Sunday 30/05/2021 - Shiplate Farm - Tony Rixon's Continental Rip Off - Hawthorne's and Westpool

Travelled with Two Pots who at the moment is struggling to get his favoured paste to work, which isn't surprising considering the weather conditions we have suffered during this Spring. I was surprised when he said he might have to fish other baits!!

Both Canals in, so hoping for Hawthorne's, luckily I was shouted Hawthorne peg 4. Great company with Aron Britnell peg 3 and John Bradford 6, who I've not seen for  while. Both of us would be targeting Silvers.

With the weather vastly improving with a beautiful morning and plenty of shorts on display, which will bring the inevitable spawning fish which was instantly noticeable - Carp spawning with the Silvers following in behind eating it. So plenty of distracting splashing, mainly on the far bank.

I started on the usual 4x13 MR with DR's on the hook over GB laced with DP's at top set. I couldn't believe I couldn't get a bite. But did lose 4 foul hooked Carp. The upshot was after trying for an hour a verity of things to catch for a Silver my thinking was that only two species that might not be part of the mega spawn munch - Chub and Eels. As I have only caught Eels in this canal I decided to dump pot lots of DR's at two barrels and watch for a reaction - unfortunately it didn't come so never tried it. John paid me a visit and he was suffering the same as me. So I switched to fishing for Carp. Three lines top set for the meat out in front, paste rig for the LH side margin and corn rig for the RH side (pictured above - only lost one in the tree stump). Well I had two Carp on the paste, two on the meat and twelve on the corn. John came down again and had thrown in the towel and said the bloke next to him had 24 Carp fishing shallow with caster - I told him that would be Caster Culpin then.

My 14 Carp weighed 66lb 6oz for sixth overall.  I hate hindsight should have fished for Carp from the beginning.

The match was won by Matt Culpin (pictured with some of his catch) with nearly double the next weight with 195lb 12oz. Matt caught to his strength feeding hand fed caster fishing 6 to 18 inch deep. with banded caster. Well done matey. Matt also won the Canal silvers catching one 1lb Chub, the only silver weighed in. However, Chris Fox had a Chub but didn't weigh it separately so this mistake cost him £40!

Only two Silver weights came from Westpool with Ron Stark (pictured with the match winner) winning with 9lb 2oz. 

Result:

1. Matt Culpin 195-12-0 peg 7 H

2. Alex Murry 102-04-0 peg 12 W

3. Russ Peck 74-14-0 peg 13 H

4. Chris Fox 73-08-0 peg 9 H

5. S Brown 66-11-0 peg 4 W

6. Mike Nicholls 66-06-0 peg 4 H

Silvers:

1. Ron Stark 9-02-0 peg 3 W

2. Paul Faiers 4-0-0 peg 1 W

3. Matt Culpin 1-0-0 peg 7 H

Weigh Sheets:

Tuesday 25/05/2021 - Acorn - Costcutter - Paddocks

I've now had enough of this bloody weather and after another cold, windy and wet day I'm having Thursday off to recuperate.

Had a walk around and fancied peg 27 as I have said before it always seems to have some wind on it (pictured). However, it still remains a peg to be drawn as I was handed peg 9. A few Tench have come from this peg, so my immediately thinking was Silvers. So just two rigs Paste for late on and a 4x13 MR for the Silvers both to fish on the top set. So three top sets in the holster with one unloaded in

case something comes to mind during the match. One notable thing, plumbing around found the peg 30 inches deeper than the pegs in the high twenties and thirties, and no silt! The plummet bumped on hard ground, must be something to do with the wind and hydraulics of the fishery. Now, I have been leaving the GB at home because I found the fish appear not to like feeding on it in/over silt, so I was already thinking I was unprepared as it would have been good to try today.

I had another walk around to Dave Haines on peg 40 and have a look at his rigs. I was amazed to find he had 16 top-sets loaded up with rigs (pictured)!

Started by feeding both margins with micro for later. Fed the Silvers line with some chopped worm and caster. The wind was howling into corner

peg 11 and the rebounding tow was pushing my rig through very quick, which I was hoping would be a good thing. I soon had a foul hooked Skimmer which I must of towed into. The worm wasn't doing it for me so switched to loose fed LR's and with double on the hook I had a good first hour putting 11 lb in the net. I then had a foul hooked Carp which came off then I landed one of about 5 lb. For unknown reason/s I couldn't catch another Silver, and wasted too long trying to catch them. Won't be leaving the GB home again. I spent the last two hours in each margin with the paste rig foul hooking more fish than I landed, but increased the total to seven. Thought it would get better in the last knockings, alas not.

My silvers weighed 11lb 14oz and my seven Carp 43lb 6oz for a total of 55lb 4oz. This put me tenth, but it was a very close match and I only needed two more Carp for a pick up!

The match was won by Lester Grant (pictured with some of his catch) with 102lb 13oz from peg11. Lester caught at 9 metres shallow - 6 to 18 inches deep fishing caster over hand fed caster. I must say he fished a tidy match, must have stopped listening to Dad. 

The Silvers/Curassio's was won by Eddie Wynne (pictured with the match winner). Eddie caught long fishing maggot hook bait over kinder micro and maggot.

Result:

1. Lester Grant 102-13-0 peg 11

2. J Smith 70-0-0 peg 5

3. Ant Piekielniak 65-0-0 peg 38

Silvers:

1. Eddie Wynne 19-01-0 peg 15

2. Mike Chapman 17-15-0 peg 1

2. Bob Smith 17-15-0 peg 22

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 23/05/2021 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round Seven - Taylors Pool and Shipp's Canal

I was booked into Tony's float only at The Sedges, one of my favourite venues. However, as reserves don't count in this winter league and Martin McMahon and me were winning the pairs I thought it wouldn't be right to miss a match so Tim Ford kindly stepped in for me at Sedges. The pairs are decided on total weight over the eight matches.

All dried out from Thursday's match only to be well aware we were in for another soaking today. What an awful day weather wise. My last turn on Shipp's canal and drew peg 3 which can be OK and would be my first time on this peg. Up to now I have focused n the Silvers in the first half on the match, but today I needed to build our pairs weight so would target Carp, so set up 11.5 metres to fish the far bank island and would need doubled shipping, for this. I used a 4x14 Roob as it's risky to fish too close, as the peg has a reputation of lost top-sets in the the underwater brambles. I would use the same rig shallowed up a tad to fish the LH margin which is also deep at just under three foot. A paste rig was for the same margin for later in the match. Finally, a 4x14 Winter Titan to fish down the track.

I fed the far bank with soaked 4's and micro and the margin with the similar. I started down the track with GB laced with DR's and single LR on the hook and was get indication straight away which I am familiar with - bloody 4 oz Crucians. After catching a few of them I abandoned the line in favour of the far bank with 6mm expander and again the tell-tell signs of Crucians, so switch to maggot and yes they were the culprits. Thought I would have an early look in the margin with paste, surely the Crucians won't be here too. Yes they were, I actually caught one on paste! They were now doing my head in. Tried all the lines again with double LR's, the wind was driving the float with it making presentation terrible on the longer lines, result, more of the same. 90 minutes to go I reckon I had about 8lb of Crucians and 1lb of Silvers so was well behind everyone in the section. I felt I needed to try and pick up the tow against the wind so came short with the Titan and by adding another back shot and sinking the line manage to pickup some tow. With single LR on the hook and loose feeding LR's I started to catch some some small Mirror and Common Carp. With an hour to go Tony next door pointed out my partner was packing up!!! Which he had and started walking around. I must say I was a bit pissed off about this as the last hour can be productive - another 5lb might make the difference come the final match. I think I had over done the loose feed, so lessen and had two Carp one about 3lb and another right at the death of 4lb - "fish on".

My Silvers weighed 2lb 4oz my Crucians weighed 9lb and my Carp 12lb 14oz for second in the section of 24lb 2oz and another pick up. Martin was last in his section with 5lb 8oz, which he possibly could have doubled in the last hour! Shipp's was won by Tony (pictured with his catch) with 31lb 9oz from peg 4. Tony initially caught on bread the switched to meat over micro fishing 1 metre off the far bank. The Silvers was won by Simon (pictured drying out in his van) from peg 2 with 2lb 12oz. Simon caught short on maggot over loose fed maggot. Taylors and the match was won Bela Bakos (pictured with his catch) with the highest weight of the series of 48lb 8oz. Bela caught long over to the island using 6mm banded over loose fed 4's. Mark Taylor took the Silvers from peg 18 with 11lb. Mark caught over GB and kindered maggot with maggot hook bait. Mark pictured posing with the scales.

Back to the pub - INDOORS with the usual suspects except one - wonder who drank the spare pint? Good company.

Result:

Shipp's

1. Tony Mears 31-09-0 peg 4

2.Mike Nicholls 24-02-0 peg 3

Silvers: Simon Belcham 2-12-0 peg 2

Taylor's

1. Bela Bakos 48-08-0 peg 26

2. Steve Rogers 29-12-0 peg 14

Silvers: 

Mark 11-0-0 peg 18

Soggy Weigh Sheet:

Top 9 in League with one match remaining: All subject to Bri Shanks confirmation:

Thursday 20/05/2021 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks

5 am checked the weather and saw the eastern sky (pictured) - "Red sky in morning shepherds warning" - how true - Gale force winds, rain on and off and bloody cold for the time of year was to follow throughout the day. Far too windy for umbrellas.

Arrived a bit later than usual so didn't bother with the usual walk around. Twenty one fishing which was good considering the weather forecast, also probably because BAA have stopped the stupid mid match weigh ins which was putting anglers off going. Dave called me peg 29. This peg is a good Silvers peg so would do me sir.

Found myself next to Granty on peg 28 (again), always good fun to be with  especially in the pub with his story telling with Cliff.

Plenty of feeders being set up as no one would be fishing long pole. I set up three rigs the first a margin paste rig which was to sit in the holster getting wet all day. A 4x13 Martin Rayet (MR) float to fish top-set plus one barrel, but did have another barrel in the holster incase. Finally the Ronnie rig which I thought might not present well enough in the conditions.

The wind on this venue tends to continually change direction from minute by minute, but the main thrust was from the SE, which put the tow from left to right , however, the float would be going the other way so feeding the GB laced with DR's was fed up tow. Started on the MR with single LR on the hook and soon had my first tiny Perch on many, which tend to feed for about an hour before switching off completely. I had a run of F1's including a small Koi (where did that come from). As soon as the wind abated I picked up the Ronnie rig which worked better than I thought and accounted for a couple of big Ronnie Roach and Skimmers. As soon as the wind picked up I switched back to the MR. So by switching between the two rigs more or less kept Silvers coming throughout the match, interrupted by the occasional accidental F1 and one decent Carp.

My Silvers weighed 19lb 4oz for top silvers on the day. My Carp weighed 18lb 10oz for 4th overall. If it wasn't for the bloody weather I would have thoroughly enjoyed the match.

The match was won by Paul Barnfield (pictured with the Silvers winner) with 62lb 12oz from peg 4. Paul caught on worm over micro feed at 10 metres, nice to have the ballast to fish that long in todays conditions. Well done matey.

Now to dry out all the kit ready for another soaking Sunday at Westerleigh.

Result:

A Section:

1. Paul Barnfield 62-12-0 peg 4

Silvers: Hughie Evans 7-12-0 peg 1

B Section:

1. Kevin Winstone 40-09-0 peg 18

Silvers: Dave Haines 7-07-0 peg 14

C Section:

1. Tony Ponting 28-13-0 peg 19

Silvers: Paul Clayton 2-08-0 peg 24

D Section:

1. Mike Nicholls 37-14-0 peg 29

Silvers: Andy Gard 4-02-0 peg 27

Weigh Sheets:

Tuesday 18/05/2021 - Acorn - Cost Cutter - Paddocks

Travelled with Glenn Bailey today and met up with Junior who managed to sneak out again at the last moment.

We all had a walk around and again pegs 1 to 12 fancied, however, I would have chosen peg 27, there always seems to be some wind in this corner. Not a bridge please.

Mike pulls me peg 31. Happy with this as its in the same area as last match. So its inevitable that you approach it the same, isn't it? Well I did. So see the last Acorn post for explanation.

I started exactly the same and had a Carp first try on the 6mm expander, followed by another which had tangled it's pictorial fin so expected to land it quick, but the hooked pulled. I'm thinking reasonable start. Umm. I had tried long with paste down to the LH pallet and was getting liners and after losing a foul hooked Carp this was abandoned .... now need to fast forward to mid match where the Silvers net was dry and in the other one lonely Carp. I had to get some bites so made up a 4x10 Winter Titan to fish on the top-set at full depth out in front for Silvers/bites. First I tried choppy/caster and with worm heads in the hook started to catch Skimmers and the odd small Tench and some nuisance Perch, it's all bites though which was leading to a half days fishing. This dried up a bit so switched to double LR's on the hook, loose feeding the same and by laying out the rig caught a few Skimmers on the drop. I then had a good run of six decent Carp again on the drop. This worked well catching Carp steady until I foul hooked one which came off at full speed with the rig hitting the keepnet and smashing to bits. Twenty minutes left  and would be a waste of fishing time to set up another, so picked up the paste float and fished it in the LH margin where I had been dripping in hard 4's. Again plenty of liners but did manage two decent Carp before the whistle.

My Silvers weighed 13lb 14oz and my 14 Carp 71lb 13oz for a match winning total of 85lb 7oz. So a good day out especially as the weather had improved with no rain or showers. Me pictured above being held up off the ground by second and third in the match

The Silvers was won by Gary "Junior" Bowden (pictured) with 45lb 8oz from peg 21. Gary caught on Caster and maggot up the the bridge. His catch consisted on mainly big Tench.

Back to the pub with the usual suspects to end another memorable day out fishing with like minded people.

Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 85-07-0 peg 31

2. Gary Bowden 75-02-0 peg 21

3. Glenn Bailey 69-01-0 peg 34

Silvers:

1. Gary Bowden 45-08-0 peg 21

2. Eddie Wynne 33-12-0 peg 33

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 16/05/2021 - Ivy House - Old Match Lake

I have been meaning to get back to Ivy House for some time. The last time I went was February 2019, just after Heron was opened and shared a section win with Alan Oram. So booked in to the Old Match Lake with Glenn Bailey, Tim Ford and Kev Winstone. A nostalgic 50 minute drive up and as always a stop and quick look at the Avon on Christian Malford road bridge.

Drew myself peg 8 and was told I was at the wrong end of the Lake. Got to the peg where it was apparent this might be true as I had plenty of room where the other end all the pegs were in. Found myself opposite Two Pots Bailey.

Once again the wind was blowing in at me at 45 degrees and with heavy showers forecast I was in for another cold day. However, it wasn't too bad - brolly up, brolly down, brolly up...

I really fancied the waggler and maggot so that was erected first. The wind was pulling it off the island, but fishable providing I could feed it? I was told it a good Silvers peg - Umm. With the Carp at the other end. So would initially target them with the usual rig and expander over the fisheries micro. I also set up a 4x12 Roob for maggot in the margin. Finally, the Ronnie rig in case they show up which at the moment was unlikely. Although I had paste with me I put it on the back burner.

Firstly, I tested how far I could feed the LR's and was disappointed that due to the wind could only reach half way to the island - bugger. As it was to prove the waggler would have been the way to go even though I would have fished off the island. Very big mistake leaving the waggler in the roost for the rest of the day. I started at top-set and three barrels with 4 mm expander over kindered micro whilst loose feeding the RH side margin with LR's. After 10 minutes I had four Skimmers in four put-ins and was expecting a good day. All the Silvers were slime free so probably been spawning. I then had a 4 oz Carp and from then on struggled with the expander. Meanwhile Two Post was catching well over to the island and was later to give us all a good pasteing. I decided to feed some GB laced with Pinkie on the Ronnie rig line and with single DR on the hook had a few small but nice to see small Skimmers. I then hooked a large Carp which snagged me in the edge. I managed to get a small branch out and thought I'd cleared it. I then lost two more big Carp in the same area with the rig being trashed I got the weed cutter out and managed to get a tree branch out - pictured. Thankfully that did it, no more lost fish. I could see Ryan Shipp catching Skimmers so was out of the running, so had a go on the Roob with maggot in the margin and landed my second decent Carp. However, if the Carp didn't follow the hook bait down meant no bites so had to work it. So picked up the Ronnie rig which would would be slower falling and had five more decent Carp - breaking on a sixth. Although I didn't pick up the waggler the Ronnie rig proved my feelings that it would have worked.

My few Silvers weighed 12lb 8oz and my seven Carp 42 lb 8oz for a nowhere total of 55lb - but a days fishing, but should have tried the waggler.

The match was won by Glenn Bailey  (pictured right) with 95lb 10 oz from peg 10. Paste fished at 10 metres did the damage.

The Silvers as expected was won by Ryan Shipp (pictured) with 35lb 4oz from peg 16. Ryan caught short on maggot hook bait over loose fed maggot and also caught on the drop or following downers. It the was a silvers fish off with his uncle Des on this sort of venue my money would be on Ryan.

Result:

1. Glenn Bailey 95-10-0 peg 10

2. Mark Poppleton 87-0-0 peg 18

Silvers:

1. Ryan Shipp 35-04-0 peg 16

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 13/05/2021 - Shiplate Cost Cutter - Main Lake

Shiplate shop sign - reasonably priced Maggots?

Thought I should introduce everyone to " Spit the dog", aka Tilly (pictured right). All I will say don't put your hand near her mouth! My Grandfather had one of the same breed.

I had a walk around the Lake the weather conditions were forecast to be horrendous with rain all day with a brisk Northerly wind which would be blowing directly into peg 9.

Third out of the hat and was given peg 9! It's a peg I would settled for any day, but was concerned about the conditions today. Walking to the peg with John Andres I told him that from my previous time I drew the peg felt it would be good for Carp especially along the LH margin, and I might give it a proper try today.

Set up the box etc... and tried putting up the umbrella, but the wind was a bit strong and with the rain currently light soon put it down in fear of a Mary Poppins.

I set up a 4x13 MR to fish top-set plus one barrel in front (same as the previous match on this peg when I won the Silvers) and a 0.3 gram paste rig to fish along the LH margin with two barrels. Fed the margin with micro and began lightly feeding hard fours over the top. Fed the Silvers line with GB laced with DR's and some DP's. Right away I noticed the fizzing over it, but knew it wasn't Carp. I was convinced it was the "Winstone Eel". With double LR on the hook I was soon playing whatever, but knew instantly it was a Tench which was about 1 1/2lb. I had another the size and a better one of about 21/2 lb. It went quiet so refed, however, it took a while to catch another fish which was a tiny Skimmer. I then had a run of small Skimmers and Ronnie's it was far from manic. The rain and wind picked up so was forced to chance putting the brolly up and thought it time to sit sideways so I wasn't facing the wind, so tried the margin with paste. First put in and I landed a beautiful, scale perfect 7 lb Ghost Carp. In again a straight away I playing a fouler which shed the hook. Some Carp about then. In again and another beautiful silver Common about 8lb. I lost two more foulers before it slowed. As I wasn't getting any nibblers I assumed there were more Carp about so stayed with it until my thumbs and index fingers got a form of cramp with them locking up and couldn't hold the pole properly. This lead me to thinking a DNW might be the most sensible thing to do. However, my never give up attitude kicked in. So I set up the Ronnie rig which I could rest on the keep net. Then I remembered a friend who is also on to same medication as I am at the moment said to run hot water over the hands. So with the green tea still in the flask used that and after a fashion it worked. I spent the last two hours on the Ronnie rig catch small fish adding about another 12 lb to the 10 lb I already estimated I had. I was bloody freezing and thank heavens John weighed us in quickly so I could warm up.

My two Carp weighed 15lb 2oz and my Silvers 22lb 14oz for and total of 38lb for about halfway in each. The Silvers had a right munch all round the lake today which did surprise me as I expected 20 lb to be good. It appears that there are more anglers fishing for Silvers than there are fishing for Carp at the venue at the mo.

The match was won once again by Gary Flinders (pictured with the Silvers winner) with 98lb from peg 11.

The Silvers was won by Tom Thick with 30lb 8oz next to the winner on peg 12. Tom was also second overall.

As I was in a rush to get the car heater on I'm not sure how they caught except they both fished 13 metres on the pole. Guessing Gary Pellet and Tom maggot and his intelligent GB.

Hands a bit stiff this morning. 

Result:

1. Gary Flinders 98-0-0 peg 11

2. Tom Thick 72-08-0 peg 12

3. Kevin Winstone 64-10-0 peg Zero

Silvers:

1. Tom Thick 30-08-0 peg 12

2. Dave S 28-13-0 peg 14

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 11/05/2021 - Acorn Cost Cutter - Paddocks

Back tp Acorn with 22 of us fishing. It was good to see Des Shipp back in the saddle after his recent illness. Gary Bowden asked me where I would like to draw - "anywhere except a bridge peg" I say, which would have made it five on the trot. Mike pulled me peg 29, at least I got my wish. With the wind blowing into pegs 9 to 13 thought I was at the wrong end but wasn't put off by this as a wind free day would be a pleasant change. However, the peg would be flat calm! For company I had matey Chris Ollis on 27 and Big Lee Waller on peg 31.

Des drew peg 5, so match winner sorted.

I decided to try out the Preston Dura Slip Elastic and purchased the white - size 13 - 2mm dia. and the redish - size 15 - 2.2 mm dia. I set up a 4x12 MR to the 2mm for most of the lines and a 0.3 gram paste float to the 2.2mm for the margins. Plumbing around there wasn't much of a margin shelf so would be holding the paste rig up the shelf. The depth was about the same at the bottom of the shelf as it was down the middle. As there had been a few Tench showing in the area I choose a line at 1 0'clock with just the top-set for the choppy. The next line would be to my left 2 inches up the inside shelf to fish 6 mm expander over kindered micro with a few hard fours. I got two barrels out to fish the same rig and depth along the right side in two placed again for the expander. Simple.

I had decided initially to feed very little. Starting in the LH side with a pinch on micro and 4 hard 4's and expander on the hook I was soon playing my first Carp which due to the elastic stretching to the other side thought it was foul hooked. However, I soon had it under control to find it fairly hooked, the cause of the stretching a 10 lb Carp. I had three more before I snagged something which proved to b e a great clump of bankside sedges that had subsided - landed that as well - pictured. Had one more Carp before the peg died. So chopped two fat worms added some casters and tried for the Tench. First try had a 2 oz Perch - umm. Then to my surprised had five more Carp including another 10 lb'er. I had two tiny Tench and two Skimmers before it died, so tried the 6 mm expander long to the right edge and had two more Carp, this died very quickly. Came shorter and had one more. With an hour to go picked up the paste rig (with the 2.2 mm elastic) and tried that long to the right and hooked a Carp. With only 0.2 mm difference in diameter I was surprised by the variance, it seemed quite aggressive compared with the 2mm. Fish landed. Switched back to the left on the top-set with paste and had another run of Carp and found I was getting familiar to the elastic, I wouldn't what to use anything bigger on this venue.

To my surprise my total weight of 103lb 2oz put me third overall by feeding next to nothing. I really liked the 2 mm elastic as it is a good compromise between Silvers and Carp, landing 1 lb Skimmer and 10lb Carp comfortably.

As expected the match was won by Des Shipp (pictured with the Silvers winner) with 180lb 4oz from favoured peg 5. Des caught initially with maggot hook bait, tossing maggot 1 metre off the far bank catching small Carp and Silvers. later switched to his LH margin catching better Carp. Well done matey.

The Silvers was won by Eddie Wynne with 29lb 9oz from peg 40. Eddie caught on maggot over maggot with his catch mainly comprising of decent Tench to 4lb.

Result:

1. Des Shipp 180-04-0 peg 5

2. Ant Pies 109-03-0 peg 11

3. Mike Nicholls 103-02-0 peg 29

4. Paul Faiers 95-11-0 peg 6

Silvers:

1. Eddie Wynne 29-09-0 peg 40

2. Alan Oram 21-04-0 peg 2

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 09/05/2021 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round Six - Taylors Pool and Shipp's Canal

Well it looks like we have seen the back of the continuous frost to be replaced with slightly warmer, but changeable weather. Lets hope the fish appreciates this and start feeding proper.

I swapped my Boss box's to the canal one, so until I get familiar with what's in what drawer there would be of searching going on today.

My turn on Taylors Pool and with the wind hacking across the pool, the far side would be the place to be. I pull peg 21 which puts me the far side and in open water and ideal for the waggler. Found myself between Bomber and Ron.

Sep up a 7 inch bodied Drake waggler on 3lb Maxima reel line for the Drennan 12 foot Carp rod. A 4 x16 Winter Titan to fish as two barrels for Silvers, where the depth was 9 foot - cripes and a Roob to fish the LH side margin at top-set plus one barrel.

Fed a ball of GB with a few Pinkies in and started to feed the waggler line, which proved difficult to be accurate due to the bloody wind. The LR's either fell short or nearly landing on the far bank! Started on single DR to see if the Silvers would feed. After 30 minutes and no bites during which time Lee was bagging in the "not the place to be in winter" corner peg. With no bites this line was abandoned, I just felt the peg was too deep for them especially as the water temperature was low. So on to the waggler with double LR's whilst I loose fed micro into the LH margin. The presentation on the waggler was spot on and once I got either the waggler or the feed close to each other I could catch a small Carp or F1. However, after two or three fish they would disappear. Tried the margin with 6 mm expander hook bait and had a Carp first try, followed by tiny indications which I thought was Silvers, so tried a 4 mm expander - not a touch then a single LR - not a touch. Strange could only get these indications on the 6 mm which to be fair was more like an 8 mm. Had one more before back on the waggler. I had the expected run of two/three Carp before it died, so tried to force it by increasing the feed but only managed to feed the the whole peg, it didn't help! By swapping between the waggler and margin line I picked off a few more, but felt if I had my swap timing better, spending less time on the waggler I might have had a few more.

The few Silvers I had on the waggler weighed 2lb 7oz and my small Carp 20lb 10oz for second on Lake pick up with 23lb 1oz.

As expected Lee Waller with his flying start (pictured with the pool silvers winner) won the lake with 29lb 6oz. Lee caught on pellet down his end bank margin at various lengths.

Bela Bakos won Shipp's canal (pictured with the lakes silver winner) with 41lb 1oz from peg 11. Bela caught in various places over to islands at 16 meters using pellet over pellet. Pus the match win. Well done matey.

The Silvers was won by Steve Rogers with 5lb 1oz from peg 9. Steve caught on Pinkie over loose fed pinkie catching only whilst the bait was falling.

Finally: Definitely an advantage limiting these matches to five hours, as it's back to the pub car park with the usual suspects.

Result:

Taylors Pool:

1. Lee Waller 29-06-0 peg 24

2. Mike Nicholls 23-01-0 peg 21

Silvers: Bill Ferris 5-04-0 peg 18

Shipp's Canal:

1. Bela Bakos 41-01-0 peg 11

2. Martin McMahon 36-10-0 peg 4

Silvers: Steve Rogers 5-01-0 peg 9

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 02/05/2021 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round Five - Taylors Pool and Shipp's Canal

We had a heavy, but short rain storm last evening. I went out to the car this morning at 6 am to find another frost and the car covered in frozen rain. I went back out at 6:30 am to find the frost and ice on the car gone. I reckon the temperature had increased by 3 degrees in 30 minutes.

My turn on Shipp's canal. I pulled myself peg 9, which is the wrong side of the canal for the majority of the Carp. So I was immediately thinking the only way for a pay day would be the silvers. So with only 2 lb 1 oz winning it last match I set this as my target - its was going to be a long day! However, I did have plenty of room as peg 7 wasn't drawn.

My back issues has returned due to lifting something too heavy too far and steeping too high off the step ladder. So I have to be careful today.

Accordingly, I set up the Ronnie rig, a 4x13 MR and a light stepped straight loaded Drake waggler to fish all round to hopefully nick the odd silver.

I started by feeding three lines with pinkie in a small knub of GB, starting on the Ronnie rig and have a couple of micro Perch and a Ronnie. This died so went out to two barrels with the MR and double Pinkie finding the small Crucians had arrived. In these matches they don't count as Silvers and being anything from 2 oz to 8 oz they don't really contribute to the Carp weight either, so a nothing fish, plus they are annoyingly hard to catch. I had a run of these and one welcome 4 oz Skimmer before I picked up the waggler and fished it towards the left hand island with single LR over loose fed LR's and picked off the occasional Ronnie, Perch and Rudd. I then had a nice little run of F1's, about ten. I then hooked a right lump which did me in the opposite island which is full of under water brambles. This died so rested it, hoping the big Carp basking in peg 7 might come round the corner - they didn't. With an hour to go and knowing there were some decent Perch in the Canal I fed a new line down to my right with neat finely chopped worm and with worm head on the hook had two small one's, pulling out of a better one.

My Crucians and F1's weighed 13lb 9oz and my Silvers 2lb 4oz which got me first in the Canal Silvers - so mission accomplished. All though my total weight was only 15lb 13oz I still got a few points and in fact other my back playing up I enjoyed it. A week off fishing now for various reasons.

Lee Waller (pictured with the Silvers winner) won the Canal with 36lb 10oz from peg 3. Lee caught initially over with hard pellet catching a few small Carp and one 10 lb before switching to the meat down the track to keep small Carp coming.

Taylors was won by Martin McMahon (pictured with the Silvers winner) with 33lb 12oz from peg 20. Martin caught on 6 mm banded over hard 4's at 16 metres. With Bela Bakos winning the Silvers with an impressive weight of 11lb 10oz . Bela caught short using Pinkie over GB.

And finally - had my first pub pint since lockdown with the usual suspects.

Result:

Taylors:

1. Martin McMahon 33-12-0 peg 20

2. Mark Taylor 29-05-0 peg 26

Silvers: Bela Bakos 11-10-0 peg 18

Shipps:

1. Lee Waller 36-10-0 peg 3

2. Lynol 33-09-0 peg 5

Silvers: Mike Nicholls 2-08-0 peg 9

Weigh Sheet: