Thursday 23/02/2023 - Over 55's - Silvers - Bitterwell Lake

First stop Hungry Horace's with Geoff Francis, still one of the best breakfast about. Due to illness we were down to 14 so 2 sections of 7. Paying the top two in each.

On to the draw platter and one left, peg 29. Paul Issac's had fished it the day before and had 32 lb. Didn't want to hear that, but was on the side of the lake where most of the fish are, however, the best befit was being out of the wind and an overcoat warmer than the opposite bank. Vic Bush on peg 23 won Tuesday's match with a near 50 lb of mainly big Tench.

For company on end peg 30 Paul Barnfield and on peg 28 Martin McMahon.

Simple set up a 4x13 MR to fish at top set plus 3 barrels or 4 which was the maximum with out breaking down, with the depth being similar, finally the 8" waggler.

Fed the long line with micro and some crushed expander and the short line with GB laced with Pinkie. I decided to catapult three small balls of micro out on the waggler line which on refection might have been the wrong thing to do as likely to attract the carp.

Started short on double Pinkie and soon had a small Ronnie, quickly followed by a big skimmer which was probably foul hooked as it came off nearing the net - bugger. Out again and another skimmer 2 1/2 lb this time the hook was imbedded in the pectoral fin so was netted. Had a couple of 3 oz skimmers and Ronnie's before it died. Went out on the longer line with 4 mm expander kindering in micro and crushed expander and couldn't get a response, however, I'm sure I didn't give it enough time. Out on the waggler with double maggot over loose fed the same and had a a 2 lb Tench and some more small Ronnie's and a 1 lb Skimmer. Chris Ollis was doing well on peg 27 on the waggler and corn, so copy catted and hooked a decent Tench which slipped the hook close in - very usual to loose these tis way - bugger. Next cast had a 5 lb carp which was bloody landed!! Out gain and had two quick positive biting skimmers. The line died after this and tried switching between corn and maggot. Very slow for the Ronnie's but did get some catapult practice on the corn, definitely all the kernels need to be of the same weight and size. Back on the pole and had a couple more skimmers and Ronnie's.

I weighed  9 lb 15 oz for fourth, however the fish lost wouldn't have improved my placing, but would have been satisfying to have them in the weigh net.

The match and section B was won by Chris Ollis (pictured with his net of quality Tench and skimmers) with 21 lb 7 oz from peg 27. Chris caught most of his fish on the waggler and corn fished over loose fed corn and caster. Well done matey nice to watch.

Section A was won by Andy Greenham (pictured with his net of silvers) with 9 lb 5 oz from peg 15. Again most of Andy's fish came to waggler and corn.

Thanks to Paul Issac's again for the support and weighing in and presenting the sections winners with a Preston Polo shirt. Thankfully he only needed Medium size, a different result could have required marque size.

Next match 09 March 2023.

Back to the Ringer with the usual suspects where the topic of Bridge Pool came up. There was a consensus that until more fish is stocked a new venue should be considered, that is, unless Withy Pool is made available.  

Result:

1. Chris Ollis 21-07-0 peg 27

2. Martin McMahon 17-08-0 peg 28

3. Paul Barnfield 15-08-0 peg 30

4. Mike Nicholls 9-15-0 peg 29

5. Andy Greenham 9-05-0 peg 15

6. Paul Haines Peg 24 & Hughie Evans peg 13 9-0-0

Weigh Sheet: