Thursday 28/03/2024 - Shiplate Farm - Cost Cutter - Main Lake

Glenn and me booked into Shiplate. We've not been there for a year. Dom Sullivan is now match organiser. I was really looking forward it until we seen the weather forecast. Shiplate Farm is close to the coast (W-S-M) so the conditions were going to be far worse than inland.

The weather made it desperate to draw either pegs 9, 8, 7, or 6. In to the draw bag and peg 14b stuck to my hand. With the wind blasting into peg 15 corner found myself on the second worse peg weather wise. Normally would have been happy with it.

The plan was to fish expander over GB laced with micro with a few expanders. Set up a 4x14 to have a plumb around. Its very shallow close in but could get to a decent depth of 5 foot at top set plus two barrels. I was expecting the float to go against the wind, alas not it was sitting with the wind at 45 degrees! Further up the lake the more pronounce the tow got against the wind. The wind was too strong on my peg and was overcoming the tow. Set up a short rig to fish the top set in the shallow water 2 1/2 feet where it was still going with the wind but a lot less.

Tried the planned expander but got nibbled out by Ronnie's. Thought about setting up a GB feeder but had left the worms home. The thought of packing in crossed my mind as it was almost unfishable. Changed to caster and GB and did have plenty of bites in-between holding on to the brolly. I did hook a large Carp who's pectoral fin caught the line which helped me nearly net it early. Got a bit impatient and broke the rig line - well over 10 lb.

The upshot we were all glad to hear the all out. My Ronnie silver  weighed  15 lb 4 oz for nowhere. The silver weights were low today which frustrated me even further because couldn't use my planed attack.

Shaun Putney had a close shave with a medium size tree just to his left blowing over into the lake. Shaun lucky to get away with just brown underpants.

The match was won by Colin Fellows with 114 lb 2 oz from peg 5. Colin caught on the Method.

The Silvers was won by Roger Kimberley (pictured) with 24 lb 14 oz from peg 8. Roger caught Skimmers at 10 metres using either worm heads or double caster.

No double or a single bubble for the van today. We did have a double van spill though. Lol

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 24/03/2024 - Alcove Club - Rover - White House Farm

Looking forward to this match, not done many rover matches. Good turn out with 19 fishing. I'm a novice on this venue, so thought it important to have a walk around to see where I fancied. Didn't fancy Margret's which appeared to be of colour. Got to Georges which looked good. The wind put me off the low numbers. Pegs 18, 10, 8 and 7 would be my choice. 10, 8 and 7 are the longest walks which would put some off going there and is around Chub Island.

Didn't want to be in the early one to pick my peg as wanted some space so happy with 13th to pick. My turn came and only 2 before me had selected Georges so peg 10 it was. I did have great company with Steve Brown on 11. Peg 10 is opposite a very small island with plenty of over hangs, plus it's under a tree which necessitates casting over the left shoulder, both obstacles to keep me on my toes.

Set up a 7" bodied waggler on 3 lb Maxima and 0.14 GLine hook length to 18 - 808. Can't see face on how much the bushes overhang so had a few casts without the hook to find the best ares. The long Ronnie rig which would be first to try.

Loose fed some LR's over to the island. The wind was perfect for feeding and casting. Fed the Ronnie line with GB laced with LP's. Soon catching small Ronnie's and a couple of bonus Skimmers on double Pinkie. The line went quite and pulling pack to re cast pricked a Carp which bow waved out of the peg towards peg 8. Refed so time to try the Waggler with single LR on the hook. Had an immediate response from Chub to 3 lb landing five loosing one which hooked up on my keepnet. It went quiet so came off the island a couple of metres and had some Ronnie's to 6 oz and a couple of hard fighting 8 oz Hybrid's. I had been loose feeding the Ronnie line with LR's on the Ronnie rig line and went over that to rest the island line and had some nice Ronnie's. Back out on the island and had some small Chub and more Ronnie's. As the match progress kept switching between the two lines to keep the Ronnie's and small Chub coming.

My silvers weighed 32 lb 7 oz for surprising first overall. Very enjoyable day's fishing at a well managed fishery.

Thanks to Tony Welsby for the well organised match, guess rover matches are harder to run.

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 21/03/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter 500 - Main Lake

Geoff was up for a after match curry and why not, something to look forward to. Feeling really good today and up for it.

A full house again. Into the draw bag and peg 1 for me. Haven't been on this peg for quite sometime but have found memory's of catching Silvers. Unfortunately the few that are left are shoaled up down the far end as is most of the Carp. Peg 1 was also a good Carp peg but hasn't shown any recent form. That said decided on a Carp day - who knows?

Got to the peg without too much mud and even managed to get the trolley down the slight slope. Set up the maggot feeder, a 4x14 Winter to fish top set plus 2 barrels and a 4x12 for long down the RH margin where the reeds where moving. The problem with this peg just up to the reeds its 4 1/2 foot deep which is too deep for margin fishing. However, the Carp were in the reeds and were unlikely to come out anytime soon. So at the start went out four barrels with a shallow margin rig and second flick in hooked a Carp which was far too fast for me and ended up loosing the complete rig - bugger. Had a go on the Winter over micro and LR's and caught a few small Ronnie's. Decided to try the margin again so whilst setting a new rig up put the maggot feeder out which was getting ragged by Silvers. Back into the reeds and lost another Carp - rig OK though! The upshot caught one Carp on the feeder losing one to my poorly tied loop, caught another on the Winter and eventually got a Carp out of the Reeds.

My few accidental Silvers weighed  1 lb 14 oz and my 3 smallish Carp 13 lb 6 oz for 15 lb 4 oz.

The match was won by Bill Knight (pictured with some of his catch) with 88 lb 13 oz from fancied peg 11 (for both Carp and Silvers at the mo). Bill caught at 13 metres down his RH edge shallow with 8 mm banded pellet and later out in from again shallow. Bill fed nothing all match! Well done Matey.

The Silvers was won by John Osborne (pictured with the Match winner) with 14 lb 4 oz from peg 9. John caught on caster over loose caster at four barrels. Well done Matey.

Well done to Glenn Bailey for winning our section.

Now for the best part of the day and our visit to the Mughal Palace. Best Indian around, cant beat draft Cobra.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 17/03/2024 - Westerleigh Winter League - Final Round - Shipp's Canal and Taylor's Pool

Final round of the league it was back to Taylor's Pool which has improved every match for both Silvers and Carp. I had nothing to go at in terms of league and pairs but had so far the highest silvers weight. As I suspected the the last match on Taylor's would throw up a bigger silvers weight, so set out to protect my position.

Into the car boot and selected the disc nearest to me - peg 14. Happy with that as it's both a good Carp peg and fancied it for Silvers. If the Silvers weren't cooperative I could swap to Carp. For company on peg 15 was Ricky Mills who I think was happy for me to fish for Silvers and leave the waggler in the pole case.

Simple set up - short Ronnie Rig and a 4 x14 to fish top set plus one barrel or two.

Fed left and right for the Ronnie rig and one barrel line all with GB laced with Pinkie and micro an single Pinkie on the hook. Started at one barrel and had three Skimmers and a couple of decent Ronnie's. It didn't take long for an F1 to upset the line. Re-fed it - never to go back and started on the Ronnie rig switching from side to side after topping up. Basically had a great day catching regularly until the last hour when the Carp arrived. Switched to lightly loose feeding Pinkie helped keep a few Silver coming but was comparatively slower.

Finished with 7 lb 12 oz of F1's and more importantly 14 lb 11 oz of Silvers to keep the top weight. If I fished for the Carp Steve Rogers would have nicked the Silvers payout.

The match was won again by Bela "Bagger" Bakos (this boy can draw) with 59 lb 13 oz from peg 13. Bela caught mostly down his RH margin at 11 metres fishing triple maggot over potted maggot.

Well done to all, especially Bri Shanks for running an excellent league - only found one mistake with his adding this year!

Back to the New Inn for the Result with all the framers. It was happy birthday to John C, well nearly, his car broke down, so not miss out on a few pints and birthday video and a cup cake decided to leave it in the car park.

Top four Individuals:

1. Ricky Mills - 9 points

2. Bri Shanks - 12

3. Bela Bakos - 13

4. Glenn Bailey - 17

Pairs:

Bela and Dave 512 lb

Top Weight:

Bela 104 lb

Top Silvers:

Mike Nicholls 14 lb 11 oz

Weigh Sheets:

Final Result Table - not in order:

Final Pairs - Not in order:

Thursday 14/03/2024 - Over 55's Silvers Pairs - Farleigh Woods - Final Round

Here's a thing, read there is evidence that during the 4.5 billion years history of Earth it once rained for 2 million years! Regular match angler are starting to understand what this might be like.

Travelled with Kev today with the numbers down due to cry off's.

Dave and Ollie had the draw well sorted - draw on arrival and straight to your peg, giving plenty of time to set up, which was needed. Peg 12 for me another known Carp corner - real Crabtree like. That said expected some Skimmers would be near by.

Strange peg as had a choice of three places to set up. Picked the one which suited the placement of the keep net. There is some complaints about the pegs but found that once your settled in it's safe and comfortable. The section ran from peg 9 to 16 so plenty of room with peg 9 the next was peg 5. Found myself next to Turbo Tony on peg 13.

The long and short Ronnie rigs set up plus a 4 x 16 for 7 foot of water which would be used for the last hour when it seemed the bigger Skimmers arrived. Had four lines chosen, all being  fed with Pinkie and GB. Fed the first short Ronnie rig and had a run of small Ronnie's before it died which I was to discover was due to Carp. On to the long Ronnie rig and gain another run of small fish until it died but soon hooking a 10 lb Common Carp which just fitted in the landing net - very slender beautifully coloured fish in excellent condition. The up shot picked of some Ronnie until hooked a Carp. Struggled the second half of the match for any consistency. The last ball fed on the Ronnie line had Carp blowing over it. With an hour to go went out on the long line for Skimmers had a couple of 2 ouncers before hooking another Carp. Went for the elastic to pull for a break but breaking the elastic instead of hook length - losing the lot - bugger. Now had hooked Carp on all four lines so couldn't be assed to set up another long rig, favouring to sit with the long Ronnie rig catching the odd fish off the feed whilst gaging for a pint of Peroni.

My net of small fished weighed 6 lb 10 oz for 3 points and 6th overall! Mistake not to have set up the waggler as this could have avoided the Carp by spraying the lose fed maggots. Partner Phil did well coming second in section which pushed us up to 4th one out of the £. Well done partner lets do it next year.

The match was won by Kev Winstone (pictured) with 13 lb 14 oz from peg 16. Kev caught more bigger fish than most by alternating two lines at 14.5 metres fishing caster or maggot over GB laced with same. Kev has certainly sorted Farleigh Woods silver taking two first and a second overall. This helped him and Chris Ollis to this years pairs title. Well done lads.

Back to the Red Lion for a pint with very good company and another right laugh. Think we will all remember this years silver league for many reasons, but for me how we have enjoyed and depended relationships. Who said Farleigh Woods was like the Somme, but without the bullets.

Weigh Sheets:

Final League Results - Well done to the top three pairs:

Thursday 07/03/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter 500 - Match Lake

Been a long time since I've fished Windmill. Good turn out of 21, more the merrier I say. Rumour has it the access road will soon be repaired.

Looking forward to today as it was to be dry. Most fisheries are suffering from muddy banks as it is here. Plus the enticement of a curry and draft Cobra on the way home with Geoff and Glenn.

I was told the silvers were down on pegs 10 and 11 so hoping for one of those. Into the draw bag and found red milk bottle top 22 in my hand. No emotion, yet! For company on peg 21 Geoff, so good company.

Set up the waggler, short Ronnie rig and a 4x16 to fish the peg is deep found 5 foot at top set - no rolling out the barrels day.

The up shot was didn't have a single bite on the silver rigs. The tow against the wind was horrendous, tried the waggler which went with the wind presentation didn't feel right. Foul hooked a small Carp which came off. With no one on my bank having caught and pegs 24 and 25 catching Carp set up the feeder rod. The rod and reel are Diawa's which was won 20 years ago and been out 4 times without really catching. I put in a very soft tip as hoping for some Skimmers. Set up a small maggot feeder. I don't clip the waggler or the feeder so took a few casts to get the distance right, probably to the amusement of Geoff who's proficient on the feeder. With double LR's and one Pinkie on the hook I was getting liners. Knew it was due the steep slope I was fishing against with the fish coming up behind the hook. Luckily the soft tip came in good use as I could inch the feeder down the slope until finding the hook bait over the feed. Had a near 14 lb

Common followed quickly by another double after the third things slowed up but the liners did not, so switched to half a dendrobaena on the hook this worked better but still had to inch down from where I was casting and learnt where to best hold up. Had three more Carp but not as big as the first three. No sign of a silver.

The six Carp weighed 48 lb for 6th overall and a section win. Got some stick for fishing the feeder with Geoff taking pictures as proof. I think it was the liners that kept my interest. I Rest the rod on my keep net, don't think I will be getting the feeder arm out anytime soon though.

The match was won by John Williams (pictured above) with 75 lb 7 oz from peg 25. John fished at 10 metres using his favourite part soaked 4 mm Skrettings pellet fished over 4's. Well done mate. I use to use this method - my semi hard's, must try it again sometime. Well done matey.

The silvers was won by Hughie Evans (pictured) with a cracking weight and the best for a long time of 13 lb 5 oz from peg 11. Hughie caught on maggot or Pinkie at 11 metres over GB. Well done matey nice to see the Cormorants haven't munched them all.

Then for the highlight of the day a visit to my favourite Bangladeshi restaurant with Geoff and Glenn - excellent as usual only thing the Cobra on draft a bit too scrummy.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 03/03/2024 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round 7 - Shipp's ana Taylor's Pools

What a nice dry sunny morning albeit a frost, makes a very welcome change to siting in the rain all day.

My turn on Shipp's. In to the draw boot taking the nearest disc put me on peg 10. With pegs 1 and 2 being the form pegs the only way to coin was to target the silvers. However, peg 10 is the home of a few F1's which isn't conducive for the silvers.

Set up a 6" waggler in the attempt to be able to cast around to avoid the F1's. The long Ronnie rig and a 4x12 Winter to fish top set plus two and four barrels.

Fed the Ronnie line with GB and Pinkie similarly the two barrel line and pulted a few LR's over the far bank. Started on double Pinkie at two barrels and had a reasonable start catching two small Skimmers and Ronnie's. That until the F1's rolled up, had a couple and left the line alone until they had munched the feed. Had a go on the Ronnie rig adding very small Ronnie's, think it was too bright for them in the shallower water. Soon had my hands on the waggler with single LR and had a few more better Ronnie's for yet again catching two more F1's. Stopped the feeding the waggler for a while. Decided to fish down to peg 9 at four barrels over some chopped worm imbedded in wetted micro and GB with the hope of catching some quick Skimmers. Had two small one's on a small piece of work before the F1's arrived in numbers catching 6 in 6 put-in's - certainly liked the worm. The upshot was I kept rotating between the Ronnie and waggler and short line until the F1's arrived. The only rig not to catch an F1's was the Ronnie rig which I spent the last half hour on adding tiny fish.

My 12 or so F1's weighed 17 lb 12 oz and the silvers 6 lb 13 oz being pipped by Steve Rogers on peg 11 who seemed to avoid the F1's probably because had more open water. Surprised my self coming 4th on the pool. Thoroughly enjoyed today with the weather contributing.

The match and our pool was won by Ricky Mills (pictured with some of his catch) with 91 lb 13 oz from peg 1. Once again meat fished short came up trumps for all those that fished it. Well dome matey.

Taylor's pool was won by matey Glenn Bailey (pictured above with the other framers except Johnny Clarke who only stopped drinking at 8 am this morning - light weight!) with 53 lb 5 oz from peg 22. Glenn again fished meat at 14 and 16 metres.

Back to the New Inn for a pint and a right laugh - very enjoyable.

Weigh Sheets.

League to date with one to go:

Pairs weights to date:

Thursday 29/02/2024 - Over 55's Silvers Pairs - Round 5 - Farleigh Woods

More bloody rain and even more mud if even possible at Farleigh Woods.

The Boss Dave "Three Gulps" Gillard is on sick leave. Not to worry he's at home giving his instructions. Chris Ollis took up the reins. A good job he did too, with us drawing on the way in so we could go straight the the appropriate car park.

A few cry off's so down to 18 which is a good number for the venue.

Drew corner peg 1 which I was slightly apprehensive about as it's a very good Carp peg. For company on 2 was Shay Gillman. Had to walk to my peg from Glenn's van and was shocked at the state my peg - pictured. Shay had to help push the trolley. However, once set up it was OK, but dare not let any tackled near the mud. Anyway the gear was absolutely mired in mud.

Set up three rigs two 4x14 Winter's black and red tip's for two different lines at top set plus four barrels plus the long Ronnie rig which doubted would work. Plumbed around to find the bottom all over the place with different depths. Think it might be effects of feeding Carp.

Fed all three lines, started on the Ronnie and as expected accounted for only a few small Perch - ditched. Out long and had a few Ronnie's before it went quiet subsequently getting liners from Carp. Hooked one which went on the pull for break. Feeding anything was causing disruption from Carp especially on one line so decided once a line died opened a new one which necessitated a lot of replumbing. This worked to an extent but foul hooked two more Carp but did have a bonus hybrid and Skimmer.

Weighed 4 lb 15 oz for a section win. Not sure I could have done much better.

The match was won by Mick Gale (library picture) with  11 lb 2 oz from peg 9. Seems the silvers have shoaled up around this area.

Back to the Red Lion for a pint where Ray Bazeley robbed the fruit machine of £124 - can't remember if he bought a round or not!

Weigh Sheets:

League to Date: