Monday, 14 September 2026

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:





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