Back to Plantation Fishery with Glenn Bailey where we were promised a rain and wind free day - that didn't happen. First stop was the Bridge Inn for breakfast - very good including the sausages.
I had a quick look at the Lake and as always think if only the infrastructure was of a reasonable standard what an excellent venue this would be. However, we're here to catch Silvers which there are an abundant whether it be Roach or Skimmers.
Into the draw net and out comes peg 14 which is permanent peg 8 which is a popular peg for the Carp anglers. Arriving at the peg it's noticeable that some recent work has been done to the peg, mostly to suit Carp anglers as the peg is back from the water so I had to set up in front to get the keep net in. However, once in it was fine especially as I was close to the water. For company I had Caster Blaster - Dave Willmott on my right and on my left Canophile Glenn Bailey. But the only anglers I could keep an eye on was Tony Rixon - opposite and Kevin Winston on the top point.
Two Rigs - Ronnie and a 4x12 to fish top-set plus four and three barrels. The rig comprised Preston 5 slip elastic, 0.16 GLine main line, shotted with 7 no 11's ZLT's in a logarithmic pattern plus one no 11 back shot 10 mm above the float and a 6 inch 0.1 GLine hook length to a Tubertini no 18.
Approach was 2 mm and 4 mm expander over micro on the long line, GB and Pinkie with one section off and the Ronnie rig but with maggot over GB this time as caster isn't working close in at the moment and this is where I started with single LR on the hook and had a small Ronnie first try followed by a 4 oz one which fell on to my lap but because I was close to the water it went back in. Next was a 6 oz Skimmer which I started to swing but changed my mind and whilst fiddling with the landing net it came off - good start then! Couldn't get another bite so refed and went long with 4 mm expander. I could see Skimmers dimping so was optimistic, but I wasn't getting any bites after 15 minutes I had a 2 lb Skimmer but it was slow. I stayed with it adding another 2 lb Skimmers and a couple of 1 lb before I hooked my first Carp. I wasn't sure whether it was the Micro that wasn't working or lack of fish due to Carp. So Opened a new line at the same distance to the right again with micro and 4 mm expander. Again very slow so switched to 2 mm expander and had a few small Ronnie's. The wind had been off my back so was holding back over the feed with more pole behind, the wind then picked up and switched around 180 degrees now having to hold the pole forward. The wind put the dreaded shimmer on the water and couldn't see the float. Long line abandoned switching to the top three line with single maggot over GB and Pinkie, again holding the pole forward. I started to get some better Ronnie's and the odd good Skimmers having a good last two hours on this line. That was until the last 15 minutes I hooked my fourth Carp which broke the elastic. So I had to reset up which took 7 minutes. I went back out again but didn't have time to really finely shot the float . I had another Ronnie and a decent Skimmer which came off - bugger. I thought this might cost me today - just bad luck really.
I weighed 21 lb 11 oz for third overall. Would normally be happy with this but knew I was on a winning peg. Next time.
The match was won by Dave Willmott (pictured upper right with his mainly quality Roach catch) with 23 lb 3 oz. Dave caught at 13 metres spraying 2 pints of casters all over the place catching mainly on the drop using a light strung out float with caster hook bait.
The match was very close again with great weights all round especially considering its winter. I for one am appreciative to Tony Rixon who organises these matches and weighs everyone in - pictured right weighing the runner up. Thanks matey.
Finally congratulations to Darren Vowels for a near perfect 10 for his backward dive into the lake whilst packing up.
Result:
1. Dave Willmott 23-03-0 peg 7
2. Dave Wride 22-13-0 peg 5
3. Mike Nicholls 21-11-0 peg 8
4. Ronnie Hardiman 20-12-0 peg 32
5. Paul Barnfield 20-04-0 peg 28
6. Tony Rixon 20-0-0 peg 31
Weigh Sheet:
Standing in again for the Westerleigh League. But first stop with Bela, Wetherspoons at Yate. Seems to be one of the more popular ones. Breakfast devoured and the draw done found me on peg 5 on Shipps Canal.
There's no doubt that plenty of hard work has gone into this venue and feel it will become very popular.
My peg was on the right hand side at the top end between two islands - pictured right. I could get close enough to the end of each island holding the tip of the butt of 11.5 metres. I didn't make it easier for myself by adding the 13 metre storage tube because of the Otter fence and the Hide - forgot the half butts I had in the bag then couldn't be arsed to get it out..
From my last visit there were plenty of small Crucians and a mix of other types of small Carp who's species is unknown. However, these do not count as Silvers - only fish without Carp tagged on their names - which is the way to go with no debate during the weigh ins.
For company I had neighbour Darren North on end peg 7 and Maggot Man Bill Ferris the venue Silvers expert opposite on peg 9. The Lakes have been roped off to deter the Cormorants and couldn't help noticing a lot of fish over the other side of the rope to my right and with no apparent way of temporarily moving it. What has been observed is the Comerants will land on the bank then hop in and out so no longer the complete deterrent.
The wind was off my right shoulder so making presentation on the RH island very difficult, but had a decent depth of 30 inches. However, LH island would give perfect presentation as the wind would blow the rig up the slope. BUT the water was very deep close in here at 4 + feet.
I planned initially to for fish or Silvers so set up a 4x14 to fish at top-set plus two barrels to fish tight to the rope on my right. A 4x12 to fish the LH island and a 4x10 to fish the RH island.
Most of the matches have been won lately by dobbing bread, so I came armed with the necessaries. I'm sure this works but it's totally alien to my way of fishing - what no feeding! Oh, well best give it a try. So having fed the Silvers line with a knub of GB with Pinkie, so using the 4x10 dobbed bread for 5 minutes on the RH island the wind wasn't right for this. Over to the LH island for 5 minutes during which Bill caught a micro Ronnie. That's enough of the bread then. So over the GB with double Pinkie and a 1 oz Perch, then started to catch small Crucian - but not so small now. After a run of these mixed with a few small Ronnies I dribbled micro and LR's over on both Islands. Went over with double DR's to the RH island and foul hooked a decent Carp which came off. Out again and had a 2 lb Carp. Couldn't get another bite so refed and tried the other island and had a 1 lb Perch thought this would get me the Silvers on its own so decided to feed some big maggot and micro on the Silvers line and had a big Crucian about 1 lb - lovely fish. I then foul hooked a decent Carp which again came off. I decided to abandon the LH island and focus on the other. So by rotating the two lines - island and track I kept the odd Crucian and doubtfuls coming. But what was noticeable - it was catch one fish then refeed then go to the other line. Feeding appeared to be only worth the one fish. After another foul hooker - I'm blaming the wind for this one as the rig was blowing through hard. I did have a Carp near the end which was about 5 lb.
Darren North had been catching Carp regularly and with the other end of the Lake thought to be the best pegs I thought my only hope was a Silvers pick up. However, Shaun Putney had 1 lb 9 oz to my 1 lb 8 oz to pick up the Lake Silvers. So I'm thinking no coin today. My total weight came to 19 lb 10 oz which because the other end hadn't fished as expected got me second on the Lake and second overall.
Our Lake and the match was won Darren (pictured with his small net of Silvers that didn't quite get him to 40 lb) with 39 lb 13 oz from peg 7. Darren caught mostly out of the wind dobbing bread along the opposite island. Well done matey.
Taylors Lake was won by Johnny Clarke (pictured right with the match winner) with 18 lb 5 oz from peg 22. Johnny caught all small Carp averaging 8 oz using GB and Pinkie long on the pole.
A really good local venue especially in winter with very tight result.
The weather was bloody awful only allowing us to set up and pack up in the dry. I hate the wind.
It was back to the pub with almost everyone coming back which is great making it one of the best parts of the day - takes me back to the results of the winter leagues. The picture above is slightly out of focus for good reasons.
Result:
1. Darren North 39-13-0 peg 7 Shipps
2. Mike Nicholls 19-10-0 peg 5 Shipps
3. Johnny Clarke 18-05-0 peg 22 Taylors
Silvers:
1. Lee Waller 4-09-0 peg 15 Taylors
2. Ron Hardiman 3-03-0 peg 16
Weigh Sheets:
I decided to have last weekend off, mainly due to not fancying any of the venues at the moment. So today I was looking forward to getting out again on the Bathampton Silvers thingy. The weather promised to be dry with light winds - Yeh. I had a walk around the pool and found it dour with no signs of fish. That said the colour was about about the same, even though the Pool had been iced over.
Numbers gradually growing back now at 15 and hopefully next match we will have a couple more with 20 about right.
In to the draw bag and out comes peg 24. For a while I have been fancying this peg, but didn't choose a peg today on walkabouts. Nonetheless happy with this. I was in good company with Ray Bazeley on the left and Glenn Bailey on the right.
Last match the Skimmers didn't show with it being a Ronnie match. I expected it to be the similar today.
I set up too much really, probably because I had plenty of time to the all in: The Ronnie rig - not used. The waggler - three casts then retired. The 4x10 maggot dobbing rig. Finally a yellow tip 4x16 to fish top-set plus three barrels at 10 0'clock.
I decided to start long and keep it tight with minimum feed, comprising some Pinkie in a large grape size tight ball of GB to start with double Pinkie on a Tubertini 808 no 20 to a 0.14 GLine - heavy line but if I hook a lump I want to get it out - so a compromise which can be changed at anytime. It took 15 minutes before I hooked my first 12 oz Skimmer. I then had a good run of Skimmers from 2 oz to 2 lb topping up after every fish with tight nuggets through the Kinder pot. After an hour the line faded so I started to feed loose GB and Pinkie again through the kinder - all on the same line. I started to get the odd Ronnie but it was slow, so went back to the hard nuggets and had a F1. I have noticed that the F1's tend to feed in a frenzy above the feed and probably the cause of the Skimmers moving off. I had another F1 before resting it and tried the double red live maggot dobbing down the right with the float set at three foot. I had a couple of F1's before switching back to the long line where I had some more Skimmers. The line died again leaving me with the quadery as to whether the hard nuggets, the loose feed or just too much caused the F1's to venture in. I spent the last hour dobbing maggot and had some more F1's losing a Carp of about 8 lb.
My Silvers weighed 10 lb 6 oz and my F1's 9 lb 6 oz totaling 19 b 12 oz for first in the Silver section and third overall. So a nice days fishing.
Hugie Evans (pictured upper right) won the match with 31 lb 4 oz of Carp from peg 19 fishing maggot hook bait over caster long down his RH edge towards the tree.
The next best part of the day spent with some of the usual suspects back at the pub.
All the Silver section winners pictured:
Result:
B Section:
1. John Fry 10-14-0 peg 8
2. Paul Barnfield 8-14-0 peg 10
C Section:
1. Mike Nicholls 10-06-0 peg 24
2. Hughie Evans 31-04-0 peg 19
Section D:
1. John Smith 12-14-0 peg 27
2. Paul Clayton 12-12-0 peg 29
Weigh Sheets:
First of this winter's Silvers float only matches at the very popular but match restricted Plantation Fishery. Travelled with Glenn Bailey in his glimmering white van, I was afraid to put my feet on the floor mat. We both had a decent breakfast in the Bridge Inn. Arrived in time for a quick look at the Lake, it was apparent that some tree felling has been done recently - vast improvement.
It was no good complaining about the weather as the forecast was unfortunately spot on - gusting winds and heavy rain. So a peg out of the wind would be OK then. Last two in the landing net Tony snatched the one I was going for - more pensioner abuse, so had the last one then - peg 16 which turned out to be permanent peg 4 and in the bloody wind which was coming at me from, well everywhere. Tony was on next peg 17 perm peg 3. On the the other side was Mark Broomsgrove who was accidental married again recently on Facebook - Technology in the wrong hands me thinks.
I set up the Ronnie rig, a 4x12 Winter Titan to fish top-set plus three barrels - would have liked to have fish longer but the wind would not permit this. I also set up a 4 metre whip in case the Ronnie's showed up in numbers.
The trial run through proved the tow against the wind to be horrendous and due to the wind it was difficult to control the float.
I chose to start on the Ronnie rig using caster over caster and after 10 minutes had one missed bite, not good news for me as it meant fishing the long line taking on the bloody wind. So I thought I would try the 4mm expander over kindered micro. It wasn't long before I started to catch Skimmers and had a decent hour kindering micro after every fish. I then hooked my first Carp. It wasn't unexpected due to fishing pellet. The Carp was a low double and as often happens when they don't count I couldn't lose it, resulting in me catching hold of the line/elastic. The fishing started to slow but still had a couple of better Skimmers to 2 lb. Come halfway and one more Carp the Skimmers disappeared. Did I make the wrong decision by switching to GB and maggot - will never know. Whilst that rested I had a go again on the Ronnie rig and had six or so before it died so out on the GB line with double DR's and had a 1 lb Skimmer before I started to catch Ronnie's. I kept topping up with GB but couldn't get the Skimmers back. So spent the last 40 minutes on the Ronnie rig this time with maggot over maggot. It started slowly but picked up near the end - time of day. Whilst packing up the pole we had a strong gust of wind which blew all my pole sections around with one going in the lake luckily the fishery owner was close by and retrieved it. As least the rain stopped for a while.
Even though Tony Rixon kept saying I beaten him I knew differently albeit it close. I weighed 19 lb 8 oz for fourth overall in a very close match. Considering the conditions the weights were excellent. I don't think the Ronnie's like either the rain of the strong tow - summer time would be different.
The match was won by Dave Wride (pictured right - grimacing) with 24 lb 10 oz of Skimmers from becalmed peg 11. No need to ask, but Dave would have caught on expander's over micro with some 4's.
Finally, when is the rain and wind going to do one?
Result:
1. Dave Wride 24-10-0 peg 11
2. Tony Rixon 22-06-0 peg 3
3. Paul Faiers 20-06-0 peg 27
4. Mike Nicholls 19-08-0 peg 4
5. Dave Willmott 17-08-0 peg 14
6. Glenn Bailey 13-08-0 peg 19
Weigh Sheet:
Had planned to go with Martyn Rayet and Joe McMahon to Hillview. However, when we heard Mark Poppleton was running a small match at Todber on White Post we all agreed to go. Breakfast in the Riverside Cafe where Gillingham AA were having the draw for their River Stour match, luckily they had already had their breakfast so we were served quickly.
Probably due to the Viaduct winter league today the turnout was disappointing with 11 fishing. After a mooch around the Todber tackle shop it was into the draw bag and out comes peg 10 on upper White Post.
Arrived at the peg and was disappointed to see the wind was really bad even though the forecast was for light winds. I had planned to fish the wag and mag and soft pellet over 4 mm expander. However, Roy Wirth came past and said he draw the peg a week or so ago and could only catch on corn at 13 metres. I don't like changing plans as you can end up bait switching chasing fish rather than making your choice work. On this occasion I thought i would switch to corn and would stick with it and make it work come what may - hopefully. I did set up the waggler which I made a few casts on and had a bite on a bare hook - probably a small Silver. The only other rig was a yellow top 4x12 Winter Titan to fish 11.5 metres, but quickly realised this would be a non starter for me due to the gusting wind, so went down to 10 metres. I then made a school boy error by plumbing up in front which didn't take into account of the winter sun which was already in and out on the water in our face. I knew the sun would track left to right which I had discussed with Craig on peg 12. I fed some corn locked in the kinder pot with wetted micro on this line only to find I soon couldn't see the float due to both the sun and wind water refection. I persevered and had four small Carp to 3 lb. The wind got up so much combined with the sun I had to move and switched round to 10 o clock into the shadow cast by a far bank tree and start again which is something I hate doing, but in my defence I am out of practice with managing the sun this winter. After a short wait I started to catch again feeding five grains of corn locked with micro after every fish and had a steady match until the wind died so tried the waggler and had a Koi Carp (pictured upper right) first cast followed by three more Carp before the wind came back making presentation poor. I went back on the pole but struggled for an hour before switching to my first line out in front and added a few better fish but the fish had really disappeared along with the wind.
I had two nets in and had 41 lb in each net for a total of 82 lb. This was third in the section, with my error costing me today methinks However, where in the winter are you going to get fishing like we had today, very enjoyable.
My section was won by Mark Poppleton (pictured right) with 134 lb 15 oz from peg 8 in the wides. Mark also suffered from a school boy error going over in a net!! Mark caught at 14.5 metres using expander over micro. Mark had less fish than most but his fish were three times bigger.
The lower White Post section and the match was won by Joe McMahon with 140 lb 12 oz from end peg 20. Joe started on the straight lead and bread quickly switching to dobbed bread over the far bank in the meantime he had been loose feeding red maggot short at three barrels. Once the dobbing died and being well behind he switched to the maggot and didn't look back catching well until the end.
White post has 27 pegs and by leaving out four unfancied pegs can accommodate 23 angers with ease. Mark is considering running some more here lets hope he fills it next time. for me these pools are Todber's hidden jewel.
Result:
Upper:
1. Mark Poppleton 134-15-0 peg 6
2. Barry Robson 92-0-0 peg 8
3.Mike Nicholls 82-0-0 peg 10
Lower:
1. Joe McMahon 140-12-0 peg 20
2. Mark Wynne 104-13-0 peg 26
3. Pete Bailey 100-08-0 peg 24
Weigh Sheet:
First of the Winter Silvers Priority matches kindly sponsored by Premier Angling. Thirteen of us fishing today due to a few missing for numerous reasons. So two sections with the highest Silver weight winning the section and highest Carp/Silvers weight runner up - all devised by organiser Dave Gillard.
Second into the draw bag and out comes peg 14, happy with this one as conditions allowing can be a great waggler peg, albeit F1's. Arriving at the peg and found the conditions perfect for the waggler plus it was very mild with just enough wind. So F1's in would be then.
I set up a small feeder, a small bodied waggler and a 4x14 Winter Titan F1 to fish top-set plus four barrels. I fed the pole line with GB laced with caster, but started on the feeder and had a 2 oz Perch on the drop first cast. I then had a drop back with both pinkies missing - F1 methinks. So Feeder retired early and after feeding some LR's over I tried the pole in case there was some Skimmers about and after five small Ronnie's on the single caster I had to pick up the waggler and had an F1 first cast on single DR. After which I had a few Ronnies and that's how the day went a few F1's followed by Ronnie's. I did lose two proper Carp foul hooked landing one about 4 lb. A perfect day except for the horrendous downpour with an hour to go during which I didn't have a bite!
My Silvers weighed 4 lb 4 oz and my F1's 25 lb 9 oz for a match winning total of 29 lb 13 oz which only got me second in section.
My section was won jointly by newbie Glenn Bailey and oldie John "Cliff" Smith (pictured upper right) both with 7 lb 8 oz of Silvers made up mainly of small Roach.
Paul Clayton had the highest Silvers weight of the day from peg 30 weighing 8 lb 3 oz.
The Premier Angling tackle voucher was drawn by another newbie Kevin Winston (pictured right).
Back to the pub with the usual suspects and some newbies. Another memorable day.
Result:
Section A:
Silvers:
1. Glenn Bailey 7-08-0 peg 6
1. John Smith 7-08-0 peg 4
Carp:
Mike Nicholls 29-13-0 peg 14
Section B:
Silvers:
1. Paul Clayton 8-03-0 peg 30
Carp:
Paul Turner 21-01-0 peg 21
Weigh Sheet: Ringing wet:
The start of a New Year.
Nothing planned this Sunday so managed to stand in for Mark Taylor in the Westerleigh Individual League which Bela is a great fan of - and not all because of the fishing. So a ride with Bela to the Wetherspoons in Yate for breakfast and the draw - all very civilised.
I was told I would be on the New Old Lake - duh.The other Lake was being described as the Old New Canal!! Come on Mark Taylor about time you christened your lovely Lakes with a proper fishing related name. My suggestion would be Shipps and Taylors.
Into the ice cream container and out comes peg 22 on Taylors. Bela had drawn peg 7 on Shipps. Bela said we had both drawn difficult pegs to win from. Most of the weights on Taylors have been from the pegs in front of the car park rather then the opposite pegs where I had drawn.
We arrived at the fishery and I was amazed how much work has been done - Only one island remaining - Otter fencing, but most of the changes were beneath. I was warned how deep it was but wasn't prepared for 10 foot. The Lake has been stocked with lots of Silvers which not unlike a lot of fishery haven't been feeding. Also loads of small Carp from 2 oz to 1 lb which have been feeding.
Around anti-clockwise to my peg and nearly decapitated by the Cormorant deterrent rope - disadvantages of being short. For company I had Steve Rodgers and Shaun Putney. I was pleased to find I was opposite the one remaining island so set up the waggler hoping for some Silvers, which I had set at 3 foot but was still over depth at 1 metres away from the island. The wind, being off my back was absolutely perfect for it. I then set up a 4x16 Winter Titan and after adding three feet to the top found the bottom of the shelf at top-set plus two - no need to go further I thought in this sort of depth. I noticed a bit of marginal dead weed to my left and thought there might some Perch and other silvers looking for some cover so set up a 4x14 Winter and at top-set it was 4 1/2 feet deep but sloping off. I fed both pole lines with a hard nugget of GB laced with Pinkie. I started on the waggler with LR's over loose fed LR's. I had a strange bite which only just managed to pull the float down which was a small Carp and the type of strange bites I got from theses all day. I then had a run of Rudd and Roach with the occasional small Carp. I had a nice first hour after which the Silvers dried up. I came in on the short line and had one micro Perch and a few small Carp to 6 oz. I think I overfed as it dried up all to soon. So went out long line and after a 5 second waiting whilst the bait got to the bottom I had another small Carp but then nothing so refed and had a few more bits on the waggler. I swapped between the waggler and the long line to the end picking off the odd small Skimmer on the pole and a rare Carp on the waggler.
With hardly any Silvers caught my 2 lb 7 oz of bits was enough to win the Lake Silvers and with my 10 lb 8 oz of small Carp put me third on the Lake with 12 lb 15 oz. For me in winter it's all about getting bites, so really enjoyed today.
The match was won by Tony Mears (pictured right) on Shipps Canal with 31 lb 9 oz from peg 3. Tony caught initially on dobbed bread just off the island in 30 inches of water. Tony later switched to maggot feed and hook bait to keep some big Carp to 14 lb coming. Well done matey.
Most on Shipps Canal caught on dobbed bread, whilst on Taylors the small fish all came to maggot/Pinkie.
Now the good bit, back to the pub for a right laugh and a pint or two - one of Bela's best part of the day even though we isolated him as he has man-flu before back to the Bar-Gar-Age. Bela did well from his peg with 20 lb of dobbed carp - feeding his usual nothing.
Result:
1. Tony Mears 31-09-0 peg S4
2. Ron Hardiman 21-07-0 peg S11
3. Bela Bakos 20-04-0 peg 7
Silvers:
1. Lee Waller 3-12-0 peg S9
2.Mike Nicholls 2-07-0 peg T22
Weigh Sheet:
This years review looks back at some of my memorable matches:
Have to start with the winter matches run by Dave Gillard at Hunstrete, entitled "Silvers Series". Dave ran two knockouts - the greats and the also rans - fished over six matches with five peg sections payouts, where the highest Silver weight won the section and the highest weight came second - both picking up - no overall payouts. So the section could be won with say 1 lb of Silvers and the second in section could have say 100 lb of Carp. This puzzled a few, including Enigma. However, once I got my head round it I thought it a good system as it spread the payouts further than usual. I understand that it will be the same this year. We've had some right laughs back at the pub with the usual suspects
Shiplate Farm was especially enjoyable this year for both the Silvers fishing and Carp. Great Roach and Skimmers fishing on the Main Lake along with some munter Carp. I drew peg 15 one match, starting off fishing for Silvers but ended up being caught by some huge Carp seven for 90 lb with three over 20 lb. Glenn Bailey and me entered the paris match fished over Hawthornes and Westpool. Glenn rang me halfway through and we were both struggling on 30 lb each. Getting back to the Gamekeeper's Lodge we both ended up with near same weights of 112 lb and 113 lb which was enough for us to win the day. A great fishery run by The Gamekeeper and his Goldilocks.
Due to the pain in driving long distance these days I fished a local venue Windmill Fishery. I have this ability of drawing golden pegs here and coming second. However, this year I actually managed to win one from the fancied peg 14 with 99 lb 14 oz!! 2019 also seen the Fishery Management change hands and is now run by Brad Nelson - he's the one on the right.
Another fishery to change hands in 2019 was Bitterwell Lake with Paul Isaacs taking over in the autumn. I think all the local match anglers were pleased with the news that we have a very proficient match anglers now in charge. I have just started to fish the Lake again in the Tuesday's Silvers matches run by Ken Morgan and like Windmill is only five miles from home.
Have to mention our Viaducters holiday back in June where we had ten of us this time. Next year it has grown to twelve. I'm wondering how we are going to fit in the Somerton Indian - alfresco? We all caught fish and all ten of us picked up at sometime during the week. During the week I had my biggest Silvers weight of the year 40 lb 13 oz from peg 99 in the Viaduct Thursday costcutter. However, we don't seem to be able to keep Geoff Francis out of the water, don't think Chris Ollis even noticed.
It was great to see the Angling Trust start a Silvers mania match. I entered the Viaduct round and had a reasonable days fishing on peg 129 coming second in the section to match winner Stu White on peg 130. It was especially good to see that all the Viaduct qualifiers were all from the South West. I wouldn't bet against any of them in the final especially "draw bag" White.
I qualified for the Viaduct all winners Silvers final and was very disappointed to find myself on Spring Lake peg 20. Some anglers would have not gone to the peg but I am the eternal optimist. It was good to see Bela in the frame - back for fish and chip supper then.
The Viaduct Silvers league was a disaster for me. It was a question of bad draws and bad angling or a bit of both - roll on next year when I can hopefully put things right.
Three memorable matches at Todber. The first was to be my biggest weight of the year with 235 lb and just beating Bela's 221 lb for just a section pickup! I was on the weigh board but couldn't hold the pencil due to cramp in my hands after all the Carp slaying.
The second was John Candy's birthday bash where the weight to qualify for the King of the Manor Silvers final was set at 12 lb. I found this interesting so entered drawing Ash peg 62 and thought I would count the weight backwards which I thoroughly cocked up. Somehow starting to count back from 12 oz!! Anyway all turned out OK weighing 15 lb 4 oz.
The third match was during the Todber 3 Dayer travelling and staying with the McMahons and Martin Rayet. Come day three I drew peg 15 on White Post and had a lovely days fishing catching Carassio's and small Carp short on my favourite soft pellet for 74 lb and a Lake win which helped me win the over 65's. But what was more pleasing was travelling partner Joe McMahon won the festival overall picking up £2,300 on his way - great lad.
Finally I have to mention the Bathampton Coffin Dodgers at Hunstrete. I had another great series with some great guys. Memorial because mainly due to me drawing peg 30 three times and peg 29 three times meaning I spent a continuous three months on the same pegs, plus I can include pegs 31 and 28 in this year. That said I did pick up every time - but nice to see some different scenery. Not forgetting Tony Rixon's Bramble Gate - and the biting off anglers feeders - LOL. We often say the best part of the day is back at the pub - may it continue. Wishing all the Dodgers pain free joints for 2020.
My wish for 2020 is for all the Fisheries to have have a Cormorant free year - Silver stocks are suffering badly.
Some facts and figures from 2019:
