Thursday 18/12/2014 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Disabled - Xmas Match - Bridge Pool

That time of year again – humbug for most Dodgers.

First thanks to Mike Jones and Chris Rolfe for organising a traditional Xmas match. It isn’t easy for the aging and great to participate in.

It’s a pity the Pensioner match is no longer – change is not necessary better.

It was nice to see the club secretary out today. Dave Crookes has an impossible job trying to satisfy all club members that said he has to be careful not to listen to the minority. With the forth coming fish transfer between Lakes there has been a lot of comment from all the interested (and non- interested) bodies. Talking to Dave he does have the interest of all members at heart and will restock if there are real issues – good enough for me.

You would expect that the Coffin Dodgers attendance would gradually decline – alas not Mike had 33 booked in. Apparently the average age of regular match anglers is now 55, so some time to go!

The annual picture of attendees (except John Fry who was …) is pictured below.

I was too busy chatting and ended up middle for diddle in the draw bag. Shame as I was put back in my end of the Pool – peg 33 – Ugh. Draw a line across the Pool from peg 4 and 32 and below this there is a significant absent of fish. So having had the piss taken by Mike Jones I left the car park despondent especially as matey Pete Greenslade blanked there last match. However, when Mike Jones sleepily arrived at opposite peg 2 I had a right laugh – I won’t be last in the match then (peg also blanked last match)!!

The only positive was that the peg has some shelter from the gusting winds – but the weather is still mild at 13 degrees. Two rigs – a 4x16 Jolly to be fished down wind at 2 o clock at 5 metres and a 4x12 Jolly which suited both margins.

A negative approach I think. So a small ball of GB laced with Pinkies was fed through the kinder pot on the long line. A few chopped worms and caster went in the up wind margin (LH) and a few dead maggots down wind.

I started on the long line and after a long wait I had a ½ Ronnie. I had a few more when I hooked a 1lb plus Perch which when played near the bank dived for the inside reed cover and on persuading it to change course the hook pulled  - bugger. The swim all but died. So I went in with a piece of worm over the CW&C and was soon playing another good Perch only to pull out again. A few sear words followed. I was hoping Mike Jones would give me a red card. I did have a run of tiny Perch. Over to the maggot margin and a few more small Ronnie’s and Perch were swung on to the bank then fetched in to the keep net!

I ended with 20 fish for 1lb 6oz for nearly last, except for pegs 34, 1, 2, and 3.

The match was won again by Dave Bacon (pictured upper right with his first weigh) with 7 Carp for 62lb 15oz from peg 28. Dave caught on his current favourite the “Pooper Scooper” fished over to the opposite island.

The Silvers was won by Terry Church (pictured right). Terry caught on the method feeder casting it blind folded around his peg and his neighbours.

Everyone had a prize except Paul Dicks who had two, breaking his first bottle (pictured right).

Full Result:

1. Dave Bacon 62-15-0 peg 28
2. John Fry 31-0-0 peg 27
3. Dave Gillard 30-05-0 peg 18
4. Terry Church 25-12-0 peg 7
5. Paul Haines 15-08-0 peg 16
6. Pete Turner 13-02-0 peg 15

Top Silvers:

1. Terry Church 11-10-0 peg 7
2. Paul Dicks 10-0-0 peg 8
3. Dave Wride 9-13-0 peg 6