Sunday 10/11/2019 - Hillview Open - Moorhen, Heron and Canal Three.

When Joe McMahon offered me a lift to Hillview, I thought yes why not haven't been there for a long while plus the stupid weight season is over. Martin Rayet was supposed to come but chose to work.

Today was the first opportunity try out my new acquisition - a heated body warmer. However, as it turned out with it adding an extra layer it was hot enough with no need to turn it on. Perhaps next week. 

Met up with a few friends I haven't seen for a while. Nice to see Keith Hill in the kitchen taking the usual piss. With it now winter I was surprised to see Terry King there. This man is the epitome of top-kit fishing, worth a watch if you get the chance I have and had a few right bashing from him - always a pleasure. Bob Black also now fishing here regularly. Went up to Moorhen Lake where a crowd had gathered to watch a Cormorant feeding. Apparently it had injured its wing and couldn't fly and was hopping between all the Lakes and Canals. For me and a couple others it was to prove to partly spoil the day.

I was disappointed to hear that both  Lakes were in, however, with 30 fishing the Third Canal would be brought into action which I was hoping to draw. Out come Kingey with a smile on his face  with peg 74. Last but two into the woolly hat and out comes peg 6 Moorhen causeway which was to prove crowded. I forgot how close the pegs are, peg 5 was about 15 foot but peg 7 was empty but I would have to un-ship every two sections and couldn't be arsed with that.

The weather was set fine with bright spells and with little to no wind I set up the waggler to fish up and down with LR's. Chose main attack at top-set plus one in 5 foot of water with 4 mm expander's over micro. The only other rig was a 4x10 to fish out from the margin in 3 foot of margin water for later with LR's.

Started on the expander and could see there were fish straight on to the kindered micro missing a first liner then I had my first F1. It then all went tits up as I started his foul hook fish it was obvious the fish were only interested in eating falling bait. So after getting right cheesed off of foul hookers I had a go on the waggler and found it similar but found it I left the feeding I could pick off the occasional Silver fish. I did have one decent Carp on it. The penny dropped dump potting was the order of the day so picked up the marginal rig and heavy fed LR's then fished it out which sort of worked catching a 10 lb Mirror and a few smaller ones, but no F1's I started to enjoy it when the Cormorant arrived in my peg. It came into where I was fishing and although I hadn't caught any Silvers there was suddenly loads trying to get out of the Lake! I was surprised I didn't hook it, if anyone could it would be Trigger - and he did but came off. It came in twice to my margin killing it for about 45 minutes each time.

My few Carp weighed 46 lb 8 oz. However, the peg was worth twice this even with the Cormorant issues. You really need to be in touch with a fishery to understand the feeding patterns - unfortunately I found out too late today and I'm sure the sea bird will have moved on by now. I need to get up there more often because I do enjoy it in the winter months. It looks as if the only baits needed here at the moment is LR's and Micro - simples - just need to work out the feeding.

The match was won by Terry King (pictured right) with 154 lb from Canal peg 74. Terry caught on what else - his top-kit. Terry fished both sides just out from the edge in the deeper water fishing LR's over LR's. Terry fed about 1 1/2 pints throughout. Certainly the King of top-kit fishing.

Results show that the Canal section was the place to be today.

Result:

1. Terry King 154-0-0 peg 74
2. Craig Edmonds 145-0-0 peg 18
3. Carl Midford 136-0-0 peg 70
4. Huggy 124-0-0 peg 80
5. Matty 117-0-0 peg 25
6. Bob Black 110-0-0 peg 72

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 12/02/2018 - Hillview Open - Canals 1,2 and 3

Five of us ventured north to the Hillview Fishery, one of my old stomping grounds, which makes this the eighth venue so far this year. It is great to see Podge (pictured right in his Preston kit including gloves!) getting back into the match scene and doing well.

The outside temperature was bearable, however, the North Westerly wind wasn’t. There was no way the lakes would be fishable with waves breaking into the far end bank. Keith sensibly chose the first three Canals. So my waggler rod would remain a virgin for at least another few days.

After a Keith Hill breakfast which his dogs were keen to share it was time for the dip into the smelly woolly hat and shining disc with 72 on the third Canal stuck to

my mitts (pictured right). Happy with this as it’s the best end of the Canal in winter, and the nasty wind gusting wind was off my back. I felt for those on Canal 2. For company on end peg 70 was matey Glenn Bailey. So half expecting a duffing up from him. The peg has great margins so I set up a 4x10 Speedy which would be also suitable for over if need be. However, when checked the depth over the plummet was getting knocked about by fish. I daren’t go over with a bare hook. I also set up the old faithful black top 4x12 to fish top-set plus three which is down the deepest part of the track. Because of the activity over I borrowed a slice of bread from Glenn, who also had indications over. The only other bait on the tray was maggot.

I started over on 10mm punch bread fully expecting the float to disappear. The upshot was not one indication which Glenn also found. Umm! I optimistically switched to maggot – again nothing. The wind was blowing hard into the far bank rendering presentation very difficult. Far bank now abandoned. Into the sheltered calm waters of the margin at top-set plus two along the bank towards Glenn who had already caught a few small Carp over on maggot. I was getting some indications which I took to be small Silvers. However, I now think it was liners from the two tiny Carp I caught there. Ninety minutes up so my attention switched to the down the track where I had been feeding maggot. It wasn’t long before I had my first 2lb F1. The bites were very finicky once the bait settled near bottom. However, when taken on the drop the opposite was true. So changed the shotting pattern and fished on the drop. This improved my catch rate immensely; having a great middle match spell initially F1’s then Carp, but never a mix! I would certainly have put more in the net if it wasn’t for the bloody wind which when gusting I didn’t catch, careful not to say I didn’t have bites because I wouldn’t have known!

Another lovely day’s fish at this venue which suits me once the summer Carp Slaying stops. I weighed 63lb which was good enough for the win (me pictured right with the runner up - just like that)

Keith told me he’s digging another 40 peg Lake over the back of Canal 4. Bigger Carp and Silvers are to be stocked. I suggest he also invests in a set of new scales that have divisions smaller than 8oz.

The Bristol five did well with three of us picking up coin. We will be back.

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 63-0-0 peg 72
2. Dave Willmott 57-08-0 peg 50
3. Lee Payne 43-08-0 peg 75
4. Glenn Bailey 43-0-0 peg 70

Weigh Sheet:

Friday 29/12/2017 - Hillview Fishery - Philtone Christmas Match - Canals 2,3 And 4

Bela and I were invited to fish the Philtone Christmas match at Hillview on Canals 2, 3 and 4. Both the breakfast and peg fees kindly paid for by Philtone Boss Neil Mercer. Big thank you to him.

I paid a visit to Huggy’s on site tackle shop, must say it’s been exceptionally well stocked since my last visit (pictured right).

Eighteen fishing split into teams of six by some mystical means. I found myself in Paul Elms team. Two anglers from each team placed on one of the three Canals. The Captain’s drew for first peg then the rest of the team was allocated their pegs. I was hoping for Canal Two, but found myself on 81 which was end but one on the Third Canal. Around this time last year there were blanks on these end pegs, whereas peg 70 on the opposite end had 70lb, so not that enthusiastic. Got to the peg and my optimism grew as there was some colour to the water plus the wind was blowing down the Canal and a small Carp had a wave at me. Opposite me was Anglings answer to Charlie Chaplin – matey Dave Lewis – who had to look at me all day (Dave’s view pictured right). Behind me on flyer peg 56 was Trigger whose bag-in-a-bag-in-a-bag kept blowing into my peg.

My set-up today consisted of just two rigs 4x10 for over which was easily reached with 10.25 metres and a 4x12 for top-set plus two – simple. Started over and chose not to fish the prescribed bread but instead even more visible bait – triple Fluro Pinkie. First put in over a few Pinkies I foul hooked an F1 which didn’t quite reach the landing net. Some fish about then. Next put in another fouler but this time a 10lb Common which did get landed – a good start. I then had a run of five smaller Carp and one F1. Not long after we started the wind slowly increased and swung round 90 degrees. The long line died but I preserved with it far too long as once I retreated to the short line with again triple fluro Pinkie where I had been scattering live red maggots all over the place (not by desire but where the wind dictated) I started to catch well, small Carp and the odd F1. The wind was a problem as I only seem to catch once the water went flat calm, but as the bites were hard to see I might have missed some due to the wind picking the float up – who knows for sure.

I finished the match with 45lb 14oz which was top weight on my Canal, which was a bit of a surprise.

“Some say his eyelids are elastic and that he once shaved his legs as a right of passage into the Boy Scouts. All I know it’s the Trig again”.

Trigger won the match from peg 56 (pictured right) with 72lb. Trig spent the first half the match fishing punched bread over and the second half fishing down the track with maggot over maggot.

The “Triggers” won the team match with 225lb 8oz (The team pictured below).

A really good day's fishing with a really nice bunch of quality anglers.

Full Result:

1. Craig Edmonds 72-0-0 peg 56
2. Martin Rayet 63-08-0 peg 58
3. Bela Bakos 53-0-0 peg 95
4. Mike Nicholls 45-14-0 peg 81
5. Joe McMahon 40-08-0 peg 60
6. Dave Haines 38-08-0 peg 62

Teams:

1. The Triggers – 225lb 8oz
2. The Towners – 168lb 4oz
3. The Beavers – 149lb 12oz

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 04/12/2016 - Hillview Open

I travelled with Geoff Francis today, his first time at Hillview and a baptism of fire from Keith Hill. Keith has just spend £300 on a new sign (pictured right) and  was watching everyone via his CCTV and because Geoff and I didn’t put our nets straight out he pounced on us, I said it was too small and we didn’t see it, he wasn’t amused as it’s 8 foot high! Nonetheless, we had a decent breakfast.

Huggy was in his new tackle shop dragging in customers (pictured lower right).

Twenty two booked in so Keith put in the two Lakes and two Canals numbers 2 and 3. Canal 3 was fished the day before and there were a number of DNW’s, so didn’t want to draw here.

In to the Woolley hat and out came peg 79 – Canal 3! Wrong Canal, wrong end, I was sandwiched between young Josh Clarke and Shaun Bruton who was on the end peg and the only peg that was frozen. The upshot was Shaun and I didn’t have a bite on anything we tried with Josh caught ten Rudd for 8oz. No more about today.

The match was won by Griff (pictured lower right with half his catch) with 93lb from Heron peg 32. Half of Griff’s weight was made up with Carp with the remainder F1’s. Griff caught at either 9 metres or 11 metres using maggot over maggot, an excellent weight on the day.

Full Result:

1. Griff 93-0-0 peg 32
2. Shaun Gould 46-0-0 peg 59
3. Lee Seward 45-08-0 peg 35
4. Lee Payne 45-0-0 peg 70
5. Kevin 44-04-0 peg 62
6. Derek Young 40-0-0 peg 29

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 20/11/2016 - Hillview Open - Moorhen and the Four Canals

With Bela fishing the Westerleigh league I teamed up with Martin Rayett and choosing to go back to my commercial roots – Hillview Fishery. First time back for 1 ½ years how time fly’s. Keith Hill hasn’t changed a bit, still doing the cooking and Martin and I had our large breakfast in front of us in double quick time. I slipped two of my sausages on “One Chews” plate, not sure he noticed.

Considering the weather is was a good turn out with 35 fishing. With a club match on Heron that left us spread over Moorhen and the four Canals. I didn’t mind where I drew as long as it was a Canal. Second in to the Woolley hat (yes Keith is still using it). I had my wish drawing 77 middlish of Canal 3.

Arriving at my peg there was plenty of Carp swimming around up in the water. I decided to set up two rigs a 4x12 F1 Titan for down the track at top-set plus two in 5 foot of water and a 4x10 F1 Winter Titan for the LH margin where I had 3 foot of water up to the hay bale and over to the far bank if need be.

The margin was feed with an equal mix of micro and dead reds. I started down the track with 4mm expander over a smidgen of kindered micro. I didn’t have to wait long to net my first F1. Over the next hour I caught F1’s and small Carp to 3lb steady, topping up with minimal micro. The swim subsequently started to die. Carp had surrounded my float and were encircling it. I think this had the effect of switching the feeding fish off. There were signs of fish blowing over the pellet and fancied there might be some better Carp to be caught. I spent far too long nearly an hour trying to catch these phantom Carp. So I tried the margin with a bunch of dead reds only to be rewarded with two Gudgeon. The margin swim was subsequently abandoned. I opened another swim at top-set plus three again with 4mm pellet over micro and had another good hour before it again went iffy. Nearing the end I upped the feed only to have a frustrating period foul hooking.

Come the end I thought that Huggy on next peg 55 had just beaten me as he had caught bigger fish on maggot over loose fed maggot. And that’s what happened I weighed 55lb 8oz to Huggy’s 64lb. Martin had drawn on Canal 4 and won the Canal from peg 91 with 61lb dobbing 10 mm bread.

The match was won by Francis Porter (pictured right pointing to his winning peg on Moorhen Lake) landing 28 Carp to 10lb for 135lb 8oz. Francis fished the waggler 2/3 out with the depth set at 6 foot, he wasn’t sure where this was in relation to the bottom as he didn’t plumb up. All his Carp fell to triple red maggot hook bait. Francis had a cheap day out because he didn’t feed anything all day! Well done matey.

I forgot how good this fishery is in the winter. I will soon be back again.

Full Result:

1. Francis Porter 135-08-0 peg 16
2. Craig Edmonds 102-12-0 peg 8
3. Adrian 99-12-0 peg 18
4. Billy Hill 75-0-0 peg 42
5. Andy Bruton 66-0-0 peg 19
6. Huggy 64-0-0 peg 75

Weigh Sheets:

Saturday 27/06/2015 - Hillview Open

Hillview today with son Steve for a Fathers Day outing and an Indian Curry afterwards – don’t get any better than this.

The rules at Hillview have changed primarily with regards to the keep net limits (see right). I think they are one of the most sensible rules around especially the four net rules – well done Keith. However, it’s the only fishery I know that if an angler gets it badly wrong he could end up with a negative weight – it will happen., can’t wait - Lol.

In to the Woolly hat and out comes peg 30 on Heron a corner peg with the wind nearly blowing in to it. I was reasonably happy with the peg until the nemesis arrived on peg 27.

I decided to make it an out and out paste match for me. So two rigs a 0.4 gram rig to be fished just down the shelf at top-set plus one and a half sections. And a 0.3 gram which suited both margins all to be fished over hard 4’s so bait tray sparser than usual.

Starting long whilst lightly feeding both margins I hooked a 4lb Carp first put in. Second put in another – going to be good – just as I thought that the nibblers arrived. So in to the RH margin and an F1 in the net. It then all went Tits-up. I couldn’t get a bite. So went out again on the longer line and had another F1. The nibblers soon arrived. By now both Glenn and Terry were bagging in their margins on maggot. I did notice that both of them were feeding heavy, more in one go than I normally feed all match!! True.

I started to up the feed accordingly and - nothing until the last hour when I started to catch the odd F1 and Carp, but the bites was strange it was “tear-a–ways” or nothing. I can’t believe I fed a whole 2 pints can’t believe it. I finished up with 44lb and nowhere. It fished weird; Terry King confirmed the same where heavy feeding was the only way to get the marauding Carp to take any interest.

The match was won by Chris Cork (pictured right) with 168lb 8oz (would have been minus if in one net!!) from first canal peg 42. Chris saved the day for me as he caught on paste from both margins. One margin paste over micro and the RH paste over meat. All his fish equally spread from both margins, all caught short.

Steve drew peg 5 and DNW'd but had around 40lb of F1’s in the process had a lesson from Des Shipp – hope he don’t invoice him!!

I always have a look at the post match platforms to see what anglers have been feeding the picture right is that of Des Shipp’s where there were signs of Corn, Meat, Pellet and Worm.

Full Result:

1. Chris Cork 168-08-0 peg 42
2. Luke Hughes 166-0-0 peg 16
3. Glenn Brothcrion 147-0-0 peg 28
4. Terry King 146-0-0 peg 27
5. Des Shipp 127-08-0 peg 3
6. Jake Cork 123-12-0 peg 18

Weigh Sheet:

Saturday 25/04/2015 - Hillview Open - Moorhen And Heron Pools

Firstly I must mention last weeks Hillview Festival which was won by Bristolian Craig “Trigger” Edmonds. Trig not only cleaned up with section wins and the overall pickup of £1,000 but he also cleaned up in the after match card games – well done matey.

Overall Festival Result:

Trig stayed at Hillview with Bob Gullick in one of Keith’s B&B. It must have been a nightmare for Bob because Trig took the blow-up Scarecrow back every night with him. I don't know what Trigger did but if any angler approaches her she starts screaming – see video below!

Steve and I weren’t sure whether to go to Hillview today because the fish would have had a right hammering spending most of the week in keepnets. However, it’s an amazing venue so we still decided to give it a go. Steve was hoping to draw away from Heron Pool end Bank – alas not, pulling peg 23! I was much luckier pulling peg 9 on Moorhen. There was still a chilly wind blowing in from the SW, luckily it was over my left shoulder.

I set up three tops set rigs – 4x12 Jolly for meat in the RH margin up to the bush; although I kept feeding this with meat I didn’t get a bite from it, probably because it meant facing the wind so some half heartiness involved. Next was a 4x14 Jolly to fish out in front in 4 foot of water with either meat or semi hard pellet. Lastly 0.3 gram PC paste float for the RH margin up to the hay bale (don’t hook the bale it wins the tug–o-war every time).

I immediately started to dribble in some hard 4’s into the paste margin but started fishing over kindered meat out in front with meat on the hook. As usually the first fish is always a 4oz Skimmer. It took a while to catch a Carp which was an F1. The fishing all round was starting slowly. The meat wasn’t working for me, so I switched to 10 o clock converting to pellet over micro. I did have a run of F1’s and four decent Carp, plus the regulatory 4oz Skimmers. The fishing was still slow so I decided to give the margin a look with paste. Surprising I couldn’t even get the nibbling from the Ronnie’s/Skimmers. Back out on the pellet and I added a few more F1’s. I decided to put ¼ pint of caster into the paste margin following up with the paste rig. It was a nightmare the first four put in’s resulted in four foul hooked big Carp – unusual for paste me thinks. My next decision was wrong, staying with the paste I should have kept going on the deeper pellet line. With the paste I stayed, foul hooking more than I landed – very frustrating. Maggot out in front might have been a better choice too!

I finished the match with 83-08-0 for 9^th overall. Steve ended with 50lb so another battering from Dad!

The match was won by Terry “Top Kit” King (pictured right indicating his peg) with 121lb 8oz. Terry caught some of his fish in the margin in meat, with most falling to maggot into the deeper margin. Terry fed about one pint of maggots throughout.

Full Result:

1. Terry King 121-08-0 peg 25
2. Huggy 110-08-0 peg 15
3. Paul Ennis 104-0-0 peg 31
4. John Woodrow 97-0-0 peg 26
5. Ian Chatfield 96-0-0 peg 16
6. Matty 94-0-0 peg 5
7. Billy Hill 94-0-0 peg 13

Weigh Sheet:

Wednesday 15/04/2015 - Hillview Rover Open - Pools and Canals

Travelling on my own today as Glenn was gardening? Off to Hillview Fishery. I am not particularly fond of Rover matches that said it’s another dimension to our sport.

After a juicy egg and bacon toastie it was time to get some idea which peg to select. The rules are that you cannot select a peg next to another angler, so with pleasure anglers on pegs 2, 22, 24 & 25 this limited the pegs on the pools further.

I walked around with Terry King. With 19 booked in we both agreed that an early draw was important today to get on one of the pools, both of which have been fishing well. The wind was as per Sunday but much lighter – a breeze in comparison, but still coming in from the SW.

In to the woolly hat and out comes draw number 17 – Umm last but two to select. Terry pulled peg 1!! Say no more. Terry did say if I couldn’t get on the pools go to Canal 3. This I had to do selecting peg 70. There were three of us on the third Canal each end and the middle.

I set up two top kits both with identical rigs – 4x12 Jollies (one reserve). The rest of the pole stayed in the hold which rested on the pole roller all match.

I plumbed up both sides and found the same depth. I decided that the left side would be semi-hard pellet over loose feed hard 4’s. The right side was reserved for meat. Simple.

At the start I fed both sides. I started on the right side with meat and the float wouldn’t keep still switching between each side all I could catch was Rudd and Gudgeon!! A lot of striking and re-baiting and very little entering the keep net. This is typical at the start at this venue. After 30 minutes or so of frustration I started to catch F1’s on the soft pellet, but was foul hooking some so I shallowed up and caught much better. The upshot was that once I caught a Gudgeon over one side I would swap to the other (believe me there are millions of starving Gudgeon in this Canal). I caught F1’s on the pellet and proper Carp on the meat. I did have a difficult 30 minutes after I lost on of my rigs on a snag. I fed ½ pint of Meat and Pellet throughout.

I finished the match with 87lb 8oz of F1’s and 50lb of Carp to 8lb for a total of 137lb 8oz or 6^th overall.

If you give Terry King first choice of pegs the match winner is decided, as it was today. Terry (pictured right indicating his peg number) caught 258lb 8oz on his top-set mainly from his right hand margin using his favoured 6mm meat. Thanks for the pint matey my turn next match. A Phenomenon.

Terry risked doing the supper pool today as he was pissed with Keith and Huggy taking his spoils.

Full Result:

1. Terry “Top Kit” King 258-08-0 peg 17
2. Lee Payne 224-0-0 peg 19
3. Matt Davis 179-08-0 peg 90
4. Andy Briton 163-04-0 peg 15
5. Huggy 146-0-0 peg 9
6. Mike Nicholls 137-08-0 peg 70

Weigh Sheet: (Neatest sheet I've seen)

Sunday 12/04/2015 - Hillview Open - Moorhen Pool, Canals 1 and 3

Back to Hillview Fishery with Bela who can eat one of Keith’s large breakfasts quicker than I can eat an egg and bacon toastie!! He was hungry – then he always is.

Another good turn out and early into the woolly hat and out cones peg 1. Other than a Canal peg this is one peg I would have chosen simply because I was sheltered from the high freezing wind, getting shelter from the pine trees, short walk too which helps the aged. For Company I had Josh and Jake.

Because of the wind I decided to only fish top-sets with the pole safely packed away. I decided on a 4x14 Jolly to be fished down wind at 11 o clock in about 4 foot of water with semi-hard 4’s over kindered micros with some hard fours over the top. This rig picked up the tow against the wind superbly. The down wind LH margin was reserved for the paste using a 0.3 PC paste float fished over hard fours. However, this meant clearing out a small marginal area of old weed and tree roots which were to still cause some issues throughout the day. The RH margin was for 6mm meat attached to a 4x12 jolly, but the wind was causing havoc with the presentation.

Bela had drawn peg 5 and Just before the start a gust of wind blew his hat into the pool. It must have been a one hell of a high gust to achieve that one!! Wind definitely from the SW as Bela’s hat was soon recovered by peg 16. Later Tony on peg 4 who had his partner sat with him had her chair blow on to his pole breaking it.

I fed a small pot of meat into the RH margin and some micro out in front and started to dribble in some hard 4’s to my Left. First put in with semi-hard 4 I had the usual F1. I was able to catch a 4oz Skimmer every put in so I started to loose feed some hard fours over the top and started to catch more F1’s to a near 4lb plus a few small Carp to 4lb. I then hooked a large Common Carp near 20lb which I seem to play for ages I couldn’t get it off the bottom, finally I had it beat only for the hook to pull just as was planning to net it – bugger. Having tried the meat margin a number of times without ant indication I abandoned it, the wind was making presentation too difficult. The plan was to start with the paste margin at 2 o clock leaving plenty of time to bag. On the dot in I went with the paste and it wasn’t long before I was getting liners. It started slow nicking the odd decent Carp then from 2-30 to 3-30 I had a golden hour getting a decent Carp regularly – on for some coin I’m thinking. Unfortunately during last hour it slowed, but I could see fish in the peg which resulted in some foul hooking. I decided to put a whole pot of dead reds in which did bump start the swim again taking the fish down.

I finished with 128lb 12oz fro 6^th overall 30lb of this was “Landsend Silvers” dubious F1’s – definitely Carp.

The match was won by Danny Bafer (pictured right indicating his winning  peg) with 215lb 8oz. Danny caught initially on the meat feeder over to the opposite island then later switched to the pole fished short, again using meat hook bait over loose fed meat.

Bob Gullick was here today practising for the forth coming festival which has already attracted 50 Anglers. However, it was Bob’s turn to get a battering off the next peg by “Top Kit” King. Terry is the epiphany of doing the key elements of fishing right – feeding and presenting – a phenomena. Because Terry is superstitious he doesn’t do the super pool concerned that this would lead to poor draws. However, Keith and Huggy pay the pools on his behalf and twice over the weekend they have earned themselves £25 each!  Terry was 2^nd on Saturday with 171 lb (pictured left with a small bucket of fish) and 151lb on Sunday sat facing into a horrendous wind (pictured right counting his winnings).

Bela having won last weeks Landsend match with a double he thought 80lb caught from peg 5 wasn't worth weighing in!!

Full Result:

1. Danny Bafer 215-08-0 peg 7
2. Terry King 151-12-0 peg 15
3. Trevor Chalk 147-04-0 peg 8
4. Huggy 142-12-0 peg 11
5. John Watson 132-12-0 peg 10
6. Mike Nicholls 128-12-0 peg 1

Weigh Sheets:

Saturday 11/04/2015 - Hillview open - Heron, Moorhen. Canals One and Three

I managed to get son Steve out fishing today after a year’s lay-off which really pleased me because he’s great company and an excellent occasional angler. Plus it was my 66^th birthday on the 2^nd so a promise of a sit down curry after the match which was very good (Chicken “Jay” Special), especially the Kingfisher larger!!

For me it was the start of a double header weekend at Hillview.

It’s 51 miles to Hillview but it’s a much easier drive than some regular venues I visit – Ring Road – M4 – M5 – M50 – J1.

Cripes, it definitely Spring with Red Ants nest all over the fishery (pictured right).

After one of Keith’s mouth watering Egg and Bacon toasties it was in to the woolly hat, apparently its Keith second woolly hat because someone nicked the first one!! Out comes peg 26 on Heron OK for me however, I was surprised to see peg 25 also in which was occupied by the very affable Welshman Phil Weaver. Next angler on peg 28 was matey “Top Kit” King, so another angling lesson on the horizon. I was to spend most of the day in the shade and cold NW wind.

We all have those off days when setting up everything that can go wrong does. I lost the screw to my Boss box puller, stood on my cupping kit (Clayton hope you see this), tangled my rigs before the start etc… Finally got a 4x14 Jolly set up to be fished down wind at 2 o clock at top set plus one in 3 foot of water. With only minutes left I managed to set up a 0.4 gram paste rig for the RH margin.

Starting on the Jolly with semi- hard pellet over some kinder damped micro I had the prescribed quick F1. From then on I was pestered by Ronnie’s and Skimmers irrespective of the bait or where I fished. Looking around the fishing was slow; Phil Weaver was having similar small fish problems, so having half a pint of casters left over from Thursday’s match I set up the Ronnie rig with single caster on the hook. For the next two hours I put 30lb of Ronnie’s to 12oz in the net plus two 2lb Skimmers, during this time I foul hooked five Carp!! However, Terry had started to bag on the meat – ass kicking commenced. So it was time to try again for Carp with the Jolly, this time switching to meat. I did have three Carp and some more F1’s before the Silvers started pecking away. With an hour to go I went in the LH margin with the paste and had a few more of the Pools bigger Carp. I should have tried the paste earlier.

I finished the match with 30lb of proper Silvers and 48lb of Carp for a total of 78lb. I wish there was a regular Silvers pool for those of us that like fishing for them and those that are pegged in the same section as matey Terry King!!

Steve drew end bank peg 22 which can be feasts or famine, I was glad to just pip his 63lb. Both had a great day out, I expect Steve will be out more often.

The match was won by Andy Neal (pictured right – pointing to the winning peg) with 199lb 8oz. Andy caught initially on the straight lead and pellet and later long down his LH margin with meat which resulted in some of the Pools larger fish.

Full Result:

1. Andy Neal 199-08-0 peg 37
2. Terry “Top Kit” King 171-04-0 peg 28
3. Neville Groves 153-08-0 peg 73
4. Matty Hamilton 127-08-0 peg 12
5. Francis 126-08-0 peg 16
6. Chris Cork 114-01-0 peg 78

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 29/03/2015 - Hillview Open - Canals 2, 3 And 4

Early Saturday morning Bela cancelled coming to Hillview with me. However, I was going to the pub with him lunch time with Tim Ford and Glenn Bailey to watch Bristol Rovers kick the ball about (0-0 draw). Tim and Glenn were also going to Hillview. I knew after a couple of pints Bela would change his mind. And he did. The weather forecast was horrendous with gale force winds coming in from the WSW and rain. In the morning Glenn was looking for some support to cry off. Too late Bela and I were on the way in my car for the first time – we arrived without noise fatigue!

There was a club match on the two Lakes, plus ten or so Golfers in for breakfast because Puckrup Golf Club is too expensive, so the café was busy. Breakfast was good which Bela speaks highly of. Canals 2, 3 & 4 were in the draw so with 22 booked in it was going to be tighter than we are use to here and with the warmer weather comes more club matches, so expect tighter pegging). So time to dip the woolly hat and out comes peg 69. Last Sunday Top-Kit King won off peg 70 which wasn’t pegged today, however, because of the horrendous wind I wouldn’t be able to fish to the platform I would have to leave it to Sean Clayton on peg 71.

I set up two rigs – a 4x14 Jolly for down the track in 4 ½ foot of water (Canal 3 is the deepest of the four) and a 4x12 Jolly for the margins with a bulk 4 inches from the hook.

Starting at 5 metres down the track with semi-hard 4mm pellet over kindered wetted micro I started to catch F1’s straight away. In the first hour I reckoned I had 22lb when the tiny Carp arrived so I switched to Glenn Bailey’s sponsored 4mm meat and had another good run of F1’s with a smattering of Carp to 2lb. I had been feeding a top-kit margin swim down wind to my left which due to the over hanging margin rushed thought was a bit too deep to fish effectively.  I spotted a 5lb Ghost Carp munching on the micro that had landed on the reeds, so time to try the margin first trying to mug it – no chance! I had a few small Carp but it wasn’t right especially with the Ghost Carp returning putting off the smaller Carp. I tried to mug it again but no joy, so I poked it with the top set to get it out of the swim, reluctantly it moved off, but it kept sneaking back. I tried down to the end margin by the bale of hay and had a few more small Carp all on meat. However, the fishing wasn’t as productive as down the track, plus it was difficult to put the rig in without the bloody wind blowing it into the reeds. I went back down the track but unfortunately I had neglected to feed the swim and found it as hard as the margin – bugger - should had stayed there longer – it’s those bloody Ghost Carp the lured me away – lesson learnt.

I finished the match fishing down to the hay bale finishing with 82lb 14oz for second overall. If I had mugged that Ghost Carp I would have won the match – I hate the Canal Ghost Carp!!

The match was won by Trevor Chalk (remember him from fishing the Bristol Avon and Huntspill - pictured right with a bucket of Carp) with 85lb. Trevor caught close in from three swims – in front, to his left and right. Trevor caught well during the last two hours.

The forecaster got it right some rain and high gusting wings to 60 mph. My pole roller went over twice; luckily I had the pole in hand, so no damage. I was relived to have put the pole away at the end without damage.

Bela was pleased he came after all coming third overall with another good days fishing at Hillview.

Full Result:

1. Trevor Chalk 85-0-0 peg 79
2. Mike Nicholls 82-14-0 peg 69
3. Bela Bakos 74-04-0 peg 81
4. Billy Hill 73-12-0 peg 75
5. Huggy 71-08-0 peg 77
6. Tim Ford 66-08-0 peg 73

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 22/03/2015 - Hillview Open - Four Canals

Bela doesn’t like driving on motorways so I agreed to drive his van (The Drone) to Hillview. It’s surprising how quick I got use to driving an automatic car; at the end of my road I stalled the van. Then I was driving in second gear for a long time before Bela suggested I change up to 5^th gear!! And then there was the slim chance I got caught on a mobile speed camera on the ring road – time will tell.

After breakfast with Bela, Glenn Bailey and his mate Billy the dog it was time to go into the woolly hat. Keith spread us over the four Canals so plenty of room. I was second in to the hat and out comes peg 67 on the second canal (Pictured right). For some reason I thought I was in the middle of the Canal, but found I was on an end peg. Reasonably happy with this because there is plenty of water to go at.

I set up 2- 4x12 Jolly’s. One set for down the track and the other for just up both the inside and far side shelves. There was plenty of Ghost Carp swimming around which decided me to set up a 1.5 Gram Paste float. I only tried it a couple of times landing one small F1 – so that was thrown up the bank.

I started down the track with semi hard 4’s over kindered wetted micro and was soon catching small F1’s to 1lb. However, it wasn’t long before the tiny Carp arrived. I persevered with this line catching these tiny Carp – a bite is a bite, but was later to realise this was a mistake.

Next I tried the far bank and after cupping in a few micros the swim erupted with four/five large Carp dashing off leaving me with a foul hooker which soon lost me in the weeds – these larger fish are very nervous and any sign of feed or the pole over their heads they disappear. Out again and I had some more small F1’s before the small fish arrived. I then went to the inside margin down to the end platform where the pump hose enters the water. Again it was soft 4’s over micro. I had an excellent hour catching F1’s to a 1lb very quickly. After this the small Carp arrived, but made the same mistake by anticipating the better fish would arrive – they didn’t. The penny had now dropped – once the small fish arrive you have to change lines (I can only apply this to the second Canal). Also once these small fish arrive you can’t go back over the same line later either. With an hour to go I went 2 metres pass the platform with the same rig and caught my biggest fish a 3.5 lb Ghost Carp, followed by some more F1’s.

Lesson learnt on this Canal. If I hadn’t lost time catching small Carp (talking 2-4oz fish) and anticipating return of the F1’s I think I would have done much better. I weighed 67lb 8oz for 8^th overall. I am sure I had more fish than anyone else – no consolation!!

That said best days fishing so far this year.

The match was won by Terry “Top-Kit” King (pictured right with a bucket of some of his catch) from third Canal peg 70 (just behind me). Terry living up to his nick name caught on his top–set tight up to his inside edge, down to his right. Terry initially started on soft 4’s over micro catching small F1’s. It wasn’t until he switched to 4mm meat that Terry caught bigger fish loose feeding 3-4 piece of meat feed. Well done matey.

Bela caught 47lb off peg 45, I caught 67lb off peg 67 and Glenn didn't catch 75lb off peg 75, should have been on peg 45!! 

Full Result:

1. Terry “Top-Kit” King 132-0-0 peg 70
2. M Howard 99-08-0 peg 81
3. Neville Groves 80-0-0 peg 58
4. Huggy 74-0-0 peg 47
5. Gabe 72-0-0 peg 56
6. Billy 70-0-0 peg 45

Weigh Sheet: