Thursday 23/12/2021 - Rixon's Rip Off - Plantation - Main Lake

It was sad news to hear Wayne Storey passed away today who was one of our BAA Over 55's. Wayne has been ill for some time but didn't stop him from fishing and never heard him complain once about his illness, but was always helpful explaining how he fished the matches. RIP matey will be missed by all us.

I would like to thank those that take on the unenviable task of running matches I attend: Tony Rixon, Dave Gillard, Ray Bazeley, Mike Chapman and Eddie Wynne, Brian Shanks and Gerry Walsh. A thankless task at the best of times.

Ray Bazeley wasn't running a match at Windmill so booked in to Tony' Rixon's Rip Off - Silvers only at the very popular Plantation fishery. Always a good turn out of excellent silvers anglers, probably could fill it twice over.

Travelled with Glenn Bailey and had a quick look see of the near bank and said to Glenn I fancied peg 1, it was the only peg that had any signs of a bit of wind cover. I have had some good days on this peg. Over cast with drizzle which was to continue on and off all day, at least it was very mild.

Last but one to draw and ended up on peg 24 which is the far side of the lake and the least muddy area. However, fancied I was a bit too far up. For company I had Rip Off on peg 26.75. Plus I had a platform and a black and white Kitten sat under my trolley!

Being flat calm I decided to target Ronnie's so set up the Ronnie rig, a 4 metre Drennan whip and a 4x13 MR to fish at 10 metres for a look see for skimmers. Time to get the 0.1 GLine hook lengths out, only in case I hook Carp.

Fed the whip line and the skimmer line with GB laced with a copious amounts of LP's and the Ronnie line with loose fed caster which is where I started with single caster hook bait. I expected a bite early but with no signs after 15 minutes abandoned this in favour of the whip. With double Pinkie hook bait started to catch some decent Ronnie's. I kept topping up with a squeezes hand full of laced GB. I foul hooked a carp which thankfully just gave me a scale which went in the net! Fed the line and tried the skimmer line and have five very quick 4-6 oz skimmers - thought I was in for a good day. I fed this line again and had instant result with a 2 lb skimmer. Fed again and a 1 1/2 lb skimmer, then a 5 lb carp which I bullied but landed. The line went worrying quiet. Re fed and picked up the whip and had a few more Ronnie's to 8 oz. I then hooked another Carp which broke the hook length. So the first half of the match over and felt I was holding my own with the anglers I could see. Come the second half it became a real struggle - even the Kitten abandoned me. I scratched around on both lines trying all sorts - Kindering Pinkie, Loose GB and Loose fed Pinkie. It was very hard and could see signs of carp but didn't hook anymore. I just kept falling behind so was glad to hear Rip Off call all out and as per usual he waited until I shipped out!!

My silvers weighed 16 lb 3 oz for sixth overall and one out of the money. Very enjoyable day's fishing.

The match was won by Des Shipp (pictured with the runner up) with 30 lb 14 oz of Roach to 1 lb from fancied peg 1. Des caught on caster over caster either loose fed or potted at 14.5 metres.

Mark caught all skimmers GB and maggot at 11.5 metres.

Result:

1. Des Shipp 30-14-0 peg 1

2. Mark Broomsgrove 26-13-0 peg 27

3. Dave Willmott 24-14-0 peg 19

4. Tony Rixon 21-04-0 peg 25

5. Gary Bowden 19-1-0 peg 5

6. Mike Nicholls 16-03-0 peg 24

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 19/12/2021 - Westerleigh Winter League - Shipp's Canal and Taylors Pool

Thought I arrived at a reasonable time but was first at the gate and didn't know how to operate the combination lock even though I knew the number, luckily Andy behind me did.

Did miss Ron and Bela today. They will be back.

Eight on each lake so numbers about right. We won't know our pairs partners until next match, but won't be anyone on the lake drawn today, last years partner was on the other lake though! Had a walk around to see a couple of blips top. Not looking good especially as the temperature had dropped to 3 degrees combined with a horrid damp fog. Into the draw car boot and out came tiny disc peg 22 on Taylors. Just glad to be on this Pool and for company I had Glenn Bailey on peg 21 - so unfortunately won't be drawing him in the pairs. I have fished this peg a few times and have learnt that the pole short doesn't produce, however, set up a 4x14 Winter Titan for top set plus two barrels and a 0.3 gram RJ Slim set to 3 foot to fish down the LH margin at the same length - as expected both these rigs produce nothing. The waggler was the set up which caught me all my fish.

I plumbed around with the waggler and where I fancied fishing was in white water to the left but with the mist and poor light it was hard to see the float so opt for the darker water where I settled on a depth of about 4 foot. I started by feeding LR's and broke the catty first feed. It was a slow start with Glenn starting well at 16 metres! I kept the feed up and started to catch the odd Ronnie. The small carp arrived and started to catch them in spasms - two at a time. In between I would catch the odd 3 oz Ronnie so kept occupied. That's how the match went - a couple of small carp followed by a silver. Very enjoyable except for the light and the bloody nuisances Mallards on the opposite bank either liking the overspill on the loose feed or causing ripples and lost of float vision.

My silver weighed 3 lb 8 oz for the lake silvers win, with my carp weighing 29 lb for a second on lake and overall weight of 32 lb 8 oz. Happy with this from the peg. A few things to remember - clean off the maize off the maggots and try using a yellow topped waggler in the dark water instead of red. I fed about 1/2 pint of maized up LR's.

Taylors lake was won by Bri Shanks (pictured with the silvers and second on lake winner) with 34 lb 4 oz from peg 15. Bri started long on the pole catching well early on. Later switching to his RH margin at top set plus three barrel to catch some better carp - all caught on maggot over kindered maggot.

Shipps canal was won by Norman Ferris (pictured with the runner up and Silver's winner and Brother Bill) with mainly two carp for 7 lb 4 oz from peg 1. Norman caught his carp on paste!!!

The pool silvers and lake second was won by Bill Ferris with 4 lb 10 oz from peg 7. Bill caught short on maggot.

No pub for me until after Christmas.

Result:

Taylors Pool:

1. Brian Shanks 34-04-0 peg 15

2. Mike Nicholls 32-08-0 peg 22

Silvers: Mike Nicholls 3-08-0 peg 22

Shipp's Canal:

1. Normal Ferris 7-04-0 peg 1

2. Bill Ferris 4-10-0 peg 7

Silvers: Bill Ferris 4-10-0m peg 7

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 16/12/2021 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks

Ideal weather for fishing - over cast, mild and no wind - perfect. No time for a walk around just a stare over the bridge with the gathering - a few tiny silvers topping in pegs 18 and 17.

In to the draw bag and out comes - as Dave Haines predicted thirty ??? It was peg 31 - bugger wrong end again. However, having fished peg 33 last match I was prepared with some experience!

For company I had Pete THE GAS Greenslade on 33 and Tony Ponting on flyer peg 30.

I decided to forget skimmers and concentrate on the small silvers - Ronnie's and Rudd. So set up the waggler, the 4 metre whip with a small home made waggler and the Ronnie rig. It would only take a few minutes to set up another rig if necessary.

Started by feeding a ball of GB laced with too many LMP's (Live Mixed Pinkies) on the Ronnie rig line and catapulted some LR's over to the island. Started on the Ronnie with single RP on the hook and have three quick skimmers about 12 oz each and a 2 oz Perch. I then had a run of 1/2 to 1 oz Ronnie's. They were small so picked up the waggler with single LR on the hook and hooked and lost an 8 oz F1 followed by a 3 oz Ronnie. Although the Ronnie's were 3 x bigger on the waggler the time to catch was about the same to the keepnet as those caught short. So did an inbetweener switching to the 4 metre whip with single LR on the hook over loose hand fed same. I didn't look back catching 1 to 3 oz Ronnie's to the end of the match with only one dry spell due to a Herring Gull deciding to share my peg. Obviously the GB was attracting the smaller fish.

Only silvers to weigh which went 15 lb 3 oz for a silvers section win and a third overall lake silvers, only by a ounces - good match in this respect. Really enjoyed today - my sort of fishing. However, I was ran close in the section silvers by Tony "Smiler" Ponting on peg 30 with some nice skimmers for 15 lb.

The interesting thing, Tony fished totally different from me, catching a different species of fish with the same result and that is the attraction of commercial fisheries for me. I often walk around before the start of a match and everyone to a man has a different set ups. The commonality is having two or more keep nets in!

The match was won by Andy Gard (pictured top right with the silvers winner) with 40 lb 14 oz from peg 27. Andy caught on the waggler to the island with maggot over loose fed same catching decent carp. Later switching to the pole to catch a few F1's and skimmers.

The silvers was won Paul Barnfield with 15 lb 9 oz from peg 24. Paul caught at 13 metres on DR's over GB - single ouncing out Dave Wride on next peg 15 to his obvious disappointment.

The Pool fished reasonably well today, but needs some 2 - 3 lb junior carp stocking.

No pub today - bloody 0Covids and road blocks!

Next match is the Silvers priority and pairs on 06/01/2022 - 24 booked in - sold out.

Result:

Section A:

1. Tony Ponting 22-08-0 peg 32

Silvers: Mike Nicholls 15-04-0 peg 31

Section B:

1. Paul Barnfield 15-09-0 peg 14

Silvers: John Fry 9-12-0 peg 7

Section C:

1. Geoff Grant 22-13-0 peg 18

Silvers: Dave Wride 15-08-0 peg 15

D Section:

1. Andy Gard 40-14-0 peg 27

Silvers: John "Turkey" Thompson 13-02-0 peg 26

Weigh Sheets:

Tuesday 14/12/2021 - Acorn Cost Cutter - Paddocks

Hadn't planned to fish Acorn today until matey Glenn Bailey called offering to give me a lift. However, my back was just about getting better from doing stupid things with 13 metres of pole a week ago. However, fishing short and catching next to nothing was better than another day in Netflix land. So it was a yes from me.

Pitch black when Glenn arrived at 07:00. It was one of those days that stayed like midnight  with horrid drizzle on and off. So far away from our summer days here. It was mild though and almost windless.

My back recommended I go for a short walk draw. The problem with this the odds increase in drawing a bridge peg. Well there we go peg 21 it was to be. Hate bridge pegs, but did have good company on peg 22 with Ant P.

I fed some GB laced with Pinkies on the Ronnie rig line and have two small Ronnie's, two lost small Skimmers and one in the net on double Pinkie before the line completely died except for touches from micro Ronnie's. So out at top set plus three barrels out in front with maggot over kinder micro and LR's, 30 minutes passed very quite slowly - not a sign of fish.

I have been meaning to give the waggler try down here and had set it up. So this was the next and last option. So double tiny LR's on the hook over loose fed the same and started to pick off the occasional Ronnie and Skimmers. Never going threaten the frame but at least I was kept occupied trying not to cast on the the island! I missed loads of indications from small fish which also helped the time to elapse. I did have two small carp and pulled out of one about 5 lb and one foul hooker of about the same size.

My silvers weighed 8 lb 3 oz and my two carp 1 lb 15 oz.

The match was won by Des Shipp (pictured with the silvers winner on his lap) with 74 lb 8 oz from peg 6. Des caught tight to the bridge to the white mark to his left with dead maggot over the same.

The silvers was won by Paul Faiers with an excellent catch of 31 lb 4 oz from peg 5. Paul caught at top set plus two barrels using Pinkie over loose fed Pinkie. Well done matey a great weight on the day.

Result:

1. Des Shipp 74-08-0 peg 6

2. Leon Hubbard 55-04-0 peg 34

3. Dave Wride 53-11-0 peg 25

Silvers:

1. Paul Faiers 31-04-0 peg 5

2. Kev Perry 17-0-0 peg 37

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 09/12/2021 - Ray's Rip Off - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake

Beautiful skies  welcomed us - Rain later then - pictured. Usual walk as the Cormorants arrived on the pylons. You can set your clock to their arrival and departure. They wont come down on the water whilst anglers are around. No sign of fish, but didn't expect to see any.

Eleven fishing still out numbered by Cormorant's by one.

Into the draw bag and out comes red milk bottle top 5. No emotion. For company I had locksmith Jeff Grant.

Set up a 4x14 Winter Titan to fish top-set plus three barrels and - wait for it a 4x12 to fish 13 metres to the island! First time the pole been out for over a year, first time the 11.5 and 13 metre sections been out for a few years!! Of course had to set up the waggler. Carp were the target with the hope of an accidental skimmer.

Fed the short line with GB and Pinkie, then loose fed LR's down wind on the waggler line. Started on short line with double LP's after 30 minutes and no indications tried the long line with kindered LR's with double LR's on the hook. Again after 30 minutes no bites and with the wind making it hard work at 13 metres picked up the waggler. It is difficult getting the waggler depth right. Too far up the shelf with line on the bottom leads to foul hooking too far down, up in the water no bites, dead depth perfect. I had one bite landing a 5 lb angry Common. Jeff had started catching on the pole with Pinkie and with the wind further picking up I followed the leader, fishing the short line. Stayed on this far too long - with no bites. My six hour match clock was still working and thinking I had another hour left and with the wind dropping picked up the waggler. First cast another 5 lb Common. Next cast hooked another 5 lb Common and whilst playing it Ray called all out. I called fish on. So my 60 minutes left was 10!! Bugger should have started on the waggler earlier.

My three beautiful coloured Commons weighed 15 lb 9 oz for a small pick up.

The match was won by John Williams (pictured above with some of his catch) with 85 lb from peg 1. John caught on the pole at top-set plus two at full depth. Initially using hookable wetted 6 mm hard pellet over GB with micro and a few hard fours feed. John caught 4 early carp on this before switching to 8 mm meat hook bait over the same GB with a few pieces of meat catching steady to the end. Well done matey excellent weight on the day.

The silvers was won by Pete Greenslade (pictured with the match winner and his Border Terrier, that's him in the middle - what a well behaved dog sat in John's bait bag all day) with two skimmers for 2 lb 3 oz from peg 22. Pete caught on maggot over maggot at 10 metres.

Back to the Ringer with the usual suspects, all around the open fire, not sure which was most welcome beer or fire.

Weigh Sheet: Only those that weighed.

Sunday 05/12/2021 - Windmill Open - Match Lake

There were more Cormorants on the pylons than anglers today with 9 of us and 15 of them.

Into the draw bag and out comes red milk top peg 10. Not happy. This end of the lake is not fishing and appears to be devoid of carp, it's also the end the Cormorants entre the lake from the pylons. During the winter the idea of spreading anglers equally around the lake instead of putting them where the fish are is something I have yet to understand. I went to the peg feeling I wasn't fishing for coin but saving a blank, certainly waste of time targeting silvers at the moment as it's currently won with one accidental skimmer.

Just set up the waggler to fish around the peg with double LR's on the hook feeding maggots where the wind took them and fished over them. The upshot was I had one proper bite and landed a 3 lb 5 oz Common. I did have a few liners and three foulers which were all lost. I had planned to pack up and have a walk around after catching but I could only see one other angler who was blanking so carried on to the end. No accidental's.

I often see anglers asking recommendations for reel line . For me there is only one and that's 3 lb Maxima - durable, longevity, sinkabilty, don't curl and inexpensive. Will handle anything I'm likely to catch. What's not to like.

The match was won by Dave Poole (pictured with the accidental Silvers angler) with 44 lb 15 oz from peg 6. Dave started after silvers with GB and Pinkie and started to hook carp so switched to the the pole at 7 metres and caught carp steady throughout again fishing Pinkie over GB. His catch included one 2 lb 3 oz Skimmer. Well dome matey.

The silvers was won by Nick Saunders with one accidental skimmer caught first put in on the pole weighing 2 lb 10 oz from peg 18.

Comparing with other fisheries the lake fished reasonably well.

Result:

1. Dave Poole 44-15-0 peg 6

2. John Williams 42-09-0 peg 22

Silvers:

1. Nick Saunders 2-10-0 peg 18 

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 02/12/2021 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks

Twenty five fishing today with no short walkers - pictured right. It's a privilege to fish with these guys - 1,000 years of experience lined up. All very good anglers having served apprenticeships on various types of fisheries over those years. Worth a few bob too.

Second into the draw bag and out comes peg 33. This is where the small fish tend to shoal in winter, but with pegs 34 Hughie and peg 32 Pete in it was going to be hard. This section is split across the lake two my side and three the other. The light on my side is awful due to the trees opposite still with their yellow ochre leaves and the sun high above behind us. Arrived at the peg which is a bit of parrot cage making fishing running lines difficult. However, I set up allsorts to help pass the time if it was hard including a feeder rod with a tiny cage feeder.

Due to the light I started short really hoping I could catch small fish for most of the day. I fed some GB laced with LP's and fished single LTR over the top. The expectation was to get a bite first put in, this didn't happen and after 30 minutes and one small Perch. I tried the cage feeder with GB and Pinkies which had to be under armed. After a short wait and no indications I wound in to find a small Rudd attached. Another cast and the same. The fish were so small they couldn't pull the line and tip. This was abandoned in favour of the 4 metre whip with a small waggler fished over loose fed LR's with single on the hook. I had a good run of very small fish averaging 1 1/2 ounces for about an hour before they shied away probably due to the sun brightening. I fed some GB over the line hoping for their return. First try I had a 12 oz Skimmer followed by - nothing. The only way left was to pick up the waggler which was going to be difficult to use due to the tree behind and the light. However, after a few side swipe casts I was able to hit some narrow dark water where I could see the red top waggler. I fished single LR over loose fed same. I had a steady last two hours catching tiny Rudd and and Ronnie's. I only caught the tree twice. This end of the lake doesn't see the sun all day in winter with frost still on the ground from two days ago, so glad to hear the pea less whistle for the all out. 

My 70 odd fish weighed 6 lb 4 oz for section silvers. The section fished really hard except for peg 3 on the opposite bank. However, I thought compared with other fisheries at the moment it fished reasonably well overall.

The match was won by John Smith (pictured with the silvers winner) with 39 lb 10 oz from peg 30. John started on the straight lead with bread hook bait over to the island catching four carp for about 20 lb. He then switched to fish caster over potted caster at 13 metres adding a few skimmers and F1's. Well done mate well fished.

The silvers was won by Paul Barnfield with 13 lb 4 oz from peg 3. Paul caught at 13 metres over a few different lines fishing Pinkie over GB laced with dead Pinkie. Well done matey and not too many moaned on!

Back to the Compton for a warm and a pint with a good turn out - "We're going to need a bigger pub". A couple of the lads sporting the new look winter fishing bobble hats - one size fits nobody.

NOTE FOR DIARY: The Silvers priority matches start 06/01/2022. It will include a pairs match. Twenty four booked in.

Result:

Section A:

1. Paul Barnfield 13-04-0 peg 3

Silvers: Mike Nicholls 6-04-0 peg 33

Section B:

1. Andy Gard 14-03-0 peg 6

Silvers: Bob Feltham 8-04-0 peg 10

Section C:

1. Paul Haines 16-01-0 peg 14

Silvers: Andy Greenham 3-13-0 peg 15

Section: D

1. Gary Bowden 18-08-0 peg 24

Silvers: Tony Rixon 7-08-0 peg 27

Section E:

1. John Smith 39-10-0 peg 30

Silvers: Dave Wride 8-08-0 peg 31

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 25/11/2021 - Ray's Rip Off - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake

Bright sunny day, with little to no wind, albeit a bit nippy. Put the heated body warmer on today first outing of the winter, which only got switched on once near the end.

Down to twelve fishing today. Into the draw bag and out comes peg 18. No emotion, but fancied being up in the low twenties. Company today was the affable John Osborne on peg 19.

Arrived at the peg and set up the box and noticed a horrid smell which was dog poo on my boots transferred to my foot plate and box. Back to the car to get a cloth and hand sanitiser. Not a good start with the smell staying with me for most of the match. Dirty dog owners.

The last match on peg 10 the thought was I fished it wrong by fishing the waggler at distance with the unavoidable spreading of the feed whereas I should have kept it tight on the long pole. So made the decision to not set up the waggler today, which proved costly. However, I set up allsorts for the silvers hoping they would feed.

The upshot was having fished four different rigs over the first three hours for silvers I didn't have a bite! John Osborne had landed one foul hooked carp losing a few fishing at 16 metres and said he thought he was getting nibbles from silvers. I thought of setting up the waggler so tried feeding over testing the LR grouping, which was OK, so set up the waggler whilst John played and lost another foul hooker in my peg.

First cast I had an indication - the first of the day. I soon hooked a fouler which I pulled out of at the net. More indications which definitely weren't silvers as I foul hooked another two losing both. With half hour to go I fairly hooked a small carp next cast another was landed. I had two more indications before the all out. 

My two carp weighed 7 lb 6 oz for fifth. Johns one fouler weighed 7 lb 15 oz! I didn't have any silvers and I suspects the flying predators sat on the pylons behind me didn't either. I think the silvers have wised up to them being aware of the dangers and only come out of the reeds to feed at night.

The match was won by Jeff Grant (pictured above before the "all in" patiently waiting like a coiled spring) with 53 lb from peg 9. Jeff caught on the tip using a 12 gram olivet free running lead with punched bread fished over to the island on various lines.

The silvers was won by Tony Ponting (pictured with the match winner) with 2 lb from peg 22. Tony caught at 7 and 13 metres using maggot over potted maggot. Not one big skimmer but all small fish to 4 oz. Well done to both.

It was back to the "Ringer" with over half of todays field for a welcome pint and a warm and a right laugh, a good end to a hard day but enjoyable day out.

Another match Sunday - Book in with Gerry Walsh by texting only to 07766103846.

Result:

1. Jeff Grant 53-0-0 peg 9

2. Tony Ponting 22-10-0 peg 22

3. John Osborne 7-15-0 peg 19

Silvers:

1. Tony Ponting 2-0-0 peg 22

2. Dave Poole 0-15-0 peg 4 

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 21/11/2021 - Windmill Open - Match Lake

The temperature has certainly dropped, it felt colder than the thermometer due to a bitterly cold NNE wind. I thought I had dressed accordingly but was still feeling it a bit nearing the end of the match.

Only eleven fishing. Into the draw bag and out comes red milk bottle top 10. With the wind now blowing the other way towards the car park it would be flat calm down the LH side where carp are usually caught. The bright sun light was going to be a hindrance.

Decided to initially give the silvers a go so set up the long Ronnie rig and a 4 x 14 Winter Titan to fish top-set plus three barrels. The waggler was set up for the carp to fish long down the edge into the deep water at about 5 foot and a 0.3 gram RJ slim to fish top-set plus three barrels down the edge to the second shelf at about 3 foot.

One if the problems with todays pegging was that I could only see one angler which was John Osbourne on peg 8 so wouldn't get a balanced impression on how it was fishing. I fed the silvers lines with a nugget of GB laced with LP's, the margin with a big pot of micro, GB and DR's and pulted MLM's down on the waggler line. Starting on the Ronnie rig and didn't take long to realise it was going to be hard - very hard. After 10 minutes and no bites my inpatients got the better of me picking up the waggler. Second cast I had a missed bite, second cast I hooked and landed a 3 lb carp. Next cast I foul hooked a better carp which broke me. This lead me up the garden path sticking with the waggler instead of giving the silvers a proper go. I spent three hours trying to catch another carp before switching around all the other lines I had fed. The margin produced nothing I had two small Ronnie's on the long line and a about 15 small fish in the Ronnie rig, mostly small Perch. Instead of sticking with the silvers I spent the last hour on the waggler whilst I packed away the other rigs. The expectation was to catch a few carp late but caught nowt.

My one carp weighed 3 lb 15 oz and my silvers 1 lb 4 oz for a total of 5 lb 3 oz. Looking at the weigh sheet I should have concentrated on the silvers.

The match was won by John Osbourne (pictured right with his catch) with 36 lb 7 oz from peg 8. John fished 14.5 metres towards the island catching on double maggot over potted maggot. John did land a few foul hooked carp including a 2 lb skimmer which helped him to double bubble also taking the silvers with 2 lb 14 oz.

Leighton Palmer took the silvers by default with one 2 lb 13 oz skimmer.

Back to the "Ringer" with the usual suspects for a warm.

Result:

1. John Osbourne 36-07-0 peg 8

2. Dave Willmott 22-03-0 peg 18

3. Bob Warren 21-06-0 peg 1

Silvers:

1. John Osbourne 2-14-0 peg 8

2. Leyton Palmer 2-13-0 peg 20 

Weigh Sheet:

 

Thursday 18/11/2021 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Bridge Pool

BAA netted the Main yesterday to remove some of the silvers. Apparently about 1,000 lb of small silvers were transferred to Bridge Pool. The silvers were from 1/2 to 4 oz, not sure where the better slivers went! We didn't expect the stocking to impact todays fishing.

No time for a walk around just a quick look over the bridge, the Pool looked clear.

Twenty three fishing which leads to head scratching for the last best two pegs to put in. Think the stocking may help the bottom pegs.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 10. Not particularly happy with this, but does has some advantage of being able to unload directly behind the peg. Arrived at the peg and found myself next to ex Bailiff John Fry peg 11.

The peg looked perfect for the waggler and F1's, but was a long chuck, wasn't sure with the light wind whether I could feed LM's far enough. I choose a 11" bodied Drake for a lazy lob cast. Both short and long Ronnie rigs were set up and roosted. The Long Ronnie rig was just OK in 8 foot of water. In case I set up a 4x16 Winter Titan to fish top-set plus three barrels. Having now plumbed around the bottom started off at 8 foot at top-set with a gradual reducing depth up to a very shallow at the island. I put the keep nets in which really showed how clear the water was.

Fed the long line with a smidgen of wetted 2mm micro (it seems the 1mm is becoming popular). The Long Ronnie with a nugget of GB laced with LP's and the short Ronnie with loose fed LR's round to my RH margin. Fired out some LR's on the waggler line and was delighted to find I could reach the island albeit sore knuckles. Started on the long Ronnie rig and started to get indications from small fish, landing a few Ronnie's of about 1 oz. Refed and went out on the waggler and had two F1's in two casts - good day coming up then. Added a few better Ronnie's and Skimmers' . With in half hour the wind had got up making feeding and fishing the waggler difficult even though I was now laying line on the bottom and still going with wind. So tried the Titan over the micro with double mixed Live's and had a 6 oz skimmer and one Ronnie - the light got difficult due to the water shimmering due to brightness. Tried the short Rig to no avail. Back on the waggler at three quarters over at full depth again with double hook bait over loose fed LM's and had a run of decent Ronnie's and a F1. I'm not sure what happened but it suddenly died - did I over feed it? Back on the long Ronnie and switched to very light feeding - three maggot's at a time and had a 1 lb skimmer and a few Ronnie's and a 4 lb Carp. Stayed with this for the rest of the match catching the odd silver. Glad to hear the all out as I started to get cold from the SW wind.

My Carp weighed 9 lb 12 oz and my silvers 11 lb 3 oz for the silvers section win - but it was a close call.

The match was won by Paul Haines (pictured with the overall silvers runner up) with 32 lb 11 oz of F1's from peg 8. Paul caught on the method to the point of the island on banded pellet. He caught both tight and off the island. I must say his casting was very accurate which is the primary skill needed with this type of fishing. Again a very tight frame. Well done matey pleasure to watch.

The silvers was won by Paul Barnfield with 17 lb from peg 28 with mainly skimmers caught at 13 metres with various hook baits including Pinkie over GB laced with dead Pinkies. Well done matey.

Back to the Compton with the usual suspects and a warm from the log fire.

Result:

Section A:

1. Phil Morgan 12-0-0 peg 31 (all Silvers - Rudd)

Silvers: Paul Clayton 7-0-0 peg 33

Section B:

1. Paul Haines 32-11-0 peg 8

Silvers: Mike Nicholls 11-03-0 peg 10

Section C:

1. Kev Winstone 31-02-0 peg 16

Silvers: Dave "The Whip" Poole 13-12-0 peg 21

Section D:

1. Jeff Grant 32-08-0 peg 24

Silvers: Paul Barnfield 17-0-0 peg 28

Weigh Sheets:

Tuesday 16-11-2021 - Acorn - Cost Cutter - Paddocks

Wanted to go fishing today and last night decided on the Silvers match at Bitterwell. Looked on their FB page to see the draw for todays match had already been done. Might have got in but wouldn't' be the same. So Acorn it was.

Steady drive down with plenty of time for the walk around. Pegs 6 to 12 would be my choice.

I was called peg 34 - bloody bridge peg. For company I had Paul Faiers (always have trouble spelling this) on the other side of the bridge peg 33. Paul and I go back some way and happy to draw next to him, BTW Paul won the silvers here the day before on peg 1 with 24 lb.

Set up a 0.3 gram RJ slim to fish down to empty platform peg 35 . Firstly I had to trim the bankside rushes' back to enable to see the float. As it happened I only went down there twice for 60 seconds each time with triple maggot over micro and maggot - no indications.

Set up the short Ronnie rig to fish down to the left in 3 foot of water over lose fed maggot and only had two Ronnie's - however, one was nearly 12 oz!

I set up a MR 4x13 to fish top-set plus one barrel to fish over the long Ronnie rig. Only tried this once. It didn't feel right so it was roosted.

Set up the long Ronnie rig which was the main stay today. Caught some silvers early on it - todays quarry. I had two lucky Tench that went just over 4 lb and a few Skimmers. My feed was nugget's of GB jam packed with live Pinkies (LP's) with some Pinkie loose feed over the top. The loose feed got the carp interested and had seven near accidentals losing two under the platform - bugger - and lost three foul hookers. The silvers just didn't want to feed today with both the Skimmers and Roach conspicuous by their absence.

My silvers weighed 13 lb 5 oz for the silvers win and my carp of 39 lb 11 oz for a fifth overall total of 53 lb.

The match was won by Dave Wride (pictured right with the silvers winner) from peg 10 (peg 11 not pegged) with 111 lb 11 oz double everyone else's weight! Dave caught initially down the track with maggot over micro, later switching to his LH margin to add some big carp, again with maggot over micro.

Other than Dave the frame was very close with only one or two fish separating it.

Result:

1. Dave Wride 111-11-0 peg 10

2. Bob Smith 59-02-0 peg 6

3. Ray Cooper 56-03-0 peg 18

4. Lewis Walker 56-0-0 peg 2

5. Lee Waller 54-0-0 peg 7

6 Mike Nicholls 53-0-0 peg 34

Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 13-05-0 peg 34

2. Mike Chapman 12-15-0 peg 12

3. Paul Faiers 11-02-0 peg 33

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 14/11/2021 - Windmill Open - Match Lake

BLIMEY Rocky Road is no more - now nearly smooth - well done to those that worked on it, lets hope it lasts through he winter.

Walked around and once again the lake looked dower with loads of colour. Steve Salter was walking round and caught up with him. Found out he's Mandy's Brother.

I was hoping for a peg I could fish the waggler and the draw bag gave me one with peg 17 in the gap. For company I had Dave Poole and his long whips. Every time I have fished the waggler and maggot in the gap I have caught carp. So it was the first to be erected. The short and long Ronnie rigs were also set up and roosted.

All the lines were fed - the Ronnie lines with GB laced with LP's and the waggler line with live mixed coloured maggots (LMCM's).

Started on the long rig with single live white and second cast had a 2 lb Skimmer- good start. Had a couple of Perch and Ronnie's before the wind made the presentation too quick and difficult, so tried the short rig and nothing - no indications. This rig was retired to the roost. I was itching to try the waggler, which was a mistake as it turned out. I thrashed the wag and mag for hours expecting to catch some carp, in stead caught a few Ronnie's and Perch, not what I was expecting. The anglers opposite were also struggling. With an hour to go and no carp thought I should try and pick up in the silvers, so set up a 4x14 Winter Titan to fish top set plus two barrels and fed some GB laced with Pinkie. I got frustrated with this as I got an indication every put in - either bumping tiny fish or loosing them due to their size to elastic ratio. So changed the top set to a 6 elastic and found exactly the same problem. I did have a couple of small skimmers. With the wind dropping and 15 minutes to go I switched back to the long Ronnie rig over loose fed LMCM's and had a run of Ronnie's.

Not a sign of a carp but weighed 6 lb 10 oz of silvers for a second pick up. For some reason this side of the lake is fishing extremely hard.

The match was won by "Any Peg" Palmer (pictured with the silvers winner) with 45 lb 4 oz from end peg 10. Leighton initially caught at 16 metres slapping 8mm pellet down his edge putting 5 carp in his net. He had 2 on the method and late on he added two more on the meat at 7 metes. Well done Matey.

The silvers was won by Dave Haines from the same peg he won the silvers from on Thursday, but his time 1 once less, weighing 14 lb 13 oz from peg 8. Well done Matey. 

Result:

1. Leighton Palmer 45-04-0 peg 10

2. Bob Warren 30-09-0 peg 22

3. Steve Upton 21-11-0 peg 4

Silvers:

1. Dave Haines 14-13-0 peg 8

2. Mike Nicholls 6-10-0 peg 17

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 11/11/2021 - Ray's Rip Off - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake

Very warm morning which is nothing to do with CO2 but the Sun giving off two large CME's (Corona Mass Ejection's) a couple of weeks ago. This affected our local electricity supply for a about 1 second setting off house alarms and closing some petrol stations. Following this the Sun went worrying very quiet for three days or so. So we can expect some colder weather next week for a while. Mentioned this because although warm weather is good for anglers well being it's not helping the fishing. Suspect once we have some colder dry weather fishing will improve.

Had my usual walk around and noted how coloured the water was, not surprising considering the warm weather. Fancied pegs 17 or 7 in the gap as  fancied a day on the waggler and maggot.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 14 - Ah, can use the waggler here too, which was soon set up and trialled in 6 foot of water well away from the island. The picture on the right is for the benefit of John Smith and "Three Gulps" Gillard - they know! Half heartily set up a 0.3 gram RJ slim for the RH margin at two barrels in 4 foot of water. Started to feel very lonely as I couldn't see anyone and wouldn't know how it was fishing.

Fed the margin with DR's and micros and started to feed the waggler line regularly with LR's with double DR's on the hook. The bottom was all over the place - sometime I was off bottom and then laying on. Didn't mind this as it gave options. A steady start catching the odd Skimmer and Ronnie. I was getting indications which I thought was Carp. I did scale a carp and foul hooked two which broke my 0.14 hook length, landing two fairly hooked six pounders . I did try the margin, a slow count to 60 and if no indications went back on the waggler. Only tried on the two hour and one hour to go marks before abandoning the margin. Really enjoy fishing the waggler especially working out the feeding which was difficult today as the carp really didn't want to play. Luckily kept a few silvers coming steady throughout.

My two carp weighed 12 lb 14 oz and my silvers 7 lb 15 oz for a total of 20 lb 12 oz for second in silvers pickup and 5th overall. Wag and Mag gives options for catching everything.

The match was won by John Osbourne (pictured with the silvers winner) with 40 lb 11 oz from peg 5. John caught long at about 1/2 metre off the island in 30 inches of water. Initially John caught 3 carp on meat, he feeding about one tin, then switched to maggot fished over kindered maggot to add two more carp. Well done matey.

The silvers was won by Dave Haines with 14 lb 14 oz from peg 8. Dave caught on both caster and maggot short over GB and loose fed hook baits. Well done matey.

Back to the "Ringer" with the usual suspects and because of finishing at 3 pm I was home by just after 5 pm. - perfect.

Result:

1. John Osbourne 40-11-0 peg 5

2. Lionel Legg 36-14-0 peg 10

3. Ray Bazeley 30-0-0 peg 1

Silvers:

1. Dave Haines 14-14-0 peg 8

2. Mike Nicholls 7-15-0n peg 14

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 04/11/2021 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks

Due to the electronic gates not opening until 08:00 and the draw being at 08:30 there was no time for the usual walk around. However, with a light frost for the past three days we were prepared for a difficult day. The frost didn't put anyone off with twenty two fishing. Second into the draw bag and out comes peg 17. I haven't fished this peg for some years, in fact the last time I fished it was on the day of Chris Ollis's first visit who drew peg 18, he's been a regular every since with mate Paul Barnfield. The peg has changed and changed again since then with a tree growing and recently being removed. For company I had Pete Greenslade on peg 16 and Dave Wride on peg 18. I will be able confirm in fact if Dave Wride does catch “on the pole in the water”! 

The first thing I noticed about my peg was the Sun’s reflection on the water. A bit disappointed that this would restrict me, not being able to fish anywhere from 11 0 clock around to my right. Although the peg is not a noted silvers peg I had planned to target them for first half the match and F1’s and carp for the remainder. However, with bright Sun and clear water the F1’s may not want to venture into the shallower marginal waters.

Three rigs, short and long Ronnie rigs and a 0.3 gram RJ slim for down the LH margin at two and half barrels set at 3 foot plumbed to the second shelf. Due to the Sun I didn’t bother setting up the 4x16 Winter Titan which was to prove a be a big mistake. 

I fed all lines, the two silvers lines with GB laced with LP’s and the margin with a mix of semi-conscious reds (S-CR’s). Started on the long rig with double Pinkie and after an expected waited caught a small Perch. Even though I was fishing in 7 foot of water I started to loose feed Pinkies and started to catch Ronnie’s on the drop. If I left the bait on the bottom it would result in a Perch. I did have three 4 oz Skimmers leaving it for a while but most of the time I was busy laying the rig in for the drop catches. I fed some more laced up GB and tried the short rig, but didn’t have a sniff so it was retired blanking. Everyone was struggling; however, Pete next door was catching the odd decent Skimmer which I put down to his peg being in the shade. I tried the margin fishing double LR’s over kinder S-CR’s, missed a bite straight away and sure it was an F1, it was, I had one next drop in. The problem with these fish in clear water is they dart off very fast taking any fish nearby away with them, so it’s a bit of wait to get them back, so in the meantime I went back on the Ronnie rig which by now was very hard only adding one or two silvers before going back down on the F1’s. With 90 minutes to go I had six F1’s in the net and was playing another when it got caught on something. I could see the fish hook in its’ mouth lying on the top of the water trapped in what looked like string. I got up to rescue the fish but by the time I got to it, it was gone. My hook was left stuck in the string. So I managed to get hold of it and pulled it all out, including lots of hooks, lines and sinkers. In fact it looked very much like the straw netting (pictured right) to contain hay bales for anti-Algae measures. Surely this should be removed once it’s finished its usefulness? This lead to a poor last knockings due to foul hooked fish. I lost six in this period and I don’t know why. The light was bad with the sun now reflecting off the trees. The Sun had now moved on from the right so I thought of setting up a Winter Titan to fish to the right, tried one of my rigs to test visibility with again poor visibility, so didn't bother.  Dave Wride had done well on the F1’s but not from his margins, catching mostly out long in the deep water with maggot – on the pole in the water.

My silvers weighed 5 lb 9 oz and my carp 9 lb 14 oz for 15 lb 7 oz and no pick up today with those pesky foul hookers costing me a section. I really got it wrong today by not setting up the long rig to fish at full depth to my left.

The match was won by Jeff Grant (pictured top right wallowing in his glory back at the pub) with  25 lb 2 0z from peg 29. Geoff caught on the method with maggot hook baits. Well done Matey.

The silvers was won by Tony Ponting (pictured) with 11 lb 12 oz from peg 30, also on the method and maggot hook baits. Well done. This area produced some of the best weights today to the feeder.

Back early to the pub with the usual suspects, the only advantage of winter fishing times.

Result:

Section A:

1. Harry Muir 16-07-0 peg 4

Silvers: John Smith 5-12-0 peg 33

Section B:

1. John Fry 16-07-0 peg 6

Silvers: Kevin Winstone 8-03-0 peg 10

Section C:

1. Dave Wride 23-12-0 peg 18

Silvers: Pete Greenslade 9-07-0 peg 16

Section D:

1. Geoff Grant 25-02-0 peg 29

Silvers: Tony Ponting 11-12-0 peg 30

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 31/10/2021 - Windmill Open - Match Lake

New sign - that's much better however, unlikely to see many pleasure anglers until Spring.

Arrived in the dark and rain and with all the pot holes full of water couldn't tell which were the deeper ones to avoid so it was a question of driving carefully down the centre of rocky road. How long before the road becomes impassable?

Into the draw bag and out comes milk red bottle top peg 7, nope turn it over Mandy says, "Swampy" peg 14 it was then. In the summer I would had ran to the peg, but last Thursday Larry Laing a decent carp angler (and caber tosser) drew it and DNW'd. Waded through the mud and water to get to the peg and with the platform area under water set up to the right on terra firma. I would normally fish for carp on this peg but as Larry didn't catch and wouldn't have fished for the silvers so would be the initial focus. For company I had Steve on peg 16 and Justin on peg 12 who would have the forth coming gale force winds and rain smack in his face - didn't fancy that.

First thing was to set up the umbrella, which would be up and down all match. I set up the long Ronnie rig to see if I could pick up the tow against, alas not, the wind was far too strong, so that was roosted. Instead set up a 4x14 Winter Titan to fish top set plus three barrel down wind to the right at 2 o clock. Set up the short Ronnie rig for down wind, which was better but not perfect having to put some line on the bottom. Finally a 0.3 gram RJ slim to fish the margin for when the silvers dried up.

Fed both silver lines with GB laced with LP's. Starting on the Ronnie rig with single LR and soon had a 4 oz Skimmer leading to a decent hour catching small Perch and Ronnie's some were decent to 4 oz. The problem I thought I had was was where the GB feed was spreading so fed it around the line. Went out on the long line and had three skimmers including one decent one. I then foul hooked a carp probably due to the due horrendous wind and presentation with just too much line on the bottom. I started to kinder micro and maggot over this line and had a 5 lb carp. Stayed on this for a while getting indications from carp but no silvers. I foul hooked quite few carp though. So back on the Ronnie line and caught a few more but was very slow. Two hours left with the silvers totally absent decided to switch to the carp line at two barrels down the edge in 3 foot of water where I had been feeding micro and DR's with a smidgen of GB with triple LR's on the hook and had a couple of Carp to 6 lb. Even though regularly kindering DR's and micro It went quiet. Switched the hook bait to a large worm and had a very welcome 8 oz Perch. I then had a quick run of 4 carp to 6 lb before it completely died. With me clinging on the the umbrella in gale force wind and very heavy rain I was glad to hear the all out.

My silver weighed 9 lb 4 oz and my carp 37 lb for a total of 46 lb 4 oz. This left me second in the silvers and 4th overall. Slightly fell between two stones as one out of the overall pay-out but managed to pick up in the silvers. My match mission is not to always go for the win but to pick up, so in this respect mission accomplished.

The match was won by Nick Saunders (pictured with the shifty looking silvers winner) with 117 lb 9 oz a decent weight considering the conditions from peg 6. Nick caught from both margins tight into the bank fishing meat over meat. Well done matey.

The silvers was won from peg 10 by Bill Ferris with 9 lb 14 oz. Bill caught on maggot and GB fishing 3 metres to hand. Well done matey.

I have to say well done to Justin for catching 29 lb 15 oz from that end wind facing peg 12. I did feel sorry for him.

No pub as we all wet and wanted to get home.

Result:

1. Nick Saunders 117-09-0 peg 6

2. Leighton Palmer 80-03-0 peg 22

3. Glenn Bailey 62-08-0 peg 20

4. Mike Nicholls 46-04-0 peg 14

5. Gerry Walsh 41-15-0 peg 25

6. Justin 29-15-0 peg 12

Silvers:

1. Bill Ferris 9-14-0 peg 10

2. Mike Nicholls 9-04-0 peg 14

Weigh Sheet: