Thursday 25/01/2024 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's - Silver Pairs - Round 2 - Withy Pool

Weather set reasonable. All prepared for a hard day's fishing on this Pool today.

Pulled peg 57 - what not behind the island? That said the light is awful along this bank, especially if its sunny with wind - it was to be a bit of both! For company had matey Glenn Bailey on peg 56. Peg 57 is in a leg of the Pool.

Due to visibility decided on setting up a 4 x14 winter yellow tip and 4 x16 black tip to fish two lines which was to be switched according to the light conditions. Had to set up the black tip rig during the match as late setting up. With Perch probably going to make up a lot of the weights set up the red tip short Ronnie rig.

Fished all the rigs over GB and Pinkie with the Ronnie rig accounting for 25 small Perch and the two other rigs fished at 4 barrels accounted for another 25 approximately, again mostly small Perch plus five small Roach. No Skimmers or quality fish at all!

My 50 fished weighed in at 3 lb 11 oz for 3 points. Just piping Glenn who had a decent Perch first put in! My partner - "Fuzzy" struggled off a poor peg. Going to suggest he stop's giving away pickled eggs.

The match was won by Paul Barnfield (pictured) from peg 62 with 12 lb 14 oz. Paul initially caught Skimmers on the Feeder, switching to the waggler for some Roach and finally doing well on the pole at 13 metres using GB and Maggot. Well done matey.

Shay Gillman was runner-up with the only other weight of note - 10 lb 13 oz of mostly Roach from peg 42.

Unlucky Andy Gard lost the number 5 from his Sensas pole. He did strip down to his kecks in preparation to go in, but soon relised it wasn't worth it in freezing cold water. Anyone that's got a spare 5 at a reasonable price please contact Andy.

It looks like the fished have shoaled up, telling us something - Predators?

Back to the Compton with the usual suspects, for a right laugh, makes the day.

Weigh Sheets:

Results of pairs:

Sunday - 21/01/2021 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round 4 - Shipp's Canal and Taylors Pool

Travelled with Glenn. Weather had turn very mild but expecting gales and rain later. Both Pools still had some ice - thicker in some areas than others, but breakable.

My turn on Taylor's had prepared myself for drawing in the punishment pegs again  - 15,16,17. Couldn't believe to see peg 26 staring back at me - didn't know there was a peg 26! The peg is just off the end of the island which today would be unreachable. However, pegs 14, 26,25,23 and 22 have been the inform pegs. 

Short walk to the peg and was relieved to see that due to the wind driving into my peg had cleared most of the ice. Had a tap around with the pole to clear out to two barrels. Found myself next the the affable Steve Rodgers on peg 25. Very impressed how Steve spent an hour clearing all the ice form his peg almost down to empty peg 24. I'm not a fan of clearing too much ice as it does give fish some cover.

Set a 4x12 Winter Titan for one and two barrels distance in 6 foot of water, wasn't sure the Ronnie rig would be any good as the water was very clear, but set it up anyway in 3 foot of water Glad I did.

So it would be Pinkie and GB again, lots of confidence with this combo at the moment. A minute before the "all in" the wind picked up which was blowing into my peg at 10 o clock and blew a big raft of ice in front of me, so couldn't fish where I wanted. Would have meant using the ice breaker so decided to wait until the wind did the job. So started on the Ronnie rig with single Pinkie over GB. Had a few welcome tiny Perch and Ronnie's for about 8 oz when the ice was far enough to my right to start with the Winter at one barrel. But soon had to go up to a 4x14 due to conditions, which is where I stayed all match in-between trying the Ronnie rig. Double Pinkie here and had a nice steady day's fishing catching Skimmers to 1-1/2 lb and small Ronnie's to 3 oz. Had five Mirror Carp to 5 lb in-between catching silvers. Caught a Ronnie and when unshipping the number 3 the wind blew it in the pool - panic stations as I watched it it gradually sink. Got the weed cutter out and attached it to the landing net and first try retrieved it to my cheers. The wind got so bad could only just about hold the top two, presentation was awful during the final stages of the match. Then the rain came whilst packing up.

My silvers weighed 6 lb 7 oz and the five Carp went 15 lb 7 oz for a lake winning weight of 21 lb 14 oz. Glenn won the silvers on Taylor's so double bubble van.

Taylor's Pool was won by Geoff Francis pictured with Taylor's Pool winner with 61 lb 1 oz from peg 2. Geoff caught late using maggot at 10 metres, deciding not to take my advice to fish short. Well done Matey.

Photo's were limited today because of the awful weather.

Back to the New Inn for pint or two in my case as I wasn't driving 😁.

Weigh Sheets (with new waterproof sheets - brilliant):

League at halfway point:

Thursday 18/01/2024 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's - Silvers League - Round 2 - Withy Pool - CANCELLED

Defrosted the car at -7 degrees. Arrived at the fishery -4. Failed to break ice - see video. Match Postponed. Re-arranged for 25/01/2024. Bouncing breakers out in force - see video.

The Ronnie Rig

I monotonously mention the Ronnie Rig in my Bloggs, been asked many times "what's a Ronnie Rig". So here goes. 

I have showed a few anglers this rig, some have said it's too fiddly or too complicated for them, some have adapted it to suit their way. The most important aspect of this rig is to minimise the amount of feed maximising the the number of fish caught. I have had 100 lb of silvers on less than 1 pint of casters. So give it a try.

History:

Why have I named it the Ronnie Rig? It originates from local angling legend and good friend Colin Golding (RIP). Colin fished and ran the over 55’s at Hunstrete for many years. His only bait for most of the year was 6 mm expander, purchasing a sack every year using them for both hook bait and feeding, his target was Carp and Skimmers. However, as with many commercial fisheries there is lots of small 2 – 3 oz Roach. These small Roach would nick his hooked expanders frustrating him to regularly hear him shout “Fucking Ronnie’s”, never failed to amuse me. I had been fishing this rig for about 25 years and subsequently name it “The Ronnie Rig” about 17 years ago.

Top Sets:

The rig is “to hand” using the top sets from my Drennan poles. I use top sets a lot, hence preference for long ones which is the primary reason for choosing the Drennan Acolyte pole range. I have all three Acolyte poles. Some of their top sets comprise two pieces – called “double top two’s”. This enables me to fish the rig short or long. The long rig is usually fished out in front in the deeper water and the shortened top set primarily down the edge or out in front shallow without change of depth.

Elastics:

Over the years I have tried various elastics, but have settled on the Drennan Power pull Green rated 9 – 11 which is reasonably priced and does two long top sets. When the long gets worn at either the puller or connector it then recycles to the short top sets. I like a bit of a “snotty nose” at the puller giving lighter strike. This elastic may appear heavy for Roach fishing, however, light elastics tend to bounce when swinging, a slight difference in fish weight can be hard to judge how far to lift to hand and can catch you out, occasionally hitting the keepnet. Then, there is the likelihood of hooking a Carp which is always useful to land.

Rig Attachment:

I have recently changed my preferred elastic attachment to that previously explained in the following blog:-

https://silverfoxangling.blogspot.com/2023/11/monday-20112023-elastic-connection-rig.html

Rig Line:

My preference is 0.16 diameter GLine. Again heavy you may think, but it helps with Carp proofing and rig line longevity. Now for a bit of stress engineering, I use a single over hand knot for both attachments to the elastic and hook length. This provides the smallest stress concentration factor and allows better transfer of stresses from elastic to the line, and line to hook length with reduced likelihood of breaking at the knot preventing rig lose. However, all my hook length knots are figure of eights providing a higher stress concentration factor with the anticipation of the hook length being the weakest link. 

Floats:

Again over the years I have tried allsorts of floats, sometimes forced to change due to them becoming obsolete. However, they all had wire stems for stability, roundish body to help presentation in windy conditions and about 3.5 gram. The latest float and so far the best is the Ryan Jordan’s Mini Lifters which has line through body. Ryan has made some specials for me mostly 0.3 to 0.4 gram, some with Niti wire through body, some with Carbon through body and some with wire stems and carbon tips. All these floats have super sensitivity with excellent visibility (I named them sensibilities). They are very robust floats. Shotting the through wires is not as frustrating as some through wire such Sensas Pencil floats. I use the wire through’s when it’s hard fishing primarily on the short top set. It’s amazing how many indications you get with all these floats, there is some learning in reading the indications and when to strike. Certainly lets you know if there are any fish around. No indications then unlikely that there’s fish anywhere near the bait. My preference is yellow tips.

Shotting:

On some occasions I’m speed fishing catching small fish, the last thing you want is for shot to fall off or start moving around on the line causing delays. I therefore use round shot, after all you never see a submarine with a flat Bow. Ballabeni shot is my choice in size 11’s which fits the 0.16 diameter line comfortably. I try to avoid smaller shot but sometimes it’s necessary to use size 12 which I put as the dropper. This Shotting pattern was derived from a well know angler Ray Mumford back 45 or so years. Ray often fished the Bristol Avon in search of the bigger matches and would call me late at night for river status etc...sometimes when in bed! Ray had been to France fishing, primarily to get some inside information on the new method just taking off here in the UK - pole fishing! He came back with what he called the Logarithmic Shotting pattern (some anglers having recently utilised a similar shotting named it the “Taper Pattern”). I used it on the river a few times on the long whip and Stick float but mostly on the Waggler, but the pattern came into it’s own on Commercial and still venues where I discovered its true value. It was really effective on the Gloucester Canal.

Then there is the important back shot. Again a number 11 shot which starts off at approximately 12 inches from the tip of the float. I can adjust the visibility and sensitivity of the float either up or down by moving the shot either further up the line to rise the float or nearer the float to lower it. The moving of the shot is regularly used throughout the match dependant on the cooperation of the Ronnie's.

I have a bit of a reputation for being sparing with the feed – told I starve the fish on the hook. All not quite as it appears. The floats take about 10 number 11 shot and simulate feeding caster with the shot making the similar noise hitting the water to casters and falling at about the same rate, giving the effect of feeding 10 casters every put in, spread along the rigs length, enabling catching fish at all depths through an arc. Think 3D fishing. I try to loose feed along the arc line mimicking the shot. Shotting pattern can be easily adjusted to weigh down or weigh up.

I remember Coilin Golding coming back from the world Championship's in France and his first comment to me was - "Can't understand the French they put the majority of their shot and the top and very little at the bottom". Which back then was opposite to our way of fishing.

Hooks and hook Lengths:

I use Tubertini 808 hooks due to the weight to strength ratio and particular like the wide gape, primarily sizes 18 to 20. Line again is GLine 0.14 diameter for “all in” matches, switching to 0.1 diameter for silvers only matches as Carp protection. Seven turns is ample for hook to line blood knot. I use 0.14 diameter as think it more important to have a stiff line rather than small diameter particularly of on commercial fisheries. Always use 6 inch hook lengths, if using 0.14 diameter then bottom shot can safely moved to the hook length if required. 

I will say if you have a preference to a specific hook and line type which you have faith in then stick with it.

Application:

Rigs are initially set to dead depth and sometimes increase depth or shallow up as the match progresses. The session is usually kicked off by feeding a small ball of GB (whatever is your favourite/manufacture) laced with caster on top of the float which in my case is top set plus one barrel for the long rig and just a top set for the short rig. I start fishing over this with weight down which is more suitable for Skimmers. During the next few minutes I can tell what’s feeding in the peg. I usually start then loose feeding casters or maggot as appropriate, topping up with the GB as required. I try never to use a landing net as I’m sure the more the fish are being played and being chased by a landing net the more likelihood it will spook other fish near by. Will drop a few ounces swinging, but still worth it. If Ronnie’s becomes the primary target then I switch to the shot weight up, but this dependant on how they are feeding. Casting can vary to suit, can slap it down or lay it lighter over head or under hand for an even gentler lay in.

 Species:

This rig is specifically for Roach (Ronnie’s), Rudd, Perch and the occasional Skimmer. The "looking up fish" Carp and F1’s don’t particularly like the falling arc presentation the rig provides.

Sunday 07-01-2024 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round 3 - Shipp's Canal and Taylor's Pool

Driving down the short access road my car exhaust bottomed out in the water which initially concerned me as plenty of steam coming up. All was good though. On the way out kept very close to the hedge hitting it on occasion.

Dry and colder weather at last. My turn on Shipp's hoping to avoid the "Punishment" peg 13, which I have had my fair share of now.

Into the car boot and disc 8 for me today. Really pleased as it's about the only peg I've not drawn. It's had a checkered past but is gradually improving since it has replaced peg 9. I love fishing new pegs - not many left for me nowadays.

Nice comfortable peg down under the bank with the NE wind off my back making the water flat calm which might be a problem for catching Ronnie's. Opposite on peg 6 Ricky Mills but too far for a chat, bit of a lonely corner peg. The Canal was very coloured - red!

Looking forward to a good plumb around which always excites me on a new peg. Decided to initially focus on silvers as  thought it would fish hard at top set plus two barrels with just the one rig - as I could get away with a light float due to the conditions selected a 4x12 Winter to fish in just over 4 foot of water. Fed the one line with GB and LR's and with single on the hook first put in the float appeared to be over shotted - lifted it and dropped it in again and the float disappeared and had a 7 lb Carp on which had to be played carefully due to a stony ledge close in. Guessing the Carp had already eaten my small offerings so fed again and another 7 lb Cap in the net. Repeated this two more times to have around 27 lb in the net with 45 minutes into the match - not use these better pegs. The excitement soon calmed as started to get some small Skimmers my original quarry. Have a good first half of the match adding the odd Skimmer and Ronnie. Second half was a real struggle. Tried various lines by just adjusting the depth. Added a couple of small F1's, loosing a couple. With facing South the Sun was an issue which dictated where to fish. Had a good few lines going. Hooked a 8 oz Skimmer on a 11.5 metre line and shipped the pole back under the roller so instead of breaking down to keep elastic  tensioned shipped forward only to lose the fish - bugger. Had a few occasions where my shipping could have been more careful loosing some Ronnie's to-boot. Lesson learnt.

Silvers weighed 4 lb 6 oz - 1 oz from winning the silvers. The Carp went 27 lb 15 oz for 4th in section weight of 32 lb 5 oz. The Canal fished really well. Learnt a lot about the peg - next time!

Taylor's was won by Johnny Clarke (pictured with the Pool silvers winner and match organiser) with 17 lb 11 oz from peg 14, fishing 14 .5 metres with maggot. Bill Ferris picked up the silvers with 4 lb 4 oz from peg 23. Overall it fished poor.

Shipp's was won by name sake Vince Shipp (pictured with the silvers winner) with 48 lb 7 oz from peg 3. Vince caught late using expanders over micro at 13 metres towards the island gap. Steve Rogers won the silvers pipping me again by 1 oz from peg 5.

Well done to all. Really well run league.

Back to the New Inn for a beer and a warm. Not sure I will be venturing out this week.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 04/01/2024 - Bathampton Over 55's - Silver League - Round One - Withy Pool

The penny has dropped wrt weather forecasting. They get the weather right, but they have yet to learn to tell the time and with some not knowing what day it is!

First round today of the silvers pairs. I was drawn with Phil Morgan, happy with this.

With the incessant rain the lakes have most probably by now have had a complete change of water, so can expect some really harder fishing. Had a quick look at the pool and was surprised to see some colour - probably due to the gale force winds. We need a period of dry cold weather.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 50 - behind the island again! Can't believe it. For company on 49 Paul Haines and on 51 Tony Rixon so there will be a few laughs to keep us entertained. We knew we wouldn't have much chance of winning the section with pegs 45 and 46 in our section.

Arrived at the peg and thankful the leaves had gone but only 5 foot down. However, some twat had decided to tie a fresh bail of hay in front of the platform which was sheading pieces of straw which was going to make shipping out difficult without hooking a piece.

As I expected the water to be gin clear had prepared some very light GB to create a cloud (can no longer buy the Sensas Cloud GB which was perfect for such occasions). One pole rig a 4x14 winter to fish two lines at the same distance of top set plus three barrels. I had set up a small feeder rod at home only to find I had wrapped around the rod between eyes -bugger - set up again - why did I bother.

Started by feeding the two lines with the light GB laced with some Pinkie and with single Pinkie on the 22 hook tried the LH line with no bites, switched to the RH line and had two small Perch and a tiny Ronnie. I kept topping up but had a long wait before catching more tiny fish. Although I kept switching between the lines I only caught to the right. Half way through had a bonus Skimmer of about 12 oz. Everyone I could see was struggling for bites. Had a few chucks on the feeder but the straw was a problem moving the tip too much, might have had a knock on it but not sure.

Weighed 1 ln 9 oz for third in section which I would have settled for at the start. Tony weighed 2 oz from the same peg he had at the start of last years match winning with 17 lb 12 oz with lots of double figure back up weights - so is there a problem with this pool - over managed and over netted me thinks.

The match was won by Paul Clayton (pictured) with 7 lb 14 oz from peg 36. Paul caught short with double Pinkie over GB. Well done Matey.

Runner up was Dave Poole (also pictured) with 5 lb 6 oz from peg 66. Dave caught on the waggler and maggot. Well done Matey.

Back to the Compton for a pint for a well earned pint. - still raining.

Weigh Sheets:

Colin Golding - I Did It My Way

It is a sad ending to 2023 with passing of Colin Golding aged 87 on New Years Eve.

Colin Golding Born 21^st November 1936 in 24 Queens Road, Kingswood Bristol, and still lived there up to a few days ago. In some ways this sums up Colin or as some named him “Mr Pastry” or “Our Col”.

Colin married just the once which lasted six months, but both remained good friends.

Colin did an Engineering Apprenticeship, becoming a Draughtsman specialising in detail Gear design. This occupation required mathematic dexterity and hand printing skills, which Colin has in abundance – Never made a mistake in calculating the pools. Colin spent the majority of his working life at Rolls Royce Engines at Patchway, Bristol. Colin had a fall out with management about promotion and went on strike, as he reminded us on a good few occasions he is technically still on strike after some 40 years.

We often use the word Angling Legend lightly. However, in Colin’s case this without doubt applies. Colin is a Legend in Match Angling not only in the South West but is also well respected throughout Anglings fraternity.

Colin was coached and encouraged by his father George both fishing for the local club Adults AA. Father and son are renowned for there post match arguments over how badly each other  fished. Colin won his first senior open match at the tender age of 15 after previously winning the Adults AA Juvenile cup a few times.

 In 1956 at the age of 19 having qualified for the Bristol and West All England Team Colin was elected team Captain. A big honour back then as it was hard enough to qualify for the team. The team finished 26^th out of 94 teams taking place on the River Witham. It was during the 1964 National Championship representing the Bristol and West fished on the river Severn that Colin caught 500 Bleak for 14lb 6 ½ oz for 5^th overall out of 1,284 competing anglers. Catching these small fish was a skill Colin had honed catching Dace on the  Bristol Avon. 

Colin was the most consistent angler in the South West for 17 years. Regularly winning and framing on a majority of venues, especially the Bristol Avon and River Huntspill. Colin Captained the Golden Carp AA South West Winter League Team which regularly won the league to take on national team winners in the finals held in Ireland.

The pinnacle of Colin’s angling career came in 1973 when he was selected to represent his country in the World Championship to be fished on a Lake in Chalon-Sur-Saone France on July 22^nd. The final team of five to fish was picked the day before the match and unfortunately Colin ended up as Reserve. On his return Colin having been on “Strike” started work with an agency and low and behold he arrived in the next drawing office to my design office. How lucky was I, we spent plenty of time chatting about fishing. It was Colin that recommended I join a winter league team, because it was the best place to learn and develop. He was right.

George Crookes was one of the few anglers to threaten Colin over a long spell of domination on the Bristol Avon until Mike Jones appeared on the match scene in the 1970’s taking over his crown. During the 90’s Colin turned his attention to fishing the King of Clubs in Ireland making a name for himself battering Sid Huggins of the next peg a few times which Sid found hard to take especially having taken the piss out of Colin because of the state of his tackle. The then World Champion Bob Nudd said of Colin “It’s amazing what Colin does with such crappy tackle”. I’ve got news for you Sid, Colin (or Mr Pastry as you named him) has been battering us in the south West for five Generations. Colin has continued to win and frame regularly up until a few years ago, winning a match at Acorn Fishery in 2012. 

I was lucky enough to fish in the Golden Carp team under Colin’s captaincy in one of the top winter league teams with the largest number of teams taking part at the time.

Colin is not only a legend with regard to his angling but equally because of character. There are endless stories. Ask anyone that has fished with him, they will have a story or two. I would love to sit down with the likes of Bob Price and Bill Ferris to pen some of the better one's.

Just a few of Colin's achievements: England Cap France - Gladding Masters final – Woodbine Final Denmark – AT Winter League Finals Ireland. I was lucky enough to borrow Colin's scrap book which can be seen in this blog labelled "Coilin Golding" or copy paste the link below.

https://silverfoxangling.blogspot.com/search/label/Colin%20Golding%27s%20Scrap%20Book

Colin would never be influenced by fellow anglers whether it was match pegging, pools, payouts, tackle or how to fish. In fact the reverse was often true. Colin influenced many of his peers with them mimicking his top and bottom Peacock floats. What anyone may say about Colin – HE DID IT HIS WAY for which he was admired. RIP Matey.

Some of my favourite pictures.

Landing a 10 lb Carp of Withy Pool:

His rig box comprising his Peacock Floats on home made carboard winders:

Typical condition of Colin's tackle - Fooled many into thinking he would be easy to beat: