Thursday 22/10/2026 - Over 55's Pole Only - Harescombe - Doughnut

With Kev Winstone otherwise engaged I travelled with Geoff Francis and without the need of trollies the kit fitted in easily. Nice breakfast as per usual in the Harescombe cafe.

The very helpful Tony Cook kindly collected the pools and did the weigh board today - thanks to him and the other Tony for weighing in - he's good at it. John Smith told me to f*ck off when I asked him to weigh in.

At last some decent rain recently and overnight but still surprised to see the Doughnut full to the brim. It was down 3 foot 4 weeks a go! Due to this fancied the lower numbers in the shallower water. However, it was peg 12 for me. That will do. Between Lionel and Phil and could see Mark Tanner opposite on peg 7 sat on his new £1100 tackle box with his recent purchased £1500 pole, which broke today by the way. Money bags.

Sat on the peg and couldn't believe the Sun was going to be a right problem which was relecting off the water at about 10 o clock to the left and would move to the right over the match whereas I would move the line to the left, plus the wind was smack in the face - bugger. Set up a 4x14 Winter and had a plumbed around to the right and left at top set plus one barrel which was about 6 foot deep and even so not at full depth but the slope to the deeper water was slight to decided to let the facing wind drag the rig up the slope. Marked both depths on the line with a black marker pen for quick depth change. Set up a 4x10 Speedy for the left margin but didn't fancy it much and I was right, athough it had a few outings it spent most of the time on the bank.

Had some meat but didn't fancy it so stayed in the bag. Instead going for LR's and some GB mixed hard to get the LR's to the bottom as loose feeding may have lead to foul hooking. So fed the right side, but not the left as wasn't sure where the sun would go. Had a fish after 10 minutes deceded to top up after each fish - that didn't work as couldbn't get another bite. So kept feeding small tight balls of GB laced with LR's. After an hour had two fish in two put-ins. Here we go - not. The Sun was creeping up to my line which wasn't too bad when the wind broke the reflection.  After a couple of hours felt something was starting to happen getting some indications had a another fish loosing to foul hookers. Now my mistakes was not to priming the left line earier as soon as the Sun made it's path to the right, also staying on the right line too long. Finally forced to switch and surprise had a fish put in! It was a long time before the next fish - now here's thing have been waiting for the Hospital to call me back for a few day's and they did while I was playing the fished, just as I answered they hung up! Back to playing the fish and it comes off bugger. Had two more fish before the all out.

The 7 Carp weighed 31 lb all above average for the lake. Surprised it got me third overall as I thought Phil Morgan who fished a good match who had more fish than me. Felt I could have got closer to Gary bowden's second overall weight of 55 lb 4 oz had it not been for the Sun. I really enjoy fishing when its hard as it was today. The Doughnut does get hard in the winter so looking forward to more visits.

AS most expected the match to be won by Tony Rixon (pictured) when he rocked up on peg 1, but he's an angler that doesn't need much luck. Tony caught at 13 metres using his go to bait of 8 mm hard pellet to put 79 lb 2 oz on the scales. Well done matey.

Back to the White Harte for some grub with Geoff Francis - pictured - FB

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 18/10/2026 - Ron Hardiman's Summer League - Final Round - Shipp's and Taylor's

Final match of this well run league by Ron Hardiman. If it wasn't for anglers like Ron there would be a lot less choice of matches. Oraganisers are far more important than participating anglers.

Last round which should have been fished some time ago but due to water levels some matches had to be cancelled. Won't be long before the winter league starts here. Already the weather has turned in that direction, it was rather Nipply this morning.

My turn on Shipp's. Into the draw bag and peg 13 for me. This is a funny peg and can be good for Carp but more reliable for Silvers. Tom Thick had 200 lb of Carp off it last match. No way I was up to landing this amount at the moment, so fingers crossed the weather has sent the Carp to the other end as it was going to be silvers for me.Set up the long Ronnie rig, a 4x10 Winter to fish top set plus three barrels (deepest part pf the peg at 2 3/4 feet, finally a 4x10 Speedy for anywhere from 6 inches to 2 foot for Carp in case they were lurking ready to spoil the day. I would know very quickly which it would be!

First problem I faced was the sun which was straight in my face and would stay there until it passed overhead or it clouded over. Fed some loose GB and Pinkie on the long line, loose feeding  LR's on the Ronnie rig line. Started on the long line with single LR on the hook and had a small Ronnie first put in, then another. Fishing this distance is too slow for small fish, so picked up the Ronnie rig and basically has a small fish every put in. However, my arm was aching shielding the sun reflection with my hand. It wasn't untill half way through that it clouded over. Much better afterwards and it wasn't until the last 30 minutes that it dried up thought Carp might have arrived but with pegs our end struggling for Carp was doubtful. Spent the last knockings on the long line and had a tiny Skimmer and the nearest I got to Carp was one foul hooker 😁

Weighed an estimted 150 Ronnie's for 12 lb 4 oz for the silvers win. It was inevitable that I would finish near bottom of the league which I did coming last - only once fished for Carp which was a mistake. Except for the sun issue it was a very enjoyable day.

Shipp's was won by Nick Saunders (pictured with a 15 lb Common Carp) with 130 lb 8 oz from peg 8. Nick caught on tripple maggot feeding 3 pints of dead maggot. Nick also won the league with 11 points and 750 lb of fish. Well done matey,

Taylor's pool and the match was won by Tom Thick (pictutred with today's silvers winner) with 159 lb 14 oz from peg 17. Tom caught mainly at 13 metres with pellet or meat. He also took a few down his end margin. Well done matey pity you missed  match.

Bela Bakos caught a few silvers from Taylor's peg 23 to take the silvers with 5 lb 12 oz.

Back to the Old Inn where Nick bought a round as did Paul Elm's another overall framer. Thanks lads.

Top six overall - rouges gallery pictured at the top.

Weigh Sheets:

Final League table: Thanks to Chris Fox

Thursday 08/10/2026 - Over 55's - Redhill - Penny's Lake

Heard so many good things about this venue so booked it for the Over 55's. So new venue for me and a few others which gets my enthusiasm going, love trying to work out new venues. Told plenty of Carp and Silvers. So silvers for me.

We had 18 turn up but Phil Stone was unwell and had to go home - well done for turning up matey. So 17 in the draw, Thanks to Clayton and Tony for sorting the pegs and sections. as I didn't have a clue. As one end is better than the other at the moment the two sections were split across the lake. The weigh sheets confirming this.

Travelled with Kev Winstone and was surprised how easy a drive it is - Ring Road, M4 and A40 dual carriageway. About an hour. Had a nice tasty bacon and egg roll at the fishery - wish I had time for another.

Pete Turner collected the pools and sorted the payout - even had envelopes.

Last but one into the draw bag and peg 25 for me. Got to the lake and first impressions was it resembled a rowing course. Next to the affable Haydn on 27 and Rod on 23. So good company.

Very shallow out as far as I could fish the pole so set up a waggler to fish 20 metres where I found about 7 foot. Intent was to catch Ide on maggot. Set up the long Ronnie rig to fish at a distance of top set plus one where it was 30 inches deep. Finally as 4x10 Speedy for down the edge in 18 inches for some late Skimmers.

Fed the Ronnie rig line with loose GB and LR's, starting on the waggler with single maggot over loose fed same at full depth. Well this proved to be very disappointing tried up in the water and had liners from sswirling Carp. With no sign of silvers. Went on the Ronnie rig and had an Ide and a Skimmer before being plaqued by 1 oz Perch. Stopped feeding the maggots instead just potting neat GB. Perch aren't keen on GB - not here!. Inbetween perch caught the odd Skimmer all similar sized at 12 oz. Been loose feeding LR's down the edge and could see Carp swirling so dropped the Speedy in with double LR on the hook and could not believe it when the float shot under thinking it was a fouler to find a 1 oz Perch hanging on the hook. With only 3 hours left and about 10 lb of silvers decided to give it up and set the RJ Bullet paste rig (if a venue was design for this float Penny's is it). Feeding a mix of GB and micro fished the same line to the end catching Carp averaging 3 1/2 lb to the end.

Silvers weighed 14 lb 12 oz and Carp weighed 83 lb 13 oz for a section winning weight of 98 lb 9 oz. Must say the fish are in great condition. Probably due to not been fished for by "the method" very often.

The match was close affair for first overall with Tony Wittcomb (pictured) taking the match by 4 oz with 211 lb 15 oz from second place Clayton Hudson's 211 lb 11 oz from peg 37. Tony caught on both paste and dead maggot. Well done to both.

Silvers was won Ryan Jordan (pictured) with 56 lb 14 oz from peg 2. In his own words - Well nearly:
"With silvers season kicking off this month I needed some practice to get me in the swing of it all again. I drew peg 2 which was yet another end peg and my brain was starting to wobble on the days plan but I had a word with my self and stuck to the silvers. I set up a few riggs to cover different depths but only used two of them. Hybrid Slim 0.2g for 2 plus 2 on corn and a jigga for 13 meters for maggots. 

Started short with the hybrid on corn had 3 skimmers and a couple f1 tbh I spent too long here as it was slow, meanwhile I had been pinging white maggots out long and went to my 9 meter line but was no good so binned that off. So probably just over an hour in to a 5 hour match I went shallow and all I can say is it was solid with ide and the odd big f1. Spent the rest of the day with the jigga feeding white maggots with worm head on the hook. Ended the day with 56lb of skimmers and 44lb of accidentally caught f1. And objective completed winning the silvers on the day" Well done matey.

Weigh Sheet - Section A

Weigh Sheet - Section B

Sunday 27/09/2026 - Ron Hardiman's Summerish League - Round 5 - Westerleigh - Shipp's and Taylor's

My turn on Taylor's. My last two matches had to fish for Carp. So looking forward to having a go back on the silvers. Hoping for peg 20 - my favourite for silvers plus would have the wind off my back.

Into the draw bag and peg 15 for me it's an OK silvers peg but with the wind hacking into it might be a proplem for the Ronnie rig and a Carp attractor. For company had Mike Etheridge on 14 and inform Nick Saunders on 16.

Set up the 4x14 Winter to fish at top set plus one just down the shelf and a 0.25 gram RJ short Ronnie rig. Thought about  0.3 gram RJ Slim for the Carp - incase, but didn't bother my wrist still a tad sore.

Started on the long line with single LR on the hook over GB with some very very old crappy Pinkies in it. Had two quick small Skimmers and a 8 oz Tench before the Carp arrived. Bloody things had a few F1's and a small Mirror Carp before loosing the hook, so onto the Ronnie rig down the right and had a little run of Ronnies over loose fed LR's. Meanwhile both Tony Rixon on 17 and Nick were bagging with Carp on Maggot in the margins. The wind really picked up which brought lots of Carp into my peg which were a bloody nusience. Thought about setting up a Carp rig but was so far behind Nick, Tony, Paul Elms and Des Shipp decided to tough it out. Just couldn't feed anything especially maggot. Didn't count how many I lost, but would have been embassing to mention in any case. Decided to set up a 4x12 Speedy with a light hook length to prevent loosing rigs and fed a very big pot of very loose GB down the left margin which seem to work resulting in a few better Skimmers and Ronnie more importantly less Carp. Had to keep topping up as most fish were coming on the drop.

Silvers weigh 9 lb which won the silvers by 1 oz 😁. My accidental Carp weighed 26 lb 8 oz. I bloody hate the wind.

Nick Saunders (pictured) won Taylor's with 168 lb 6 oz from peg 16. Nick caught well for 5 hours slowing once the wind eased. Well done matey nice to watch. 

Shipp's was won by Tom Thick from peg 13 (kiss of death in the winter peg) with an incredible 201 lb 12 oz and so far taking the prize for the highest league weight by 9 oz. Tom caught on meat intially down the right on his top set and later further down the right to 9 metres. All caught in 10 inches of water. Tom pictured at the top (on the right) with his mentor Charlie Barnes, and weight lifting todays silvers winner. Tom is great comany and hard to beat on either Carp and Silvers. Well done matey.

Shaun Fillingham won the silvers on Shipp's with 5 lb 8 oz. Fished hard for silvers today.

Some great Carp weights today. Well done to Mark Taylor for keeping the fishery so well.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 24/09/2026 - Over 55's - Harescombe - Doughnut - Floats Only

Back to the well organised Harescombe fishery. Great breakfast and company. Like to thank the two Tony's (Cook and Rixon) for thier help yesterday. It's a thankless job running matches - just remember without match organisers there would be no matches - so greatest respect for them.

Travelled with Kev "Any Road" Winstone today. Great company.

Didn't mind where I drew as plenty of space. So happy with peg 20 plus next to matey Geoff Frances on peg 19.

Last match kept an eye on Mick O'Brian who won the match with 164 lb. So took some learning from that on board today. Mixed up some paste, had some wetted micro and soaked 4's and LR's.

Set up two paste floats one for full depth at top set and two barrels, the other for the left margin. For the right margin a 4 x12 Speedy set to 2 foot deep - love theses floats becasue of the long tips.

I fed the both paste lines with 4's and micro anf after 30 minutes without any signs on both lines - not even any blows over the feed, gave it up and fished the Speedy with tripple maggot on a Guru no 20 super spade - like these hooks because of thier wide gape and strength. Was soon playing the hard fighting Mirrors and Commons. Last 45 minutes lost concentration and relising why I had stopped catching - fishing in the wrong place - Duh.

My 29 similar size Carp weighed 99 lb 6 oz (average 3 1/2 lb) for second. Losing concentration is mainly due to finding it boring playing Carp, hence my fishing for silvers being  preferred. But do love a match where you use the same rig all match including the hook length.

The match was won by Kev Winstone (pictured with the runner up) from peg 7 with 108 lb 11 oz. Kev spent an hour or so trying variuos methods before settling on his preferred bait of 7 mm meat fished at top set and two barrels in 3 foot of water. His catch rate increased as the match progressed adding 9 Carp in the last knockings. Kev used 1 1/2 small tins throughout. Well done matey - double bubble van.

Now here's a thing - we were driving back to the Ringer for a roll and pint getting to Iron Acton I asked if he knew the way to the pub from here. Kev said he knows every road in the arrea so no problem. So driving behind a slow tractor Kev darted down a road which would be quicker - he said -  after a couple hundred yards I said it looks as if we are going away from the pub. Kev then said I don't recognise this road so threw a heuy Hence "Any Road" Winstone.

Everyone caught a few fish today - good t o see.

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 13/09/2026 - Ron Hardiman's Summer League - Westerleigh - Taylor's and Shipp's

At last we are able to finish the Ron's summer league which has been cancelled a few times due to low water levels. Well done Ron for sorting it all out.

My turn on Shipp's and with the water levels down I would find it difficlt to fish peg 9 to 11 due to having to set up in front of the platform which would need a lot of rock climbing skills. So was really happy to draw peg 2 - my favorite. However, it wasn't to be - REDRAW - bugger. Back in and peg 6 for me. OK peg as could fish from platform with 2 1/2 foot of water right infront, BUT it was clear it would have to be a Carp day rather than silvers - loads swimming around especially in the margins. For company had Ron on peg 5.

Set up two paste floats one for the margin and the other for the deepest part which was top set plus one barrel. As back up the short Ronnie rig.

We were get light rain on and off. With umbrella going up and down mainy due being under a tree which kept shedding it's stored rain over me from time tio time throughout the match.

Had to use my 3 metre landing net handle which I find hard to do these days becasue of arthritis. Usually three keepnets in to start.

Started on the long line with paste over a pinch of kindered micro as concerned too much feed would lead to fouling. Have great two hours intially catching F1's then bigger Carp as did most anglers. The F1's were going in one net whilst the Carp were going into the other leaving the third for silvers if neccessary. With the nets limits currently 50 lb with net disqualification after 60 lb and nearing the 50 lb in one net put an another. The next fish I caught was 14 lb which I found hard to lift out strainng my hand in the process. Now here's a thing I have said many times how I couldn't understand how anglers (you know who you are) go over in keep nets. Well today I found it very easily actually. Landed the 14 lb Carp and realised loweruing it into the net it was the wrong net and too late to scoop it out as it soon disappeared to the bottom of the net - bugger now thinking my net would be disqualified - but your never sure. Thought about moving it but would have caused it more stress, so would take it on the chin.

After two hours or so the Carp shut up shop. Just adding some more F1's and four more Carp before in the final 45 minutes switched to the Ronnie rig for silvers with single maggot over maggot.

Weighed 4 lb 11 oz of silvers including a small Tench. Indeed my net weighed 64 lb and was therefore disqualified, but my estimation was spot on - duh. Weighed 38 lb 12 oz of Carp. Could have had a total of 100 lb plus had I not lost concentration. Fishing for silvers next match, bugger the Carp too stong for me.

Nick Saunders (pictured) won Shipp's and overall match with 140 lb 7 oz from peg 2 - the peg I intially drew - could things been dfferent had there not been a redraw? Nick caught on maggot up and down in the water, adding a few silvers to his weight Well done matey.

Ron Hardiman (pictured) took the silvers with 6 lb 8 oz from peg 5 using expanders/pellets.

Tom Thick (pictured) was second in the overall match winning Taylor's with 139 lb from peg 16. Tom caught long on pellet and short on meat. Well done matey - Charlie would have been proud.

The silvers on Taylors went to Shaun Finagen with 13 lb 10 oz from peg 20. Well done matey.

Weigh Sheets:

Tuesday 08/09/2026 - Harescombe - Hobknobs - Match Lake

I had boked into the silvers match on Field Lake, however, the Old Gits had it booked. So booked into the Match Lake.

Told best to have an end peg at mo. So middle peg 9 would have to do! Had head Hobknob next peg. As can be seen a lot of work has been done to shore up the crumbling bank with thick steel shuttering. Just under 50% done waiting on delivery of more. Understand that platforms will be re-established. Nice drop of rain this morning and low rolling clouds over the the top of the valley. It got a bit chilly.

When fishing the Field Lake last week fed some fishery hemp down the edge and found the Carp were soon colouring up the water. So thought an experiment with the remainder on the hemp today would be worth a try over corn.

Plumbed up a 4x10 winter in 2 1/2 foot of water at top set plus two barrels. The new margins are just a a few inches shallower, with a bit of a slope. So set up a 4x10 Speedy for this. 

Potted some hemp down the RH margin and some corn with a dash of hemp on the long line, where I started. With ASDA corn on the hook had a decent Skimmer on the drop. Kept kindering a few grains of hemp and corn. Had a 3 lb F1 and that was it other than foul hooking Carp. It was clear that the Carp were preoccupied with the hemp so stopped feeding it leaving just corn, which didn't help. Tried down the margin with corn over the hemp and although Carp were coming in they spooked as soon as the rig went in. Two hours in and struggling. Tried the margin again and had the fish of the day - a 2 lb Barbel 😀. Decided to change to paste, so got up and wetted some micro, knocked up some paste and set up a 0.3 gram paste float to fish top set plus one barrel. Kindering the micro over the paste started to produce decent Skimmers and the odd big F1 to 4 lb. As the end came nearer the better it got especially when the wind got up. Didn't want the match to end.

Weighed 11 lb of Silvers and 27 lb 3 oz of F1's for 38 lb 3 oz. Wasted two hours, not good precticing in a match but where else better to try things. Really enjoyed the day.

The match was won by John Smith (pictured) with 73 lb 8 oz from end peg 25. John initially caught four F1's on the method feeder into the far corner. Switched to paste which proved slow, switching instead to the 6 mm banded over fours which produced the lion's share of his catch at top set plus one barrel. Well done matey.

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 06/09/2026 - Alcove Club - The Clamp

Looking forward to this match. Lovely little venue close to home and well kept and a great pleasure fishing venue. However, very hard match fishing. Arrived and found some golf balls for my neighbour. Told the two best pegs 5 and 6 were under repair so not in. Was hoping to draw anywhere from the middle up to the far end. Pulled peg 2 and with only 9 fishing was surprised it was in. Any chance of a pick up gone. Very shallow with 2 foot of water and in the shade all day. My target was to try and have a days fishing catching small Ronnie's worth 3 lbish. Don was opposit pictured in the sun, who was hoping for 5lb.

Set up a 4x12 Drennan Pinkie, had it ready to go and broke the tip putting in the roost. Duh, plenty of time to set up another. Also set up the Ronnie rig not sure why - it didn't get used. The light was terrible for float visiability. Settled for yellow tips.

Fished single Pinkie over dryish GB fished on the drop at top set plus three barrels. Took 40 minutes to get a bite which I bumped in the excitement. Had two 1 oz Ronnie's straight after and thinking I might have a days fishing. Alas not after three hours and no more bites threw the towell in. Don opposite was also on two Ronnie's when I left. Scared the wife when I walked in early - never heard of.

Did see a Carp about 3 lb sucking air, so wondered if the oxygen levels were low at this end?

John Amato was catching the odd Ronnie, but was being hindered by a blue rope hanging above his head - pictured. Some expletives followed from John which isn't unheard of 😂.

Tony Welsby won the match from peg 10 with a very good weight of 10 lb 3 oz. Runner up was match organiser from peg 9 and Andy Gard third with 4 lb from peg 7. Well done to threm.

Tuesday 01/09/2026 - Hobknobs - Harescombe - Field Lake - Silvers only

About a year ago Rich Powell suggested I fish some of the Hobknobs Silver matches fished on various Harescombe lakes. So with no Glenn fishing today decided to give it a go. The match was on Field Lake, which is a beautiful looking lake and a nice place to send the day silvers fishing.

Gary and Katherine were away today, luckly still got a breakfast served up by head Hobknob Tony and Wife. Very good, and thanks.

Only five of us booked in usually about ten. Plenty on the doughnut though.

Told they had been catching on Hemp but could only use the venue Hemp.So bought a pint.

Best pegs were put in, peg 18 for me. Told there were loads of Ronnie's and Skimmers. So set up two Ronnie rigs - short and long and a 4x14 Winter to fish top set plus two barrels in 4 1/2 foot of water a line out in front and a line to my left at 10 o clock.

Fed some chopped worm in wet GB on the in front long line and just 5 grains of corn to the left long line. Started feeding the hemp on the long Ronnie rig, however, the Hemp was very small and hardly any with a curnel, so no good for the hook so fished LR's over it, coud catch a 1/2 oz Ronnie every put in with the hook bait not reaching the bottom, there are lots of big Roach in the lake, but the 1/2 ouncers get there first. Tried the short Ronnie rig down the LH edge with LR's fished over same loose feed. Same again but did have a 4 oz Perch. I was going nowhere. So out on the worm line with a worm head and had a few of Skimmers - 1 lb to 1 1/2 lb. Kept topping up with small balls of CW in wet GB. It died due to Carp taking too much liking to the worm feed. But frustrating loosing  couple of hook lengths. So switched to the Corn line and started kindering in 4 pieces of corm with a pinch of Hemp hoping to catch some bigger Roach, wishing I had some small Tares. Well started to catch Skimmers again and had a decent spell - wasn't ever manic but nice and steady, Loosing the old hook length to Carp and some flying Skimmers. Come the last 45 minutes I found my self surrounded by Carp and the eigth Carp took the complete long rig so spent the last knocking thrashing out 1/2 ounce Ronnies with LT's over loose fed Hemp up in the water must have added 1 lb!!

Weighed 19 lb 6 oz for the win. Very enjoyable days fishing with some very good silvers anglers. To be fair it was a close match with Rich Bowd weighing 17 lb 12 oz of beautiful Roach and Hybrids caught on edlerberries over Hemp - envious of the Roach. Rich said i'm not to come again though!

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 25/08/2026 - Harescombe - Hob Knobs - Doughnut

Glenn loves fishing the Harescombe Doughnut, so with the Hobknobs on it this week got Glenn to come, he needs to get out fishing. So Breakfast - Fishing - Pint and a curry on the way home was planned.

Chat on the way was about the GAS match Saturday. Podge miss his usual goal just before half time - wonder where he was?

We havn't been to Harescombe for some time so out of touch with the fishing. However, the Doughnut has been fishing very well. After a chat with the locals and a breakfast into the draw and peg 17 for me and 9 for Glenn a peg he has framed off previously, my peg has also been decent in the past. Had Lionel Legg next door so good company and had a good chat. Dont think he's a GAS supporter though!!

Bait wise had Micro, Paste and Maggots of which the price has gone through the roof with the quality gone down, after one day they started to turn. Probably now paying for John Alexander's holidays. There is only a few Eels and Perch in the Lake so Maggot can be good, but probably best in winter.

The water level (pictured) is well down similar to last year so set my box up on the dry margin enabling to get my keep nets into deeper water. No one likes being hgh of the water, nothing worse than looking down on your float.

Set up a 0.4 gram paste float and had a good plumb around. Umm, margin was from nothing slopping to 3 foot before dropping off to full depth at 5 foot at 3 metres out. Set the paste float at full depth at top set plus one barrel. Carp were coming in clsoe to the bank and darting out again not sure they would be catchable with this behaviour. Set up a 0.3 g RJ slim for the deapest part of the margin - 3 foot for the left side and and at a similar depth a 0.3 gram paste PC float on the right.

Fed a pot of Micro on the long line and similarly down the right, loose fed some maggots down the left. Started long on the paste whilst watching Carp darting in for the maggot feed. Soon lost a fouler then had one about 3 lb, surprised me how hard the fish fight here. Was expecting a bit of just playing fish all match day, but it was proving very hard. Had three Carp and pulled out another, plus a few lost foulers before trying the maggot and had a Carp first try. Then nothing other than a Bootlace Eel and a couple of Perch. Shallowed up to 2 foot and had another Carp before it died again. Tried the paste in the right side not one indication. Spent a few hours catching the odd Carp on the long line, but it was slow. Kept picking the odd fish off on the maggot rig. Into the last hour the paste long line showed some signs of Carp so decided to fish it to the end. Unfotunatey having foul hooked five Carp on the bounce lost another which snapped a well worn rig line. Couldn't be assed to set up another instead fished the maggot rig shallow and had a very late burst on it but needed to feed heavy then leave it.

Weighed 55 lb 6 oz for last! Did enjoy it, did learn a few things for next time. This comes from being out of touch with a venue.

Local venue expert Mick O'Brian (pictured with some of his catch) took the match out from peg 19 with 167 lb 11 oz. Mick caught all his fish from both margins with his rig set at 2 foot with banded pellet over loose fed same. He certainly got this method sorted, bit like mud bank fishing in oppoite. Well done matey nice to watch.

Our Over 55's member John Smith (pictured) came third with 129 lb 14 oz from peg 7. John caught long on paste - very good result for a pellet head! Well done matey saw you wheel spin out of the car park to the call of Chedder Valley.

Nice to round the day off with a Khurka chicken curry at the White Harte and Glenn explaining the story how he met Jane his wife and the Elephant dance at his wedding reception - both remembering this one 😂. Thanks for the company.

Over 55's got the Doughnut booked for the 24/09/2026. Details to follow on the group chat.

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 23/08/2026 - Alcove Club - Whitehouse Farm - George's Lake

Bit nippy this morning loading the car - it wasn't to last. Twenty minute drive to George's to see plenty of early birds already unloading.

The day before the club had an 8 hour Carp match on George's. Didn't see any results but told it didn't fish that well.

Most wanted peg 1 as certain winner at the moment. It came out first for Tony Welsby. Game over.

Peg 5 for me, with Steve Sewell - "the Big-un" on peg 4 and match organiser Jason on peg 6. Bit disappointed to find on the right a over-hanging Willow - so no margin there and on the left similarly a Bramble bush which went out into the lake about a metre. so limited margin fishing. A bird cage without the canopy.

With now bright sushine and flat calm I didn't fancy the Skimmers would show in numbers. However, set up a paste float to fish top set and three barrels out in the white water in 4 and half foot of water to cover both options, the lake is at least 18 inches down at the moment. It was going to be hard work in the heat to fish the Ronnie rig, but set it up anyway. - good job I did. 

Tried the paste over micro and incredibly not one indication!!. So picked up the Ronnie rig and caught small Ronnie's, Rudd and the odd Perch steady over GB laced with LR's. The Big-un was who was catching F1's and the odd Skimmer on chop worm and caster most people were catching the odd skmmer and Carp on corn. Too late for me to change. Couldn't see a Wasp nest but three of the buggers hanging out with me.

"Hindsight holds a level of perfection that real-time decisions can't provide".

Now here's a thing a phone call with a family emergency only second time ever out fishing. Which wasn't really, by time I got there someone in Sainsbury's car park had got the car started with jump leads.

I tipped back about 5 lb of spratts and was unlikley to get anywhere near 10 lb of silvers. Did  lose a Carp in the brambles - would be very difficult to land an angry Carp from this peg.

I don't have the results sheet but when it appears I will add to the blog. However, walking past Tony on peg, was playing yet another decent Carp so took a video for something to blog. Tony caught at 10 metres using corn over corn. The beautiful Common Carp in the video weighed in at 14 lb 7 oz.

I predict that The Big-un (pictured) would have the highest silvers weight as claiming 15 lb -3 F1's and some Skimmers.

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 02/08/2026 - John Treasure Memorial Match - Joint with the RBL Club - Whitehouse Farm - Margret's and George's

Not been fishing for four weeks for various reasons. So at last had a chance to go to the Alcove match at Whitehouse Farm. Both Georges and Margret's were both in the draw, both have been throwing up some big Carp weights especially George's peg 1. The Carp are mostly double figures and too big for me to wrestle with in the landing net these days especially with the water levels down. If I drew the peg I would still have go though it's in the DNA, but hoping to avoid the known Carp pegs.

The match was split into two with top 3 and 1 silvers on each lake.

But first had to follow instructions and pick my annual helping of the Special One's Blackberries for her pies. So with mission accomplished it was Into the draw bag and peg 8 (pictured) on Margret's for me. For company on the next peg 9 was matey Andy Gard - now a serial match angler who does more miles than an Uber driver. Had this peg before and always fished for small Ronnie's of which there are millions add the millions of tiny Perch it's a bit of a physical effort in this hot weather. I had bought some worms but had left them home - hope they're OK, so only had LR's and Paste. So went for the waggler to fish for the Chub and a paste rig - simple.

It's very wide to the island on this peg but had waggler's that could do it, but would not be able to loose feed it, so settled for an 8" Drake bodied waggler. With the water level really low had just 4 and a bit foot of water. So a 0.4 gram PC paste rig with yellow top selected. That was it so had 45 minutes to hang around for the 10 o clock start - a few more Blackberries it was then.

Having mixed my paste and making a right mess of my trousers fed the paste line at 10 metres with micro and the waggler line as far as the catty and wind conditions would allow - about half way!! No wind can be worse than a side wind for loose feeding.

Started on the waggler with double DR and had a 1 1/2 lb Gold fish fan tail second cast. Good start. Then it was the usual small Ronnie's and Perch afterwards. Occasionally I  was getting the complete ragging of the maggots which I'm sure were Chub. Didn't connect with any though, smashing the hook bait on the way down me thinks. Shallowed up to no avail. I had planned to leave the paste until I saw some fizz, but tried it anyway and was surprised to catch a 2lb Skimmer first try. I then had problems with the platform being too far off the water, the elastic being too strong and shipping back into bushed and jamming up causing the loss of a couple of Skimmers. Switched to a lighter elastic and adjustment of the pole roller helped considerably. Had a couple of hours picking off the odd better Skimmer and one F1. The peg was by now showing a lot of fizz caused by tiny Skimmers which were becoming a nuisance they are hard enough to catch on natural baits let alone paste. Had a common and Mirror Carp both about 5 lb each which herald the end of the Skimmers fishing. So upped the feed to try and catch more Carp alas only one lost foul hooker. On hindsight wish I had rested the line in favour of the waggler for a while, think the extra feed buggered it up. Struggled the last hour which I spent catching small  silvers on the Waggler.

The two Carp weighed 10 lb 4 oz and my silvers 18 lb 7 oz for a total weight of 28 lb 11 oz and the lake silvers win. Our side of the lake wasn't fishing that well so pleased with my result - bollocks to worms. To be fair a nice day's fishing and the Special One thought the Blackberries were excellent.

Pete Watkins (pictured with the lakes silvers winner) won our lake with 76 lb 5 oz from peg 17. It took the last hour to catch, starting with a 20 pounder. Kev caught down his left hand margin using double corn

Over to George's where the lake record was nearly broken by Kev Murch (pictured) who weighed an impressive 155 lb 14 oz from peg 1. A;ll pole caught - well done Matey.

Bill Knight picked up the silvers on George's from peg 13 with 14 lb 2 oz. You will no doubt read more of today's exploits by visiting "Billy's Blog" which is always an excellent crafted blog - very enjoyable read. Just google it.

PS: John Amato didn't get his net bag back which fell off his new motor bike last match - luckily the dog wasn't in it.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 02/07/2026 - Viaduct Cost Cutter - Campbell Lake

Back to Viaduct for the cost cutter with Geoff. Lucky to get in it's a sell out every week, so full house with 21 fishing. Had the SH1T's for a couple of days and was hoping to be OK for the match.

We had breakfast in the White Hart in Somerton, and met up with Steve Denmead and Leon Hubbard. The breakfast is "interesting" and expensive. The talk was about the cost some anglers will go to for a match Silvers win with the record being beaten again on the Tuesday using copious amounts of maggot, told 8 pints were fed. Not for me.

Nice to catch up with a few more anglers Rich Coles was in attendance and we had a chat about the old days and the miles we travelled on the weekends for our teams. He mentioned a numerous time he didn't want to draw peg 135 😂. Also nice to meet up with Dave White, does Dan still fish I wonder?

Into the draw coffee tin and peg 130 for me. Not an area I particularly fond of, I certainly have had my share of the pegs in this area over the years.

Just paste, corn and micro on the table and see what transpires with the Silvers.

One corn rig for down under the tree to my right about 5 foot out in the shade. A paste rig for the left hand side margin and similarly a paste rig for top set plus two barrels.

Two visits to the toilet before the all in and luckily that was it for the the duration of the match.

Fed the corn line with a few grains and a smidgeon of micro and the long line with half a pot of micro. Started on the corn and had a one pound hybrid first try, then pestered by small silvers with the odd better Ronnie to 6 oz. With the long paste line settled went over it with a small piece of paste and had seven decent Skimmers in seven put in's so things starting to appeared better than I thought. I could hear a few moans opposite on the decent Skimmer pegs. I then got carried away with the feed and now think I over done it as I started to hook Carp which proceeded to beat up two paste rigs. Landed the third one. I left the line alone in favour of the corn line and had some more decent Ronnie's and one decent Skimmer then another Carp. Back out on the long paste line over Kindered micro and just could not get the Skimmers back , but increase the feed and it was Carp city adding just two more Skimmers. Each side had been catching Carp regularly on the tip so last couple of hours put on a heavier paste rig and fished for Carp - cripes they fight hard catching five losing a few foulers.

Silvers weighed 19 lb 1 oz with a total weight of 64 lb 10 oz fro nowhere. A days fishing though.

Well done Dave White (pictured) showing the way on the pole with 284 lb from peg 121, pity Howard wasn't here today, be nice to see him cry - nice to catch up - still got it matey.

How Dave caught in his own words:

"Viaduct today for an open and I drew peg 121 which is a good edge peg so I was happy with that. I’ve caught 24 carp and a few skimmers for a total weight of 284lbs which was enough for the win so happy with the result and I would like to thank everyone who helped me today hopefully for not much longer lol 😜 before you asked me I caught all my fish on the pole who knew lol 😎"

The Silvers was won by Leon Hubbard (pictured) with 79 lb 2 oz from peg 118. Leon caught short on worn, maggot and GB. Well done matey.

Geoff and me stopped in the The old station Inn. Quirky place but good food at a decent price.

Overall:

1. Dave White - 284lb - peg 121

2. Steve Macdonald - 241lb 5oz - peg 131

3. Tony Wittcomb - 200lb - peg 114

Silvers:

1. Leon Hubbard - 79lb 2oz - peg 118

2. Nick Ewers - 59lb 11oz - peg 111

3. Mat Rowe - 45lb - peg 112

Weigh Sheet: