Thursday 08/01/2026 - Over 55's Silvers Pairs League - Lands End - Match and Specimen Lakes

Travelled with Kev Winstone today, and found it very interesting talking about his business. Brand new office in Kingswood high street opening soon.

Round one of the over 55's Silvers Pairs League was in doubt with lots of fisheries cancelling matches due to lake being iced over. The day before the match we were told the match was on apparently  the ice was only 2 mm thick! We all knew this was highly likely understated, but we all went along with it. As I've had my ice breaker confiscated due to health and safety reasons was promised I wouldn't need to break ice. I didn't but done a lot of ice berg poking.

After breakfast had the pairs draw. Tony "Turbo" Ponting for me. Happy with this as he's been doing well fishing a fair few silvers matches recently. The favoured pairing was Kev Winstone and Tony Rixon.

Match split into A and B sections, one of the pair in each section paying the top two in five peg sections.

As I was first out of the pairing put me in A section - Match Lake, drawing peg 3. Told very few Ronnie's having to target a Skimmer or two! Got to the peg and tapped around with the cupping kit to find the ice about 10 mm but was deceptive as there was rain water on top as Kev was to realise. Sat on his box having a fag thinking no ice until Tony Rixon started to clear my ice with one of  Wellingtons cannon balls. Thanks Tony. Tony Whitcombe was on peg 1 and the ice berg to my left was suddenly moved down to his peg by a gust of wind. He spent half hour clearing it.

Due to the trees on the opposite bank the light is awful leaving only two dark areas to fish - one at top set plus three barrels and on at four barrels. So two yellow top Winters one a 4x12 for Skimmers and a 4x10 to fish for Ronnie's late on.

All in at 10:30 the the rain started right on time, so umbrella's going up everywhere - well not quite - John Smith's collapsed on him leaving him in sat in heavy rain all match.

Started on the shorter line as it was 4 inch deeper than the longer line with loose GB and a few Pinkies fed on both lines. After ten minutes foul hooked a Carp luckily the hook pulled. Started to catch F1's which don't count. The wind had started pushing the ice bergs from peg 1 up to me so spent the next half hour push ice bergs under the ice to my right. Two hours in blanking but still catching F1's until I hooked a 4 oz Skimmers only to come off on some ice! Soon after had a very small Perch so blank averted. Hooked another Carp again that came off with the rig intact. Straight after had a dumpy Skimmer. Now hoping for a few more alas not, so went on the longer line and more F1's. The light was fading forcing me back short switching to the lighter rig in the hope of some Ronnie's. However, the light was so bad started to get IBS (Imaginary Bite Syndrome). Last put in had a Ronnie which fell off striking too hard due to the excitement of having a visible bite.

During the match there was a few anglers, including me walking around looking for assistance in releasing water stuck sections.

Weighed 1 lb 2 oz for third section. Landed 8 F1's, lost 3 foul hooked F1's and two Carp. I have always believed if you have F1's in your peg they bully the silvers out. Apparently restocking next week with Skimmers. A week too late, but might improve our next match there. Weather wise it was very very wet, rain didn't stop all day.

The match was won by Paul Barnfield (pictured) with 14 lb 3 oz from ice free peg 31. Paul caught at both 13 and 14.5 metres with single or double Pinkie over GB. Well done matey.

Back to the Prince of Waterloo with the usual suspects for a pint or two and dry off a bit.

Weigh Sheets:

Pairs:

Thursday 14/11/2024 - Over 55's - Main Lake Silvers and 4 oz Carp Only

Out if the blue Tony Rixon decided to run a match on the Main Lake at Hunstrete. The match was soon full of Over 55's with 21 booking in. Sorry 22 Tony forgot himself!! We were all looking forward to getting together again - some for the company, some for the fishing, some for the pub, mostly for all three.

Very misty and damp this morning. The lads ready for the draw - pictured.

Had a look at the revamped Bridge Pool for the first time. (picture of the Pool looking towards the old peg 19 - no island), Pool now island free. For me a much better fishery for this. Well done BAA.

With regards to the fishing most of us didn't know what to expect. The word was you needed to be at the carp park end. Personally, thought 10 lb might win with 5 lb back up weights.

Into the draw bag and peg 16 which is twined with 15 and are very close. Carp anglers like these pegs when they go with mates. Delighted when Dave "The Drain" Lewis arrived on 15. Still the "Drain" as he's come out of retirement.

The water was very clear which decided me to fish the 4 metre whip and waggler. Mixed some GB, LR's and fat Pinkies on the tray - simples.

A lot of big leaves on the Lake today which were being moving around by the light varying wind. So started by feeding some LR's on the waggler line at 25 yards and hand fed some GB and Pinkie on the whip line. Due to the lack of colour set up the pole and pot so I could feed the GB loose on the whip line. Had a few Ronnie's and five 4 oz Carp. The leaves cleared and went on the waggler and ad a few on that but felt the whip was much faster. Spent most of the match on this and had a good middle match until the wind blew leaves over the line so back on the waggler. Back on the whip and hooked a big fish which made mincemeat of my whip rig. Set up another which wasn't the same. At the same time Dave who was probably beating me at this point stopped catching. The last hour was hard for both of us. Switch to Pinkie on the waggler and sneaked out a few more Ronnie's until the reel line tangled - no sure why, investigation to follow.

Thought I might have 12 lb, weighed 11 lb 11 oz for a second section by default which was a pleasant surprise. Beat Dave by 14 oz which was pulled back in the last hour. A number of anglers had considerably over estimated their weights today, easily done if you base weight on numbers of small fish and get the average weight wrong, were they 2 oz or 3 oz? Really enjoyed today especially fishing with Dave, both our type of fishing, we've had enough of Carp fishing.

The match was won by Kev Winstone with 23 lb 7 oz from peg 18. Kev caught at 7 metres on maggot hook bait over GB and caster feed. Well done matey. Thanks for the default. By Tony's body language thought he had beaten you 😁.

Thanks goes to Tony Rixon for once again running a great match with the sections groupings spot on. Hope there's more matches on this lake as it suits me.

Nice to see Glenn Bailey out helping with the weigh in - only there for the cider!

Interesting to note the further from the car park the better the fishing.

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 01/02/2023 - Bathampton Over 55's - Silver Pairs - Round 3 - Withy Pool

Was looking forward to the match, obviously not for the quality of the fishing, but for the quality company.

Drew peg 61 which can be an OK peg, at least will be able to see my float. For company had Nigel the Bailiff and Chris Rolfe round the corner.

Won't bother to mention my rigs set up as never had a bite on the pole short, medium or long! So after 2.5 hours was blanking. So went out to 25 metres on the waggler in 7 footish of water feeding LR's with single on the hook and after 30 minutes had my first bite which was struck at prematurely in my haste to not blank. At least the bite gained some enthusiasm. Could not believe I couldn't catch on the pole so kept trying it on and off. The upshot had 4 small Skimmers and one Ronnie all on the waggler. Must admit the fish to save the blank brought back that feeling we can't bottle.

Weighed 3 lb 8 oz for last but one in the section. Luckily my partner Phil who was also in my section did the business coming second with 4 lb 4 oz.

The match was won by Tony Rixon (pictured with hands approaching his sleeping position) with a remarkable weight of 19 lb 9 oz from peg 45. Tony caught long with maggot over GB with minimum add caster and dead Pinkie. Well done Matey nice to watch.

BAA are to net the Pool for stock assessment. Don't bother, just look at the weigh sheets. Pairs averaging 20 lb after 6 weigh in's!! 

Weigh Sheet:

Results of the pairs to date:

Thursday 25/01/2024 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's - Silver Pairs - Round 2 - Withy Pool

Weather set reasonable. All prepared for a hard day's fishing on this Pool today.

Pulled peg 57 - what not behind the island? That said the light is awful along this bank, especially if its sunny with wind - it was to be a bit of both! For company had matey Glenn Bailey on peg 56. Peg 57 is in a leg of the Pool.

Due to visibility decided on setting up a 4 x14 winter yellow tip and 4 x16 black tip to fish two lines which was to be switched according to the light conditions. Had to set up the black tip rig during the match as late setting up. With Perch probably going to make up a lot of the weights set up the red tip short Ronnie rig.

Fished all the rigs over GB and Pinkie with the Ronnie rig accounting for 25 small Perch and the two other rigs fished at 4 barrels accounted for another 25 approximately, again mostly small Perch plus five small Roach. No Skimmers or quality fish at all!

My 50 fished weighed in at 3 lb 11 oz for 3 points. Just piping Glenn who had a decent Perch first put in! My partner - "Fuzzy" struggled off a poor peg. Going to suggest he stop's giving away pickled eggs.

The match was won by Paul Barnfield (pictured) from peg 62 with 12 lb 14 oz. Paul initially caught Skimmers on the Feeder, switching to the waggler for some Roach and finally doing well on the pole at 13 metres using GB and Maggot. Well done matey.

Shay Gillman was runner-up with the only other weight of note - 10 lb 13 oz of mostly Roach from peg 42.

Unlucky Andy Gard lost the number 5 from his Sensas pole. He did strip down to his kecks in preparation to go in, but soon relised it wasn't worth it in freezing cold water. Anyone that's got a spare 5 at a reasonable price please contact Andy.

It looks like the fished have shoaled up, telling us something - Predators?

Back to the Compton with the usual suspects, for a right laugh, makes the day.

Weigh Sheets:

Results of pairs:

Thursday 18/01/2024 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's - Silvers League - Round 2 - Withy Pool - CANCELLED

Defrosted the car at -7 degrees. Arrived at the fishery -4. Failed to break ice - see video. Match Postponed. Re-arranged for 25/01/2024. Bouncing breakers out in force - see video.

Thursday 04/01/2024 - Bathampton Over 55's - Silver League - Round One - Withy Pool

The penny has dropped wrt weather forecasting. They get the weather right, but they have yet to learn to tell the time and with some not knowing what day it is!

First round today of the silvers pairs. I was drawn with Phil Morgan, happy with this.

With the incessant rain the lakes have most probably by now have had a complete change of water, so can expect some really harder fishing. Had a quick look at the pool and was surprised to see some colour - probably due to the gale force winds. We need a period of dry cold weather.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 50 - behind the island again! Can't believe it. For company on 49 Paul Haines and on 51 Tony Rixon so there will be a few laughs to keep us entertained. We knew we wouldn't have much chance of winning the section with pegs 45 and 46 in our section.

Arrived at the peg and thankful the leaves had gone but only 5 foot down. However, some twat had decided to tie a fresh bail of hay in front of the platform which was sheading pieces of straw which was going to make shipping out difficult without hooking a piece.

As I expected the water to be gin clear had prepared some very light GB to create a cloud (can no longer buy the Sensas Cloud GB which was perfect for such occasions). One pole rig a 4x14 winter to fish two lines at the same distance of top set plus three barrels. I had set up a small feeder rod at home only to find I had wrapped around the rod between eyes -bugger - set up again - why did I bother.

Started by feeding the two lines with the light GB laced with some Pinkie and with single Pinkie on the 22 hook tried the LH line with no bites, switched to the RH line and had two small Perch and a tiny Ronnie. I kept topping up but had a long wait before catching more tiny fish. Although I kept switching between the lines I only caught to the right. Half way through had a bonus Skimmer of about 12 oz. Everyone I could see was struggling for bites. Had a few chucks on the feeder but the straw was a problem moving the tip too much, might have had a knock on it but not sure.

Weighed 1 ln 9 oz for third in section which I would have settled for at the start. Tony weighed 2 oz from the same peg he had at the start of last years match winning with 17 lb 12 oz with lots of double figure back up weights - so is there a problem with this pool - over managed and over netted me thinks.

The match was won by Paul Clayton (pictured) with 7 lb 14 oz from peg 36. Paul caught short with double Pinkie over GB. Well done Matey.

Runner up was Dave Poole (also pictured) with 5 lb 6 oz from peg 66. Dave caught on the waggler and maggot. Well done Matey.

Back to the Compton for a pint for a well earned pint. - still raining.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 09/11/2023 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Withy Pool

Members can't get access to the fishery until 08:00, so with the draw at 08:30 we had the usual queue.

Seventeen fishing today so easier to peg three sections. The pool has gone clear due to the recent rain. No signs of feeding fish.

Peg 54 for me today. Thought I had an empty peg next door which would be desirable today, however, Mick Gale arrived next door and it was he that had the empty peg.

The North bank pegs - low 60's to the low 50's are all South facing and would have serious issues with the Sun today. Brought my old Sun glasses which helped with the Sun but could only see about 5 metres with them.

Set up allsorts except the feeder which on hindsight should have been the only thing I could use sensibly - stubbornness.

Started short on caster hoping for some decent perch - just indications so switch to LR's on the hook and caught about 12 small Perch which more or less cleaned out the line. When out 3 metres with GB and Pinkie and had a couple of small Ronnie's and a few more tiny Perch. The Sun combining with the wind caused silver ripple making visibility near impossible. Out to 5 metres with a very light rig had a couple more small Perch and a Ronnie. It was almost impossible to fish. Most of the bank was on the tip, where I should have been. Chucked the waggler out to 20 metres but it was a strain seeing it. I decided to pack up early to get on with the weigh in just as the heavens opened up.

I weighed 1 lb 12 oz for last but one.

The match was won by Andy Greenham from peg 42 (pictured with his catch) with 7 lb 6 oz. Andy had a few of decent Perch on caster and some small skimmers on Pinkie and GB. Well dome matey.

As anticipated it fished hard and if it wasn't for some decent Perch showing in most nets the weights would have been a lot lower. BAA netted out the small silvers last year which are just the fish to feed under todays conditions giving bites throughout the match.

Back to the Compton with a few of the usual suspects missing. However, we did get our spot by the  wood fire.

Pick up my prescription glasses Monday so won't bother fishing until then.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 12/10/2023 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's - Withy Pool - Silvers Only

BBC weather forecast - wet early drying up for the match, then more rain. Rain all day from either mizzle, drizzle or rain. It's the same people who are predicting half of Somerset will be under water by 2050 😄.

Drew peg 44 which is a good peg but the only one I have problems getting in and out of - needs a couple of proper steps. Nice to see a new platform on peg 40 well done BAA.

The Pool was flat calm which was a worry - really wanted some wind to get some tow going. Started short and once again the Ronnie's had shut up shop, so a few micro Perch and one lost small Skimmer. Out to 10 metres - again with GB laced with Pinkie with single LR on the hook. Had 4 tiny Skimmer's and a few small Ronnie's. It was really slow all round the pool particularly the pegs in my section. Luckily had set up the waggler which wasn't expected to be used. Spent the rest of the match on it with single LR over loose fed LR's. Managed to pick off the odd dumpy hand size Hybrids, three big Ronnie's to 12 oz and a 2 lb Skimmer, lost another foul hooked. The feeding was difficult as no response to little and often - so feed then wait and pick off a couple - repeat. Managed to keep Carp hooking down to three.

Really needed something to brighten up what was a very miserable day weather wise. Ray Bazeley and Paul Haines provided it, they were on pegs 43 and 42 separated by a tree. Ray hooked a Carp which headed towards Paul who unknowing hooked Ray's line. So we had Ray playing a Carp and Paul and Paul playing Ray. The Carp was lost leaving Paul and Ray playing each other. The tree was making it difficult for them to disentangle. Fell off my box laughing when Ray said to Paul "Let your elastic out" Paul replied "how the xxxx do I do that"?. Both losing rigs in the tree - so a clear draw, however, heard Paul say to Ray how did you manage to get back out fishing so quick!!

I weighed 9 lb for a section win.

The match win was shared by Shay Gillman peg 50 and Mike Gale 45 both with 18 lb of Skimmers - pictured.

Mick caught mainly hand size Skimmers fishing 7 metres on a long line with single Pinkie to a 22 to 0.06 hook length loosing feeding Pinkie. Nice net of Skimmers (pictured) which will be venerable to Cormorants.

Overall the Pool fished poorly which most fisheries are at the moment.

Back to the Compton with the usual suspects.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 14/09/2023 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Withy Pool - Silvers Only

Perfect early Autumn day. However, the water level was down and flat calm which it has been for a couple of weeks now and would probably effect the fishing.

Peg 49 for me today. I was concerned about the previous state of the peg but need not had worried as Bathampton has down a great job repairing it (pictured) - credit where credit is due.

Found myself between Layton and Barny so stereo moaning. Luckily had some paracetamol with me and found them essential towards the end of the match.

The peg can be a good Ronnie peg so set up a to hand rig and the 4 metre whip. Set up to fish top set and three barrels which was restricted due to the fence behind.

Started after the Ronnie's with caster and could only catch small Perch. After 15 minutes knew they weren't feeding so went on the longer line with caster laced GB with double on the hook and had a couple of hand size Skimmers and more Perch. Hooked two big Skimmers which for unknown reason came off as did two 1 lb Skimmers - now right cheesed off. Put in a large pot of caster and again double caster and first put in hooked a decent Eel which bit through the 0.1 line. Estimated I had now lost 8 lb of fish - that's fishing. The Carp now entered the fray just couldn't feed which out immense fizzing, if fished over meant a new hook length. Waited for the fizz to stop and get a couple of small fish. It was a question for feeding minimal amount around the peg for a couple of small fish, had 6 lines going but still couldn't completely avoid the Carp. Hardly had any Ronnie's which were absent from all of the keepnets today - needed some wind badly.

I weighed 7 lb 4 oz and beaten both sides by Leyton on 6 mm banded pellet fishing a 14 elastic!! Couldn't bear to see him losing the small fish so loaned him one of my top sets with a number 3 in. Barny the other side did is usual humongous worm and micro feeding resulting in in hooking circa 12 Carp braking a top set and loosing rigs and elastic - it's ok his second in section would pay for it all 😁.

The match once again was won by Rob Baker (pictured) with 23 lb 5 oz from peg 57. Rob used the feeder throughout the match, initially with a large cage feeder loaded with GB and micro and later shorter on the method - both with double maggot hook bait. Rob didn't have any Carp problems which was interesting. Well done matey.

Back to the Compton with the usual suspects, nice to see Pete Greenslade back complete with his bionic knee.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 31/08/2023 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Bridge Pool

Nice for the weather to stay true for the last day of summer - rained on and off all day and a tad chilly.

It seems South Gloucestershire has road works everywhere including outside my home - again! Temporary lights and diversions which at best are confusing especially when they leave the signs after finishing work.

Nice to see Pete Tuner back out albeit on two crutches which came in handy to retrieve his keep net which had fallen in.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 8. I was surprised it was in considering numbers reduced to 18. My section ran from 8 to 16 which were all but better Carp pegs so silvers it would be.

Started short down the side with caster which usually brings a few quick Ronnie's and Perch so was surprised I couldn't get a bite. Switch to maggot and had a few tiny Perch and a F1 before it died. I had fed some GB and caster out in front in 7 foot of water and had a few 2 oz Ronnie's all on the drop, leaving it on bottom resulted in tiny Perch, wasn't long before this line also died. So spent the rest of the match on the waggler fished well short of the island as it was impossible to feed with maggot. Picked off a few Ronnie's and five small F1's pulling out of a 10 lb Carp trying to keep it out of the margin reeds. First time for many years I've not enjoyed fishing.

My silvers weighed 6 lb 12 oz was surprised to see it was only 14 oz out of a silvers pick up. The F1's weighed 8 lb 4 oz.

The match was won by a narrow margin by Paul Barnfield (pictured with the silvers winner) with 56 lb 14 oz of mainly F1's from peg 6. Paul fished worm over chopped worm and micro. Well done matey.

The Silvers was won by Haydn Withers (pictured) from peg end peg 31 with 28 lb 12 oz of skimmers. Well done matey.

The pool is suffering from the lack of silvers, particularly Roach which were decimated earlier in the year.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 17/08/2023 = Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Withy Pool

Most were pleased to be back on Withy Pool which probably accounts for the numbers increasing to 25 today. Since Withy was built we have lost 8 pegs. Not sure why this is perhaps we should enquire - loose rather than repair?. Due to the numbers and with Tony Rixon having dashed home for his GB I had to find thee more pegs since the last match. I walked around and made a decision to put pegs 50, 65 and 36 in. Peg 49 looks it will be next to be lost unless some repairs are done.

Peg 67 stuck to my hand thought I deserved a better one after all the walking. Wrong end of the lake and wrong end of the section. However, did expect to catch small Ronnie's for most of the day for some entertainment. For company on peg 66 was Barny, who for some reason was moaning about his peg!

Weighed 9 lb 10 oz not a bad weight from the peg but disappointed the small Ronnie's didn't really show spending the second half of the match scratching around trying all sorts. Most fish caught on single caster and GB. Lower water levels may have been a reason the peg died. Peg 36 was a success so consider putting 36, 37 and 39 in next time. 

Was amusing watching Hughie Evans and Barny playing many Carp - "and away". I didn't hook any but a few liners and bow waves.

Rob Baker (pictured) won the match from peg 61 with 21 lb 10 oz fo Skimmers. Rob caught on a cage feeder with GB and double reds on the hook fished into the bowl. Well done matey.

Back to the Compton for a beer with the usual suspects. Plus a had a poke in the chest from Kev Winstone.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 03/08/2023 - Over 55's and Short Walks - Hunstrete - Bridge Pool

Due to booking error we were back on Bridge Pool which disappointed most, especially as it never fishes well after rain which we've had over the past few days. My research leads me to believe the cause may well be due to Eutrophication. Worth BAA discussing the possiblity with the EA. 

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 1. Happy with this as always done well from it with both silvers and carp.

Started short and for the first 30 minutes put 4 lb of silvers in the net until landing a F1 killing the silvers line for the rest of the match. Couldn't get a bite anywhere from silvers. Having spent too long chasing silvers had a walk, returning spent the rest of the match fishing long for F1's, landing 7, losing 3 foulers and lost 2 big carp both foul hooked, one making a large bow wave which nearly drowned Tony Rixon who had arrived in his replacement black van complete with a ladder - rumour has it he's starting a window cleaning round.

Weighed 15 lb 8 oz.

Lots of poor overall weights again today which wasn't unexpected. Kev Winstone (pictured) won the match with 29 lb made up of mostly 2 decent carp.

Back to the Compton for a beer, unusually this summer alfresco.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 20/07/2023 - Over 55's and Short Walks - Bridge Pool

Have lost my appetite for Bridge Pool. Had a walk around with no signs of fish. Not sure about the colour.

Need a draw around the carp park end island or near an aerator to do well. So was disappointed to draw peg 5 on the road side even though the far island can be reached with 13 metres but no cover.

The upshot caught 8 lb 10 oz of small Silvers and five F1's and missed out on picked up by 3 oz. This was down to me leaving my light elasticated top sets home so bounced a good few silvers fishing 13 metres and having to double unship, couldn't put the roller back far enough due to the road. Second roller was still in the garage! A tad frustrating. It was unwise fishing long as suffering after the match, so no "back to Compton" for me.

The majority of anglers only had bites for the first 3 hours spending the remaining 3 biteless as I did. The pool needs a significant stocking with small carp 2 to 3 lb to reestablish it as a match venue.

Paul Barnfield done the double again with 15 lb of F1's and 18 lb of silvers. Well done matey. Worms and micro I suspect.

Good to see anglers rallying around Tony Rixon supplying loads of kit to get him out fishing again after having his van stolen. Especially Ian Hudson for loaning a van. Only thing he didn't have was sunglasses, but that didn't stop him catching a few silvers.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 06/07/2023 - Over 55's - Withy Pool - Silvers Only

Looking forward to being back on Withy especially as it's silvers only. Some pegs are shallow close in and very stoney, so it was agreed keeping Carp in nets wouldn't be beneficial.

In form Shay Gillman pictured who went on to come second with 22 lb 13 oz. Well done matey.

Had a walk around noting that the pegging had changed, so another walk around with Tony Rixon to sort sections etc... The level was down a bit but wouldn't effect fishing. Colour looked good.

A few on holiday etc...so down to 17. Didn't mind which peg, so pleased when I pulled one rather than being forgotten and handed a peg. Peg 41 it would be. Found myself next to Kev Winstone so it would be heads down to avoid the chest poke.

Three rigs - Short and long Ronnie rigs and a 4x14 Winter Titan to fish 4 barrels. Three lines, the short ones to fish early and the long line late once the carp come in short. Hook bait caster with copious amounts of caster on the GB. It all went to plan except didn't leave the short line quick enough and eventually landed a 20 lb + Carp and a surprise 2 lb Eel and a hard fighting 2 lb Hybrid on the long line. Remember Rich Coles catching a few Eels from this peg some years back. 

My silvers weighed 22 lb consisting of mainly Skimmers to 1 lb for third and section win. Really great fishing.

The match was won by Tony Rixon (pictured) with 28 lb 2 oz from lonesome peg 49. See his blog for further details, expect hard pellet was involved somewhere!

Next match on Bridge Pool.

Back to the Compton sat outside in the sunshine with the usual suspects, lovely end to another memorial day.

Result:

1. Tony Rixon 28-02-0 peg 49

2. Shay Gillman 22-13-0 peg 63

3. Mike Nicholls 22-0-0 peg 41

4. Andy Greenham 19-13-0 peg 65

5. Dave Poole 19-04-0 peg 44 (Whip - Hemp and Tares)

6. Kev Winstone 18-12-0 peg 42

Weigh Sheets: