Tuesday 09/04/2024 - Bitterwell - Silvers Open

It was a shock to hear Glynn Sage had passed away suddenly. We were only talking a few weeks ago. During our conversation we discovered we had claim to fame in common. Both had shaken the hand of the actor who's hand fondled Marilyn Munro. RIP matey.

Even though the whether looked awful again still went to Bitterwell lake to have a go at the good head of silvers. I did expect some protection from the wind though - not.

It was good to meet up with matey Dave Lewis, we go back a long, long way, a good all round angler, and proof that you don't need the best tackle to catch😎 - pictured less his smile he's waiting to have his set of £7,000 teeth screwed in shortly.😁

Drew peg 12 which all but once has been a bit of a bogey for me. So wasn't that happy especially with the wind hacking in to it. But good company with Geoff Smith whom we not only had a fishing match we also has a pissing match, Geoff won 5 -4, Me winning the fishing match though - good laugh.

Waggler or feeder, feeder won out due to the wind as wouldn't be able to feed the wag properly. Didn't expect the Ronnie's to feed, so just set up a 4x16 rig to fish top set plus two barrels then three barrels if the wind subsided. The wind was awful gusting in all directions with the tow all over the place - direction and pace. It wasn't about presentation today but hanging on. Had a really good start catching some decent Skimmers. Not sure what happen whether it was the wind effect but I started to tow into skimmers foul hooking them with none reaching the net. Very frustrating. However, because I was foul hooking it doesn't mean if the conditions were perfect they would have picked up the baited hook anyway - who knows? I under armed the feeder accurately over the pole line and for a second thought I had it sorted catching a skimmer first try, alas not only had one more over the longer pole line last but one cast. All caught on small hard balls of GB laced with LR's.

Weighed 12 lb 7 oz for halfway. Left with sever wind burns on the forehead. Decided not to fish again in high winds if avoidable. Don't be the next person to mention global warming to me.

The match was won by Paul Issac's (pictured with his catch - quality Skimmers and Tench) with 38 lb 15 oz from end peg 25. With the wind off his back he used the waggler throughout catching on either corn or maggot. Well done matey and to your lad Charlie for the under 15's England selection.

Runner up was Des Shipp (pictured) with 25 lb 10 oz from another wind effected peg 18. I got the feeling from expletives that he's not fond of the wind either . Well done in that wind.

Result:

1st Paul Isaacs 38lb 15oz peg 25

2nd Des Shipp 25lb 10oz peg 18

3rd Martin McMahon 18lb 13oz peg 4

4th Charlie Isaacs 18lb 7oz peg 20 

5th Keith Turner 16lb 10oz peg 19

6th Les Harper 16lb 9oz peg 6

7th Bagger 14lb 4oz peg 8

8th Dave Lewis 12lb 10oz peg 21

9th Mike Nicholls 12lb 7oz peg 12

10th Ali Gibbs 9lb 12oz peg 5

11th Marcus Murley 8lb peg 15

12th Gary Morris 7lb 11oz peg 1

13th Kai Hurley 5lb 12oz peg 7

14th Geoff Smith 3lb 4oz peg 10

Ricky Mills 🏆🏆 dnw peg 24

Shane Turner dnw peg 3

Simon Haydn dnw peg 13