6.      Eddie Wynne 3-05-0 peg 5