Tuesday 28/10/2025 - Hobnobs - Harescombe - Match Lake

That time of year when it takes me two weeks to adjust to the time change. Match now down to 5 hours with weigh-in at 3 pm. Back to the Match Lake this week, looking forward to it -17 fishing.

These matches are great value you can get a decent breakfast and match for £21, but don't expect payouts to boost your pension. Traditional match anglers know it's not about the £ winnings, but the fishing, camaraderie and competition. We soon get weighed in by Gary and Kathryn the excellent fishery management team (pictured).

Peg 5 for me found myself between the two Phil's so expect conversations to get confusing. Unlike many venue's there are no flyer pegs and impossible to predict the best pegs on the day, which is a great attraction.

Looks like a decent days weather wise. All ready for the all-in (picture looking up from peg 1 picture taken from Smithy's end peg 29).

Bait tray today Live Red Maggot (LR's) and a bit of GB.

Three rigs - A 4x12 strung our 4x14 Winter yo fish at top set plus two barrels with double LR's over loose GB and LR's - result one early F1 and a lost fouler, then pestered by small Ronnie's. A  0.3 gram RJ Slim to fish down the left up to the Reeds with the same feed and bait - result one decent F1. A  0.25 short Ronnie rig fished down the left towards the empty peg would have preferred the right side as it was clear of Reeds but too close to peg 6 Phil. Same baits and caught small Ronnie's with the odd 3 to 4 oz ones and one Skimmer plus four small F1's. It was very hard today, but enjoyable with plenty of close weights again.

Weighed 22 lb 1 oz for 4th and section win just piping Phil Auger peg 6 whom I thought had twice my weight. Used 1/2 pint of LR's today 😁. Very enjoyable day's fishing - when is it not?

The match was won by "Stitch" (pictured) with 41 lb 12 oz from peg 19. Stitch caught one metre off the far bank using pellet over loose fed pellet. Well done matey decent weight on a hard day.

Back to the Lamb with the usual suspects. Found a pub that doesn't sell Guinness 😕.

Bloody traffic a nightmare around my home at the moment, closed one of the roads I use coming home.

Weigh Sheet: