Thursday 10/08/2023 - Ray's Rip Off - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake

Weather set fine, but only today, a typical British summer.

Had a non hill climb draw put me on peg 24. Happy with this but think peg 23 is much better which isn't pegged. Got to the peg and found myself next to Cliff on peg 25 and with his crap drawing skills and the light wind blowing down the other end knew it would be a hard day. My peg had become overgrown with sedges on the right so limited to fishing out in front or down the right, but still would be difficult getting Carp out. Was going to ask for half the peg fee back 😁.

Decided to fish for silvers with Gb and LR's, if the carp rallied up switch to paste.

Caught  silvers for most of the day mainly Ronnie's, Perch and four Skimmers, with the odd interruption from Carp mostly foul hooked or lost in the reeds. Did try the paste and foul hooked a couple of Carp landing a beautiful 10 lb Common. Now here's the thing just after catching it rested the top set on the keep net unaware that the rig and bare hook was in the water in the net. Pick up the top set to find the Carp and taken the bare hook and fairly hooked in the lip. Now what does one do, well tried to pull the Carp up far enough to get to the hook, no chance so go for break? No pulled the quick release on the rig to recover the rig later. On weighing in got the rig back, finding the hook had been shed! Good to know as this has worried me.

Managed to keep the small silvers coming to the end which is unusual in this peg which does prove the the Carp were reluctant to come in to the flat calm waters.

The Carp weighed 14 lb 7 oz and the silvers 18 lb 10 oz for the silvers win. Had my usual Dace, which seem to thrive in this lake.

The match was won by Lynol Legg (pictures with his catch and the silvers winner) with 140 lb 13 oz from peg 14. Lynol caught initially over at 16 metres, however, catching the majority down his RH margin. All caught on corn over corn and micro. Well done matey some stunning fin perfect fish in your nets. Can see why this is a popular lake for pleasure anglers.

I hate digital scales.

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