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: