28/06/2026 - Bela Bakos - Knock Up - Westerleigh - Taylor's Pool

Knee's 90% better and both of them looking forward to getting back out fishing. Nice gentle start at Westerleigh on Bela's knock up on Taylor's Pool. At last putting all 13 pegs in, which I support, think it makes it a closer lower weight match - better for me. No Silvers's pool though - didn't bother me, but would have preferred any caught be returned.

Peg 14 for me today with Geoff drawing peg 15. That's him before the all in, there is some suspicion of an hangover. Geoff's watching too much football, he wanted a hydration break halfway through. The wind was blowing into our pegs. Neil Mercer had 200 lb off my peg in last Summer league match on paste.

Only took paste, micro and 4's today so very simple with 2 paste rigs - one for top set plus 3 barrels the other for the margins. Thought about fishing the pellet waggler but the wind was a concern, but not such a concern as Bela opposite nearly poking me in the eye fishing on the bar at 16 metres. My wayward loose feeding and casting would definitely would have effected Bela.

Fed both margins and the long line with a mix of wetted micro and 4's Started long and was soon realising the wind was going to be a nuisance and was wishing I choose one or two barrels instead. However, I got off to a flying start catching Carp to 4 lb and after 30 minutes was concerned I would just spend the day playing fish rather than fishing. I need not had worried as I had a spell catching some F1's and Skimmers before starting a period of foul hooking Carp. I had been feeding heavy and thought it was that but Geoff and others were also having the same issue. Gave the line a rest and went in the margin which seemed completely dead. Went back out and had a couple more Carp and F1's and far too many foul hooked Carp nearly getting two 4 pounders in the landing net, but it had slowed. It wasn't long before it completely died, not only for me but everyone. Spent some time messing around in the margin for two Carp and another lost foul hooker. Last twenty minute came in to one barrel which is where I should have started and another foul hooker not reaching the landing net.

Finished with 49 lb 10 oz for 4th. Again my impatience lost me 8 lb of Carp. A few things differently would have improved things, like coming short earlier. Still a nice days fishing.

The match was won by Tony Rixon with 74 lb 11 oz from peg 26. Tony is one the the best mud bank anglers around, I could see his delight when peg 26 gave him two banks to fish at. And that's how he caught and like most anglers only caught early slowly coming to a dead stop. Well done matey.

I dare not put the weigh sheet up as one of our "Donk" builders had taken the opportunity to take the urine out of a few of us, so top six:

1. Tony Rixon 74 lb 11 oz peg 26

2. Bela Bakos 59 lb 3 oz peg 21

3. Neil Mercer 57 lb 13 oz peg 17

4. Mike Nicholls 49 lb 10 oz peg 14

5. Geoff Francis 45 lb 9 oz peg 15

6. Ron Hardiman 36 lb 12 oz peg 24