Saturday 16/08/1986 - Division 4 - National Championship - River Witham - Fry's AA

Although I had been involved with Bathampton AA as Team Manager for some big matches including National Championships, this was to be my first National actually fishing rather than reserving myself.

I had been fishing both the Bristol Commercial House and AT Winter Leagues with Fry's AA. The Fry's club decided to join the National Federation of Anglers solely to fish the National Angling Championships. This would mean starting from the bottom, in division 4. I was selected to fish. I didn't realise at the time what a traumatic event it would prove to be.

We hadn’t practiced nor elicited any local help. I was told the river Witham was similar to the Huntspill, so that's OK then as all of us fished the river regularly.

The team comprised of those listed right.

The plan was to meet at the Fry’s bottom car park on Friday at 12 - midnight. John and Mike Angell were to drive a transit with the tackle in and the rest of us would travel in a mini bus driven by Gordon Bracey. We all expected where possible to travel by motorway when we found ourselves on the A46 heading towards Stroud we wondered where we were going only to be informed by Gordon that he intended to follow the Fosseway to Lincoln as he doesn’t drive on motorways!! Blimey what a journey it turned out to be. It wasn't long before Gordon lost the A46 in Cheltenham, so a nice drive around the town centre! No one slept as we were all busy talking tactics but mostly keeping an eye on Gordon. We arrived at 07:30 just in time for the 08:00 draw. My body now relised I hadn’t slept for 24 hours.

Got myself a program and found that 76 teams of 12 would be fishing 912 anglers. Typical numbers for a national back then.

Our Team Captain handed me peg C69. I had no idea where this was and to this day not sure, but think it was somewhere on the famous Kirkstead Bend. So off I go and find coach C covering the appropriate peg numbers. I was hoping to sit next to someone on the coach that had some knowledge, local or otherwise. The angler I found myself sat next to didn't have a clue either and hadn’t heard of the Huntspill so guessed he knew less than me. All loaded and names checked off when the coach driver - flat cap and about 80 years old was asking us for directions and as no one could help it looked as if I was the most knowledgeable at least I knew where the Huntspill was! After some advice from another coach driver who directed him to a bungalow in the far distance where he was advised he could get a cuppa (very flat landscape similar to the Somerset levels). We were soon driving alongside the River Witham. The driver came to a stop by the bungalow I wasn't sure he should have driven along the bank and should have dropped us off at the end of the main road instead. The Bungalow was selling drinks so I joined the driver and got a black coffee - God it was so welcome. I then went in search of my peg, which luckily was right in front of the Bungalow – I’m thinking thanks driver – but would it be a long walk back to the road?

The banks of the river were very dry and crumbly, so getting my seat box down I fell over with all the contents of my Ken Collin’s tackle box being strewn over the bank. I also spilled the near full cup of coffee. Just as I was sorting myself out the search steward arrived to check for any hidden fish with the contents of my box on full display he didn't bother much. He did look up the landing net handle for Eels.

I decided I needed coffee so went and got another. I now only had time to set up the pole to fish at about fours sections over the marginal weed and a GB feeder rod to fish as far as I could – it was twice as wide as the Huntspill – but did seem a lot like it.

I sat waiting the very few minutes for the all in and fell asleep falling of my box! I had missed the all in as anglers around me were already fishing. With my performance so far I suspect neighbouring anglers were thinking what a plonker. I started on the feeder and to say the fishing was slow during the first hour I hadn’t had a bite nor had anyone I could see – very much like the Huntspill then. My eyes were beginning to close again when I saw the tip move slightly and stuck into a bootlace Eel. This woke me up and had four more bootlaces. I had been loose feeding white maggot over the margin weed and decided I was awake enough to try the pole with triple white on the hook. First try I had an 8 oz Eel followed by a smaller one. Then a two fish a small Roach and a Perch. The match then ended which left me thinking the five hours passed quickly – did I sleep some more I wondered.

Being at the end of the section it took a while to weigh in my 880 grams (1 lb 15 oz) which beat both sides. Fishing similar to the Huntspill at the time. The driver obviously wanted another cuppa so drove back along the bank to pick us up which left no one with much of a walk. We arrived back at Headquarters where the driver got a round of applause and a few tips. I think he was winding us up about not knowing where he was going.

I’m not sure how many points I or the team had but we did get promoted to division 3 earning a place on the River Severn the following year.

Paul Stanton won the match with 17 lb 3 oz of Bream on Whitehouse Bend.

The London top outfit Trev’s came out top team.

I remember Mike Angell taking over driving the bus from Gordon and drove us back on the motorway, but not before we had some fish and chips just outside the Headquarters. I slept all the way back as did the rest of the team.

RIP matey Gentleman Gordon Bracey.

Thursday 19/03/2020 - Bathampton AA - Silvers Priority and Carp - Bridge Pool - Sponsored by Premier Angling

So with the over 70's having to go in isolation next week  I am thinking ways I could still go to the over 55's starting next week and still comply with the government's advice. It's going to be difficult because we have to think of others in the household who would be at risk if I caught it. That said Dave Gillard and the rest of us did all we could to minimise the risk of contamination. Dave looked good in his wifes Marigolds.

The draw being done for us again, I was allocated peg 27. Not my favourite for Silvers but I have won a few matches with Carp from it. The peg does throw up a few good Skimmer weights occasionally across the year, but at the present I was thinking not. I don't think Junior will want to draw for himself ever again as he was allocated peg 18 the one he wanted.

Found out the peg 26 wouldn't be in due to its close proximity to 27 which is a great help space wise. For company on 28 was John Smith alka Cliff, so good company. Behind me and in the next section on peg 24 was Premier Angling top salesman Tony Rixon so I won't be keeping an eye on him.

It's the first time I've been fishing and getting soaking wet without seeing a dimple of rain on the water. It must be very close to fishing in a cloud. The NE wind was bloody freezing. But unusually I was shielded from most of it by the opposite island.

I must say the island looked very tempting for the waggler so this was the first thing I set up. Two others rigs - a 4x16 to fish for Silvers at top-set plus three barrels and a 4x12 to fish around the margins if things got desperate - thankfully it didn't get used.

I started by feeding LR's over to the island to let the Carp know food was in close proximity. I then fed the Silvers line with a kinder pot size of wetted micro compacted in milled expander. It wasn't long before I was catching small Skimmers and the odd Ronnie. After topping up a couple of times the swim appeared to fade. I was getting some indications which I thought were either Carp or more likely F1's. This was confirmed when a few bubbles appeared. This was all I needed to abandon the freezing cold pole. So onto my beloved waggler, which I had set it to 4 foot deep - no plumbing for me. The way I fish these islands it to cast close let the float settle and if the float is shotted correctly it will show a fair amount of tip, I wait to see if any F1's are close in and prepared to feed in the clear shallow water, I then slowly pull the float away until just off bottom as indicated by the float dimping down, this is where I am likely to catch Ronnies and Perch. Somewhere in between I'm looking for the better Carp. What I have found is due to these island pegs being popular for the method feeder certain areas along the bank the bottom is slightly deeper and cleaner, so I'm looking for this area to concentrate on. However, my feeding today was bad - really bad, for some reason I couldn't judge the wind which I now think was affected by the island. I did get some LR's where I wanted, Of course you can chase your feed but not recommended on this peg as it's full of traps. I lost my usual one waggler per match on Bramble gate chasing feed. My casting wasn't great either having lots attempts to get the waggler where I wanted.

So first cast a Ronnie followed by lots of micro Perch. It took awhile to catch my first F1. Two small Carp followed and three 12 oz Perch. Things were going well. The line died which was the sign of the bigger Carp being inattendance. I increased the feed and with double DR's on the hook landed my first proper Carp. The upshot was I landed two more better Carp with one hooked in the tail which to my surprise tail walked around the corner of my peg. Three more F1's caught before thankfully the all out.

My Silvers weighed 7 lb 8 oz and my Carp 33 lb 7 oz for second in the match total of 40 lb 15 oz and that important second in section pickup. I have to say again the Drennan 12 foot Carp waggler rod is a superb rod.

The Silvers was won by Paul Clayton (pictured above) with 24 lb 7 oz from peg 19. Paul caught on his usual 4mm expander over micro and couscous. His bait tray pictured upper right - simples.

The match was won by Tony Rixon (pictured right with his small Carp catch)  with 44 lb 1 oz from peg 24. Tony did also have a net of quality Roach. See his blog for details.

The usual battle of the GAS and Shithead pursued with the GAS coming out on top with a 6 lb Bream sealing a late win for Cliff - pictured below right.

Most gave the pub a miss for obvious reasons.

Result:

Section A:
1. Hughie Evans 13-06-0 peg 3
2. Ray Bazeley 15-06-0 peg 5
Section B:
1. John Fry 17-08-0 peg 10
2. Rod Dufferty 31-11-0 peg 11
Section C:
1. Paul Clayton 24-07-0 peg 19
2. Tony Rixon 44-01-0 peg 24
Section D:
1. Paul Haines 13-15-0 peg 31
2. Mike  Nicholls 40-15-0 peg 27

The Premier Angling Voucher went to Wayne Storey.

Weigh Sheets:

17/03/2020 - Acorn Costcutter - Paddocks

I had an invite to Acorn from Junior who is really getting back into his fishing and wanting to spread his wings. As is Kev Winston. So with Two Pots already up for it The Three Amigos set off to Acorn in Juniors enormous work bus.

Not been to Acorn since last September so out of touch. Looking at past results the Silver fishing had improved immensely so that would be my focus. 

A good turnout considering all that's happening at the moment with 20 fishing (don't think fishing can be considered fishing from home - can it?).

Eddie Wynne and Mike Chapman run these matches who were completely prepared to minimise the risk to anglers of transferring the Coronavirus. They were locked in the hut and took money with gloved hands through a window opening. They also did the draw in booking in order - so no real contact except the elbow and kicking greetings of Anglers - all well done. However, this meant I couldn't draw my usual flyer, but Eddie did it for me announcing I was on peg 9 to many groans. Further groans followed when Junior was on peg 5 and Two Pots on 3.

Gathered some info on the peg and it seemed it was more Carp than Silvers - bugger. However, I still wanted to try out some things I have been experimenting with feeding for Silvers. The peg is the narrowest on the venue reaching the far bank with 10 metres with ease. I set up just the two rigs - a 4x12 set to 3 foot to fish either the far bank or the left hand margin. The right would have been my preferred choice but for the wind blowing in at me at 2 o'clock. A 4x14 to fish down the track at top-set plus three barrels, this rig was also suitable for top-set plus two barrels.

So after lots of self debating I decided to leave the far bank but keep catapulting some LR's going in on this line. I fed some GB and Pinkie at the short line and on my banker wetted micro compressed into a ball to help prevent the Carp intercepting it. So Started on the 4 mm expander on a 18 - 808 and was quickly getting indications from what appeared to be micro fish, but soon had a 1 lb Skimmer followed by another. So happy with the start - meanwhile Junior was emptying it on peg 5 with some right lumps. I had an enjoyable few hours on this line picking off the odd hand size Skimmer and small Tench however, the wind was a slight nuisance either pulling the rig off line - both in and out. I did have the occasional accidental Carp. To give the line a rest I came in over the GB line with a single LR to only catch micro Ronnies. GB didn't seem to be the meal of the day. So had a look over with double DR expecting to catch Carp but was immediately pestered by tiny Ronnies with most falling off. So back down the track and carried on adding some Silvers and the odd accidental Carp. With an hour to go I had two consecutive Carp and could see more activity over the feed. So decision time Carp or stay with Silvers? Two Pots had started to catch on paste and Junior was well ahead in the match and thought I was up there in the Silvers so stayed with them by switching to the margin with single LR over minimal feed of the same - glad I did as I had two lovely Ronnies. Had I switched to Carp I would have fished the same line but used corn hook bait.

My Silvers weighed 17 lb 2 oz for second Silvers pick up and my six Carp weighed 29 lb 11 oz for a sixth overall 46 lb 13 oz. I think I could have easily picked up with the Carp had I went the other way, but more enjoyable this way.

The match was won by Junior (pictured upper right with his catch - photographed from a safe distance) with 74 lb 10 oz from peg 5. Junior caught on corn fished over wetted 4's long over to the island in two foot of water.

The Silvers was won by Eddie Wynne (pictured right - now a confirmed member of the "Black Hand Gang") with 19 lb 8 oz from peg 17. Eddie caught on GB and maggot.

Two Pots was pissed off by Dave Wride who was next to him and FOE leaving the weigh board behind him without a bye or leave and face upwards for it to get wet in the rain.

But was soon his chirpy self after the weighing in his late run of big Carp on PASTE got him second overall. So a van Triple Bubble - a first for me. So this meant a stop off in the pub on the way home - don't tell Boris. Another memorable day for me and a well done to Eddie and Mike for being so thoughtful on how they ran the match.

My thinking is that week day match attendances are going to increase as it did during the three day working week!

Result: (pictured at the top - Top three overall and scribe)

1. Gary Bowden 74-10-0 peg 5
2. Glenn Bailey 57-07-0 peg 3
3. Ant P (no one can say or spell his surname) 55-10-0 peg 7
4. Martin Lenahan 53-11-0 peg 13
5. Craig Challingsworth 52-06-0 peg 22
6. Mike Nicholls 46-13-0 peg 9

Silvers:

1. Eddie Wynne 18-08-0 peg 17
2. Mike Nicholls 17-02-0 peg 9
3. Mike Chapman 16-08-0 peg 31

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 12/03/2020 - Logarithmic Shotting

I had planned to fish Tony Rixon's Silvers match at Plantation today but unfortunately couldn't be too far a toilet roll. I dare not take one with me in fear of being mugged for it! So boredom has ensued. Hence the following to answer questions I have been asked many times about the Logarithmic shotting pattern I use. 

Back in the 70's I met up with Ray Munford an Angler I held in high esteem for his lateral thinking.We ended up being pegged next to each other at Newbridge on the Bristol Avon. I believe he explained he was investigating continental poles and associated tackle with some French Anglers. We got chatting and he explained the Logarithmic shotting pattern and how it improved presentation. I spent some time trying it out on the Avon in conjunction with the Image Sticks. Then came along the the commercial fisheries in the late 80's. I started going to Hillview at Tewksbury. One day I fished a match on the first Canal and used one on my canal floats - a 4x12 Jolly which at the time wasn't considered an appropriate float for strength, especially Carp fishing. It had a logarithmic shotting pattern. I easily won the match with 55 lb of small Carp using maggot on top-set plus one. Now that I only fish commercial fisheries all my rigs are initially made up this way.

The floats I use on Commercials tend to be anything from 4x10 to 4x18 - nothing heavier. I only use one size of shot ZLT 11's. This means I could have 14-16 shot on the line for a 4x16 float. This pattern significantly helps to keep the line straight from float to hook, which I am trying to achieve. I have experimented with fine wire as main line to get a direct stiff line from hook to float. These shot fit easily on GLine upto 0.22 (for paste fishing) and for some reason tend to stay on better than most other shot. If I do lose one I know the size and have them to hand. The shot can also be moved easily so the pattern can be spread further or reversed when fishing on the drop. Example of shotting pattern picture below - Drop shot 6 inches form first shot next shot 5 mm, then 10 mm etc...

I won't go into the maths but there is no set start point or initially spacing size, I adjust to suit the species of fish, depth of water your fishing and environmental conditions - wind etc...

I always use a number 11 back shot which I initially set 10mm from the tip of the float. I think sometimes I shot the float too fine but I'm convinced this can be very important during the winter when trying to sense fish in the peg (the straight stiff line enables this). I can adjust the sensitivity of the float by moving the back shot. The nearer the float the more weight added to the shotting moving further away has the opposite affect - simple mechanics. During the dead of winter I have used through wire Sensas Jean Francois Floats and have shotted it with upteen 13's with a single maggot over shotting it!! As sometimes encountered the float can become over shotted especially after a few hours into a match. This can be due to many things, not just water ingress to the float. The main culprit is usually fine particle build up on the lines we use today - I think there is some electrolysis taking place from line static. After a match just check with some white kitchen roll how much "stuff" is all up the line well away from fish slime.

Eyes Open, The Science Is Never Over, Keep Thinking, No Fear, Be Safe.

Sunday 08/03/2020 - Westerleigh Individual Winter League - Taylors Lake and Shipp's Canal

They say there is a first time for everything - well after travelling with Bela for 14 years today was the first time he was late, albeit only 10 minutes. It didn't matter as we arrived at Wetherspoons in plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast. How do they prepare the food so quick?

The Special One doesn't do panic buying, so just now off to do our weekly shop, I wonder what awaits us?

Standing in today for Mark Taylor who was off to Stafford moor for the Silvers festival week. Which meant I would be on Shipp's Canal. The draw is done at Wetherspoons and last into the ice cream container and out comes peg 11. Told it's a good peg for Carp fished long over to the island dobbing bread. Well that wasn't going to happen especially when I arrived at the peg to find I was in a gap between two islands with the wind blasting straight through into my face - when is the bloody wind going to do one? Luckily I had put plenty of vaseline on my face to reduce wind burn. The only other angler I could see was Simon Belcham opposite on peg 3 who had the wind off his back.

The small Carp on this Canal are very shy bitters, so decided to fish top-set plus one just down the inside shelf in 6 foot of water suing a 4 x12 with logarithmic shotting pattern. I also set up a 4x12 to fish down the left hand side at top-set plus two, which had a nice slow sloping margin down to full depth, so set the float at 3 foot - hoping that the fish would be in the shallower water. I put up my full 13 metres and was able to use the 4x12 rig on both ends the the island which would only happen if the wind significantly subsided.

I started by feeding the two close lines with a knub of GB laced with Pinkie hoping for some early Silvers. Started out in front with double Pinkie on the hook and realised straight away that the wind was going to hide the bites because by the time I relised it was an indication the event was over. so lots of missed opportunities. I gradually got to recognise some indication and soon had a 1 lb F1 in the net. More missed opportunities but was putting the odd small Crucians and small unidentifiable Carp in the net - but no silvers. After a few top ups the swim died so tried the margin and started to catch micro Pech and small Ronnies. After topping up this line it died. So I decided to start loose feeding LR's on both short lines, which seemed to switch the fish on catching a couple of better Ronnies and Perch from both lines with single LR on the hook. The wind dropped so thought I would have a look over with 13 metre with single LR over loose fed LR. I had a few more Ronnies and Perch but due to having to ship back up hill I was losing more than I landed - very frustrating. I did hook a Carp that looked about 10 lb which came off just after the "pulled" elastic slipped from my hand. I lost another three smaller identifiables again I think to due to the poor unshipping I was doing - would have been better to double unship but I hate that. Simon had an accidental big Tench which put me just behind him, but as he had been catching some better Carp was hoping I could still default the lake Silvers.

My net of unidentifiable Carp weighed 7 lb 6 oz and my Silvers 2 lb 1 oz just 1 oz behind Simon. However, he did come second on the lake so I picked up by default. If it wasn't for the wind it would have been an enjoyable days fishing. I do like these low weight matches.

The wind had gradually strengthen towards the end which contributed to Simon breaking his pole and blowing in his stink bag. Picture upper right shows Simon's cunning way of retrieving it.

The Lake and match was won again by Darren North (pictured upper right) with his catch of decent Carp from peg 7 - Again! Darren dobbed bread just off the opposite island which is about 11.5  metres away. Well done matey.

Taylor's Lake fished poorly with all the small Carp having migrated to peg 23 occupied by Marcus who had the second highest weight of 23 lb 8 oz all caught on 4mm expander pellet.

Back to the pub where the winners become losers and the losers become winners -  that said I think in this league we are all winners and well run by Bri Shanks - a great way to finish the day even though we have to put up with Bela's phone videos. Subsequently it was back to bar-gar-age for our after drinks Silvers winners selfie.

Result:

Taylors Lake:
1. Marcus 23-08-0 peg 23
2. John W 6-11-0 peg 14
Silvers: Bela Bakos 1-08-0 peg 16

Shipp's Canal:
1. Darren North 24-09-0 peg 7
2. Simon Belcham 20-01-0 peg 3
Silvers: Mike Nicholls 2-01-0 peg 11

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 05/03/2020 - Bathampton AA - Sponsored by Premier Angling - Silvers Priority and Carp - Bridge Pool

Rain, rain and more rain. However, today was more rain but really cold rain. I did my usual ten minute wait for the fishery gate to open. I then sat in the car park with the rain running down the windscreen and nearly put the car in reverse. I then noticed Tony Rixon sat under his pop-up gay bar so went in for a chat - piss take more like. With the wind in the NE and the rain forecast until 13:00 I had no enthusiasm, leaving my kit in the car until after the draw. I decided I would go home if on the far bank.

Into the draw bag and peg 11 stuck to my hand. Stay it was then. Luckily I could drive behind my peg to unload and was surprised to find the area behind the peg roped off. Spoke to Bailiff John Fry who said I could fish the peg but not drive on the new surface. I must say it was really clean and must rate as the best looking yellow peg in the south west - pictured.

For company I had Tony on peg 14 and Wayne on peg 10. My section went from Mike Jones peg 15 to John Fry peg 8. With some good potential Silvers pegs in my section and me sat on a decent F1 peg the decision was made to fish wag and mag for them. So set up a light waggler - short cast and wind nearly off my back on 3 lb Maxima reel line and an 18 - 808 hook to 0.14 GLine. I did set up a 4x16 float to fish top-set plus four barrels incase the Skimmers showed.

I fed the waggler line with LR's and the pole line with a nugget of GB laced with Pinkies and casters scrounged from Tony tried the pole with single LR on the hook had a tiny Perch then a bottle top which fell off. A seemingly long wait for a 2 oz Bottle top. The rain was making the pole very cold to handle so excuse made to abandon it for my beloved waggler. Right decision, wasn't long before I had a small Carp, followed by a decent Carp unfortunately foul hooked, luckily the gear stood up to the 15 minute battle. I knew then I would had enough for the section backup payout. I would have usually had then tried harder for the silvers, but I was enjoying staying warm, so stayed with the waggler for the rest of the six hours. It was the right decision as everyone in my section were Skimmerless relying instead on Roach. I was myself catching the odd Ronnie but when they disappeared I knew  carp were present. I had another two decent Carp in excellent condition as my arm could testify. The F1's were conspicuous by their absence, but managed five. All caught on single LR feeding about half a pint throughout.

My few Ronnies and micro Perch weighed 2 lb 8 oz and my Carp 38 lb for a match winning total of 40 lb 8 oz and the important second in section pick up.

The Silvers was won by Paul Clayton (pictured right with the match winner) with 21 lb 8 oz of Skimmers from unfancied peg 3. Paul caught on 4 mm expander over couscous laced with 2 mm soaked pellet. I Know couscous really - must be a vegetarian!

We sometimes say fish can swim well they certainly do on this fishery. It appeared the Skimmers have moved to the top end whilst the Roach have swapped areas moving to the near end. I think the top end is not as deep and with all the overnight cold rain probably contributed to this migration.

There is a club natch on Withy Pool Saturday 14/03/2020. Contact Dave Gillard.

The Premier Angling voucher went to Wayne Storey.

Result:

Section A:

1. Paul Clayton 21-08-0 peg 3
2. Paul Barnfield 25-08-0 peg 5

B Section:
1. Tony Rixon 10-01-0 peg 14
2. Mike nicholls 40-08-0 peg 11

C Section:
1. Dave Poole 5-06-0 peg 24
2. John Smith 26-12-0 peg 18

D Section:
1. Dave Gillard 16-02-0 peg 29
2. Hughie Evans 9-03-0 peg  33

Weigh Sheet: