Thursday 29/09/2022 - Ray's Rip Off - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake

Seeing this jumper took me back some 25 years. Sensas had sponsored our Bristol team and was the best support we had out of three others, especially the GB. The jumper in the picture was previously owned by Rod Hill (RIP good friend), big shoes to fill. Understandable and nice to see the jumper is still on view albeit a few patches. 

My day didn't start well with a trolley puncture, it was only to get worse.

With Ray on holiday Dave Haines stepped up to run the match. In to the draw bag and out comes peg 10. In form peg for carp. Next door on 9 was "born to feed" Paul Barnfield.

We had some heavy rain overnight which had coloured the water somewhat. The question was will it effect the fishing.

Still decided to fish for the silvers on the waggler and fish for carp in the last hour or so short at top set plus one, but had this doubt that this might be too short today. I had been having problems with my reel with the bale arm not always shutting, instead spinning so had put in the new Drennan reel, but forgetfully still put the troublesome reel on which was still fishable albeit an irritability. For the pole i choose the RJ slim ideal for 4 foot of water. Of course the Ronnie rig.

Started on the Ronnie rig with maggot after 15 minutes without an indication should have told me to forget the silvers and fish for carp! Instead picked up the waggler with maggot and after 30 minutes and no silvers and one carp and a few foulers this should have told me to forget the silvers. Instead persevered catching the odd tiny Skimmers and Ronnie. Foul hooked a decent Skimmer which was bumped off by me hitting the umbrella with the rod. Umbrella was ceremonially chucked behind me, it wasn't going to effect the results though. After a lot of waggler thrashing and few foulers one more carp in the net. I hooked another carp which was played in short when the bale arm came bale ring out of the arm braking the line in the process. Waggler binned - reel now in the spares department.

Meanwhile Paul next door was emptying it at 13 metres. more or less kept to the plan and switched to the pole with worm and micro as anticipated it was too short so went out to three barrels and added another four carp before the all out.

Because we had just the one set of scales it was along weight before they arrived. As they say things happens in three's so, yep, the scales battery had gone. Dave "Three Galps" Gillard pictured wondering why he had the short straw for the scales today). Another wait before a set of dial scales arrived.

My silvers weighed 3 lb 6 oz and my six small carp 25 lb for sixth 28 lb 6 oz. Feel the cold rain did affect the silvers. I did have enough carp in the mouth to get second but the Gods were against today. That's three times I've not done this peg justice - by getting it wrong. Definitely won't bother with the silvers here next time - or will I?

The match was won by Paul Barnfield from peg 9 pictured with 98 lb. Paul caught at 13 metres fishing worm over potted chopped worm and micro loose feeding fours over the top. Well done matey.

The silvers was won by Dave Haines (pictured with the match winner) with 6 lb 4 oz from peg 4. Dave caught on 3 metre whip with maggot over loose fed maggot. Well done matey.

Back to the Ringer with the usual suspects. Again cheese rolls and Branston pickle laid  - excellent pub one which is not taking advantage over drink prices. A bad day soon forgotten.

Weigh Sheet - and Result: