Tuesday 05/05/2026 - Hob knobs - Harescombe - Match Lake

Back to Harescombe with Glenn to fish the Hob Knobs match on the Match Lake. Sixteen fishing. Another decent breakfast which had to be devoured quickly as head Hob Knob was enthusiastic for an early draw. Effects of holidays.

Was nearly last to be called up to the draw bag. Good way to draw, no mass gatherings and time for a recorded draw.

Peg 1 for me. Hopefully peg 29 wasn't in - it wasn't so plenty of room - pictured.  The wind was blowing quite hard down to the end bank and was quite cold. 

Applying learning last match I dug out four Speedy float rigs - 4x10's and 4 x 12's to try out. Love these floats, designed for Malman by Nick Speed - not sure what he used them for but I like them for long lining in margins when windy.

Bait wise had 7 mm meat, micro, GB and LR's. Once again don't' have the patients to wait hours for fish to turn up on it and that was how it was today, so no more discussion on this. Has to be instant to keep me interested.

Set up a 4x10 Speedy. A small margin bush had attracted me on the top set and plumbing around was perfect depth and slope. Could easily reach the end bank with three barrels so chose a line with the same depth as the bush line.

Started by loose feeding micro and LR's down to the bush. But wasted time fishing out one barrel over loose fed meat and after 30 minutes gave it in. Went down to the bush with singe LR and expected to be pestered by small silvers. I was getting indications which was liners from Carp and soon had a 3 lb Carp in the net. Next put in hooked another that was really angry and took ages to get in close, thought it was fouled - it wasn't, started to pull harder which resulted in the rig line snapping above the float. Close inspection revealed I had put on a silvers Speedy with 0.12 rig line which I attached 0.16 hook length thinking it was 0.16 rig line. Duh. Set up again and back to the bush which had gone quiet so went over to the end bank where I had been loose feeding LR's. Presentation was perfect as the strong wind was causing the rig to swing round and away from the bank. I was soon in to a purple patch catching regularly decent Common's and Mirror's and the odd big F1's. Did foul hook a couple. The wind dropped leaving the rig becalmed which certainly slowed the catch rate. So back to the bush and two more there. Back out to the end bank which had really slowed but had a 1 1/2 Skimmer on the drop. Last hour was really difficult only catching one more, losing a foul hooker on the all out.

Weighed 36 lb 14 oz for a close won match. That's it now until Whiteacres in 11 days time with plenty of tackle sorting to do.

Here's a thing had a Common Carp which looked really sick so isolated it in a separate net for Gary to diagnose. Apparently it had Carp Pox and would be fine in a few weeks. Apparently similar to human Herpes.

Back to the Lamb with the usual suspects for a pint or two in my case.

 Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 28/04/2026 - Hob Knobs - Harescombe - Match Lake

Back to Harescombe with angler and good friend who needs  no introduction other than looking at his roost - pictured.

The day before the match the temperature was comfortable enough to sit in the garden tying hooks. Looked at the forecast for today and it did say expect the temperature to be 5 degrees colder. Should have considered the wind chill factor as arriving at the fishery there was a very cold NE wind blowing. It was bloody freezing.

Head Hob Knob wasn't available today so Katherine did the honors with the draw etc...

After a nice breakfast, into the draw bag and peg 18 for me. Luckily Glen was next peg 20 so parked behind empty 19. My other next peg was 16 occupied by matey Chris Gay. The fish were attempting to spawn - certainly going through the motions particularly in peg 16. Sat on my box to find the wind blowing it at me at 11 0 clock - bloody freezing.

Glenn and I haven't been here for a good few months so were well out of touch and will be fishing with good bunch of anglers that fish the venue two to three times a week.

Had paste, maggots. micro and GB. I was doubtful about the paste. Fish spawning up edge of the sedges, so didn't bother with a margin rig as thought it would only lead to fouling. So a short Ronnie rig, 4x12 Winter to initially fish top set plus three barrels and a 0.3 gram paste float to also fish long to the left of the Winter rig.

Fed some GB and Maggot on the right Winter line and loose fed some maggots on the Ronnie rig line. Started with a small ball of paste over some micro and had a bite first put put in, well not a bite exactly but a fouler that came off. Never mind gave some enthusiasm for the paste. Well an hour in and having lost seven foulers and nothing in the net except a speared micro Ronnie, so gave it up. Tried double maggot on the Winter line and lost a Skimmer which might have also been foul hooked! Plenty of moaning going on about how cold it was and how poor the fishing was. The wind was a pain long to sulked on to top set plus one and batten down the hatches. Fished double LR's with GB and experimented with different feeding and started to catch some F1's, some skimmers and one decent Roach and was surprised when a Bream (not a Skimmer) flew off the hook, indeed if it was hooked, Learnt a bit about the feeding for next time. The Ronnie rig was left in the roost today due to the poor presentation due to the strong wind.

Weighed 12 lb 12 oz for seventh from bottom, lost 10 foulers - final score 10 - 7 to the Carp -  duh. On hindsight should have set up a margin rig.

The match was won by regular Phil Auger (pictured with his catch) from peg 11 with a great weight on the day of 42 lb 15 oz. Phil caught mainly long over to the island at 14 metres fishing either maggot or caster hook bait fished over loose fed same. Well done matey.

Back to the pub with John S, Pete G and Glenn B for the usual moans.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 18/11/2025 - Harescombe - Hobnobs - Match Lake

Back to Harescombe, just a shame that we don't have a fishery like this closer to home. A bit nippy this morning with some car ice scraping before the off.

Another decent breakfast and into the draw bag and for second time on the trot - peg 5 for me. Couldn't help noticing John Smith aka "Cliff" or "Foggy" on peg 29 again!!

Whilst setting up there was a lot of Roach topping on the crease of the wind. So set up the short Ronnie rig to fish down the right, a 4x10 Roob Wire for down the left margin in-between the reeds and a 4x14 Winter Wire to fish top set plus three barrels.

Loose fed the Ronnie line with Pinkie, the left side some DR's and the long line loose GB and DR's and Pinkie. Had a quick look on the Ronnie rig with single Pinkie 100% certain would result in one first try. Well, after 10 minutes not one indication - cripes. So a quick look down the left in the reeds with double DR's and again not a sign! So out on the long line with various combinations of maggot/pinkie and one indication. Persevered with this line for nothing. Two hours in and nothing. So decided to set up 13 metres to fish tight over.What surprised me it was exactly the same depth as the the shorter line. Not fished 13 metres for about twenty years - in fact the end two sections hadn't been used on this pole. However, I was to severely regret doing this, with a reminder why I don't do long pole fishing. Fed some loose GB and DR's and had indication first try - liners? Well the upshot was five foul hooked Carp lost (probably due to towing into into them with the flow going both ways) and one Skimmer and one F1 in the mouth and netted. The consequences of this frustrating excursion was a painful back and hip - never again. Last hour back on the three barrel line and surprise awaited - four more F1's on the bounce plus a lost decent Skimmer before the line died - still haven't got the feeding right convinced this was the cause.

Weighed 13 lb 9 oz for section win and 5th overall. Yes fished hard as most fisheries are at the moment. Left thinking why I didn't have one Ronnie from a lake that is stuffed full with them. Very enjoyable even though it nearly crippled me. Considered a few times leaving the 13 metre section home but it does give some protection to the rest of the pole.

The previous match fished here John Smith (pictured being photo bombed by head Hobnob) was on peg 29. I went and had a pre- all in chat and recommended he fish the waggler up the leg. It surprised me that an angler of his class didn't have one with him. However, he didn't make that mistakes this match fishing the wag and mag into the leg taking the match quite convincingly with 50 lb 11 oz. His first cast caused a chuckle resulting in a Moorhen which was safely returned. Well done matey can't beat waggler fishing.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 28/10/2025 - Hobnobs - Harescombe - Match Lake

That time of year when it takes me two weeks to adjust to the time change. Match now down to 5 hours with weigh-in at 3 pm. Back to the Match Lake this week, looking forward to it -17 fishing.

These matches are great value you can get a decent breakfast and match for £21, but don't expect payouts to boost your pension. Traditional match anglers know it's not about the £ winnings, but the fishing, camaraderie and competition. We soon get weighed in by Gary and Kathryn the excellent fishery management team (pictured).

Peg 5 for me found myself between the two Phil's so expect conversations to get confusing. Unlike many venue's there are no flyer pegs and impossible to predict the best pegs on the day, which is a great attraction.

Looks like a decent days weather wise. All ready for the all-in (picture looking up from peg 1 picture taken from Smithy's end peg 29).

Bait tray today Live Red Maggot (LR's) and a bit of GB.

Three rigs - A 4x12 strung our 4x14 Winter yo fish at top set plus two barrels with double LR's over loose GB and LR's - result one early F1 and a lost fouler, then pestered by small Ronnie's. A  0.3 gram RJ Slim to fish down the left up to the Reeds with the same feed and bait - result one decent F1. A  0.25 short Ronnie rig fished down the left towards the empty peg would have preferred the right side as it was clear of Reeds but too close to peg 6 Phil. Same baits and caught small Ronnie's with the odd 3 to 4 oz ones and one Skimmer plus four small F1's. It was very hard today, but enjoyable with plenty of close weights again.

Weighed 22 lb 1 oz for 4th and section win just piping Phil Auger peg 6 whom I thought had twice my weight. Used 1/2 pint of LR's today 😁. Very enjoyable day's fishing - when is it not?

The match was won by "Stitch" (pictured) with 41 lb 12 oz from peg 19. Stitch caught one metre off the far bank using pellet over loose fed pellet. Well done matey decent weight on a hard day.

Back to the Lamb with the usual suspects. Found a pub that doesn't sell Guinness 😕.

Bloody traffic a nightmare around my home at the moment, closed one of the roads I use coming home.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 14/10/2025 - Hobnobs - Harescombe - Doughnut

Last time this year on the Doughnut for me and probably the last time at Harescombe for Glenn until the Spring when the paste starts working again. I'm currently thinking of fishing the silver matches on Thursday's on Field Lake.

Eighteen fishing today. Into the draw bag and peg 28 for me. Not seen this peg in before but explained by the numbers fishing today. Its the last number on the Nut, subsequently next to peg 1 occupied by matey Rich Powell. To my right had a decent gap to Tony Welsby peg 24 who started off like a train and thought it was on the cards for a win. Quite liked the look of the peg, very narrow. Flat calm though but the tow wind effected.

So just the one rig a 4x14 Winter to fish top set plus one barrel at 1 o clock with maggot - simple.

Fed a small pot GB laced with LR's with double LR's on an18 hook to 0.14 GLine in five foot of water. First put in had Carp catching me by surprise - usually got to wait a while for the first bite here, so, is a red letter day on the cards? Four tiny Perch later, the answer was nope! Everyone was struggling. With two hours gone and three Carp in the net faith in my method started to vane. So put on another barrel and added the 6 inches difference reaching full depth, but after five minutes regained my composure and reverted back to the one barrel 😕. Glenn came round with two hours to go who had just the one Carp and by which time my tally was five. Good job the exit gate was locked!! The last hour came and I started to string a few more Carp together and thinking I had another half hour refed the line only to here the all out - 3 o clock finish from now on. 

Finished with ten Carp and four Perch 😁 for 30 lb 15 oz taking 3rd spot. What was interesting the peg tow's in both directions probably due to being on the end on the Nut. Very enjoyable day, love this hard fishing after all I was brought up catching next to nothing on the rivers and canal fishing winter leagues etc...

Phil Auger came out clear winner by miles with a catch of 87 lb 1 0z from peg 14 (pictured with his catch and the mud bank). Phil caught long over the mud bank fishing 12 inches deep with maggot hook bait and feed. Will done matey

Back to the Lamb with the usual suspects to end another memorable day.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 07/10/2025 - Hobnob's - Harescombe Fishery - Doughnut

Travelled on my own today which always makes the journey appear longer. Nice breakfast again with John S, Chris G and Pete G. Jock reminisced the three days he lost after fishing the super league for Swindon on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. Apparently he Disney drink anymore.

Hoping to be over the far side for a change and was rewarded with peg 19. As with last week on the Match Lake found myself next to Mick peg 18 and Richard peg 20 aka Teabag - little less coughing and spitting today.

There are lots of different baits you can take to matches which causes confusing and switching around resulting in reduced catches. I choose a bait and try and make it work. So far that has been paste here but have now switched to maggot, in my opinion the best bait if no silvers around.

At last conditions were good for the waggler so set up a 6" Drake. A 4x16 Winter to fish up the slope in nearly 5 foot of water at top set plus one barrel at 1 o clock and the short Ronnie rig. All to fish maggot.

Fed the inside lines and the far bank. Started on the waggler with double LR's hook bait with the depth set at 3 foot. Soon found that the far bank had collapsed with the depth being just a few inches. Shallowed up to 18 inches and was soon foul hooking Carp. Hooked three in the mouth and had lost five and time to ditch the waggler - at least got that one out of my system - bit ridiculous trying to fish a mud bank with a waggler - but fun. Thanks to Mick for retrieving my waggler 😁.

Had a short go on the Ronnie rig with single LR over loose feed which didn't feel right, so spent the rest on the match on the one barrel line and from there on had a steady day catching some beautiful looking Carp to 4 lb. Played about with the feeding which was informative, get it wrong and foul hooking follows. Can't emphasise enough how important it is to take time plumbing up on this lake.

Weighed 56 lb 8 oz which included a 1/4 oz Perch for second overall. Fed about 3/4 pint so not a lot of bait required. Enjoyed the day but did get a tad cold near the end.

The match was won by Rob Pass (pictured) with 66 lb 5 oz from peg 9. I'm sure paste played a big part for him today. Well done matey.

Chris Gay took our section by default, fishing 16 metres with worm over micro - cripes hard work that. Nice one matey.

Back to the Lamb with the usual suspects and another good laugh.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 31/09/2025 - Hobnob's - Harescombe - Match Lake

Another visit to Harescombe with Glenn, just wish we had a fishery like this nearby, but well still, worth the drive.

Into the draw bag and peg 14 again for me. Hopefully the peg will fish a bit better with 28 lb to beat. Will be applying some learning from the last match which might help the cause.

Felt I was in the open end at the Mem facing the Thatcher's end with Pete Greenslade, Glenn Bailey and John Smith (pictured - that's him on the left - The one on the right looked like a Ginger!) opposite me in a line - UTG.

Thought I would try the 7 mm meat today so set up a 4x12 to fish top set plus two barrels. But would start on the paste to see if there was any longevity in the method with a 0.3 gram shotted paste rig to fish top set plus three barrels. Finally a short Ronnie rig for fishing each side with LR's.

Had the usual three early Carp and one F1 on the paste over kindered micro before it died. Didn't try forcing the line as it didn't work last time, so, switched to the meat line at 2 0 clock where I had been regularly loose pieces of meat. Expected initially to get pestered by small silvers. However, no indications but did foul hook a Carp up in the water, patience exhausted after 10 minutes so binned it in favour of the Ronnie rig knowing that I would have to face catching tiny Ronnie's before the Carp arrived. Went through the pain barrier catching Whitebait before the odd Carp arrived and had a decent couple of hours catching Carp to 7 lb. However, had to put up with Whitebait in between each Carp but as the match progressed the silvers were less of a nuisance, netting a a few bigger 3 oz Rudd and Ronnie's, but no Perch today.

Meanwhile John Smith was busy foul hooking and losing his first seven fish. John stayed strong taking the piss take on the chin, it would have broken most men💪.

Weighed 51 lb 8 oz for fourth overall and a section first. Really enjoyed it today, especially as didn't feed too many maggots. Took away from today that the paste on the Match lake will for me be mothballed until next Spring.

The match was won by "Stitch" (pictured) with 66 lb 9 oz from peg 2. Excellent weight on a difficult day.

Back to the Lamb for a pint with fellow GAS Heads. Glenn was pondering at his lucky polo shirt and realising he had it on inside out. 😂

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 23/09/2025 - Hobnob's - Harescombe - Match Lake

Glenn couldn't make it today so on my own. It felt cold loading the car, might have been because we had a light frost with the temperature at 2 degrees when leaving home. Had a nice breakfast with John Smith and Pete Greenslade. 

Had a quick look at the Match Lake and as could be expected very little signs of fish movement. With a bright day expected equated to a low weight affair today.

Into the draw bag ad peg 14 for me. Arrived at the peg to find this end of the Lake flat calm with the light breeze giving some cover to the opposite end. Due to being in a valley it doesn't usually matter as the wind varies in direction throughout the matches. However, it appears that with the wind in the NE it tends to stay.

For company on end peg 15 was club treasurer Dave Rugman. Wasn't sure the paste would work today but would be may starter to look see. Set up a 4x12 Winter for corn both fished at three barrels, paste in front and the corn at 2 o clock. As the wind was right set up the waggler.

Started on the paste and had indications straight away and in the first hour had three decent Carp. Subsequently it was a struggle. Had a few casts on the waggler with double LR's over heavily fed same and had some Ronnie's which indicated that here wasn't many Carp over the far bank. So binned it, but sure it will work another day. Set up a shallow paste rig to see if it could work, again nothing. Switched a worm for the paste (beauty of shotting paste rigs) and had an F1 first try didn't have anymore so fed some chopped worm which seemed to make things worse. Tried the corn line to no avail, couldn't sit there with no indications. Started to fidgety so set up the short Ronnie rig to fish the margin with a heavy feed of maggot. Could catch a 2 to 3 oz Ronnie every put in, kept feeding and was rewarded with the bottom colouring up and another and last decent Carp. Did have two decent Roach and a good Perch.

Everyone at our end of the Lake was struggling and with Dave, Jock and Tony in our corner the fishing efforts died down being replaced with banter. Good laugh.

Now here's a thing Dave was fishing the tea bag up to the end bank and blanking until he had his usual delivery of a beef burger and subsequently started to catch. Apparently it was the burger juice on his hands that made the difference. 

My silvers weighed 8 lb 10 and my five Carp 18 lb 14 oz for 27 lb 8oz for second in section.

and beat a couple of tea baggers!!

The match was won by Phil Auger (pictured) with 59 lb 13 oz from peg 9. A decent weight considering the conditions. Well done matey.

Dave said to me best get out of the fishery quick because the Cow's were about to be driven down the lane. Bloody good advice as got to the pub 20 minutes before Pete and John our section winner.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 16/09/2025 - Harescombe - Hobnob's - The Doughnut

The drive to Harescombe was, well …uneventful 😃.

A decent breakfast devoured and into the draw bag and peg 6 for me and 14 for Glenn. Found myself next to Pete Greenslade on peg 4.

Thirteen fishing today.

Set up the usual paste rig and margin maggot rig, then pondered on the wag and mag, but just felt the wind wasn't quite right, instead choosing to have a pre-start walk around - bad mistake me thinks.

Set up next to the platform as there was a "beach" in front which would have made it difficult to put the fish in the keep net. 

Had a plumb around and although the water level was up a tad found the depth 2 foot less than peg 15. The bottom was up and down - "No theodolite was used in the construction of the Lake". Settled on top set plus two barrels for paste and top set plus one barrel for the maggot rig at 45 degrees in 3 foot of water - deeper than I would have preferred.

Started on the paste over kindered micro whilst feeding up the margin with LR's. It was soon apparent that it was going to be harder for me today. During the first hour had just a few indications and relieved when I carefully landed my first Carp. Tried the margin early and had two quick Carp and  foul hooker before it died. Spent the match switching between the two lines adding the odd Carp, but nothing consistent that was going to threaten the frame. At halfway started to experiment with feeding etc... at this juncture should have set up the waggler but couldn't be assed. Should also have tried adding another barrel. Learnt that plumbing around is important here and should have spent more time on it.

Finished with 13 small Carp in great condition averaging just 2 1/4 lb for 30 lb 5 oz and no where. Still very enjoyable. Still to give the waggler a go, I need to know.

The match was won by Rob Pass (pictured with his catch) with 98 lb 14 oz from peg 22. Rob caught at half way using paste over micro. Well done matey.

Matey Glenn Bailey (pictured) fishing peg 14 was runner up with 75 lb 6 oz. Glenn fished his favoured paste over soaked 4's mostly fishing short.

Back to the Lamb for a pint with Glenn, John and Pete (up the GAS). Had a good few laughs. Great way to end a great days match fishing.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 09/09/2025 - Hobnobs's at Harescombe - Doughnut

Lets be clear Glenn's and my fraught travels to Harescombe today was the complete fault of Geoff Francis. Last match Geoff explained that he found it much quicker to go via Ring Road and M5 rather than the usual of country roads. So off we set to find the Ring road rammed, but that was OK as the traffic dribbled along. Got to the M32 to access the M4 then the M5, only for Glenn to think we were going up the M4 to London, luckily I caught him time so we had to go back to the Hambrook round about to try gain. Second attempt we managed to get on the M4 in the right direction only to miss the M5 turn off and found ourselves on the way to South Wales. The now distraught Glenn suggested we carry on to Redhill for a pleasure session. I got him to turn off at the last turning before the Bridge and weave our way to Thornbury and and onto the M5 North. We were now a tad late so decided to go straight to the Doughnut and a quick called Tony "Hobnob" who agreed to do the draw for us and arrange for Gary to bring us a Bacon and Egg roll (very nice) - thanks both. Phew!

Glenn and me were drawn next to each other peg 15 for me and 13 for Glenn. Water levels were up a tad but not sufficient enough to sit on the platform so set up in the margin again (pictured). Thought the fishing would be OK due to the wind blowing our way.

With no silvers in the Lake maggot would be my choice of bait once the paste slows down. When the conditions are right would be itching to try the waggler and maggot here. But today start with paste then try Maggot in the margin later.

So one 0.4 gram Paul Corbett (PC) paste rig (great for the deeper waters) to fish top set and two barrel in 6 foot of water, and a 0.3 gram Ryan Jordon (RJ) Slim for the margin on the top set.

Started by feeding some Micro - first mistake as the feed was falling too slow causing foul hooking loosing my first five fish - bugger. So for the rest of the match feed nothing just any dissolved paste. Had a steady couple of hours catching some better Carp until it just switched off. The penny dropped the wind had switched direction leaving me becalmed. Had a look in the RH margin with the maggot over loose fed same had a couple of Carp but it was slow, Unfortunately preserved too long on the paste line to no avail. Decided to fish the last 30 minutes out on the maggot but this time down the LH side and was wishing I had switched sides earlier as had a good 30 minutes with one Carp snagging me in something that I thought was my keep net, but was something on the bottom. Had a micro Perch and definitely seen an Eel blow so some silvers in the Lake!!

Weighed 81 lb for third overall. needing another 5 lb for the win and 4 lb for second to Alan Oram's 85 lb. So very close match again. Very enjoyable and can't wait until we see the lake at it's winter level.

Two Pots Glenn Bailey won the match with 86 lb 2 oz from peg 13. Glenn caught on his favourite paste method at various lengths - mainly three barrels. Well done matey. Thanks for the ride today!

Tony Cook had some bad luck arriving to find his car alternator had packed up luckily the AA came and charged his car sufficiently hopefully to get him home.

After a distraught day on the road we were glad to sip our first pint in the Lamb - Iron Acton with section winner John Smith and Pete Greenslade. Driving home Glenn and me had a right laugh over todays events. - lasting memories made.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 02/09/2025 - Harescombe Fishery - Hobnobs on Match Lake

Back to Harescombe with Glenn and Geoff Francis. On arrival noticed Geoff's clean plate that previously held a fat bastard breakfast. Glenn and me had the small breakfast which was excellent and good value.

Nice to see Jock again. Lovely man.

Seems that every year at the beginning of September there is a sudden change in temperature, as it was today, needed fleece and Gore-Tex jacket. Luckily only a few small showers of rain even though Gary and the rest of the fishery managers have been doing rain dances every day. Think their worse worries are over for another year.

As Glenn and Me travel together it would be helpful if we were on the same side of the lake. It hasn't happened yet, but we were opposite today (pictured Glenn and Barry packing up).

Into the draw bag and peg 9 for me and next to Dave peg 8 who years back ran the Bridgewater AA matches on the Huntspill and Sedgemoor Drain with  Geoff Francis on peg 11.

Just the usual set up of two paste rigs. However, with the water cooling down would it be as good? So all my eggs in the one basket. Choose to fish initially at top set plus two then back to one barrel then margin with the bullet rig in the last knockings. Cutting back on the feed was the order of the day. So just a few micros kindered with the paste on the long line and had my usual quick six Carp/F1's before it slowed. Came to the conclusion that it's mainly the F1's who cause the slowing rather than the Carp, this because of how hard they initially speed off scaring the other F1's off. So question of keep a bit of feed going and being patient today. Tried the short line and it felt as if wasn't going to produce so binned that, with the margin producing one F1. Only place producing was the long line and hadn't lost or foul hooked any fish. Five minutes from the end hooked a Carp which was the first fouler of about 2 lb plus which came off with Glenn shouting out that could have been a "Game changer". He was right cost me the match win.

Weighed 55 lb 8 oz for third place only  1 ln 5 oz from first!! Very enjoyable steady days fishing. Great match fishing when it's this close.

The match was won again by Richard Rogers (pictured with his catch) 56 lb 13 oz from peg 12. Richard is well known for setting up the one feeder rod and fishing the tea bag throughout his matches. Well done.

Unlucky Tony Hobnobber.

Now here's a thing. Richard frames most matches here, mostly winning. Other than the odd angler dabbling in the tea bag most fish the pole. So if the tea bag is the winning method why isn't everyone using it? My answer would be; It's not the winning that's the most important thing but having a good day fishing using the methods you enjoy the most - feeder fishing is not for me not busy enough, have never fished the Method.

Back to the White Harte for a pint and a Himalayan curry with Geoff and Glenn. Very nice first time for a Buttered Chicken very tasty.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 26/08/2025 - Hobnobs at Harescombe - Match Lake

Another glorious day for fishing. Glenn and me off to Harescombe Match Lake again with the Hobnobs. Another nice breakfast with Pete Greenslade, John Smith and Pete Turner joining us.

If Carlsberg did match organisers.

Into the draw bag and peg 6 for me. Good company with Pete Turner on 5 and Tony Welsby on 8.

Two paste rigs - at top set plus three barrels, the other for right hand margin to see if I catch there this time!

Started on the long line with kindered paste and micro and had six quick Carp feeding a small amount of micro every fish and started to think I was going to empty it, nope, it was clear these were the fish that had missed yesterday's dinner. Kept going on the line nicking the odd now F1's. The wind picked up and although the wind was forecast to from in the SE the valley decides which way it's going to hit the Match Lake, blowing in every direction of the compass which can catch you out. A change now required so had a plumb around and decided to have a go at top set plus one which was about 6 inch shallower and anticipated it would take me out of the worse of the silt. Changed the feeding to minimum loose fed wet 4's. This worked for a while adding F1's and a few decent Skimmers. Started loose feeding wetted 4's in the margin and kept testing with the paste for the millions of nibbler's if present went back to the short line nicking the odd fish but had slowed considerably. At last went in the margin and the float sat still and had a run of Carp and F1's that was until I had a period of foul hooking - bugger.

Weighed 58 lb 10 oz for 5th. Felt that I haven't got the feeding right but got some clues for the next match. Very enjoyable day with the highlight seeing the delight on Pete Turners face when I retrieved his  number 7 and 8 that had blown in the lake - pleasure matey.

Glenn won his section again (pictured) pegged next to the winner Phil Auger (pictured with his catch) on peg 19 who won with 93 lb 7 oz. Not sure how he caught as my assistant Sports Journalist didn't know, only he caught mainly long tight over, but couldn't identify hook baits etc..."YOUR FIRED"

Runner up was worth a mention Rich Rogers who sat on the Tea Bag all match for 84 lb 10 oz. This method seems to be following me everywhere.

John Smith invited us for a pint on the way home but failed tell us which pub he was going to - apparently cider pickles brains. Glenn and me stopped again in the White Harte - No Geoff Francis stuffing himself this time.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 19/08.2025 - Hobnobs - Harescombe - Doughnut

When the Doughnut was first mentioned I went and had a look which was just after it had been dug and partly filled and pre-platforms (pictured bottom centre). It was to be a Silvers only pool. However, as history tell us it didn't work out. It has since been restocked with 2 tons of Carp no silvers remaining. As I hadn't fished it Glenn and me decided to give it a go with the Hobnobbers.

Was told the water level was down as you would expect with the dry spell we are going through which may require setting-up down in front of the platforms.

After another nice breakfast drew peg 11 which meant nothing to me. Got to the peg and yep had to set-up in the dry margin. The advantage was wont have to do my joints exercises today! Once set up it felt safe but didn't look it. Glenn was on peg 5 and able to sit on his platform. There was plenty of fish on the end of the island on the mud bank. Too far for me - waggler and Mag? - wind too bad.

Just two paste rigs one for top set plus two barrels in 5 foot and one for the margin to the right in 30 inches. Hopes were high.

Started on the long line with paste over micro. A very slow start for most. Finally had a few small Carp both Mirror's and Common's which fought well above their average 2 1/2 lb weight. Kept feeding the margin with hard 4's but only manged one better Carp losing a fouler after repeated attempts. The fish seemed to be a bit scatty which might be due to the lower water levels. Spent most of the match on the long line but found the as soon as the paste started to fall would get liners. Subsequently had a few foulers. Found it was a case of fishing the feed out which resulted in a couple of Carp prepared to get their heads down. Swapped from micro to feeding hard 4's which had the same result. Swapped to really soft paste which helped hold the float still in the wind. Had a walk down to Glenn who had just started catching after a long slow start, the walk helped ease my stiff back.

Finished with 20 Carp for 54 lb 15 oz for no where but a decent enjoyable days fishing. Must say the fish are in excellent condition.

The match was won my Glenn Bailey (pictured with his catch and collecting his winnings from head Hobnob) with 97 lb from peg 5. Glenn caught on paste at two barrels. Well done matey.

Very close contest two 90's, two 80's and three 70's that's proper match fishing which makes it feel like a fairish venue.

Back to the White Harte for a pint where we found Geoff France's with his Wife and Daughter having a meal. He was feeding up on his main stay food - Asian curry's. No Lemon in his cider - did check.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 05/08/2025 - Harescombe - Hobnobs - Match Lake

For some reason my blog has become infested with annoying adverts, need to investigate, but guess it won't be easy - Google language is from some time in the distant future and is difficult to understand.

Had a call from matey Glenn Bailey who wanted to fish a match with me. So with him busy on Thursday we decided to get on the Hobnobs match at Harescombe which is every Tuesday. So contacted Tony Cook - Chief Hobnob (pictured chatting to Glenn on peg 8) who gladly booked us in and making us very welcome - a good feeling. The match was on Match Lake.

After a decent breakfast with Glenn and Mark Lodge who we discovered is the Land Lord of the New Inn Frampton Cotterell!

Twelve booked in so plenty of room. Again I was hoping for a peg on the near side especially today as would have to barrow my kit round. In to the draw bag and it was peg 24 on the far side for me and the longest walk, whilst Glenn was on peg 8 sat by his van. From previous results pegs 24 and 25 (empty today) seem to be all or nothing pegs. Found myself next to matey Rich Powell on peg 22 so good company - hope he puts the maggots I gave him to good use Thursday.

Only had paste so one rig for top set plus three barrels and a RJ bullet for the RH margin which I kept trying to find the margins full of very small silvers which mashed the paste to death did spear a few of the blighters😁.

Started at three barrels and had a two F1's and a small Carp before it went iffy. The wind picked up making presentation of paste in 3 foot of water difficult so dropped down to two barrels and refed the line with micro. It was soon clear that it was going to be a difficult day. I basically struggled to about 90 minutes to go and had three Carp which I hoping was the start for a dash to the finish - alas not just the odd F1. Glenn who was also struggling started to catch at the same time as me but fortunately he carried on to the end (pictured with his third overall catch of 64 lb 9 oz and especially good to see him back to his old self).

Weighed 33 lb 9 oz for last but one. I think today result was partly to do with the draw and my feeding which I'm still trying to sort it out, came away thinking I'm over feeding. I must say the fish are in great condition with Gary taking good care of his fish, spraying anti-bacterial on fish with any signs of infection. A first time time for everything tripped over three Scotch Eggs 😂.

The match was won by regular C J Booth (pictured with his catch) with 76 lb 8 oz from peg 12. Not sure how he caught. Well done matey.

Glenn and me have booked into the match on the Doughnut in two weeks time which will be the first time we've fished it, could be interesting.

Finally it looks like Mark Lodge not only can pull a decent pint but also good pegs!!

Weigh Sheet: