Thursday 06/02/2025 - Over 55's Silvers Pairs League - Round 3 - Bitterwell

Heavy Frost and freezing fog. Suppose it's better than rain and wind. All venues are fishing hard for silvers Bitterwell no exception. However, was looking forward to it as I think secretly the rest of the Over 55's were. Twenty fishing.

Big shout out to Paul Issac's who supplied hot drinks and bacon/sausage rolls. Also ran the match for us from start to finish. Thanks matey much appreciated. Apparently we should be catching some Barbel next match!!

Hoping not to draw the car park bank South facing as the sun is a nightmare there. Last peg handed to me by Paul peg 13. Happy with this one but the only peg without a platform and to make things more difficult next to Tony Rixon on peg 12 for the third time FFS. Hughie Evans the other side on 14.

Thought the waggler would be key so set that up first, the visibility with the yellow top was amazing. The only other rig was a 4 x14 Winter with strung out no 11's.

Started by feeding GB and Pinkies at top set plus three barrels and loose fed caster on the waggler line. Tony set his stall out to fish long to 16 metres. My waggler feed was landing at about the same distance as his pole tip! Had to bollock him for swinging his pole over my line when shipping back - Would of been OK if he wasn't scrammy handed.

After 30 minutes with no bites went out on the waggler with single LR and had a small Ronnie followed by a 4 oz Hybrid and a 3 oz Skimmer. Back on the three barrel line and had another 4 oz Hybrid followed by the odd Ronnie. Kept trying the waggler but only managed a small Perch. Meanwhile Tony had his usual foul hooked Skimmer which came off near the net but Tony was too quick and managed to scoop it. Thirty minutes to go decided to go out to 11.5 metres with double Pinkie over GB and Pinkie feed and was rewarded with a 1 1/2 lb Skimmer and a 3 oz Ronnie. During this time Tony had a 3 lb unseasonable Tench (pictured). You do make your own luck in match fishing!

Weighed 2 lb 10 oz for 3 section points and joint 4th in the match - happy enough with this.

John Smith won the match with 7 lb 14 oz of decent Skimmers from peg 7. John caught mainly at 13 metres using expander hook bait over micro. Well done John brave and good choice of baits.

Back for a curry with Geoff at his favourite Curry House and a few beers.

Weigh Book:

Pairs After 3 Rounds: