Thursday 18/01/2018 - Silverfox Open - Boyd Valley Lakes

I haven't fished this lake for a number of years, not because of the fishing but due to the lack of anyone willing to organise anything. I have had some great days fishing here. I regularly walk from home to Boyd Valley Lake throughout the year and have been impressed with how it has fished during the summer. My Grandchildren fished there in October and had a nice net of Roach. So with nothing on locally I booked the venue for the Thursday Coffin Dodgers. I was surprised in the interest and ended up with 16 fishing. I now think the venue can take 18/19 with a bit of pruning.

I really didn’t know how it was going to fish especially with the overnight weather of gale force winds. My expectation was low for Carp but higher for Silvers. How wrong this was.

I wanted a peg with double digits. Unfortunately I let Harry Muir draw for me and handed me peg 1. I did have a good look in case he accidently tore off the second digit, alas not. This is the last and only last time Harry touches a swim card of mine. The wind has been gusting into the peg for many days so my expectation wasn’t high. So serve Harry’s right when he arrived on peg 2.

First things first happy birthday to peg 13.

I set a 4x14 to fish down the inside shelf in 6 foot of water at top-set plus three to fish maggot over GB laced with a few of the same, two 4x10 Speedy’s, one to fish to my right with Pinkie and the other to fish caster to my left. The upshot was after three hours I didn’t have a bite on the positive rigs, so went for the Banana walk. Glenn Bailey was doing the best with four Carp and Paul Barnfield best in the Silvers with three fry Roach. I went back and spent the rest of the match fishing on the Pinkie line inside the reed bed, managing 33 bites catching only seven tiny Roach.

I weighed 3oz for joint third in the Silvers with Birthday boy who thankfully finished second in the match, so I didn’t have to split the coin.

The match was won by Glenn “No Pots” Bailey (pictured upper right with some of his catch) with 54lb 6oz from peg 11. Glenn caught of various methods – Pole with soft pellet and DR’s. And the lead over to the sedges on DR’s and bread. Glenn also caught a decent Skimmer - Hybrid on the pole which landed him the double bubble. Glenn pictured right with the default Silvers winner.

I must say all the Carp caught toady were in excellent condition. 

A special well done to Mike Jones for his third overall catch of two decent Carp on his preferred Daiwa whip set-up (not for the faint hearted).

Overall it was a good day especially with the expected rain not putting in an appearance, plus it was back to the Holly Bush with the usual suspects.

Full Result:

1. Glenn Bailey 54-06-0 peg 11
2. Tony Rixon 17-11-0 peg 13
3. Mike Jones 17-01-0 peg 5
4. Ryan Jordon 16-06-0 peg 6

Silvers:

1. Glenn Bailey 1-10-0 peg 11
2. Paul Barnfield 1-01-0 peg 9
3. Hughie Evans 0-12-0 peg 8
4. Mike Nicholls and Tony Rixon 0-03-0 pegs 1 and 13

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 17/04/2011 - Carps AC - Bob Price Birthday Match - Boyd Valley

Being “Bob the Bread’s” 73rd Birthday match (pictured right with his BD cake) he treated us to cakes and soft drinks – Happy Birthday matey and wish you many more.

I had some real competition for the Silvers today as good friend Darren Gillman managed a pass out. We both once again ended up pegged next to each other. I was on peg 6 and Darren peg 7. I thought Darren had the slightly better peg as he was closer to the small amount of ripple than me. My peg was flat calm, which isn’t conducive for Ronnie fishing. I thought we were in for a close encounter – all in good fun.

I set up five Ronnie rigs for all corners of the peg, all rigs to be fished with single caster over loose fed caster. With a lot of hard work I kept the Ronnie’s coming but no where near as many as previous sessions, plus they were a lot smaller. It was soon apparent that it wasn’t fishing that well as even the Carp Slayers were struggling. I noticed that Darren was taking a lot longer to bait up than me and realised during the post match debrief that he was using maggot hook bait because he struggled to catch with the caster over caster. I thought it was close between Darren and me at the weigh in but Darren thought not, convinced he was 10lb behind me in the Silvers. I weighed first and put one Foul hooked Carp on the scales for 4lb 13oz and 22lb12oz of Ronnie’s for a total weight of 27lb 9oz. Darren was nearly right as his Silvers went 13lb 10oz. However, I was delighted to find that I had not only won the Silvers but also the match overall (pictured right is the Silvers winner by default with the match winner). As there was only one payout in the Silver pool it was double delight that matey Darren picked up the £50 by default.

It’s about time I beat him off the next peg.

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 27-09-0 peg 6
2. Terry Church 24-10-0 peg 5
3. Mark Tanner 23-07-0 peg 11
4. Martin Alexander 21-09-0 peg 4
5. John Thompson 19-01-0 peg 9
6. Darren Gillman 18-08-0 peg 7

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 22-12-0 peg 6
2. Darren Gillman 13-10-0 peg 7

Sunday 03/04/2011 - Boyd Valley Open

Anyone interested in a trip to Holland from 27th May to 5th June 2011? Party of 6 going but 2 cabins booked so room for 2 more. Good Bream fishing with Carp, Big Ide and Roach also featuring. Restaurant on site with excellent food.Contact Bob Feltham on 07789 201735.

I got a picture of a rarity today – a four wheel drive trolley (pictured right) designed and built by Martin Rayet, sponsored by Dave Tippet.

Back to Boyd Valley for the last time for a few weeks. I drew peg 7. As I fish for Silvers I don’t really mind where I drew but do like a bit of bank side cover, which peg 7 doesn’t offer. I was sandwich between the two Martins, Rayet on peg 6 and McMahon on 8. I set up my usual Ronnie rigs and as usual caught straight away with caster hook bait over loose fed caster. The fishing was much harder than previous matches but the Ronnie’s were averaging bigger. The weather conditions didn’t help as the swim occasional went flat calm making it difficult to hit the bites. I wish I had started a Skimmer line as Martin Rayet was catching a few on pellet, this would also give the Ronnie’s a rest. I did have a difficult last ¾ hour, but still managed to put 30lb of Ronnie’s on the scales. This put me 1st in the Silvers and 4th overall.

The match was won by Martin McMahon (pictured right) ith 68lb 14oz on peg 8. Martin started fishing shallow (1 foot) at 13 metres with hair rigged banded hard 8mm pellet loose feeding hard 6’s, which accounted for half his weight. The other half he caught in his LH margin fishing exactly the same but tipping the bottom. Martin feed 2 pints of 6’s throughout the match.

Full Result:

1. Martin McMahon 68-14-0 peg 8
2. Shaun Townsend 42-01-0 peg 2
3. Rich Lacey 31-06-0 peg 12
4. Mike Nicholls 30-0-0 peg 7
5. Leyton Palmer 26-08-0 peg 1
6. Dave Haines 25-05-0 peg 5

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 30-0-0 peg 7
2. Shaun Townsend 24-0-0 peg 2

Sunday 27/03/2011 - Boyd Valley Open

Bill Ferris wanted to know what my winter Skimmer GB mix consisted of. I don’t have any issues with this; unlike some anglers, one I know doesn’t even like other anglers fondling his GB!
All of the following GB’s should be sieved to remove all the large particles, which can be kept and stored for a summer bag up mix.
1 x 1 pint Sensas Lake (black or natural)
1 x 1 pint of Sensas Magic (great on it’s own for small Canal Skimmers)
1x 1 pint Swim Stim – Amino (black or green)
I then add IM5 as a binder. The quantity is dependant on the depth of the water I am fishing. For shallow venues such as Viaduct and Bullocks Farm, etc… I add ½ pint. For deeper venues such as; The Sedges and Huntstrete I add up to 1 pint.
I blacken up to suit with Sensas black powder.
I always mix it the night before and split the mix in to two separate plastics bags (because I am fugal). I take home any unopened bags and freeze for the next match – but check the bags for any air holes.

On the day of the match I decide on the quantity of GB to feed dependant on the conditions etc…If I am going to feed kinder pot I add extra water to bind it tight (this mix is easily made in to a paste like substance). If I am going to “Ball it”, I leave as is, providing it hasn’t dried out too much.
The deep mix is ideal for feeding expander pellet through the kinder pot.
I can all most guarantee that Carp will not home in on this GB as I have only caught two all winter whilst using it.
All of the above ingredients are available from Avon Angling.
I might now remember for next winter what I was using and where I bought it!!

Yet another Sunday at Boyd Valley Lake. Once again we were surrounded by wild life and at last I found a bird (pictured top right) that would keep perfectly still and is without the best tehre is at catching small Ronnie's.

In to the draw box and out comes peg 10, same peg as last week. However, the wind had changed around 180 degrees and was now blowing in to peg 6 which meant I would need to fish bias to my right. I thought it would be harder today as the temperature had dropped so had the water level. Because of this I set up four Ronnie rigs – one for the RH margin (shallower) – one for the LH and two whip s for out in front (wind permitting). Using caster hook bait over loose fed caster and switching between all for rigs I just about managed to keep the Ronnie’s coming throughout the match. Because the fish weren’t really feeding I only just managed to get through 1 pint of caster. It wasn’t only the Silvers that didn’t come out to play as the Carp and Skimmers decided to have a day off. Because of this my 32lb 2oz of Ronnie’s was enough to win both the Silvers and match. The match winner is pictured right with the Special One - I'm the one on the right (picture courtesy of Edie Nicholls aged 4).

The default Silvers winner was Joe Mc Mahon (pictured right with his net of Silvers) with 17lb 5oz of Ronnie’s from peg 4. Joe caught on his top set with caster. A young angler to watch providing Dad doesn’t advise too much!!

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 32-02-0 peg 10
2. Shaun Townsend 30-08-0 peg 7
3. Martin Rayet 27-14-0 peg 3
4. Lee Trivet 24-10-0 peg 11
5. Leyton Palmer 23-0-0 peg 9
6. Dave Haines 22-10-0 peg 6

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 32-02-0 peg 10
2. Joe Mc Mahon 17-05-0 peg 4

Sunday 20/03/2011 - Boyd Valley Open

Back to Bowd Boyd Valley Lake for another open run by Leyton Palmer. Every match we have a different line up with Andy Britt putting in an appearance today, luckily there was no singing! Andy brought with him some good news that Dad Bryan is enjoying a spell of good health – might see him out fishing next.

This lake is a nice place to spend a day for the wild life alone. The herd of Deer are still in the back field and I spied the fattest Pheasant (pictured right). I was assured by Matt Taynton that the meat would most likely be tough – colourful game bird all the same. One thing that irritates me is litter being left by pleasure anglers. I wonder what state their homes are in – it’s so easy to take it home and recycle. I clear my swim every time as I can’t fish with litter anywhere near me.

What a lovely Spring day – BBC got it wrong again – no rain or clouds.

I went for a walk around the lake yesterday meeting up with Layton Palmer in peg 11. With the wind blowing into this bank there was a lot of Carp showing in the margin. Leyton was hoping to draw the peg today but ended up in just the peg he didn’t want – peg 6, however, he did manage moan a few on to the hook.

I drew peg 10. Happy with this, but in two minds as to fish for Carp or Silvers, as this peg has two good Carp margins. As I had a bite on a bare hook whilst shotting up decided me – Silvers it was. I set up three rigs two identical Ronnie rigs to be fished on the bottom 4 ½ foot deep, and a 3.5 metre whip with a small waggler to be fished at 2 ½ foot deep. All the rigs to be fished with caster hook bait over caster. The whip only accounted for 7 or so Ronnie’s albeit better quality, but because of the wind I was missing too many bites. So the majority of my fish came to my Ronnie’s rigs, which needed three no 11 back shot to get better presentation against the right to left wind. I nearly added three Carp but they were a bite too fast for me and I lost them all in the bank side Sedges luckily I had the spare rig made up. Isn’t it amazing all though there appeared identical I couldn’t catch as quick with the substitute? Andy Britt was also fishing for the Silvers and had counted his 230 fish which I thought would run me close. I weighed 33lb 13oz of Ronnie’s to Andy’s 17lb. This put me first in the Silvers and because the Carp didn’t feed third overall.

The match was won as expected by Steve Jefferies (pictured right with one of his small fish - yes this is what a Millionaire looks like) from peg 11 with 46lb 3oz his catch included Carp to 10 lb. Steve caught all his fish in the LH margin fishing long down to the post. Steve caught on sweet corn over pellet feed.

Full Result:

1. Steve Jefferies 46-03-0 peg 11
2. Jerry Pocock 39-08-0 peg 12
3. Mike Nicholls 33-13-0 peg 10
4. Matt Taynton 27-06-0 peg 2
5. Martin Rayett 26-08-0 peg 3
6. Leyton Palmer 25-10-0 peg 6

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 33-13-0 peg 10
2. Andy Britt 17-0-0 peg 9

Sunday 13/03/2011 - Boyd Valley Open

Driving the 1 ½ miles down Rye Down Lane to Boyd Valley Lake I had to bang on the brakes because a Deer had jumped through the hedge landing just in front of me. On seeing me It immediately jumped back through. On arriving in thewcar park the field behind the lake had four Deer (pictured right) grazing, good to see.

The venue has become very popular for the East Enders of Bristol because of the short travelling distance, coupled with the ever escalating cost of fuel. I will be back again next week.

The question for me was would I pull peg 8 again. The answer was no, because Steve O’Toole was running late so Dave Haines drew his peg first and out came my peg 8 (did Steve turn up, I thought I heard his voice!).

In to the draw bag and out comes in-form Carp peg 3, umm. Due to the over night rain the peg had a red pool of water along the front sleeper, I tried to perch my seat box away from it, but soon resigned to sitting in it. I set up my usual Ronnie rig and one Skimmer rig to be fished just down the inside shelf at 7 metres. I decided to feed my 3 mm expander pellet in hard ground bait to get it down on the bottom quickly to stop the Ronnie’s eating them on the drop. I started after the Ronnie’s by feeding the usual caster with caster hook bait, catching straight off fish in the 3 to12oz bracket. I did have a go for the Skimmers but had only one of 3oz, so decided to stick with the Ronnie’s for the remainder of the match and other than one 2lb 5oz Carp ½ hour to go I had caught Ronnie’s regularly through out. My Ronnie’s weighed in at 31lb 4oz, giving a total of 33lb 9oz for first in the Silvers and fourth overall.

The match was won by venue first timer Matt Taynton (pictured right with his catch) with 49lb 6oz from peg 9. Matt caught some early small Carp out in front at 7 metres. Matt later switched to both left and right hand margin with corn hook bait catching three quality Carp to 8lb in the last half hour or so.

Full Result:

1. Matt Taynton 49-06-0 peg 9
2. Lee Waller 38-04-0 peg 11
3. Leyton Palmer 36-04-0 peg 1
4. Mike Nicholls 33-09-0 peg 3
5. Bela Bakos 19-04-0 peg 2
6. Steve Jefferies 16-01-0 peg 5

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 31-04-0 peg 3
2. Dave Haines 14-10-0 peg 4

Sunday 20/02/2011 - Boyd Valley Open

I was first to arrive not surprising as I live the closest. The weather was overcast and would stay like it all day, however, there was a slight breeze blowing from the South East and it was surprisingly cold.

Leyton Palmer decided to pay two in the Silvers, so that was good for me as I had come expecting to catch Carp to get in the coin. Last match at this venue I drew peg 8 and would settle for that one again. So having drawn for two late comers I pulled out peg 8 – that a do then. Same again I’m thinking. I set up the one Ronnie rig to fish with caster – that’s it.

I started fishing in to the wind, which was blowing primarily in to my left side face, loose feeding caster with single caster on the hook. After a good 15 minutes catching Ronnie’s up to 12oz the swim dwindled. It was soon apparent the fish were shying a way from the feed, so I opened up two more swims one in front at 12 o clock and another to my right, down wind. It was then a question of feeding the other two swims whilst fishing the third, rotating accordingly. I fished this way for the entire match adding only three small Carp to my bag of Ronnie’s. The Carp weighed 4lb 5oz and for the third time this year I weighed 29lb 5oz of Silvers for sixth overall and first in the Silvers. What a lovely days fishing a bite a bung, pity about the cold biting wind.

The match was won by Shaun Townsend (pictured top right) from peg 11 with 67lb 5oz. Shaun fished two lines. One long with expander hook bait fished over potted micro with loose feeding 4’s over the top. On this line Shaun caught half his Carp and 10 lb of Skimmers. The other line was fished in to his RH margin where Shaun caught a couple of decent Chub and the remainder of his Carp using double white maggot over loose fed micro combined with caster.

Runner up was John Clark (pictured right with a 9lb Common Carp) from peg 3 with 59lb 8oz. John caught both in his RH margin and out in front long using pellet.

Full Result:

1. Shaun Townsend 67-05-0 peg 11

2. John Clark 59-08-0 peg 3
3. Leyton Palmer 51-0-0 peg 5
4. Richard Lacey 47-04-0 peg 9
5. Martin Rayett 47-03-0 peg 7
6. Mike Nicholls 33-10-0 peg 6

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 29-05-0 peg 8
2. Darren Gillman 18-07-0 peg 4

Sunday 06/02/2011 - Boyd Valley Open

Both Son Steve and I were booked in to fish the match, however, Steve cried off because he had the squirts and missed a good match. It was Leyton Palmer (pictured right sorting out the pools with clip board upside down!) who organised the match on this wonderful little venue. Where else can you find a red carpet on each swim?

The water was nicely coloured to the usual bright red, so sport should be good providing you could manage the strong SW gusting winds blowing down the lake from peg 5 to peg 11.

Into the draw bag and out comes “on its own number 8”. Leyton uses Bingo balls for the draw so can run matches up to “top of the house 99”. Reasonably happy with this draw but would have preferred pegs 3 or 4. The decision was made not to have a Silvers pool, instead paying the top four overall. However, I still felt I could pick up just fishing for Silvers. So I set up two Ronnie rigs and a Skimmer rig to be fished just down the inside shelf at 6 metres, Imy thinking was because of the wind the shorter the better. I started by feeding the Skimmer line with some wetted micro, but started on the Ronnie rig with single caster to an 808 16 hook. Because of the wind I fished the swim down wind at 10 o clock and started catching straight away. I was soon catching Ronnie’s up to 1lb regularly, interrupted by the occasional accidental small Carp. I could see Leyton Palmer catching 4lb plus Carp regularly opposite me on peg 3, but I kept on with the Ronnie’s – simply because I was really enjoying it, plus its what I like doing best. I tried the Skimmer line once with 3mm expander hook bait, giving it three counts of sixty. I wasn't happy with the presentation so wrapped it in for the remainder of the match. Because of the gusting wind I did have a couple of run- ins with the bank side vegetation losing my rig on the last hour. I had another rig but for some reason they never seem to work the same. I finished the match with 13 small Carp which I estimated at 20lb and I was hoping the Silvers would give me 50lb. However, although my Carp guess was spot on I fell 1lb short on the Silvers weighing as total of 49lb, putting me third overall.

The match was won by organiser Leyton (picture right with half his catch) with 82lb 8oz from peg 3. Leyton fished 10 metres with either soft blackened expander pellet or red maggot over micro pellet feed. Leyton fed about half a pint of micro throughout.

What a difference a week can make. Change out of 50p for petrol and change out of a pint of casters – can’t be bad.

Full Result:

1. Leyton Palmer 82-08-0 peg 3
2. Lee Wallar 61-04-0 peg 4
3. Mike Nicholls 49-0-0 peg 8
4. Shaun Townsend 43-11-0 peg 7
5. Martin Rayett 20-10-0peg 12
6. Alan Jones 19-13-0 peg 5

Wednesday 10/11/2010 - Carps AC - Boyd Valley Lake

I wasn’t sure I would be able to fish as yesterday snot was streaming down my nose. As the lake was sold out and the weather promised to be bright and sunny I was dead keen to fish, so I decided to get up an hour earlier to see if I could get myself motivated in time. I did have a reasonable night sleep and didn’t feel too bad, albeit a bit slow to get going.

There was only one no show and that was Leyton Palmer who had a bloody good reason, he was in hospital having suffered a heart attack. By my reckoning Leyton must have been suffering a heart attack at Cider Farm last week and still managed to weigh in 124lb of Carp– cripes, this must be a first. Get well soon matey.

I pulled out peg 9 which meant I would have the sun in my eyes for the first few hours. However, you do get the red carpet treatment on this peg. Someone has put a large piece of Axminster down as protection from the mud. I’m not sure what the original colour was but its bright red now! The water level is up about 18 inches so I was able sit on top of the bank. I set up two Ronnie rigs and 1 Skimmer rig a 4x16 Jolly to be fished at 10 metres down the inside shelf. I decided to feed four tangerine balls of GB over this line to fish maggot, caster or soft pellet. But I was never to find out whether this line worked or not as I never fished it. Because of the sun I started on the top set with Ronnie rig one, a 4x14 PB14 (modified) using caster hook bait over loose fed caster. I caught quality Ronnie’s to 12oz from the start, but would loose them from time to time. I put this down to feeding too much inviting the Carp in have a look. After two hours I switched to Ronnie rig two - a “to hand rig”, with a home made float fished on a 3 metres Drennan whip (flick tip). I basically kept the Ronnie’s coming, again losing them if I over did the feed. In the last ten minutes I decided to up the caster feed finnishing off my 3/4 of a pint to try my theory wrt Carp. And yes I hooked and landed a 6lb 2oz Mirror on 0.1 line and flick tip. My Ronnie’s (pictured right) weighed in at 28lb 2oz totalling 34lb 4 oz including the one Carp. This put me first in the match and first in the Silvers.

I’m glad I made the effort as I had a memorable days Ronnie fishing, plus I didn’t sneeze all day.

Runner up in both the Silvers and overall was Steve Dawson on peg 11 with 18lb 8oz of Silvers and a total of 21lb 3oz mainly made up of Chub, which Steve caught on the maggot feeder fished over to the island.

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 34-04-0 peg 9
2. Steve Dawson 21-03-0 peg 11
3. Kevin Dicks 19-02-0 peg 1
4. Bob Price 18-05-0 peg 4
5. Chris Davis 18-04-0 peg 6
6. Andy Gard 17-12-0 peg 5

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 28-02-0 peg 9
2. Steve Dawson 18-08-0 peg 11
3. Chris Davis 16-0-0 peg 6

Thursday 26/08/2010 - Carps AC Evening Series - Boyd Valley Lake - Round Seven

With rain all day yesterday and the same forecast for all day and night for this the last match in this series it was decided to start earlier and cut the match down so we could weigh in with some remaining light. It was miserable drizzle all day. The series was all ready won by Kev Dicks who was sunning himself in Spain. It wasn’t his planned destination because he was booked we KISS who, as we know went bust – losing all his money. Unlucky Kev, but you had to pay in some way for all the times you drew peg 6!

My fingers were still swollen and throbbing from my accident yesterday, so fishing for Silvers wasn’t a choice. I drew peg 11. I wasn’t sure about this peg even though I have done well from it in the past. My hesitation was due to matey Martin Rayett drawing it a few times of late and has come plumb last with very low weights. The light wind was more or less directly off my back giving some wind cover to pegs 4, 5, 6 and 7 with my peg dead calm, a worry. I decided to fish the pellet waggler for some Chub and Carp to the island corner and two paste rigs – one for 4 metres and for 7 metres.

Whilst setting up panic set in, I had left my lucky red disgorger on the settee at home. Not that I am superstitious, but the question was should I go home and get it even though I had four unused replacements in the box. However, as we had only 45 minutes to set up I decided to go with a new one. I really felt uncomfortable about this.

On the whistle I started to loose feed the 4 metre line with 4 mm hard pellet and fed five or so 8’s over the island. I picked up the waggler and because of the wind could lay the line perfectly straight with the float dragging slightly toward the island. Perfect presentation, unfortunately I didn’t have a lot of room because I could only really fish the corner and the float just sat there whilst small fish nibbled the pellet. I gave up on this and had a go at 4 metres with paste and quickly lost two foul hooked Carp before I landed a 3 pounder. I had a couple more small Carp but was being pestered by Ronnie’s. Trying to catch Ronnie’s on paste is very good to improve the baiting up speed as that is all you are likely to achieve. However, Skimmers seem to hang on a little longer and that accounted for a few. Most anglers I could see were catching much more than me, so I went out at 7 metres but this time kinder potting 4’s in with the paste. I had another little run of small Skimmers before I had 4 more small carp. Then the Ronnie’s arrived. I was struggling which I put down to the dead calm. However, I usually have a really good last hour on the venue, so decide to stick to the 4 metre line for the last two hours. The struggle continued. I was then thinking that the match would be finishing an hour and a quarter earlier, so would I miss out. Panic set in and I started to up the feed and it wasn’t until the last 15 minutes that the Carp did arrive and I landed two and lost one in this short time. My net weighed 24lb 6oz for fifth in the section and two miserable points – beating Mike Jones again!! Amazingly, when the full result came in I did manage to hold on to second spot by just one point from Bob Feltham who came in third with a late run. However, if Bob had not left a 1lb Skimmer in his net he would have piped me on weight!! But if John Baker hadn’t thrown back his Skimmers on the previous match then Bob would have still been third. I would have thought both Bob and John would have the experience to know better – lessons learnt.

The question is would I have done better with my lucky disgorger?

The match was won by John Baker on peg 6 with 57lb 1oz. John caught Carp on paste at seven metres.

Martin Alexander had the fish of the series from peg 1 with a very strikingly pretty Common Carp (pictured right with Martin – Martin makes it look even prettier). The fish weighed in at 13lb 1oz.

Full Result:

1. John Baker 57-01-0 peg 6
2. Bob Feltham 56-08-0 peg 5
3. Mark Tanner 42-14-0 peg 12
4. Bob Price 41-10-0 peg 9
5. Phil Coulam 33-08-0 peg 10
6. Martin Alexander 32-0-0 peg 1

Final Top Five Overall in Series (The full result can be found on the Carps AC website):

1. Kev Dicks 36 pts
2. Mike Nicholls 28 pts
3. Bob Feltham 27 pts
4. Tom Coulson 26 pts
5. Bob Price 26 pts

Thursday 29/07/2010 - Carps AC Evening Series - Boyd Valley Lake - Round Six

A different approach was needed here today as there is no Silvers pool. However, that doesn’t mean a Carp only approach will get the most out of your peg. I was hoping for pegs 11, 12, 1, 2 or 3 as the wind was blowing that way. Not to be, as I pulled peg 8, well that will have to do then! With the water so low you now have to fish from the Lake bed. This is OK once you’re settled in the peg, but can be difficult shipping back. It was like being back on the river again. There was little to no sign of any fish feeding, umm. I set up two paste rigs, one for 3 metres half way up the inside shelf and ditto for 7metres down the shelf. I had to set up the usual Ronnie rig – just in case. As I had brought the pre made up small pellet waggler (2 ½ AAA) rod, I assembled it, this time without any tangles! However, the wind was blowing slightly too much for this to be a starter. I started by feeding a full pot of a mix of 4mm pellet and 8mm pellet (I discovered tonight that it takes about six years for pellet to start floating). I started on the Ronnie rig with caster hook bait fished over 4 mm hard pellet and as you would expect on this venue caught small Ronnie’s one a bung. I have learnt how to tell if Carp have infiltrated the swim, but after ½ hour no signs. So out on the longer line with paste expecting a few Skimmer to start with and was surprised to land two small 1 ½ Carp, I was then pestered by Ronnie’s – not recommended when using paste. I came back on the inside to try the paste and no sign of the Carp. Mike Jones on the next peg 7 was fishing the conventional waggler with pellet hook bait and had eight Chub. I decide to get my head down on the Ronnie rig, occasionally testing for Carp on the paste. On the three hour mark and with the wind dropping I grabbed the Waggler and with 8mm hard pellet, banded using the Mosella pellet grabbing thingy I had my first cast - where was the float – too much shot perhaps or something else? Well I was always told by Dad to always strike – just in case – which I did and had a Chub. Just like Mike I had nine chub in a row. I was enjoying this, it felt like being back on the river. I then foul hooked a Carp, landing a reasonable sized scale which went in the Silvers net. I then had a couple of Carp also loosing a decent one for pulling a little bit too hard. I then had a period of missing bites and all though my plan was to fish the last hour and half short on the paste I got preoccupied with the waggler, telling myself “one more cast” this cost me as it happens. It wasn’t until the last ¾ hour that I finally surrendered to the paste at 3 metres only to find the swim full of Carp. I had a torrid time foul hooking, loosing fish due to too much haste, the final straw being an Environment Agency Girl arriving 15 minutes before the end wanting to check my licence. I did manage eight decent Carp during this time – bloody waggler. I weighed 14lb 12oz of Silvers and 30lb 12oz of Carp for a total of 45lb 8oz for fourth overall, but most importantly a section win and 6 points edging out Bill Ferris by 3lb 4oz, so the Silvers made the difference for me again – it’s just a question of when to stop fishing for them.

Kev Dicks won the match again (six in a row) from his usual swim peg 6 with 66lb 8oz. I must give credit where credit is due; Kev caught most of his fish on the waggler. Now with six section wins Kev has won the series, leaving the rest of us to fight it out for the remaining places. Well done matey.

Mark Tanner on peg 5 landed one Mallard and one Moorhen before breaking his “Duck” with one Carp. Well done Donald.

I was talking to John “Turkey” Thompson at Cider Farm on Wednesday and he was telling me how his three close friends that fish the series had asked him to stand in for one of them to show them how to fish it (The Method). Well it looks as if it worked as Bob "MD" Feltham was runner up and John Baker (both pictured right having a cuddle in the dark) a close third. Even more important Phil “Pointless” Coulam managed one more point than usual – two. Better buy Turkey a pint!!

Full Result: (League pacing can be found on Carps AC Website)

1. Kev Dicks 66-08-0 peg 6
2. Bob Feltham 52-01-0 peg 2
3. John Baker 51-02-0 peg 1
4. Mike Nicholls 45-08-0 peg 8
5. Bill Ferris 42-04-0 peg 9
6. Tom Coulson 33-12-0 peg 11

Thursday 29/07/2010 - Carps AC Evening Series - Boyd Valley Lake - Round Five

Still no rain, which this venue desperately needs. However, I can’t see an issue with the fish in the regard as the venue has plenty of depth to it.

I drew peg 6 not one of my favourites, plus the wind still tending towards peg 12 (dead opposite). Arriving at the swim it was going to be impossible to fish from the platform as the keep nets would hardly reach the water, plus the high drop for the fish on to stones! So I agreed with neighbouring anglers to fish to the side of the platform, in the water. It’s a long time since I have fished this close to the water, which was always the aim on both the river and canal, often stood all day up to the goolies in water - summer and winter. It proved to be enjoyable, particularly float visibility, which left me wondering why commercial fisheries appear to build their platforms so far off the water. Having walked the bank with Mike Jones, it was clear the Carp were feeding in the shallow water margins. However, I had arrived with a simple plan which did not include any running line methods. Two paste rigs one (0.5 gram) down the shelf at 5 metres and one (0.3 gram) half way up at a power top set distance. I potted in a 125ml of hard 4’s and a few wetted 8 pellet at five metres and started loose feeding 4mm on the short line. Starting on the long line I had a 2lb Skimmer and a 3lb Carp in the first five minutes then I was pestered by small Ronnie’s and Skimmers. Looking around the lake all those fishing the pole were struggling. I tried the short line but clearly the Ronnie’s were up for the paste and the small particles associated with paste fishing. As I still had a ¼ pint of casters left over from Wednesday I decided to set up a Ronnie rig so at least I was adding some weight to my net. So having re-fed the long line with the same dose of pellet, on to the caster, however, as I didn’t have enough casters to feed I kept on feeding the 4mm pellet. I fished this for about an hour and had Ronnie’s to 6oz, one Tench and a couple of decent Skimmers, I then hooked and landed a 4lb Carp, so out on the paste and I had six more Carp in six put-ins. Then the sun came out and it went quite again, not only for me but for most of the anglers. After trying the long line and still encountering Ronnie’s I went back on the caster over loose fed 4’s. I decided to fish this until the last hour, and then focus on the Carp. During this golden hour I had another seven Carp, plus another decent Skimmer. My Silvers weighed in at 13lb 9oz (equal to another 3 to 4 Carp) and my dozen or so Carp weighed 43lb 2oz for a grand total of 56lb 11oz. As it proved my decision to fish for Silvers whilst the sun was blazing proved to be the right one as my combined weight lifted me second overall plus a section win.


The match once again was won by Kev Dicks (pictured right (in the dusk) being helped by Peter Roberts, Lake and Avon Aquatics owner) from peg 7 with 77lb 7oz. Kev fished the method feeder and pellet waggle shallow to the opposite island.

Full Result:

1. Kevin Dicks 77-07-0 peg 7
2. Mike Nicholls 56-11-0 peg 6
3. John Thompson 50-10-0 peg 8
4. Bob Price 42-0-0 peg 10
5. Mark Tanner 32-0-0 peg 12
6. Bob Feltham 28-02-0 peg 2

Wednesday 21/06/2010 - Carps AC - Boyd Valley

I never worry about where I draw on this venue. However, it does concern me when the payouts are changed after the draw. Carps AC you need to be more professional than this, your support is dwindling.

I drew peg 12 and once again the wind was hammering into the peg. This is the first time I fished this peg since winning the Tuesday night pairs with Gerry Pocock (who by the way is not Jesus)coming second overall to Kevin Dicks who weighed 33lb from peg 8 . It was also the night that Dad past away at 20-15 on the 26/06/2007. It was quite erie that night as from that time on I didn't have a bite. So today I had thoughts of Dad and was determined to take some coin home in his memory. I know he watching.

Kevin Dicks had drawn peg 6 again so I was thinking that only an out and out Silvers attack would get me top coin. I set up two Ronnie rigs one for shallow and one set at 30 inches, which was full depth at five metres. This was because the water level is down at least three feet (see picture top right). I started on the full depth rig with caster hook bait over loose fed caster. I must say the wind made it very difficult for feeding and presenting, but the wire stem PB14 did its job. I caught small Ronnie’s one a bung with the odd accidental Carp in between until half hour to go when I set up a paste rig to fish at five metres. During this time I landed ten Carp and lost five foul hookers. The conditions made paste fishing very difficult – almost impossible. My sixteen Carp weighed in at 43lb dead and my 402 Ronnie’s weighed 19lb 8oz for a total of 62lb 8oz. It was very satisfying to pip Kevin Dicks by 1lb 12oz and the method feeder! So my mission for every match I fish was achieved, which is to win both the overall and the Silvers. I am pictured right picking up my winnings from organiser Colin Golding. Today was another memorable match for me.

One last word - throughout I kept an eye on Colin Golding fishing who ended up third on the day. I must say there are many local match anglers who could learn much from watching his presentation and feeding skills, which only comes from years of experience. Well done matey - I'm watching you.

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 62-08-0 peg 12
2. Kev Dicks 60-12-0 peg 6
3. Colin Golding 43-14-0 peg 11
4. Bill Ferris 27-07-0 peg 2
5. Scott Lovell 20-14-0 peg 1
6. Bob Price 15-02-0 peg 4

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 19-08-0 peg 12
2. Steve Dawson 8-12-0 peg 10
2. Kev Dicks 8-12-0 peg 6

Thursday 15/07/2010 - Carps AC Thursday Evening Series - Boyd Valley Lake - Round Four

The weather men promised us bad conditions for this match - high winds and heavy rain - they didn’t lets us down.

I drew peg 5 and although it isn’t one of my favourite pegs it suited todays mission as it had some shelter from the high gusting winds. Glad I wasn’t on peg 12 though, as the wind was blasting in to this peg, I left that one for Martin Alexander, poor begger was shivering come the end. I set up two paste rigs one for just up the inside shelf where I found six feet of water at 5 metres and one set to three foot deep for partly down the RH shelf. In addition, I set up a banded pellet rig, also set to three foot for the same margin swim – plus I untangled my made up lead rod, which again left me wondering if it’s not quicker to set up fresh every time. I started by dump feeding hard 4’s and 8’s on the 5 metre line and fed a few 8’s to the Ducks mustering against the island. I started on the banded 6mm hard pellet feeding 4’s over the top and quickly netted three small Carp. However, it wasn’t long before the Ronnie found me. So on to the paste at 5 metres and had a few 1lb Skimmers, so fed this line again - Carp will only do match. As the wind had got up I decided to chuck the lead out to the island with an 8mm hard banded pellet. Well, I am not sure whether I should be proud of myself or not but I broke my personal best, with a whole hour on the lead. After the long 3600 seconds all I had to show for it was two skinny Chub and four small Carp and one foul hooked duck which came off! But after completely surveying the local scenery whilst waiting for the rod to be dragged in I went back on the paste and by switching between the short and long line I started to put some decent Carp in the net. I weighed 69lb 8oz for second overall.

The match was once again won by Kev Dicks (pictured right in a better climate as I dare not get the camera out) with 105lb 3oz from peg 6. Kevin caught small Carp using the fixed method feeder with small white boily hook bait fished to the end on the island.

Considering the weather conditions the weights were generally very good.


Full Result:

1. Kev Dicks 105-03-0 peg 6
2. Mike Nicholls 69-08-0 peg 5
3. Bob Feltham 50-0-0 peg 3
4. Tom Coulson 48-0-0 peg 11
5. Colin Golding 43-09-0 peg 2
6. Bill Ferris 35-0-0 peg 4

Thursday 01/07/2010 - Carps AC Thursday Evening Series - Boyd Valley Lake - Round Three

Back to Boyd Valley Lake, two days in a row. However, a totally different approach will be needed to pick up coin and league points as there is no Silvers pool or League, so Silvers alone won’t get you close enough. The method feeder is dominating the league and I for one will not fish the method as it for those that has either just started fishing or those that can’t fish properly. The nearest I can get is the straight lead. So it was to be an out and out hard pellet attack with straight lead pellet waggler and one pole rig, all for banded pellet. I took 4, 6 and 8mm hard pellet and nothing else. So have to stick to the plan.

Well I drew the same peg as yesterday peg 8. Luckily I took my wellies as heavy rain was forecast (wrong again) so I was able to get in to the water and remove some of the rushes that are now crowding some swims. I started on the pellet waggler and had a 2lb Chub on 8mm pellet fish chuck (no feeding). Unfortunately I missed the best part – the bite - I was reel fiddling, I looked up and the float could not be seen. Good start one thinks – same problem as yesterday not enough water in the Gap, with the hook snagging stones on the bottom. Added to this a strong gusting wing, it wasn’t right, so out with the straight lead fished up the slope of the far shelf and after my usual count to 60 up the bank it went. I fed in front of the Gap with 8mm hard pellet but never to go back again! On to the 4 metre line with 6mm banded hard pellet which I had been feeding with 4’s since the start. I caught two Tench and a few decent Ronnie’s straight away. I then had a run of small Carp. I really started to enjoy the fishing as the wind was so strong the bites were emphasised. I had runs of two or three small Carp then a period of Silvers putting a couple of decent Skimmers in the net and a few more Ronnie’s making my Silvers weight up to 8lb 4oz and my 15 carp weighed in at 29lb 4oz for a total of 37lb 8oz. Unfortunately it was only good enough for fifth, but second in the section.

The match was won by Kevin Dicks (pictured right – grimacing) with 57lb 4oz from peg 11. Kevin caught on the method feeder - enough said.

Runner up was Bob (MD) Feltham (pictured right – Bob knew it wasn’t going to rain) with 54lb 14oz from peg 3. Bob fished the straight lead to the Gap.

I must mention mark Tanner who arrived two hour after the whistle with just a method feeder rod and caught steady weighing in 34lb 3oz from peg 5 – good job for Kevin Mark didn’t fish the whole match me thinks!!

Full Result:

1. Kevin Dicks 57-04-0 peg 11
2. Bob (MD) Feltham 54-14-0 peg 3
3. Martin Alexander 40-12-0 peg 6
4. Colin Golding 37-14-0 peg 2
5. Mike Nicholls 37-08-0 peg 8
6. Bill Ferris 36-0-0 peg 10

Wednesday 30/06/2010 - Carps AC - Boyd Valley Lake

The Ronnie’s are a nuisance for the Carp Slayer at the moment on this venue. There are absolutely millions of them around the 1oz mark. Even I think they need thinning out! So I had a cunning plan to sort out the bigger Ronnie’s, so down to AA and I negotiated the purchased of a pint of Hemp and Tares.

I drew peg 8 which is a “Gap” peg and sought after by the feeder flingers. There was plenty of activity in the gap so I set up a 3AAA pellet waggler set to one foot deep for use with 8mm hard banded pellet. I also set up the usual Ronnie rig to use with either Tares or Caster. I couldn’t leave the paste out as it can be lethal on this venue (or use to be), so I set one up for the LH margin and one at 4 metres. Because of the Ronnie’s I also set up a 4x14 Jolly for the banded hard pellet. I started on the pellet waggler and soon realised that the water level of the Gap was down to about 6 inches! The level is down about one foot indicating that the leak is still there. So shallowed up as far a practical as the waggler was 4 inches long! Next cast I hooked and landed a 2lb Carp. Then they moved to the other side of the Gap so I fed it with 8mm pellet and went in after the Ronnie’s and didn't go back there. It was a difficult decision to make as whether to go back after the Carp or head down for the tiny Ronnie’s. I messed around with paste and hard pellet for half hour or so with only two small Tench to show for it. It’s becoming almost impossible to fish paste now on this venue. So with four hours to go I decided head down for the Ronnie’s and had one a bung for the rest of the match interrupted by seven accidental Carp. My accidentals weighed in at 18lb 8oz and my Ronnie’s 23lb 1oz for a combined weight of 41lb 9oz. This put me first in the Silvers and fourth overall. As for the cunning plan - the Tares were a bit too small, hence I caught the same size fish as with the caster, because of missed bires the caster was a tad quicker. I also was expecting the hemp to attract the Carp. If they did it was in small numbers!!

The match was won by John Thomson (picture right with half his catch) on peg 1 with 81lb 10oz all Carp catch. John caught half his fish on the method feeder and the other half in the RH margin. John used 10mm banded pellet on both methods.

Full Result:

1. John Thompson 81-10-0 peg 1
2. Bob Price 57.04-0 peg 3
3. Chris Davis 49-06-0 peg 5
4. Mike Nicholls 41-09-0 peg 8
5. Kevin Dicks 31-09-0 peg 12
6. Martin Alexander 29-08-0 peg 11

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 23-01-0 peg 8
2. Chris Davis 17-12-0 peg 5
3. There were two more weights on 17lb!

Thursday 03/06/2010 - Carps AC Thursday Evening Series - Boyd Valley Lake - Round One

This was the first round of the Carps AC Thursday Individual Series PM matches at Bowd Valley Lake (Redmire). Bill Ferris and Bob Price are running the series and I was wondering what bob Price was going to contribute to the organisation, as I suspected – NOTHING – all down to Bill Ferris. I have offered to work the league results to help Bill out.

At the start there was some (no lots) of confusions as to the draw and fishing times. It has now been confirmed as 13-30 draw fish from 15-00 to 20-30. That’s 5 ½ hours Bob!

The conditions weren’t favourable for fishing, with very bright sun light and a strange wind appearing to be blowing in from the South East (however, hot air balloons were coming in from the South West, it must be to do with the Lake being in a valley) into pegs 7, 8, 9, 10, &11 (bags me one of these), this meant peg 1 was absolutely flat calm. Before the draw I walked the bank with Mike Jones and between pegs 7 and 8 I counted at least twenty cruising Carp. I drew peg 1. The shortest walk but with no wind cover I was doubtful.

On the walkabout I had decided that Silvers would play an important part towards gaining section points even though there was no Silvers pool. So it would be Silvers to start, dabbling for Carp through out with paste, then full focus in the last hour, or sooner if the sun disappeared over the hill. I decided on pellet for Skimmers at 6 metres with expander on the hook – fished only once with one Ronnie on the drop), a Ronnie caster line to my left with the anticipation that Carp would home in on the activity and an out and out paste line long to my right in various locations. I started by feeding the paste line by spreading 4 mm wetted pellet around the various locations I was planning on fishing. I started on the Ronnie’s and there were plenty of 1 to 2oz fish to be caught, but no sign of quality fish, that was until I hooked a 2 ½ lb Barbel. These fish were put in at 6oz and the last one I caught was 10oz so they have really put on some weight and the fish was in perfect condition. I kept trying the paste only to be met with the Renaldo’s. However, I did catch a few Skimmers to 1lb on the paste was it was slow. Back on the caster and Ronnie until the last hour when I decided to experiment by feeding 1 ½ pints of maggot, ½ pint of casters, 1 pint of micro and a big handful of 4 mm pellet 0 all in one go. On went a 4 mm expander and another 2oz Ronnie took the bait on the drop. Back on the paste which resulted in four small Carp. Four were lost, three of them foul hooked. My Silvers were weighed in at 16lb 12oz and my carp 9lb 10oz. This put me third in the section beaten by “Gap pegs” 2 and 4. I believe my Silver’s approach was about right.


The match was won by Kevin Dicks (pictured right with Tom Coulson’s net of Carp (as we all thought Tom had won the match and Kevin had returned his fish)) from peg 4 with 54lb 12oz. Kevin caught on the method feeder to the Gap and added a few more fishing pellet shallow at 13 metres.

Tom Coulson was runner up with 43lb 14oz. However, there was something fishy about his catch – all his Carp were all caught on Iceland’s finest Prawns.

All though there isn’t any Silvers pool or league I thought it would be of interesting and value to publish the Silvers result. After all it is a great all the year round Silvers venue.

Full Result:

1. Kevin Dicks 54-12-0 peg 3
2. Tom Coulson 43-14-0 peg 2
3. Colin Golding 27-06-0 peg 11
4. Mike Nicholls 26-06-0 peg 1
5. Mark Tanner 23-13-0 peg 5
6. John Baker 20-12-0 peg 7

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 16-12-0 peg 1
2. Kevin Dicks 15-12-0 peg 3
3. Colin Golding 15-08-0 peg 11

Wednesday 27/01/2010 - Avon Angling Open - Bowd Valley Lake

The Director of Public Prosecutions has defended bringing charges against the mother who was cleared of trying to kill her severely ill daughter. Bridget Kathleen Gilderdale, 55, of East Sussex, was cleared of attempted murder at Lewes Crown Court. Mr. Justice Bean questioned if the prosecution should have been brought as she had previously admitted assisting her daughter's suicide. Keir Starmer QC said the prosecution was "in the public interest". Can Keir Starmer please explain to the public why it was in their interest – bet he can’t! This man should be sacked for wasting public money!!! Also this week Lisa Hayden-Johnson was jailed for JUST three years and three months after putting her son through years of unnecessary medical treatment. Judges appear to be out of touch with reality. It’s time the Government reviewed how prosecutors and judges are selected. I can’t believe a job centre has been criticised this week for refusing to display an advert for a 'reliable workers' - because it discriminated against unreliable applicants. The world is gone mad – can some political party please now step in to the void. That feels better.

Now back to the fishing and back to Boyd Valley (or as I now call it Red-Mire), this time in the Avon Angling Open. Apparently there was a waiting list to fish this match. I am not surprised as it is not only a great venue; it’s also close to home (in my case 5 minutes). At the draw Bob Price had his new tackle box on show. Bob duly mounted it on his power trolley only for one of his bungees to slip and catch Bob in his left eye (see picture right – “Bob the Bread gets Bungeed on the Brow”). I bet it's blacker tomorrow!

I didn’t really mind where I drew, but my preference would be pegs 2 to 10. I was delighted when I pulled peg 3. I set up a 3 metre whip (which didn’t get used - in earnest). My usual to hand Ronnie rig for use with the caster. Finally I set up a Skimmer rig at 6 metres (when I say 6 metres I mean number 6 section, which is more like 5.5 metres) for the 3mm expander pellet. I started by potting in some wetted micro at 6 metres and loosing feeding caster on the Ronnie’s line, where I started. It took 15 minutes before I got a bite. I then had a run of Ronnie’s to 6oz. However it was very slow and from what I could see it appeared to be the case around the lake. I then hooked a small Carp (1lb 8oz) which ran me a merry dance. After landing it I was sure the swim would have died so out on the pellet line with 3mm expander. After 15 minutes I had only one small Skimmer to show for it. Back on the Ronnie line with caster, this resulted in a couple more, but very slow – I had hit the wall. So I decided to go back out on the 6 metre line using single red maggot hook bait (the only choice left on my bait tray). This was one of my better decisions as for the second half of the match I kept both Skimmers and Ronnie’s coming. However, Chris Davis was catching very well on peg 2 and was ahead of me, he was catching decent Skimmers on chopped worm (can’t believed this worked today). However, with thirty minutes to go I had three Carp inconsecutive put-ins which changed the balance of play. I weighed 26lb 1oz for first overall and a pick up of £60. As expected Chris Davis was runner up with 23lb 1oz of mainly Skimmers to 1lb.

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 26-01-0 peg 3
2. Chris Davis 23-01-0 peg 2
3. John (retired) Smith 14-10-0 peg 10
4. Tony Rixon 13-08-0 peg 6
5. Pete Sivell 10-02-0 peg 9
6. Dean Malin 8-14-0 peg 7

Sunday 17/01/2010 - Queens Head Open - Boyd Valley Lake

Bela and I decided to forgo the Viaduct winter league for this year because of too many clashes with the Landsend Individual League for which we had already committed. The calshes are primarily due to cancellations because of the bad weather. Also, unless you can find a substitute, Landsend charge a no show pools fee of £25. This would have meant we could have been £75 out of pocket each – lesson learnt for next year we think. So I was expecting another Sunday home with the Special One. That was until I had a phone call from Martyn Rayet on Friday night asking if I wanted to fish an open down at Boyd Valley Lake. I told him it would be iced over. However, he guaranteed that it would all be thawed out by Sunday - "skating on thin ice" saying this! I disagreed with him him, but said I would go anyway. To be truthful I couldn’t wait to get back on the bank again for my first match of 2010.

“Luck favours the prepared” I arrived at the lake to find that – well see for yourself picture top left - told you so! However, I was the only angler with an ice breaker, and as luck would have it I was one of three anglers that drew an ice free swim!! But, Tim Ford made good use of it – Tim you need to put on some more weight to swing the breaker far enough.

I drew peg 4 which I was well pleased with. I set up the usual Ronnie rig and a Skimmer rig for 5 metres. I decide to fish positive, even though the weather was induicating otherwise. I decide to put three big cups of GB in at 5 metres and loose fed caster on the Ronnie line. I started after the Ronnie’s and started catching 1oz fish straight off. However, due to the lake being flat calm combined with bright sun light I was missing a lot of bites. I switched to maggot over caster which resulted in more bites but even more missed bites, so back on the caster and lucky enough the wind picked up giving the fish a bit of a canopy allowing me a good run of Ronnie’s up to 12oz. The wind died so I switched to the Skimmer line with 3mm pellet and caught a few Skimmers to 12oz. Unlike the Ronnie’s the Skimmers would not run with the bait so deciding on when to strike was arbitrary to some extent. The bites were much more positive when the float was towing or moving with the wingd - basically the float was pulling against the fish! Anyway, I managed to keep fish coming through out the match by switching between the two lines, topping up the 5 metre line with GB in between. I weighed 21lb 10oz of mainly Ronnie’s for first overall and my first pick up the year of £40 – were off!

Runner up was Mike Ferris (pictured right - courtesy of Roy Garland) - Bill’s brother) who caught 12lb 15oz of Skimmers to 1lb using pellet over micro pellet from peg 5. Mike caught all his fish at 10 metres.

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 21-10-0 peg 4
2. Mike Ferris 12-15-0 peg 5
3. Tim Ford 9-07-0 peg 10
4. John Clark 8-06-0 peg 7
5. Leighton Palmer 7-13-0 peg 9
6. Shaun Townsend 7-12-0 peg 8