Sunday 27/03/2016 - Windmill Fishery Open - Match Lake

I Travelled with Bela today so we breakfasted in the Beefeater. Bela was a bit miffed because I was given a much bigger than him and with a buffet breakie that can be important to some.

The weather conditions were forecast as bloody awful – heavy rain and high winds. Well we certainly had the high winds but little rain.

In to the draw box and out came wooden counter 18. The opposite end to where I wanted to be as the top pegs would have the wind off their backs. My peg was getting the wind effects full blast. The peg is surrounded by 3 inches of black mud which smelled some what, which necessitated carefully placing my tackle to avoid the worse of it. That didn’t stop my bib and brace getting messed up. Some cleaning up tomorrow.

I knew as soon as I got to the peg that the pole was no way going to win the match – the lead would be the way to go. However, I can’t fish this way so I had to try and make the float and pole work. I set up a heavier float than normal a 4x16 Jolly to fish at either top-set plus one or two in four foot of water. Before the start I ran the float through on the shorter line and found it moving against the wind at about 3 inches a second, plus waves of up to 8 inches to contend with. Not good. I started at top-set plus one with 4mm semi-hards on the hook over wetted micro and after 15 minutes caught and landed a 5lb Mirror Carp. I remained biteless for the next 45 minutes so decided to move out to top-set plus two where the tow was a tad less but the waves bigger. Same hook bait and feed. I remained on the line for the rest of the match feeding the occasional pot of micro (which I wasn’t sure where it was landing , if at all) and catching the odd small Skimmer and adding one more Carp a Mirror this time. The wind conditions were so bad that I could feel the number 4 section compressing in my hands. I did miss a lot of bites from the small Skimmers which was a tad frustrating. I was glad to hear the whistle.

My two Carp weighed 11lb 8oz and my Silvers 3lb 2oz for a total of 14lb 10oz for fourth overall.

Runner up Jon Clark was sporting his new Diawa pole and dinked the number seven section on a metal bank side post (what’s that doing there I ask). Jon was devastated. Unlucky matey.

The match was won by Steve Jefferies with 31lb 15oz from peg 11. See the video below where Steve explains how he caught.

Andy Gard won the Silvers with 5lb from peg 26. Andy caught on maggot over maggot.

Full Result:

1. Steve Jefferies 31-15-0 peg 11
2. Jon Clark 30-06-0 peg  28
3. Dave Willmott 26-08-0 peg 24
4. Mike Nicholls 14-10-0 peg 18

Top Silvers:

1. Andy Gard 5-0-0 peg 26

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 24/03/2016 - Coffin Dodgers Silvers League - Round Seven - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake

We didn’t quiet get away with having a dry series, heavy rain and gusting winds back. Here all over Easter appaerently.

Our turn in C section and with John Smith back Dave Willmott was back in B section and one angler short today in D section.

I selected the swim card nearest the door which was peg 22 – a favourite of mine – or was!

I had holiday maker John Smith on next peg 23 (end of section peg) and the man I can’t escape (Fourth time next to him) – Steve Jefferies on the gap peg 21.

I set up a Ronnie rig and two 4x16 Jolly’s one for top-set plus three sections and the other for top-set plus one where it was only two feet above full depth.

I got in a bit of a pickle today not sure what to fish where. I finally decided to focus on the semi-hards on the longer line and GB laced with maggot on the shorter line. I fed all three lines which on hindsight was a mistake. I started on the short line and had a five small Ronnie’s in between missing loads of bites from the blighters due to the float going with the wind and the feed going in the opposite direction. The rain then started much earlier than forecast, which meant putting on the Gortex jacket, my number five section was waiting in the wings in case needed but was precariously place which really needed moving but I thought it would be OK – not - I got the jacket on Ok but getting back in the saddle I stood on the section – snapped in half bugger. This resulted to a period of sulking and not fishing sensibly. During this period Steve Jefferies had a decent Skimmer. I had to chase the better fish as catch up, so went out to top set plus three with the semi-hards. A mistake as I waste 30 minutes trying to catch a Skimmer which were obliviously being carped out, pinging out of two Carp. Converted the line to GB laced with maggot and spent too long catching a one pounder. With an hour to go I was fed up fighting the wind and decide to switch to the top-set plus one again fishing single maggot over GB with laced maggot. I had another big Skimmer but more importantly I was catching small Skimmer regularly plus my third Carp. Bugger should have given up on the poor presentation on the long line an hour earlier.

I was forlorn as I thought both John Smith and Steve Jefferies had beaten me. I was surprised to find my 5lb 10oz beat John by 8oz  and Steve by 10oz for a section win and fifth overall. I thnk this puts me joint second with one match to go. My pole fifth section now a matter of history.

I drew Paul Barnfield in the last four of the knockout and due to Paul being in one of the worse sections I manged to beat him and get through to the final with Steve Dawson. The sections are such that we could be next to each other which would make things more interesting.

The match was won by Tony Rixon with 11lb 5oz from peg 25 and with an empty peg next door made the most of his four peg section …see his blog for more details and the video below with no spelling mistakes!! 

Full Result:

A Section: Mike Jones 5-12-0 peg 32

A Section: Dave Wride 5-0-0 peg 5

B Section: Dave Willmott 10-02-0 peg 9

B Section: Steve Dawson 5-08-0 peg 8

C Section: Mike Nicholls 5-10-0 peg 22

C Section: John Smith 5-02-0 peg 23

D Section: Tony Rixon 11-05-0 peg 25

D Section: John Barker 7-07-0 peg 28

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 20/03/2016 - Windmill Fishery Open - Match Lake

I had breakfast in Beefeater with matey Geoff Francis; the new young waiter appeared to be dead from the neck up!! The weather is holding dry however, the sacrifice being the freezing cold North-easterly winds dragging the temperatures right down.

Fishery manager Terry has started to repair the access road and is now a little better but does need further work.

An excellent turnout with 26 fishing. Into the draw box and out comes wooden disc with number 32 on it - excellent.

For company I had Joe Godfrey (Bela's angling apprentice) on peg 1 and Ryan Shipp on peg 30. In fact I could see another Shipp on the horizon, Dad Vince on peg 28.

The wind was blowing in at me and to the right which would make the presentation difficult. I set up a 4x18 Jolly for the Semi-hards at top-set plus two section which just about found the bottom of the inside shelf and an unseasonable paste rig for the RH margin. Gerry Welsh had most of his fish in the margin last week from this peg. I did have some corn in the bait bag if the margins around me started to produce on this bait.

I fed the margin with a mix of hard 4's and Micro. I followed that with micro on the Jolly line. Starting on the 4mm semi-hard pellet I had a quick response catching two Crucian's each not heavier than 4oz! I was getting a lot of bites from small Skimmers and expected a good day on them. The bites then changed from a steady tug under to easily missed snatch bites and then finicky bites not worth striking at then no bites at all. Mr Carp had arrived I was thinking, so gave them some more feed. I was soon playing a 8lb Carp which gave a good account. The Skimmers were back but not for long as I caught another Carp of 4lb. I then went for an age before I hooked the best fish of the day a 14lb Mirror which took me 20 minutes to get to the landing net using its weight to hug bottom. That,s how the match panned out catch a few Skimmers then a surprise Carp would arrive. From time to time most anglers were trying the margin to no avail - including me with the paste. 

In the meantime at half way through Ryan Shipp who had fished the pole up to then without much  to show for it decided to set the lead up whilst he packed up. Well in six casts Ryan landed six Carp on the straight lead down the islands shelf. Talking to Ryan after the match I was amazed that he had only plimsolls on his feet with no socks no wonder he was shivering.

I finished the match with six Carp with the smallest being about 1lb which togeather weighed 32lb 3oz with my Silvers weighing 4lb 14oz for joint first in the Silvers pool and my total weight of 37lb 1oz enough for a match win overall (my Carp catch pictured right). Another nice day at this fishery.

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 37-01-0 peg 32
2. Martyn Rayett 35-03-0 peg 17
3. Gerry Welsh 31-08-0 peg 25
4. Ryan Shipp 28-09-0 peg 30
5. Vince Shipp 26-11-0 peg 28
6. Mark Summer 25-12-0 peg 16

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls + Andy Gard 4-14-0 peg 32/24
2. John Barker 3-10-0 peg 5

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 17/03/2016 - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake - Coffin Dodgers Silvers League - Round 6

Today was round six of the eight rounds of the Coffin Dodgers Silvers League. The advantage of knowing which section you’re in is that you can prepare and take the right clothing as today I was on the far bank with a NE wind blowing along the Lake left to right and into me. The wind was bitter cold. When I returned home the “Special One” compared my head to an England’s Glory!

It was my turn in B section. My thinking was to avoid the end peg 9 as I thought it would be battered by Carp. So drawing peg 7 was OK, which is between two islands.

Once again I found myself sandwiched between Dave Willmott and Bird fancier Steve Jefferies.

I set up two rigs both 4x16 Jolly’s. Identical except the hook, on the top-set pus two Jolly had an 808 size 18 for maggot over GB and the other an 808 size 16 for semi-hard pellet at 2 o clock at top-set plus three.

Whilst waiting for the start I tried both rigs to see how they would adapt to the wind conditions – it wasn’t good, both were going left to right and towards me with the wind. Not good, but same for everyone in the section.

On the start I fed the shorter line with GB laced with maggot and the longer line with wetted micro. Starting on the shorter line it wasn’t until 10 minutes in that I had a bite a 1lb Skimmer, next put in I lost a similar fish with the hook pulling. I didn’t realise at the time how important that first Skimmer would be. I then had a run of small Skimmers and Ronnie’s, but it didn’t last long. Hour gone and it all became a struggle picking the odd small Skimmer with pellet on the longer line and Ronnie’s on the shorter line on the drop. I did catch and net four Carp to 4lb throughout the match.

Even though the fishing was slow the match seemed end quicker than normal. I weighed 3lb 10oz just 2 oz ahead of Dave Willmott, hence that early Skimmer was so important as it got me a section win and through the knockout beating “Storming Norman” Ferris who was on peg 5 fishing his usual paste.

The match was won by John Barker with 8lb 9oz from peg 23. John explains how he caught in the video at the bottom of the page (double click to go to full screen)

Section Result:

A section Steve Dawson 6-14-0 peg 2

A Section Dave Haines 3-15-0 peg 1

B Section Mike Nicholls 3-10-0 peg 7

B Section Dave Willmott 3-08-0 peg 8

C Section John Barker 8-09-0mpeg 23

C Section Tony Rixon 7-15-0m peg 19

D Section Eddie Wynne 8-02-0 peg 28

D Section Dave Wride 7-13-0 peg 27

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 13/03/2016 - Windmill Fishery Open - Match Lake

We were promised some bright sunny weather although accompanied by a North Easterly wind. In to the draw box and out comes peg 17. Apparently a Carp peg, however, arriving at the peg the swim was flat calm with the wind blowing over my right shoulder combined with the high bank behind me I was well sheltered – felt a bit like Spring. Dave Haines who arrived on opposite peg 10 by tractor (pictured right) looked a bit cold.

I set up a 4x10 Yoof for the margin at top-set plus three sections in 30 inches of water which was about 1 metre out from the bank. I didn’t have high hopes as the water looked too clear to fish in the bright sunshine. I fed it with pellet and 6 pieces of corn. I set up a 4x18 Jolly to fish at top-set plus two sections. Here I fed micro to fish semi-hards for the Skimmers.

Although I kept topping up and trying the margin with single corn I only had two missed bites from small fish, so swim abandoned.

I fished the Jolly for 90% of the match initially catching Carp to 10lb. After netting six it dried up and for the remainder of the match I caught mainly small Skimmers with a couple of better ones and two Crucian’s. I did accidentally got more water on the semi-hards with most turning to semi-slush! 

My Silvers (pictured right) weighed 15lb 15oz for first in the Silvers and my Carp weighed 33lb 6oz for a match fourth weight of 49lb 5oz. Excellent days fishing.

The match was won by Gerry Welsh from golden peg 32 with 79lb 9oz. For who Gerry caught see his explanation in the short video below (double click for full screen).

Full Result:

1. Gerry Welsh 79-09-0 peg 32 (Golden Peg)
2. Dave Haines 66-14-0 peg 10
3. Chris Gay 58-15-0 peg 27
4. Mike Nicholls 49-05-0 peg 17

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 15-15-0 peg 17

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 10/03/2016 - Harescombe Fishery - Cost Cutter - Match Lake

Geoff Francis is on leave this week and wanted to practice retirement, so we started in the Holly yesterday talking fishing and today Geoff drove us to Harescombe Fishery. I must say I was really looking forward to returning to the fishery; because it suits my style of fishing with the framing weights always a close affair. It was good to see a good turn out with 19 anglers booked in.

First thing first, Geoff and I had a large breakfast ably cooked by Andy Price who had a sweat on as his commi Chef Gordon Blewit isn’t too well so wasn’t in attendance, apparently waiting for an op. Best wishes Gordon hope everything goes well and you are back buggering things up again soon.

I think we all expected some warmer weather with some sunshine. Not so, no sun and a bloody freezing North Easterly blowing down the Lake. Drawing Pegs 29 and 30 would mean an uncomfortable today.

Because of the high turn out discussions were held as to whether or not Field Lake should be put in. Sensibility prevailed and we were all on the Match Lake.

In to the draw bag and out comes disc 13 – “unlucky for some”. Geoff drew opposite on peg 19. The superstition kicked when the farm black Cat walked under my pole and then Mr Jinx (Terry Girdlestone) arrived on peg 14 who gladly informed me that peg 13 hasn’t been fishing that well.

I set up a 4x10 Yoof for the left hand margin, by adding 6 inches to the depth it also suited for tight across at 13 metres. However, the long pole stayed on the bank due to the strength of the wind. A 4x14 Jolly was set up to fish out at full depth.

I started the match at top-set plus one with the Jolly over with kindered maggot with double on the hook and started to loose feed pellet in the LH margin. I had a 6 oz Skimmer first try followed by Gudgeon and small Ronnie’s – then nothing. Hour gone and struggling so added another section and swapped to semi-hards on the hook over kindered pellet, instant results with one Skimmer followed quickly by five F1’s loosing one trying to avoid the annoying Mallards. I then had three hours catching Skimmers, three to the pound which I thoroughly enjoyed. The float wanted to go with the wind but by keeping a tight line to the back shot I managed to get the bait to move against. The conclusion I came to was either the F1’s weren’t feeding or there wasn’t any in my swim, as they normally disrupt the Silvers. During the last hour the Skimmers went quiet catching as expected some more F1’s including two from the margin on semi-hards (meat wasn’t doing it).

Come the all-out I had 16lb of Skimmers and 17lb 8oz of F1’s for a fourth overall total of 33lb 8oz. Very enjoyable days fishing.

The match was won by 21 year old Ryan Summerhayes (pictured right) with 49lb 7oz from peg 10. Ryan caught over to the island using punched 6 mm bread over no feed – Umm. Ryan did catch a few properly down his margin on caster over caster.

Geoff had a few F1’s loosing a few but wasn’t enough to trouble the scales. Interestingly Geoff had a pee before we left for home scattering the flock of Sheep. Your guess is a good as mine!

Full Result:

1. Ryan Summerhayes 49-07-0 peg 10
2. Jason Powell 39-0-0 peg 2
3. Andy Powell 36-14-0 peg 21
4. Mike Nicholls 33-08-0 peg 13
5. Tony Rixon 32-05-0 peg 22
6. Lee Waller 30-07-0 peg 4

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 06/03/2016 - Windmill Fishery Open - Match Lake

With the kitchen now complete and the weather forecast not too bad, chilly wind but dry, it was off to Windmill Fishery to negotiate the drive way. Apparently Terry is relaying the road next week. Glenn “Two Pots” Bailey also ventured out – it must be spring!!

Into the draw box and out comes wooden counter number 20. This section in the Silvers league hasn’t been the best and with a super pool I decided to have a go for Carp.

I set up a 4x16 Jolly for soft pellet over micro to fish towards the gap between the islands at 10 metres at full depth of 5 foot. The second rig a 4x14 Jolly to fish at 13 metres up the shelf of the opposite island in 3 foot of water for corn hook bait over micro and a smidgen of corn feed. However, the far side shelf was quite steep, with it going to 1 inch deep a metre further in. I fed both lines, starting at the 10 metres I had one small Skimmer on the semi-hards, I missed a few finicky touches from what I guessed was similar sized fish. I tried the corn on the 13 metre line and didn’t have an indication even though I could pull the corn up the

slope for it to gradually tow down, good presentation so expectations were high. I kept persevering with both lines without a sniff. After 2 ½ hours with just the lonely Ronnie captured I had a walk. Martin Rayett was doing best with 50lb and with other anglers also catching Carp around him. I decided to fish for the one Silver pools money so went back and knocked up some GB, re-plumbed the 4x16 Jolly at 5 metres and fished over the GB laced with maggot with single wriggling maggot on the hook. It was a slow start but picked up as the remaining half match progressed. I had a 1lb Ronnie followed by a 1lb Crucian which brightened up an otherwise dour day. I had a couple of 1lb Skimmers but most of the bites were from the usual small Ronnie’s. By the end I was getting cold as the bitter wind had picked up. I weighed 10lb of Silvers (catch pictured right) for a Silvers win. I did enjoy turning the match around from loss to profit.

The match was won by ex pub Landlord Martin Rayett (pictured right with his catch) with 93lb 3oz. Martin caught 30% of his Carp at 14 metres with corn hook bait over corn and 60% falling to 6mm expander fished over micro at 16 metres.

Full Result:

1. Martin Rayett 93-03-0 peg 26
2. Dave Willmott 60-09-0 peg 17
3. Glenn Bailey 55-02-0 peg 25
4. Dave Haines 49-13-0 peg 1

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 10-0-0 peg 20
2. John Clark 7-02-0 peg 6

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 03/03/2016 - Coffin Dodgers Silvers League - Round Five - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake

At last after five matches – no frost – no rain – reasonable temperature – but not Spring like just yet.

Once again had to negotiate the driveway to the fishery definitely need a 4x4 but won’t be long before a tank tracked vehicle will be needed.

It’s half way through the league, so a redraw for section and a chance to get out of the section with Paul Barnfield and Dave Wride, not that I haven’t enjoyed their company, because I have – both good Silvers anglers and there lies a reason.

First things first time for the first round draw for the knock-out ably run by Mike “Senile” Jones. I was drawn against Bill “Maggot Man” Ferris who had drawn end peg 9 which will suit his style of fishing - so a challenge.

I drew peg 3 (A - section start again). However, this time a complete new set of competitors. On end peg 32 was Dave Willmott, peg 1 Lee Waller, 2 Steve Jefferies, me and finally Norman “Paste Ferris (Bill Brother) peg 4. I suspected end peg 32 would win the section as it did last match.

I set up three rigs but only used the one – a 4x18 Jolly which could be fished from 3 metres to 10 metres. On the bait tray was wriggling red maggot and my Skimmer GB.

I like to look at fellow anglers bait trays and rigs so with trepidation wandered down to Tony Rixon on peg 7 for a “look see”, expecting the usual piss take, he didn’t disappoint (see short video below - double right click).

On the “all in” I fed a small ball on GB laced with maggot at 3 metres and 9 metres. I started on the longer line with single red on an 18 – 808 to 0.12 G-Line. Following this I had a good 30 minutes catching 3oz Skimmers and 1oz Ronnie’s, that was until it went quiet, so mistakenly re-fed only to catch a marauding 4lb Carp. The fishing from then became harder. I occasionally dropped in on the 3 metre line catching the odd small Skimmer and Ronnie, it was obvious the fish didn’t want to be that close. I kept topping up the 9 metre line and had the odd slow run of Silvers but no quality found the net. I was pestered by more Carp returning six of the blighters throughout the match.

I am not a fan of feeding too many lines at the start so it was 1 ½ hours before the end that I fed the 10 metre line with the same maggot filling. I started to catch small Skimmers again but again the line was disrupted by Carp. I re-fed at 11 o clock and had a few more small fish and a lost 2lb Skimmer due to the butt section getting caught in the Hawthorne bushes behind me; these have been planted all around the fishery – why? I was glad to hear the all out as it had become as struggle.

I finished with 7lb 3oz for a section second being done by the end peg and a bonus £5 Tench. This also put me fourth overall. Bill Ferris you’re out the knockout.

The match was won by Dave Willmott (pictured above right with his catch) with 9lb 8oz from end peg 32. Dave caught most of his fish on loose fed maggot with maggot hook bait on his whip fished up in the water.

Weigh Sheet:

Section Result: