Thursday 03/10/2024 - Harescombe Silvers Cost Cutter Open - Meadow Lake

What a beautiful Autumn morning, cold but with promise of all day sunshine.

Many times have thought about returning to Harescombe. Not been there since June 2021. With only good news from the fishery and them now running silvers matches on Field and Meadow Lakes. I booked in. Although a previous regular on the Match Lake had only fished Field Lake the once, have never fished Meadow Lake and didn't even know its location and luckily that's where todays match was. I love fishing new to me venues/lakes. Nice to meet up with one of the old regulars - Richie Powell - pictured.

Arrived in plenty of time to carefully chew my breakfast after yesterday's tooth extraction - very nice, plus you get another hot drink delivers lunch time to your peg. Joined by Turbo Tone, Phil Morgan and Pete Greenslade.

13 fishing so only a a couple of pegs empty. Into the draw bag and peg 2 it was. Found the lake at the top of the fishery with the road around one way. Nice to be able to park behind my peg. The lake is absolute picturesque and as is the surroundings. No traffic noise. The fishery is obviously very well looked after. Knew it wasn't a silvers only lake verified by some  some large Carp on the surface. Found myself next to Turbo on peg 1.

The sun was directly in the face to start and seemed exceptionally bright, the lake was flat calm. Waggler and two rigs set up. The depth varied from three foot top set and kept going deeper, so settled on top set plus three barrels in 7 foot.

The upshot the GB feed didn't really work so loose feed LR's proved best. Caught small Ronnie's on all rigs and a bonus 8 oz Ronnie. It was fishing very hard and was a question of catch what you can. Wouldn't take a still bait so a lightly strung out waggler helped with this but meant plenty of casting. Did foul hook three Carp landing a 5 lb Common and nearly landing it's twin which broke the ageing no 5 slip elastic.

Weighed 3 lb 3 oz for second. Really enjoyed it, very comfortable platforms. No doubt a very well run fishery. Probably due to the female touch with Kathy running our match (pictured).

The match was won by Tony Price (pictured) with 4 lb 6 oz from peg 10. Think he caught on chopped worm. Well done matey.

Now the very sad news Darren North passed away whilst fishing a festival in Ireland on Wednesday aged 56. Darren was both a friend, neighbour and fellow match angler. Great company, loved his sense of humour. RIP matey.

Weigh Sheet: