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: