Sunday 29/01/2023 - Windmill Open - Match Lake

Hopefully that's the end of the Ice Tappers and Shunters club matches.

After a bumpy ride down the drive - bring back Gardy I say. Expecting to to be first there, but half already there.

Told there wouldn't be any silvers payouts due to none being caught, so thought I would go home only to see matey Glenn there, persuaded by me to come so obliged to stay. So carp it would be, but wouldn't stop me from trying a line or two for silvers.

Had a walk around the lake with Glenn and he wanted peg 3, me pegs 25 or 1 - good choices - we can pick em but not draw em!!! As expected after being iced over the water had gone clear.

In to the draw bucket and out comes peg 8. No emotion unsure what to expect - pictured. Easy set up - a 4x14 Winter to fish top set plus 4 barrels and an 8" yellow top waggler. Fed two pole lines one to the left the other to the right, one with micro and loose GB and the other with GB laced Pinkie. Decided to start on the waggler with double maggot hook bait but no feed. First cast had a 6 lb Common same for the second cast - great start. One missed indication, now the quandary was whether to feed or not. Naturally fed some maggot over and left it and tried the two pole lines for silvers. The upshot was one more carp on the pole of triple Pinkie. Not a sign of a silver not even a tiny Perch! Back on the waggler and had two more carp straight away. Fed again but had to wait for the next pair. With 120 minutes to go hooked another carp and whilst playing it the bottom holding shot came off allowing he waggler to slide down pass the droppers down to the carp's mouth. The hook pulled thinking the waggler would still be held by the hook, it wasn't lost it (spot the float - pictured). So had to reset up. It wasn't the same after wards plus the wind had picked up a bit too much, having only two lost foulers - bugger.

My 7 Commons weighed 40 lb 3 oz. These Commons were some on the one's we caught on the specimen lake and were about 1 1/2 lb, goes to show how quickly they grow. Think only one silver caught, guessing the they are hiding in the reeds until night fall or until the Cormorants go back. Enjoyable day.

The match was won by Tom Baker (pictured with some of his catch) with 263 lb 15 oz from peg 3. Tom caught on the pole one metre from the far bank reeds fishing dobbed bread. Tom had loaded his bait tray but fed nothing, hopefully the fish had a well earned feed at the end. Well done Tom an amazing weight.

Runner was match organiser Gerry Walsh with 80 lb 15 oz from peg 25 - pictured.

Result:

1. Tom Baker 263-15-0 peg 3

2. Gerry Walsh 80-15-0 peg 25

3. Fred 62-05-0 peg 10

4. John Williams 51-04-0 peg 6

5. Shaun Townsend 42-07-0 peg 1

6. Mike Nicholls 40-03-0 peg 8

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 26/01/2023 - Over 55's (And Some That Look It) - Silvers - Bitterwell Lake

Sad news that Bob Warren passed away this week whilst doing the thing he loved best - fishing. RIP matey.

Arrived to find that 2/3 of the lake ice free and Paul breaking the ice on the few pegs still affected. We had 19 fishing today and a queue waiting at the shop! Some thought there may have been too many fishing but as the results show it fished much better than it did on Tuesday's match.

I didn't mind where I drew but an ice free peg would be favourite so having pulled two discs stuck together, Martin Rayet took the bottom one leaving me the top one, putting him on peg 29, me 27 so ice free but would have the sun in our faces. Good company with Geoff Francis the Apiculturist and Cider Maker on peg 28 and the Hughie Evans the Jimmy Edwards look-a-like on peg 24.

With only 12 oz winning the Tuesday match by John Smith whilst having a sneaky practice, hence thinking a careful approach was necessary. Set up the waggler, 4 metre whip (didn't get off the sub bench) and a 4x13 MR to fish three barrels.

Fed the pole line with a small ball of GB with a few loose Pinkies and loose GB. Pulted a few Pinkies out at about 25 metres - surprised how far they went and reasonably grouped using the new Guru light catapult recommended by Vic Bush for the first time, going to get another reserve one. Started on the waggler with double Pinkie and was soon relieved to have a quick Ronnie in the net. Had a run of small 1 - 2 oz Ronnie's when the sun came out blinding us all on our bank. On went the Polaroid's and having preempted the sun I used the glow tip Drake waggler's, absolutely brilliant visibility glistening in the sun. Had a few more Ronnie's and a 6 oz Skimmer before the peg died which I couldn't understand until I hooked a 5 lb carp which was landed on 0.1 hook length. Thought the fish would now return so thrashed away for far too long foul hooking two more carp. I had kept trying and toping up the pole line to add a couple of Ronnie's before going back on the waggler. Come the last 45 minutes gave up the now non-productive waggler and stayed on the pole resulting in two decent Skimmers and losing two good ones due to the double Pinkie going over the hook and one more carp which tested the 3 elastic with the 0.1 hook length breaking - thankfully.

Weighed 5 lb 6 oz for 6th overall. Kicking myself for loosing those two Skimmers and spending too long on the waggler both costing some coin.

The match was won by Martin Rayet (pictured with his catch of skimmers) with 12 lb 7 oz from peg 29. Martin caught on the pole at 13.5 metres using expander hook bait over kinder micro and fishmeal GB. - Well done matey.

Back to the Ringer where we had some cheese and onion rolls waiting for us kindly provided by the gorgeous Land Lady. Nice end to another great day out with some special people.

Result:

1. Martin Rayet 12-07-0 peg 29

2. Jeff Grant 7-0-0 peg 18

3. Andy Greenham 6-09-0 peg 4

4. Paul Barnfield 6-02-0 peg 1

5. Paul Clayton 6-0-0 peg 23

6. Mike Nicholls 5-06-0 peg 27

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 19/01/2023 - Bathampton AA Over 55's - Silvers Pairs - Round 2 - Withy Pool

Due to the current Global warming cold snap checked in with Tony Rixon who was adamant it wasn't frozen, so didn't load the ice breaker. Passed Bridge Pool which had a little ice. Rounded the corner to Withy and found that pictured - Tony (who carries 5 ice breakers of differing sizes) - on the phone giving the God Boreas a bollocking.

Wanted to avoid the high 60's/70's into the draw bag and out comes peg 43 - happy with this one. Luckily Aiden was in my section and had an ice breaker. Rounded the corner at peg 40 and was delighted to see that my peg was ice free!!

Got to the peg and found myself in a hard section sandwich between Tony Ponting and Kev Winstone and Barny next up. Got settled in the peg and noticed the peg was starting to freeze over! Set up the 4x14 Winter Wire to fish top set plus two barrels and the Ronnie rig. Surprised how much colour was in the water. With plenty of time before the whistle had a walk around the pool and by time I got back my peg was nearing iced over up to two barrels that's ok, however, Tony;s peg the only other one ice free was still relative ice free, but would get worse in the last quarter. Decided to keep the ice at bay by tapping with the pole pot every time I fed.

Fed the long line with neat Thatchers and the short line with Pinkie laced with my usual GB. Started on the short line with single Pinkie and before I  had a bite Tony had a 2 lb Skimmer! Only one indication short so went long with double Pinkie and had a micro Perch followed by a 2 oz Ronnie. Topped this line up and came short with double Pinkie and had a couple of 4 oz Ronnie's. The pattern was feed, rest, catch a couple of fish re-feed then swap lines. At mid match I had a purple patch catching skimmer's to 4 oz on the long line and Ronnie's to 8 oz on the short line and a decent Perch. I thought I was going to catch Tony. However, come the last hour a marauding carp arrived and it wasn't until it was foul hooked that it buggered off, in the last 10 minutes added three more decent Ronnie's. Come the end my kit was white with frost land me freezing cold - no sun all day. By the time I got back to the car where it had been sunny all day my kit had thawed out.

Whilst taking my net to the scaled slipped and did good impression of of Wayne Sleep with the splits - didn't help the hernia healing. Weighed 9 lb 3 oz for second in section to Tony who weighed 11 lb 1 oz for second overall (his net of fish pictured) so happy with that, don't think I would have caught him up with the big skimmers doing it for him.

The match was won by Andy Greenham (pictured) with 11 lb 12 oz from peg 59.

Chris Ollis run came to a bitter end on peg 48 the Mink on the spit opposite was in and out of his peg not catching much either.

Overall it fished better with the lid on that the first match!!!

Back to the Compton with the usual suspects where the Smith and Grant double act kept us laughing.

Result on Day:

1. Andy Greenham 11-12-0 peg 59

2. Tony Ponting 11-01-0 peg 42

3. Shay Gillman 10-01-0 peg 58

4. Mike Nicholls 9-03-0 peg 43

5. Dave Wride 8-08-0 peg 55

6. Hughie Evan 7-10-0 peg 64

Weigh Sheets:

Pairs Result To Date:

Thursday 12/01/2023 - Over 55's Silvers Knock up - Bitterwell Lake

With Ray Beazley's rip off's at Windmill not starting until March we have moved to Bitterwell for a few silvers matches. A venue Iv'e not fished for two years. Due to various reasons we only had 8 fishing who were prepared to suffer the horrendous weather of high winds and heavy rain to get our weekly fix.

Paul Issacs the the fishery manager has certainly turned the venues fishing around. One thing having the enthusiasm for managing a fishery, however, you also need the fishing/fishery management knowledge, Paul has both in in bucket loads. If your lad/lass shows any interest in fishing contact Paul, the go to venue for junior training sessions.

On to the draw tray and picks last peg 12. Not the bank I was hoping for. Arriving at the peg found I was on the now "wader" peg - top peg by the fir tree - pictured.

I had a walk around on the Tuesday match which was won with 14 lb and looking at today's conditions thought it was going to be a low weight match. So went negative with a 4x14 Titan. I set up the waggler but having change the waggler three times getting to the largest in the box and still couldn't stop the float going with wind gave it in. So the one rig to fish top set plus one and two barrels. The presentation was awful with it going with wind. Fed negative choosing small balls of GB laced with Pinkie and double Pinkie on the hook. first put in at three barrels had a 2 oz Ronnie followed but one a put in until foul hooking a carp on the drop. I tried the short line for 2 small Perch, spending most of the match on the longer line getting battered by the wind for some small Skimmers and Ronnie's had nothing over 6 oz and one more foul hooked carp. The upshot was got it wrong and should have been more positive as it fished really well. The water lever came up 3 inches during the match, making adjustment to the depth necessary, probably noticed this more than most as the level was creeping up the seat box and the foot path behind me.

Weighed 4lb 12oz for nearly last. But some learning in the bag. Considering it's a popular venue it was surprising the exceptional condition on the fish and the size mix from 1 oz to 3 lb Skimmers.

The match was won by in form angler Chris Ollis (pictured with his catch) with 22lb 14z from peg 3. Chris caught ay 10 metres (wind off back) using expander hook baits over micro, feeding 1/4 pint throughout.

Runner up was John Smith with 18lb 8oz (pictured) from peg 10, Similarly John caught on expander hook bait over GB at 10 metres.

Back to the Ringer with the usually suspects. Managing to avoid most of the floods driving home.

Next match 26/01/2023

Result:

1. Chris Ollis 22-14-0 peg 3

2. John Smith 18-08-0 peg 10

3. Andy Gard 14-14-0 peg 1

4. Pere Greenslade 9-02-0 peg 17

Weigh Sheet: (Andy guarding his sandwiches)

Sunday 08/01/2023 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round Two - Taylors Pool and Shipps Canal

Brian did the draw for the pairs, found my self with Lee Waller so very happy with this. Looked around for him, but found he had sloped off to the Canary Islands! No dropper or stand-ins in this league!

My turn on Taylor's Pool and with the weather forecast to be gales and heavy rain I was desperate to avoid pegs 14 to 17, hoping instead for pegs 26 to 19.

Into the car boot and first in (mistake) and with disc 15 in hand and me looking daggers at it - bugger going to be difficult, wet , cold and the wind blasting in at me at 11 o clock.

For company on 16 was bush wacker Ricky Mills and 14 Steve. Initially only set up  a 4x14 Winter Titan to fish at various lengths dictated by the wind. A 0.3 gram RJ slim for down the edge where I might get some presentation and shelter form the wind. With 15 minutes to waste before the all in set up the waggler!

Started at top set plus two with 4 mm expander over micro and after 20 minutes and only one indication I think, hard to tell with the wind - prestation was awful. Tried top set plus one with single maggot over GB and one 2 oz skimmer and a micro Perch. Again presentation was awful. That's it on to the margin rig. Unfortunately down wind - right side - was limited to just the top set because of a sapling in the way. The left look much better but self preservation kept me away for the time being. All in view were struggling except Bela who was bagging. Choosing to fish GB and maggot here and had a run of silvers. When it died thinking carp had arrived and had one 2 lb and another 4 lb. Then it completely died. Ha, the wind subsided a bit so chucked the waggler with maggot over loose fed same, after a few cast the sun came out and that was the end of any visibility - so abandoned.Thank heavens not long left so tried the right had margin again with maggot hook bait over GB and micro and had one bite which proved to be a welcome 6 lb carp.

Silvers weighed 2lb 4oz and my carp 10lb 13oz for 13lb 1 oz and a lowley7 points. However, one more carp would have made a difference. That said broke a cardinal rule - "If your thinking of trying something, do it straight away" - was thinking of fishing corn late on using it to help get the depth dead on, but couldn't be asses to get a tin out. I think the fish had shoaled around the island where they probably found warmer water. 

The match and my pool was won by Bela Bakos (pictured with the overall silvers winner) with 48 lb 12 oz from peg 26. Bela caught on All sorts with corn being best over hard 4's and with the coconut covered Alsort less productive. Bela described the peg "As God's peg". 

Steve Rogers won the silvers with 5lb 15oz from peg 5. Steve caught all around his peg with maggot over sprayed maggot. Well dome both.

Back to the inn with the usual suspects and the winners pot of gold.

Now to dry out the kit.

Result:

Shipp's Canal:

1. Martin McMahon 31-12-0 peg 6 (Hard 4's and 6's banded)

2. Vince Shipp 28-14-0 peg 1

Silvers: Steve Rogers 5-15-0 peg 5 (spaying maggots everywhere - apparently)

Taylor's Pool:

1. Bela Bakos 48-12-0 peg 26

2. Tony Mears 24-10-0 peg 25

silvers: John Clark 4-15-0 peg 19

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 05/01/2023 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's - Silvers League - Round One - Withy Pool

After the Christmas layoff couldn't wait to get out fishing again, which was the Bathampton AA winter pairs silvers series on Withy Pool. All available pegs were in due to 24 fishing. The pairs draw done and I had a right result drawing Paul Clayton.

I was hoping for peg 51 which is behind the island and because some pegs are currently unfishable gave two empty pegs one side and an empty peg the other. However, for the second match now my chosen peg has been snaffled by Tony Rixon who wont be making any mistakes.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 40. Unfortunately Paul drew next to me peg 38. So the best we could do was a first and second section. However, we were in one of the harder sections so it was going to be a tight affair. Expected some disruption from carp.

Set up a 4 x14 Winter Titan to fish top set plus three barrels which plumbed up at just over 7 foot on the top set! So a tad deeper than I would have liked and a short rig at the same depth. Set up the waggler to fish around the peg. Thought the peg far too deep for the 4 metre whip but set it up anyway.

Started short out in front on the caster on the hook over GB laced with caster and couldn't get a bite losing three hooks in a snag - bugger decided to switch to the left with the same rig and feed. I was about to give it up and go long when the float dipped and landed a 1 lb Perch followed quickly by one 12 oz. This explained why I wasn't catching the expected Ronnie's. Had there more smaller Perch before the bites went iffy so switched to single thighed rolled LR. Changed the feed to GB and Pinkie. and had a run of 2 - 3 oz Ronnie and a 6 oz Skimmer. The line slowed so had a quick go on mag and waggler over loose feed had only two small Ronnie's the fish appeared not to be responding to the loose feed - waggler abandoned. Similarly, as expected it was too deep for the whip which was tried up and down in the water for two more Ronnie's - whip abandoned. Went on the long line with GB and Pinkie feed with a single stretched red maggot on the hook. At this point Paul shouted down waving a 3 lb bream in the air - happy days. Spent the rest of the match switching between the short and long lines picking off the odd small Skimmers, Hybrid's and Ronnie's. Come the last hour things took a drastic change with the carp switching on, hooking 4 with Paul hooking 7! This probably have cost us a few fish.

Took 9 lb 13 oz to the scales which was just good enough for a section win and Paul was just 3 oz behind for second in the section so a great start. As expected it was a close section as was the others. However, upset arriving home to find a 2 oz Ronnie left in the net, hate seeing a dead fish due to my carelessness - sorry.

The match was won as expected by Tony Rixon with 17 lb 12 oz of Roach from peg 51. Tony caught on cater - see his blog for further details.

I think Withy Pool is a fair winter silvers match venue.

Back to the Compton with the ever growing number of suspects. Always a great end to the day.

Result:

1. Tony Rixon 17-12-0 peg 51

2. John Smith 11-03-0 peg 44

3. Tony Ponting 10-14-0 peg 41

4. Shay Gillman 10-12-0 peg 66

5. Chris Ollis 10-10-0 peg 64

6. Andy Greenham 10-03-0 peg 56

Weigh Sheets:

Year End Report 2022

A much reduced fishing calendar this year due to a double hernias, missing 3 months of fishing during the summer months, including the Viaductors holiday which was just before my operation by which time found it difficult standing for long let alone go fishing. This lead to only fishing 57 matches, I aim for 100 per year. I knew when I returned it would mean fishing short and for silvers as lifting a carp would be too painful and risky. I choose Todber Manor short pole to start back and did manage 26 lb for a silvers win by feeding the margin with everything in the bait bag managed to keep the pesky carp occupied only catching 2 small accidentals! I must say a big thanks to Glenn Bailey who has been a great help during my come back. Great to travel with, a proper family man who loves his paste fishing. I also took the decision to stay local as far as possible as sat for long journeys was uncomfortable, fishing only 7 different venues. Fingers crossed now over the worse and planning more fishing in the summer and keeping it local in the winter. Have booked into a Whiteacres festival in 2023 will be interesting.

As usual spent more time fishing with the Over 55's both at Hunstrete and Windmill which were ably run by Dave Gillard and Ray Bazeley with the usual suspects pictured. Don't underestimate this lot, lots of experience on show - very competitive.

My favourite all time picture. Viaduct - Campbell Peg 112 during an horrendous storm. I still haven't found out who it is, but fair play to him. If anyone knows let me know. I was busy collecting some of my tackle from Carey. 

Just a few pics from 2022:

The black death was still with us, are they on the decline?

Chris Ollis has come into his own during the latter part of this year with his small pieces of worm heads. Chris playing a Withy carp.

One of the usual suspects and key attractions along with his matey John Smith - One sip of cider and it's a laugh a minute.

My highest weight of silvers this year - just - and surprisingly from peg 50 on Withy Pool. Very enjoyable albeit uncomfortable. Most memorable silvers was at plantation peg 35 catching quality Perch to 2 lb + had 7 for 15 lb.

Close contest with Junior aka Gary Bowden at Windmill and Pete Greenslade. Junior taking it apart at the over 55's at Acorn in 2022. 

Leyton Palmer with me and professional photo bomber Nick. "Any Peg" Palmer had a great run during the summer at Windmill

First match of the 2022/2023 Westerleigh Winter league with Glenn and me winning both our lakes so a good start for both. First time photo of Bill Ferris smiling and well done to fishery owner Mark Taylor for keeping his fishery pristine. Only going to get better. My heaviest weight came from his fishery this year - mainly carp to 2 lb - great fishing.

Finally: a picture of a gate post with some black on it - any clues?

May be unrecognisable in this picture but in my opinion one of the best up and coming anglers in the South West. Should have a decent sponsorship by now. A clue - he won the Bitterwell Xmas Match 2022.

Year 2022 facts and Figures