Thursday 10/11/2022 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Bridge Pool

Due to the fishery having suffered fish deaths for most of the year new net dip tanks have been installed around the fishery. Some a tad too close to the lake I thought, but need one in Bridge car park. Bridge Pool fish deaths; members still haven't been told the reason - rumoured to be Black Spot. Withy Pool was confirmed as Koi herpesvirus (KHV) which makes all three pools having had it now. Personally I don't believe that anglers nets were in any way responsible, simply because anglers visit many and varied venues around the South West, it appears that Hunstrete has suffered badly in comparison. Need to consider the stress put on fish through too much netting, continued application of Siltex, weather condition, etc...

Couldn't remember if I dipped my landing net so dipped again on the way to my peg.

A few members were unaware of the matches restarting so numbers down to 18 making peg selection more difficult. Very few anglers have fished the pool so far, so very little information, the feeling was it was going to be difficult. 

It was no good thinking of what peg I would like because had the feeling as per usual would be down the far end section. Hate being right peg 31 for me. Good company with Paul Barnfield on next peg 30. 

For some reason the F1's don't inhabit my opposite island tending to be around the other two. However, set up the waggler to fish towards the island for the Ronnie's, the long Ronnie rig and a 4x14 to fish anywhere to search for bites. Light hook lengths and a 5 elastic as didn't expect ant decent carp as very few left. Bait tray consisted of Pinkies, and semi-conscious red maggots and GB - simple.

The hydraulics of this pool can be strange as it was today with the wind predominately from the SE driving the water from right to left and left to right quite hard on the waggler and the opposite directions close in!!

Fed a few Maggots to the island and a ball of GB laced with Pinkie on the Ronnie rig line. With single maggot on the hook and for the first hour caught Ronnie's from 1/2 oz to 6 oz and a 1 lb Skimmer before it slowed and the culprit a F1 was soon in the net. It picked up again until another F1 was in the net. Refed and tried the waggler, could get a bite a chuck but the fish were small and was missing loads of bites, finding it too slow. So back on the Ronnie rig and although slower did manage a few more ounces. Decided to try the 4 x 14 at top set plus one barrel out in front again over GB laced with Pinkie and had a few more Ronnie and a couple of small Perch (did expect to catch more of these initially) then hooked a decent fish which snagged me, looking at the now bunched up shot it looks as if it was them that got snagged. Next put in had a 5 lb carp one of the only two caught today, surprising how strong the 5 elastic is. This line died so spent the last 30 minutes on the waggler picking off the odd small Ronnie.

My Silvers weighed 11 lb 4 oz and carp 9 lb 12 oz for the silvers win and 4th overall. I must say it was very enjoyable. However, the weather conditions were perfect for Roach fishing, dread to think what would be caught if they don't feed as there is very few other silvers to fish for. Desperate need for Skimmers.

The match was won by Dave Wride (pictured with the silvers winner) with 36 lb 11 oz from peg 10. Dave caught in the water on the pole - more details today though - fished at 11.5 metres with expander over micro, catching F1's steady throughout. Well done matey. 

Result:

1. Dave Wride 36-11-0 peg 10

2. Shay Gillman 23-0-0 peg 34

3. Phil Morgan 26-14-0 peg 8

4. Mike Nicholls 21-0-0 peg 31

5. Paul Barnfield 20-11-0 peg 30

6. Pete Greenslade 20-02-0 peg 16

Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 11-04-0 peg 31

2. Andy Greenham 9-02-0 peg 24

3. Chris Rolfe 8-0-0 peg 21

Weigh Sheets: