Sunday 20/08/2017 - Tony Rixon's Short Pole Match - Round Three - Chiltern Trinity - Woodlands

Bela and I went for breakfast at the new Hilltops Café (must make a note of the cafes new name) in Burnham-on-Sea, where we found Adrian Jeffery hiding in a corner eating his Liver Breakfast. Very nice breakfast it was too.

I have invested in a new umbrella and should really start taking it with me. What an awful August weather wise, it’s either windy, raining or both. By the end of the match we were all wet and freezing cold.

I have drawn the bottom pegs of the Lake too many times to mention so Bela and I put our gear on the top pegs in hope. Well it worked I was on peg 3 and Bela on fancied peg 2. Opposite me on peg 6 was Martin McMahon and opposite Bela was Joe McMahon on peg 33. With two no shows Tony left all the pegs in the draw and Tony’s draw puts him with two good empty pegs next to him to his left, plus a third which isn’t normally pegged! Oh well luck of the draw.

I haven’t fished this peg before but most of the anglers that walked past didn’t seem to fancy it. I had a plumb around to help decide on what rigs to use. I was surprised to find one foot tight in the LH margin, a metre further out I found two foot levelling. Out at full permitted length I had five foot with it still going deeper, plus the bottom was all over the place. My section included pegs 2, 33 and 32 all of which I knew would beat this peg with Carp. However, I did fancy the peg for Silvers. So set up the Ronnie rig and a 0.2 gram paste rig for dropping in case I got any disruption from Carp. The upshot was I caught small Hybrids and Ronnie’s from start to finish with one interruption and out came an 11lb Mirror Carp on the paste. One further interruption, this time a welcomed 1lb Perch falling to the caster. In the mean while in between his gardening to retrieve snagged rigs (seems to be a habit these days) Bela was catching Carp steady down his RH margin on paste.

I finished with the one 11lb 12oz Carp and 18lb 11oz of mainly Hybrids which was nice to see for second in the Silvers.

The match was won as expected by most by Tony Rixon (pictured upper right) from pegs 11, 12, 13 and 14 with 110lb4oz. Tony caught on his favoured 8mm pellet mostly down his edge. See his Blog for more details….

The Silvers was won by Dave Lewis (pictured right with his catch of Skimmers and Hybrids) with 24lb10oz from peg 24. Dave caught on worm over GB laced with caster and chopped worm.

Bela finished a close second on 10lb behind Tony, I will try and keep him in his peg more fishing instead of gardening and he will start being the Bride. Nonetheless, the van had its triple double bubble today. It was yet another memorable day out with Bela.

Full Result:

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 18/08/2017 - Viaduct Cost Cutter - Campbell, Cary and Lodge

Bakos Roofing (pictured lower left) also now available Bakos Landscaping (pictured lower right) – thanks matey for the two great jobs. Bela had an enforced day off – scaffolding the wrong height. Although he looks over 55 he isn’t quite so I cancelled the Coffin Dodgers at Hunstrete to go with him to Viaduct Fishery. Stopped at Cannards Well where we met Podge and Two Pots for breakfast. Not bad breakfast too and nice to have a sausage that doesn’t taste like cardboard.

Another great turn out for this great South West Fishery with 41 pegs in the coffee tin. This meant Lodge Lake would be in – my favourite. The attendance to these cost cutters show it’s not all about the money but the competitive element and being with like minded people.

First in the draw tin and I pull two pegs stuck together so as always both go back and go for a single – never choose one of the two, otherwise your left wondering about the better draw you might have put back. With peg 61 Lodge in my hands I was very happy; especially as I was tooled up for the Coffin Dodgers Silvers match. Bela drew peg 73 last time he drew it he won from it so great expectations here. Opposite on peg 70 I could see the Gimp so good litmus to how and what baits are catching.

The big Skimmers on Lodge love their paste so set up two paste rigs one for top-set plus four and another for the margin in case I had to try for Carp later. A 4x12 Winter which due to the nasty wind blowing quite hard in at me was a bit to light. The last to be set up was my favourite Ronnie Rig.

With the crap summer we’ve had this year at least the water levels are maintained.

I started on the long paste rig fished over some soaked 4’s. I can almost guarantee that first put in I would catch a Carp. Not this time the float just sat there without any indications not even from the nibblers. Umm. I started to keep and eye on the Gimp who would start on his worm and caster he was also motionless. After 30 minutes not a sign of a fish of any type. Meanwhile Matt Rowe on peg 59 was chucking a feeder to the aerator and catching a skimmer one a bung. To stop the boredom I switched to the Ronnie rig and over the next hour caught about 8lb of tiny Skimmers and 2-3 oz Ronnie’s. The Gimp was still struggling. I had only seen one accidental Skimmer caught so far which is unusual. Time for a Banana walk and watched Matt catch anther Skimmer walked around to Bela who had about 70lb of decent Carp and still catching steady. It was apparent the Skimmers had holed up around the aerator. Back to the peg with a cup of tea and tried allsorts to try and catch some of the better Skimmers – all failed me. Time for a sulk in the RH margin with the paste rig for it only to hook feed the Ronnie’s. With an hour to go the wind dropped slightly and veered more to blowing up the Lake instead of into me. With half hour to go I noticed a blow on a top-set plus one line which was one of my many lines I had earlier opened up in desperation. So switched to this line with paste and was disappointed to catch a 13lb Mirror Carp. I started to loose feed hard 4’s and another light fizz – a foul hooked Carp – bugger. Not long left now. Over the next 20 minutes I caught eight decent Skimmers I just couldn’t put in quick enough, my mind set changing from wanting to pack up for to wanting the match to never end. Interestingly, in the meantime Matt had stopped catching! I truly believe this was due to the change of wind direction which moved the fish from the aerator and time of day. Its common knowledge that the Carey diagonal bank never fishes that well for Silvers if a strong wind is blowing into it.

My one Carp weighed 13lb 2oz and my late Silvers 22lb 3oz and third pick up in the Silvers.

The match was won by Dave Chidzoy (pictured right) with 173lb 8oz from in form peg 68. Dave struggled for bites during the first two hours but gradually picked the odd Carp off fishing lead and long pole out in front. However, it wasn’t until later when he switched to his RH margin up to the bush that he really caught well fishing paste over GB laced with hard 4’s.

The Silvers was won by Matt Rowe (pictured right with great net of Skimmers) with a PB of 51lb 2oz from peg 59. Matt caught on a cage feeder packed with pellet with 8mm meat on the hook. Matt cast to the aerator where the fish appeared to be holed up.

Bela finished second overall so for two consecutive matches we have had the double bubble van, so a stop at Winston's fish and chip shop finished off another great day out. Not forgetting Bar-gar-age.

Full Result:

1. Dave Chidzoy 173-08-0 peg 68
2. Bela Bakos 151-01-0 peg 73
3. Adrian Jeffery 138-15-0 peg 127
4. James Guy 131-14-0 peg 125
5. Steve Shaw 109-11-0 peg 126
6. Tom Ward 106-05-0 peg 111

Top Silvers:

1. Matt Rowe 51-02-0 peg 59
2. John Barker 28-10-0 peg 123
3. Mike Nicholls 22-03-0 peg 61
4. Mike Bendall 20-02-0 peg 105

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 13/08/2017 - Windmill Fishery Open - Carp Lake

Bela and I went to Wetherspoons in Kingswood for breakfast mine was cold and a bit off putting. My left eye was still a bit sore from yesterdays blasting.

The Windmill Match Lake was booked for a club match so we were switched to the Carp Lake. No Silvers today then. However, Terry Smith did put a bounty of £10 on the head of the only Roach in the Lake.

Before the draw we had Magician Dave Willmott reveal one of his tricks of saying he wanted to draw peg 2 in the anticipation that he wouldn’t. Nobody wanted this peg based on no one has weighed in from it!

Into the draw box and out comes peg 8 happy with this as it wasn’t pegs 1 or 2! What does Bela do draw peg 2. Willmott found this funny. Still nothing will faze Bela still his chirpy self and role model for a few I can mention. After I had set up my 0.2 gram paste float I had time to walk round the Lake taking some maggot to Bela for him to try his Bounty hunting skills. Low and behold pegs 1 & 2 were the only swims I seen with signs of feeding Carp with at least five topping before I returned to my swim. Passing Willmott I did say “He who laughs last…” and predicted Bela would win from peg 2 today.

The picture right is looking from my end of the lake to where Bela was pegged. It was bright sunny conditions and little to no wind today very unusual for Windmill. If I could swap the wind conditions with yesterdays I would have, resulting in more fish from both venues.

Fished paste over hard 4’s with all match, having a good two hours catching really small Carp to 2lb. The last four hours were really difficult and had to switch swims to keep the odd Carp coming. I did have an 8lb Carp. I even went to 13 metres but not for long! With ten minutes to go I noticed a wind knot in my 0.18 line close to the hook. Too close to the end of the match to change, isn’t it? Bad angling as five minutes to go I hooked a double and yes the line broke on the knot, only myself to blame and thought it may cost me second place.

I weighed 37lb 15oz hanging on to second overall.

As predicted by me which delighted me no end, Bela (pictured right with the runner up) won the match with 56lb fishing paste over softened 4’s. Well done matey.

Dave Willmott has said he’s not ever going to fish the Carp Lake again – we will see. I think its different fishing and very interesting especially a Lake without any Silvers. The fish in this Lake are yet to get accustomed to match fishing. In addition we need to understand the best pegging options.

Ronnie Roach wasn’t troubled today and still roams free.

It was back to Bar-gar-age for Bela and I for some more than usual Pinky Ponk Juice.

Full Result:

1. Bela Bakos 56-0-0 peg 2
2. Mike Nicholls 37-15-0 peg 8
3. Bob Richards 31-15-0 peg 11

Weigh Sheet:

Saturday 12/08/2017 - Todber Manor - Open - Hillview And Home Ground

It was another visit to Todber Manor for Steve and me. We travelled down the A36/A350 this time and found it a much easier drive, but the breakfast in the Little Chef was as per usual expensive. Alan Oram did say that Greggs in the garage at the Gillingham Roundabout does breakfast rolls for £3.

Before the draw Steve and I had a walk around and noticed how windy it was here compared with home.

In to the draw box and out comes peg 49 on Hillview. I couldn’t believe it when Steve drew the same peg as last match peg 34! I was told my peg was considered a Carp peg with lumps being found down the LH margin. Got to the peg to find the wind blasting into me at 10 -0-clock, really uncomfortable. The Ronnie rig wouldn’t be coming out today. Went round to see Steve and applying the learning he had from the first match we decided Silvers would be the best option for coin, especially with the wind nearer his back than face, so gave him a pint of my casters. Back to my peg and set up a 4x14 winter to fish top-set plus two, which was to go against the tow with the wind – horrible. I also set up a 0.3 gram paste margin rig to fish into the wind to the left as advised.

On the bank to my left were Alan Oram and Nick Chedzoy, both chucking the chosen slaying equipment towards me. Luckily Alan was the closest to me and knew he hits his target, had it been Nick I think I would have needed a hard hat.

I decided that I would nonetheless initially target the Silvers as holding back the float and letting it run might be more conducive to Silvers than Carp and see what happened. In the meanwhile I would feed the margin up with hard 4’s. As loose feeding caster wasn’t an option due to the bloody wind I Started on single caster over kindered micro and caster. I had a few Ronnie’s, Tench, Perch and small Skimmers, plus a few very small Carp. Because I wasn’t sure where the feed was going I knocked up some hard GB and laced it was caster. This seemed to have a negative effect only now catching small Perch and Tiny Skimmers. At the two hour mark I had about 10lb of Silvers which I thought at the time would not have lead to any coin. So I converted the same line to 6mm meat. Blimey how frustrating this was I was getting ripping bites from small Tench without hooking the blighters. Lesson learnt here. Peg now buggered. So went facing the wind but had to stiffen the paste to hold for any length of time. It was slow with the occasional liner, presentation was again crap. I decided that my GB wouldn’t get a lift back home so filled in the margin with it and found this brought a few more fish in. I landed three Carp for about 30lb losing two foul hooked lumps. If only the wind was the other way or better still just a breeze. I did have to rest the margin because the wind was making my eyes sore, on;y for more torment from Tench – will they ever grow on?

I weighed 38lb 8oz of Carp and 12lb 4oz of Silvers. For a nowhere weight of 50lb 12oz.

Very interesting though 4mm soft pellet for the tiny Tench? I’m not letting them get away with today! With only 22lb getting in the Silvers I think I should have stayed with the Silvers with the kindered caster or persevered with the GB longer. At least Son Steve managed to sneak in last in the Silvers pool. We stopped in the Eastern Spice for a decent curry and a few pints of Kingfisher before getting ready for next days match. I wonder if I will get my money back for my caster investment.

I couldn’t find Jack Stamp to find out how he caught his winning weight of 158lb 2oz from peg 41. However, I did find the Silvers winner Nathan Fox (pictured right with his winnings) who won with 53lb 4oz from peg 83. Nathan caught all smallish Skimmers on Dead reds over GB laced with the same. He fed about 3 kilos of GB throughout.

Full Result:

1. Jack Stamp 158-02-0 peg 41
2. Aiden Bordiuk 133-04-0 peg 82
3. Marc Illingworth 116-11-0 peg 45
4. Gary O’Shea 112-08-0 peg 54
5. Pete Lowth 97-06-0 peg 43
6. Steve Martin 96-0-0 peg 87

Top Silvers:

1. Nathan Fox 53-04-0 peg 83
2. Paul Greenwood 26-02-0 peg 40
3. Matt Symes 24-12-0 peg 52
4. Steve Nicholls 22-04-0 peg 34

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 10/08/2017 - Harescombe Cost Cutter - Match lake

I was back to Harescombe for another taste of the “last of the summer wine”. Don’t get thinking these guys are pools fodder – their not. You really need to have a good memory it you don’t bother to write down names and their breakfast orders – Andrew you don’t, so get pen and paper!

Blimey every peg in today with 25 arrivees. I’m glad I booked in!! One more unannouncee and we would be in trouble.

After breakfast with the usual suspects where the discussion was that everyone wanted to be conerised, pegs 29, 24, 15, and 16. I wasn’t so bothered where I drew would be nice to sit wind and rain free for five hours for a whole match.

First into the draw bag and out comes peg 21, Happy with this as it’s on the far side where I could expect more colour in the water. I was sandwiched between Ray Bazeley who would no doubt be very methodical and venue virgin Steve Brooks. Good company then.

During breakfast Terry Girdlestone said some fish had been coming out on the paste so put that in the memory bank. I always have some paste to hand these days just in case. I had planned on the one hook bait – corn. So I initially set up a 4x12 winter to fish corn at top-set plus two and a 4x10 Yoof for margin stuff. Taking to Terry again before the all in he reminded me about the paste so I hurried back and set up a 0.3 Gram Barnett, plus a quick mix up of paste. I thought I would start on the paste for a look- see. Amazingly I had six quick F1’s whilst everyone else was struggling. I thought I was going to empty it. Alas not, soon after I struggled for the remainder of the match picking the odd fish off on with either corn or paste on various lines. It was a question of catch two then the swim would die if topped up with feed. I did hook a 4lb Mirror Carp which through some bad angling managed to pull the hook out trying to rush it, which was to cost me coin. Fishing is not a race! Everyone was struggling except the few that fish caster shallow. Luckily it was only a five hour match. What was noticeable was the absence of feeding Silver fish I usually get bitted out in the margins but not today catching only four Skimmers.

I weighed 31lb 8oz for a close eighth overall.

The match was won by Andy Pollard with 53lb from peg 14. Andy caught most of his fish long to the island on pellet. No picture as he left before I could get my car out of the far bank traffic jam. Runner up was another venue virgin Luke Burge (pictured right with his catch) with 52lb 4oz from peg 23. Luke caught on caster fished shallow mainly at top-set plus three.

Full Result:

1. Andy Pollard 53-0-0 peg 14
2. Luke Burge 52-04-0 peg 23
3. Stuart Graham 40-0-0 peg 18
4. Phil Auger 38-04-0 peg 4
5. Mike Goodluck 33-12-0 peg24
6. terry Girdlestone 32-04-0 peg 19

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 03/08/2017 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's And Disabled - Dave Crookes Fishery - Bridge Pool - Silvers Only

I had a leisurely breakfast at Hungry Horace’s and giving Wetherspoons a miss. Plenty of time for a walk around Bridge Pool where there was little signs of feeding fish. The wind was all over the place but mainly blowing into the near end pegs 18 and 19. Last night I was only thinking that I haven’t drawn peg 18 for some while, which is one of my favoured pegs, especially when Carp was on the menu. Into the draw bag and staring back at me was peg 18 – scary, but happy. For company I had matey Rich Coles on peg 19, so another peg battle.

I was expecting to catch down each margin so set up the Ronnie rig for the RH side and a 4x10 winter for down the LH side. All I can say is that I was very disappointed to later discover that I couldn’t get any bites whatsoever from either side! This was to reduce my weight considerably. The rig that I could only catch on was a 4x16 winter fished at top-set plus three out in front with single DR over GB laced with a few casters and DR’s. To say it was a struggle is an understatement. I had hooked six Carp by half way through and had about 4lb in the sack, so went for the Banana walk and found that the fishing was difficult all around. Back in the saddle and it was either a small Perch or a large Carp. I started to feed pellet in the margin to distract the Carp. This seemed to work and had a few Skimmers and Hybrids on either worm or double caster. I then hooked what I thought was another Carp only to discover it was a hard fighting Tench, worth the visit just for this fight. An early bath for Rich Coles followed shortly after and very little more sport for me either. The wind was so difficult for presentation and I really only caught when it subsided.

I finished with a respectable 13lb 10oz.

The match was won by Alan Jones (pictured upper right with his net of Skimmers) with 21lb 6oz from peg 16. Alan caught on his usual bait of CW&C fished at 10 metres.

Full Result:

1. Alan “The Worm” Jones 21-06-0 peg 16
2. Paul Barnfield 19-04-0 peg 6
3. Steve Dawson 17-04-0 peg 30
4. Kevin Dicks 16-13-0 peg 27
5. Chris Rolfe 16-03-0 peg 7
6. Jim Norris 15-07-0 peg 14

Weigh Sheets: