Thursday 08/12/2022 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Bridge Pool

Right cold one this morning with hard frost and temperature -4 degrees. Packed the ice breaker, but didn't think it would be needed - it wasn't. It was with great delight to see BAA have started to remove the arms off the platforms - great move, be wonderful once they're all gone.

Now, if a "Lady" (clue here) loans you their bib and brace, best not tell anyone - Jeff Grant couldn't help himself and had some stick with plenty of quips throughout the day - non are publishable.

The low numbers would see sun most of the day whilst those from 26 to 34 wouldn't see any. I didn't get involved with the pegging today, left it to Tony. Into the draw bag and out comes peg 28 - Brrrr. Wasn't long before the kit became white with frost.

No seat box leg adjusting on this venue, just plonk the box down - certainly makes it easier on the hernia repair. Really fancied the waggler so set that up with a 7 inch bodied Drake, however, with the sun now out and behind me the reflections from the trees meant fishing it to the island made it impossible to see any colour (pictured). I could find some open areas of water to fish it so set the depth at 6 1/2 foot and planned to fish that until the sun moved on from the island. Set up the usual two rigs for the Ronnie's.

Fed some very still and cold Red's out in the open water and a small ball of GB laced with Pinkies on a close line. Had a cast on the waggler but visibility was too poor. Out short on the Ronnie rig and started to catch small fish to 2 oz on single Pinkie. Had a reasonable two hours basically putting 4 lb in the net. Tried out at three barrels over the same feed only catch a couple more ouncers and one F1. It had now become a struggle. Tried the waggler with single LR on the hook in the open water again, very hard, adding just two ouncers. Got a bit preoccupied with this line and it wasn't until the last hour that I switched to the island shallowing up to about 3 foot again with single LR which resulted in landing seven of the bigger F1's, one lost, and two proper carp, one was definitely fouled the other not sure but both broke the hook length. Could have fished this line two hours to go albeit a bit of a strain on the eyes which could have put me in with a chance of a win. 

My silvers weighed 4 lb not unreasonable on the day and my F1's 10 lb 11 oz for a 4th overall weight of 14 lb 11 oz. 

The match and the silvers was won by Tony Rixon (pictured right with his net of fish - spot the chub) with 23 lb 5 oz from peg 16. Tony caught on caster at mainly 10 metres - see his blog for the full details. Well done bubbler.

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

Result:

1. Tony Rixon 23-05-0 peg 16

2. Kev Winstone 21-15-0 peg 31

3. Chris Ollis 16-10-0 peg 30

4. Mike Nicholls 14-11-0 peg 28

5. Phil Morgan 13-09-0 peg 7

6. Shay Gillman 12-03-0 peg 15

Silvers:

1. Tony Rixon 16-08-0 peg 16

2. Shay Gillman 9-02-0 peg 15

3. Tony Ponting 8-04-0 peg 19

Weigh Sheets: