Thursday 05/11/2026 - Over 55's - Redhill - Half Penny's - 1 to 20

Looking forward to the return to Redhill - Penny's. Last match felt that although I had the Carp sorted (sort themselves) I failed on the  silvers, plaqued by tiny Perch. So another go today.

Twelve fishing so we booked half of Penny's choosing the far side pegs 1 to 20.

Arrived at the fishery wishing I had put on my base layer. Nasty cold wind.

Another nice Egg abd Bacon roll from the Breakfast hut.

Pegs sorted by Tony Whitcomb and peg 9 for me (pictured) nice veiw accross the Valley. For company had Tony on 8 and Ray on peg 11.

The pool is usually higly coloured, however, today the colour had drop somewhat. Tony said hardly anything came from the margins in yesterday's match, making things simple a 4x12 Winter to fish top set plus three barrels in 3 foot of water. Uncertain about hook and hook length to start with but due to the size of the Carp and wanted to land any accidentals went for 0.16 GLine with no. 20 Guru super spade hook. Later in the match I set up the long Ronnie rig.

Fed the line with a knub of GB laced with DR's with double DR on the hook and was soon catching Skimmers from 5 oz to 2 lb averaging 12 oz and some decent Ide. Had two F1's and a 3 lb Carp loosing two foulers . Had a really good 90 minutes on the silvers as did neighbour Ray. However, it suddenly slowed for me and Ray. Next door Tony had been busy loosing Carp on pellet, after 90 minutes he changed to Maggot started to land a few Carp in addituin 5 Tench to 3 lb. As few Carp were showing in my oeg changed the hook length to 0.14 and no. 20 Tubertini 808. Slowed so much set up the Ronnie rig and  tried it with single LR over loose fed same and had a few more Skimmers and Ronnie's, but it wasn't manic. Went for a Banana walk. Martin Rayett peg 15 was doing well on F1's and silvers having 30 lb plus of Ide being helped by the wind blowing down his end. Still most anglers getting a day's fishing.

Went back and swapped the long line to kindering LR's over double LR's and started to catch Ide and F1's and the odd Skimmer. Kept trying the Ronnie rig which would add two quick Skimmers before it died.

Carp weighed 13 lb 4 oz so good avoidance. Silvers weighed 21 lb 8oz for a default silvers win thanks to Martin Rayet who came third and smashed the silvers with 48 lb 4 oz. Well done matey. Really enjoyed today. Very nice fishery. Hopefully will be back soon.

The match was won by Bristol's Tackle Tart Gary Bowden (pictured) with 95 lb 8 oz from peg 5. He said he only had three Carp for his last weigh which went 37 lb and the clincher over Tony Whitcomb pictured with the scalesman, bombing is the only way he can get on the blog these days. Gary caught on pellet mainly at three barrels. Apparently Gary is going to try every new pole before he dies. 

Back to the Riverside Hotel for a pint where the discussion centred around the timing of Martin Rayet eating his large breakfast. Apparently start to finish -  4 minutes 37 seconds. Can't butter my toast that quick!!

Weigh Sheet: