Sunday 10/09/2023 - PSV Club match - Ivy House - Match Lake

Stepped outside this morning as dawn approached to see a wonderful sky of multiple greys in a strange glorious formation. Wondered at it for a while getting the urge to get a canvas and acrylic's out, wonders of nature.

Travelled with Glenn early enough we thought for breakfast at the fishery we didn't get to eat it until draw time - very nice worth the wait.

A shame only 10 fishing, can't help thinking the club needs to advertised for a few more members. 

Peg 5 for me which I have drawn a few times but have yet only managed second in the silvers each time, beaten by big Skimmers.

Set up long and short silvers rigs. Caught six Skimmers on the worm and caster before feeding the GB which brought the Carp in they seem to love it. After resting it could only catch Ronnie's afterwards. So got my head down for the Ronnie's but loose feed was a no no which the Carp also liked the sound and taste of. So quite cupping in order. Had a lovely days fishing catching Ronnie's from 2 to 4 oz. Two hours to go the heavens opened up with extreme heavy rain - another wonder of nature! This seemed to get the Carp excited as they became a nuisance.

The silvers weighed 25 lb 6 oz for second again from this peg. Had 4 tiny Carp for 1 lb 2 oz!! Nonetheless very enjoyable match.

James (pictured with his catch) won the match from peg 3 with 137 lb. James caught mostly from each margin - one side corn over corn the other maggot over maggot. Well done matey.

The Silvers was won by Matt Taynton (pictured with the winner) from match end peg 8 with 36 lb 11 oz of Skimmers. Matt caught on chopped worm and caster. Well dome matey.

Me, Glenn, Bela and Acorn bagger Gary Bowden with double weekend match wins met up in the White Harte for a pint. Perfect end to the day even though Glenn's underpants were still squelching from the rain 💧😀

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 19/09/2021 - Ivy House Open - Old Match Lake

Had my Flu Jab Saturday and my arm was slightly sore this morning. A steady drive up taking 45 minutes via the M4. Nice to be having breakfast with "Bubba" Bela haven't seen him for a while. I was upset when he told me he's not fishing the Westerleigh winter league this year, hopefully he will come round.

Into the draw tin and ball 5 jumped into my hand. Once again I found myself next to Stu Foale's on peg 4. Peg 5 had won the match the day before.

The intention was to fish for Carp short on paste. So set up two paste rigs a 0.3 gram Nude for out in front top set plus one and a paste Bullet for the RH margin. I also set up a 4x13 MR for out in front for either worm of corn.

Started out in front with the paste over micro kindering hard 4's and was soon getting indications from small fish. Fed the margin with micro and switch to corn out in front and similarly was getting indications from small fish. I did have three tiny Skimmers. It looked as if the Skimmers weren't feeding which was confirmed by Ryan Shipp walked past with a bait tub to Vince. Ricky Mills was doing well on peg 1 as was Gareth on peg 9. I could only see one angler on the opposite bank and he appeared to be struggling. SO, I decided to switch to the silvers and target the Ronnie's. Firstly, I tried the long rig which was a bit slow. So switched to the short Ronnie rig down the RH side in 30 inches of water (this side of the lake appears to much shallower than the other) with single LR over loose fed LR's and was getting a 2 oz fish every put in. I do enjoy this sort of fishing. Unfortunately, I had the occasional incursion of some rather large carp. I did land three (eventually) on the rig losing loads either through breakages or foulers. I fed some GB to see if I could catch some bigger stamp which proved to be a mistake as tails were soon wagging at me - bugger. Head down and by careful feeding carried catching to the end.

My three carp weighed 18 lb 4 oz and my circa 240 silvers weighed 30 lb 8 oz for second in the silvers once again. I'm still getting to grips with this lake. The pattern at the moment appears to be that the big Skimmers are on pegs 16 to 12 and the opposite side is full of small fish. It's also notable that the corner pegs appear best for Carp and some bigger Skimmers.

The match was won by Adrian Davis (pictured with the silvers winner) with 127 lb from peg 16. Adrian fished the method throughout using micro feed with a banded 6mm hard pellet. Well done matey.

The silvers was won by Ryan Jordan of RJ floats with 43 lb from peg 12. Ryan caught on worm hook bait fished over chopped worm mushed with dry GB.

It was back to the pub with Bela (not done this for a while) and Willy for a nice end to another good day out.

Fishery closed next weekend.

Weigh Sheet and Result:

Sunday 05/09/2021 - Ivy House Open - Old Match Lake

Glenn and me decided on a visit to Ivy House, this time the Old Match Lake, our preferred lake. Glenn for his paste and myself for the Silvers and paste fishing, get the choice. We even pushed the boat out and had a breakfast - very nice too.

Eighteen pegs on this lake so with twelve fishing plenty of room for all. There has been some large weights of Skimmers to 60 lb coming out recently, but I was out of touch on how they were being caught, so some observing and learning today, up against the regulars in this respect. The Silvers was won the day before from peg 1.

I drew myself peg 16 which is a good Silvers area. For company on peg 14 I had Smiffy whom I have renamed "Cornucopia" and the affable Stu Foale on end peg 18. 

Spoke to Smiffy who has been doing well on the Silvers. Checked his bait tray which contained 2 kg of wetted micro and guessing 4 pints of corn with another 12 tins in his bait bag. Catching on corn then!

Set up the waggler for the LR's to the island. Two paste rigs one 0.3 gram RJ "Nude" for out in front at top set plus two barrels (fishing long today), and one for the RH margin, the last rig was a 4x13 MR for the Skimmers at the same distance as the long paste rig. One thing for certain I wasn't going to compete with Smiffy on the amount of corn feed as I only had one small - "just in case" tin of corn. Stu did offer me another tin, but would try and make what I had work, especially as I expected the paste to catch the better Skimmers.

I fed the margin with GB, micro and DR's and the long paste line with a pot of micro and started to loose feed 4's over the top. After 15 minutes with no bites I wrongly decided to switch to the corn over kindered corn and micro and started to catch the occasional hand size Skimmer plus one 4 lb carp. Meanwhile Smiffy was loose feeding his peg regularly with the equivalent of my one tin every time!! I kept feeding the margin to be faced with tiny Ronnie nibblers. Tried the wag and mag to only catch small Ronnie's so that was holstered. I stayed with the corn as I was getting bites.

Had a called from Glenn who had 45 lb on his clicker and from what I could see he was well ahead of he field,  certainly expected him to to go on and win with paste doing best in the last knockings. Stu was doing next best catching regularly, until I found out he was catching small Stock carp.

It wasn't until I had run out of corn that I switched back to the paste fished over kindered hard 4's and started to catch some better Skimmers and some recently stocked carp. However, I had left it too late to catch up with Smiffy. Got it wrong today switching from the paste far too early which should have been fished all through. I really started to enjoy the day especially as it was a lovely warm dry day having got rid of the clouds that has plaqued us over many weeks.

My Silvers weighed 34 lb 10 oz for second silver some 15 lb behind Smiffy. My total amounted to 56 lb 10 oz adding my few carp. Andy Lloyd told me after the match that I should have fished the LH margin, he wasn't wrong as I couldn't catch from the RH. I learnt a bit today, but wont be investing in copious amounts of corn!

As expected the match was smashed by Glenn Bailey (picture - prepared earlier) with 123 lb from peg 7. Glenn caught on - well - paste over soaked 4's.

Smiffy (pictured right) won the Silvers with 50 lb 4 oz from peg 14. He caught on corn short fished over copious amounts of loose fed corn. Well done matey.

Glenn and me had a cold one on the way back to round off a lovely warm productive day out.

Result:

1. Glenn Bailey 123-0-0 peg 7

2. Alan Oram 95-0-0 peg 4

Silvers:

1. Alan Smith 50-04-0 peg 14

2. Mike Nicholls 34-12-0 peg 16

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 25-07-2021 - Ivy House Open - Heron Lake

Wasn't too much on this weekend so Glenn and me decided to try Ivy House - Heron Lake, although Glenn would have preferred the Match Lake. Paste seem to be the way to win even though they are small Carp averaging 1 lb. No Silvers except a few Chub (however I did see a Ronnie top). A good turn out from the Bristol boys on both Lakes.

I was pulled peg 14 and Glenn 7. I found myself next to regular Martin Rayet on peg 13 where the last two matches has been won. I was told the best area were pegs 6 to 13.

My main attack would be paste on the top set but also felt maggot might work, so set up two paste floats an RJ paste bullet for the both margins and a shotted 0.3 for out in front. The maggot rig was a 4x12 Speedy for the RH margin where I would feed maggot and GB.

I fed the GB/maggot in the RH side and a pot of micro in the LH, but left the in front line until later. Started on the paste and had 1 lb Carp first put in and and had a reasonable hour potting micro and loose feeding hard 4's. It slowed a bit so tried double LR in the RH side where I had been loose feeding LR's. I was amazed I couldn't get a bite on it. In fact wasted some time on this when time is against you in a fish race. Back on the paste opening up the out in front line and kept adding small Carp from both lines. The last quarter slowed and was pestered by small black 3 oz Carp nibbling the paste. Reducing the size of paste didn't make any difference. I was now off the pace with Martin who had also slowed but was adding better Carp on the shallow caster.

With about 50 Carp in the first two nets I stopped counting on the third as I unlikely to get to the 50. I reckon I had about 125 Carp for 121 lb 4 oz fir 6th overall. Certainly a fish race where you cannot afford to experiment as I did with maggot and it certainly doesn't help if you have an enlarged prostrate! One piss equals two fish, I had four! Certainly something different. Match Lake next time me thinks, leave this for the younger anglers.

The match was won by Stitch (pictured with some of his small Carp) with 169 lb 6 oz from peg 11. Stitch caught on Paste over loose fed 6's and 4's from his margins and out in front where he caught most of his Carp.

Glenn was beaten off the next peg by Willy Willmott by just 2 oz!!

Back to the pub with the usual suspects to round off another memorable day. next Sunday another fish race at Todber - note to self - don't drink too many black teas before hand.

Result:

1. Stitch 169-06-0 peg 11

2. Joe McMahon 138-10-0 peg 8

3. Shaun Townsend 135-10-0 peg 22

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 16/05/2021 - Ivy House - Old Match Lake

I have been meaning to get back to Ivy House for some time. The last time I went was February 2019, just after Heron was opened and shared a section win with Alan Oram. So booked in to the Old Match Lake with Glenn Bailey, Tim Ford and Kev Winstone. A nostalgic 50 minute drive up and as always a stop and quick look at the Avon on Christian Malford road bridge.

Drew myself peg 8 and was told I was at the wrong end of the Lake. Got to the peg where it was apparent this might be true as I had plenty of room where the other end all the pegs were in. Found myself opposite Two Pots Bailey.

Once again the wind was blowing in at me at 45 degrees and with heavy showers forecast I was in for another cold day. However, it wasn't too bad - brolly up, brolly down, brolly up...

I really fancied the waggler and maggot so that was erected first. The wind was pulling it off the island, but fishable providing I could feed it? I was told it a good Silvers peg - Umm. With the Carp at the other end. So would initially target them with the usual rig and expander over the fisheries micro. I also set up a 4x12 Roob for maggot in the margin. Finally, the Ronnie rig in case they show up which at the moment was unlikely. Although I had paste with me I put it on the back burner.

Firstly, I tested how far I could feed the LR's and was disappointed that due to the wind could only reach half way to the island - bugger. As it was to prove the waggler would have been the way to go even though I would have fished off the island. Very big mistake leaving the waggler in the roost for the rest of the day. I started at top-set and three barrels with 4 mm expander over kindered micro whilst loose feeding the RH side margin with LR's. After 10 minutes I had four Skimmers in four put-ins and was expecting a good day. All the Silvers were slime free so probably been spawning. I then had a 4 oz Carp and from then on struggled with the expander. Meanwhile Two Post was catching well over to the island and was later to give us all a good pasteing. I decided to feed some GB laced with Pinkie on the Ronnie rig line and with single DR on the hook had a few small but nice to see small Skimmers. I then hooked a large Carp which snagged me in the edge. I managed to get a small branch out and thought I'd cleared it. I then lost two more big Carp in the same area with the rig being trashed I got the weed cutter out and managed to get a tree branch out - pictured. Thankfully that did it, no more lost fish. I could see Ryan Shipp catching Skimmers so was out of the running, so had a go on the Roob with maggot in the margin and landed my second decent Carp. However, if the Carp didn't follow the hook bait down meant no bites so had to work it. So picked up the Ronnie rig which would would be slower falling and had five more decent Carp - breaking on a sixth. Although I didn't pick up the waggler the Ronnie rig proved my feelings that it would have worked.

My few Silvers weighed 12lb 8oz and my seven Carp 42 lb 8oz for a nowhere total of 55lb - but a days fishing, but should have tried the waggler.

The match was won by Glenn Bailey  (pictured right) with 95lb 10 oz from peg 10. Paste fished at 10 metres did the damage.

The Silvers as expected was won by Ryan Shipp (pictured) with 35lb 4oz from peg 16. Ryan caught short on maggot hook bait over loose fed maggot and also caught on the drop or following downers. It the was a silvers fish off with his uncle Des on this sort of venue my money would be on Ryan.

Result:

1. Glenn Bailey 95-10-0 peg 10

2. Mark Poppleton 87-0-0 peg 18

Silvers:

1. Ryan Shipp 35-04-0 peg 16

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 24/02/2019 - Ivy House Open - Heron Lake

Once I heard that they were catching F1's on the waggler on the new Heron Lake at Ivy House I wanted to have a go. So having a free Sunday booked in. Got the car packed and removed some slush/ice from the windscreen and took a steady ride to the fishery having to keep to 40 mph due to some dense fog. I arrived just as Keren started cooking breakfast, so first to be served. Very nice it was too.

I had a walk around the fishery with matey Adrian Jeffery. It was a bit foggy to fully appreciate the work that Andy and Karen has done to this fishery (pictured upper right). No doubt a lot of investment has been put into this fishery in recent months.

Into the draw tin and out comes peg 2. I had no idea what the peg was like, but as per usual there are plenty of anglers willing to tell me - the consensus was not good. For company I had big Al Oram on peg 3 and believe it or not Adrian Jeffery on peg 1 (pictured right in full concentration). Great company - but not all Bristolians. The corner pegs of the Lake are arranged such that they share the far bank in terms of space, with peg 1 having a narrow point to fish to and peg 2 back in a bay.(see pegs layout pictured right). I named them space-saver pegs!

I started to set up a waggler but soon relised I was under a tree so the choice of waggler was changed from a light to heavy so I could side swipe the cast - not very elegant. Also I was actually facing peg 1 which meant I had to cast at 10 o'clock to my peg which wasn't great for the wind as I immediately had a bow in the line. I set up a 4 x12 Winter Titan to fish at 11.5 metres at full depth which is about 5 foot.

On the all in I fed some LR's over and was content that they were landing more or less in my peg - thanks to Al for his patients. I also fed some micro on the pole line. I started on the waggler and had a good run for about 1 1/2 hours catching F1's. That was until the sun came out and finding difficult to see my yellow topped float I changed to a red top which I had nail varnished so it glistened in the sun. I had a few more F1's but the swim just gradually died. In between I tried the pole and didn't have a bite on either soft pellet or maggot. With 2 hours to go and unable to revive the peg and with the sun unbearable blazing from the reflection on the water, I decided to have a walk round to get a feel of what the other pegs were fishing like. Six anglers were doing reasonably well and with only one person I could find had caught anything on the pole at 16 metres. Back to my peg and with only two more F1's in the net and half hour to go I decided to pack up ealy and help Karen weigh in.

I weighed 27 lb 4 oz for joint second in the section with matey Alan Oram and a defaut pickup. And I only hooked the tree once.

The match was won by Jason Robinson (pictured right) with 47 lb of small Carp and a few F1's from peg 21. Jason likewise caught on the waggler and because he had a problem reaching the far bank with loose maggots fed some hard 4's with maggot hook bait.

I did enjoy the day and will definitely be back, Even though there are no Silvers in the Lake I love this sort of fishing. Andy said he would trim the tree branches back which would help in future.

As can be seen the framing weight were very close, which is always good.

Result:

1. Jason Robinson 47 -0-0 eg 21
2. Billy Ockwell 45-02-0 peg 17
3. Mike Etheridge 42-06-0 peg 8
4. Andy Lloyd 40-04-0 peg 14

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 23/09/2018 - Ivy House Open - Kingfisher and Moorhen Canals

My neck is still playing up and was glad to get up at 5 am and exercise it. With this and the pouring rain and temperatures plummeting I wasn't that enthusiastic to go fishing. I was hoping Bela would be keener, but having just got back from sunny Italy he also was lethargic. We left 15 minutes early to get Bela's breakfast first. And later after the match we had afternoon tea featuring Karen's home baked cakes. Karen right slicing the Coffee and Walnut. Good enough for the GBBO.

I had a quick chat with Allan Oram who had fished the Canals the day before. I asked him what he had learnt, he reply draw well.

So into the draw tub and out came white ball 44 which is in the middle of Kingfisher Canal. As it happened I was next to Bela who had drawn better with peg 42. Luckily there wasn't much wind so I erected the umbrella. We were promised it would stop at 1 pm which it did, but the NW wind was still a tad cold for me. How am I going to get through the coming winter?

As per usual I planned to fish for Silvers then later Carp. So set up two paste rigs and the usual Silvers rigs I use here. So I started at top-set plus two with 4 mm expander over micro whilst I loose fed the maggot line for the Ronnie rig, this resulted in three small skimmers. It wasn't going well so picked the Ronnie rig and with single maggot caught a Stockie Carp first try. In again and I hook what I thought was another and whilst bullying it it came off only to find Tench slime up the line. In my defence the Stockies do fit similarly. I then started to catch small Perch with the odd Ronnie. It wasn't going well. I went back out on the expander and was getting these tiny pulls. I wasn't sure what it was so stuck with it until I managed to hook one of them - another small Perch! I got another barrell out and opened another line by feeding some GB with some reds and went over it with single maggot and got the same indications which finally resulted in another tiny Perch. I had a walk and everyone to my left was struggling with Allan next door having caught one Skimmer. Different story to my right with Bela catching and Ryan Shipp also catching well including Skimmers. I went back and set up a 4x10 winter set to three foot and fished double maggot over kinder live maggot and sat for the rest of the match sulking about my draw and how right Allan Oram was. I did have three better Carp losing three foulers and five more Stockies, but interestingly not one more Silver.

I weighed 4 lb of Silvers which unbelievably was second best on the canal!! My total weight was 26 lb 10 oz so nearly a days fishing. Bela's 44 lb 6 oz got him last in the money so a celebratory drink in bar-gar-age.

The Silvers and the match was won by Ryan Shipp (pictured right with his catch of Skimmers) from peg 41 with a Silvers weight of 39 lb 10 oz and  match winning weight of 77 lb 2 oz. So a double bubble. Ryan caught most of his Silvers on maggot over GB and his Carp he caught long on worm over worm. Well done to him. I rather fish for Silvers against his uncle Des than Ryan!

You can tell when it's rained for most of the day when the "Rock and Pole Rollers" are at it - pictured right. Nothing was broken during this dance. A dance apparently called the Slosh.

A great fishery run my some very amicable people.

Result:

1. Ryan Shipp 77-02-0 peg 41 K
2. Matt Vater 73-04-0 peg 22 M
3. Bela Bakos 44-06-0 peg 42 K

Silvers:

1. Ryan Shipp 39-10-0 peg 41 K
2. Phil Godding 13-14-0 peg 28 M

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 02/09/2018 - Ivy House Open - Moorhen and Kingfisher Canals

Bela and I arrived at the fishery in plenty of time, but found ourselves well down the breakfast list. Bela was counting down as the breakfasts came out and became very fidgety, at one time I thought he was going for the nearest sausage and there's me without a collar and lead!

It was a surprise to see old Avon Angling team mate Pete Phillips (pictured right) who has started back fishing after a very long layoff. Welcome back matey.

After Bela did his bit of retail therapy in Andy's tackle shop it was into the draw tin and out comes white ball 26. Which is far end of Moorhen Canal. Bela drew the same canal near end peg 35. This canal has the reputation of Carp near end and Silvers the other, however, I'm not convinced, fish swim and very fast. I don't think it matters too much where you draw on these canal's because you can get a days fishing from any of them.

Arriving at the peg it was flat calm with a very light wind blowing from left to right so really wanted to fish the Ronnie rig to my right, but there was too many branches hanging over the water from a small tree. Andy the Bailiff came along and agreed I could trim it, which I did. 

Ronnie rig, a 4x14 Winter to fish top-set plus two out in front and a 4x12 winter to fish over the Ronnie rig in three foot of water. I started by feeding the long line with some corn but started on the Ronnie rig with caster and caught a small Roach first try, I soon relised that the Roach weren't really having the caster so switched to the red live maggot which did improve things but the fish weren't big enough to warrant to keeping at them. So I went out on the corn and had a small Tench and a couple of Skimmers. Looking around to my right it looked as if it was fishing hard. I could see Chris Telling regularly losing fouled hooked Carp. After an hour things had slowed right up for me. I couldn't see the anglers to my left so had a pee and a walk Jason owned up to 12 - 15 lb of Silvers and end peg Pete was struggling. I reckon I had about the same amount of Silvers. So in the running. I put some more corn in with adding some micro. The swim immediately started to fizz, but I couldn't get a bite on the corn. I was now wishing I pumped up some expanders. I was really struggling for bites even on the Ronnie rig adding only a few Perch! Decision made to do a "Baggy" and set up two paste rigs one for long and the other for over the Ronnie line. I decide on small pieces of paste and things livened up catching some decent Skimmers. I would feed long line switch to margin line this rotation kept the Skimmers coming plus the occasional Carp. With an hour to go I reckon I was on for double bubble. It's always the same once you think this things change and they did, the peg completely died. Whereas I could hear Jason bagging on Skimmers and Bela and Chris now catching Carp over. I was sat there wishing for the match to end!!

My six Carp weighed 33 lb and my Silvers 39 lb for a total of 72 lb for third pick up and second in the Silvers. I knew I should have sep up 13 metres and fished the paste over in the last hour but couldn't be arsed to set it up. I think this cost me a few quid extra.

The match was won by Chris Telling (pictured right - lucky to get this one as he takes ages to pack his kit away - Tea Pot) with 96 lb 2 oz from Moorhen peg 33. Chris caught most of his fish over using maggot over potted maggot. Chris caught most of his fish in the later stages of the match.

The Silvers was won by Jason (pictured right with his catch) with 43 lb 3 oz from Moorhen peg 24. Jason caught on worm over worm caster and corn all chopped up together. Jason caught most of his fish during the last hour.

Because Bela was having his 11.5 metre section repaired he borrowed one from matey Shaun Putley, which proved useless if you leave your 10 metre section at home. Duh!! However, this didn't prevent Bela weighing in 86 lb for second on the day so double bubble van again.

Great company and venue. 
Result:

1. Chris Telling 96-02-0 peg 33 M
2. Bela Bakos 86-12-0 peg 35 M
3. Mike Nicholls 72 -0-0 peg 26 M

Silvers:

1. Jason 43-12-0 peg 24 M
2. Mike Nicholls 39-0-0 peg 26 M
3. Stu White 31-0-0 peg 43 K

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 08/07/2018 - Ivy House Open - Willow Lake

Bela still suffering from standing on hot tin roofs, so travelled with Geoff Francis. With three club bookings us regulars were put on Willow Lake which is the first half of what was the Match Lake - now rejoined. Andy has been using it as a Carp Lake so he had to convert it back to a Match Lake with the aid of some correction fluid - Pictured right. After one of Karen's breakfast Geoff and I had a walk round Willow Lake and witnessed some large Carp sunbathing.

Thirteen fishing today. Into the draw tin and out comes white ball number 29 which was one away from a corner which was occupied by Allan Oram. Geoff drew peg 26. I have fished the peg before and had a few decent Ronnies. I thought the waggler rod would be good today fished on the drop with maggot. Whilst setting up I tripped and it was a question of saving myself landing on my face or standing on the Daiwa rod - Rod now history. I borrowed one from Geoff but made a right mess of trying to set it up. When I did I didn't get to use it. Now all a fluster. I set up the Ronnie rig, a 4x14 Malman F1 - I love these float - indestructible. I started on the Ronnie rig set 3 foot deep with caster over caster and caught quick for the first hour, it then slowed so introduced some Hemp seed and started to catch some better Ronnies albeit needing a bit of a wait, again with caster hook bait. I upped the Hemp feed which was to prove a big mistake  managing to attract Carp catching and landing an 8lb Common on the Ronnie rig. After this I spent and hour trying allsorts to catch Silvers even trying CW&C which resulted in one bootlace. It was obvious the Carp were doing their best to piss me off, so I set up a paste rig for the LH margin - now clear of reeds and in the last 90 minutes caught another four Carp losing one foul hooker. The Carp appeared to love the Hemp because the more I fed the better the fishing got and at the end they were lining up, but playing it crafty by coming up along the inside and turning out at the point of feed  and re-circulating.

My Silvers weighed 15 lb 8 oz which fell 1 lb short for the Silvers win. It wasn't only the Hemp and Carp that cost me but the Ronnie escape hole for those dropped fish in the front of the platform (pictured upper right). My five Carp weighed 44 lb 8 oz for a total of 60 lb. Now if only - I didn't do this and did that earlier...

The match was won by Allan Oram (pictured right) with 96 lb 8 oz from corner peg 28. Allan caught most of his Carp fishing long shallow with banded pellet over loose fed pellet. He did have a couple down his edge but was also finding the Carp playing crafty. Hopefully Allan will be joining the Bathampton AA over 55's soon. A great bloke and a very experienced match angler.

The Silvers was won by Glynn with 16 lb 8 oz from peg 43. I'm not sure how he caught but will ask him next time I see him.

Andy Lloyd wanted me to take a picture of him drinking a cider I bought for him - cheeky bugger.

Thank goodness I took my Drennan umbrella which did a grand job keeping me ut of the sun for most of the match. It was so hot Geoff and I had to stop in the pub to get out of the sun on the way home!! 

Result:

1. Allan Oram 96-08-0 peg 28
2. Chris Timms 80-02-0 peg 41
3. Paul 72-08-0 peg 40

Silvers:

1. Glynn 16-08-0 peg 43
2. Mike Nicholls 15-08-0 peg 29

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 24/06/2018 - Ivy House Open - Kingfisher and Moorhen Canals

Bela had planned to come but due to the pressures of work couldn't make it so travelled with Geoff Francis. After one of Karen's breakfast I had a walk round, what a beautiful day for fishing. Seen Baggy's fishing kit in the car park (pictured right) what a tackle tart. Seriously, just goes to show what you can achieve with a Drennan margin pole and some very experienced tackle.

First into the draw tub and outcomes mini white ball 41 on Kingfisher Canal. Very happy with this one as it's a noted Silvers peg. For company I had Ricky Mills - Spiderman Scaffolder on peg 39 and Roofer Mick on peg 43. From previous experience fishing this peg I have done best using live maggot rather than the caster, which is usually my first choice of bait. Shame as Matt Challenger (Scotts Tackle) had provided some excellent casters - typical. Set up a 4x14 at top-set plus three to fish corn over corn/micro mix and the Ronnie rig for the maggot shallow. Using live maggot is essential when loose feeding accurately because they are dry and don't stick in the hand unlike DR's. The corn line was only to produced one F1 and two small Carp so was abandoned to the shade. Starting on the Ronnie rig with maggot I had a Skimmer first put in. Then disaster struck. I lost a Tench due to the newly tied hook pulling out of my poor knot. Thought this was a one off, alas not I lost a further two Skimmers before I took the situation serious and checked the line had been pulled tight before pushing down to the spade. Calm resumed and I started to put fish in the net. It was a question of catch a couple of Skimmers then work hard to entice a couple more. I'm not sure I got the feeding right. I thought I had done enough to win the Canal Silvers so thought I would chase the double bubble by setting up a margin paste rig. Feeding micro with the paste through the kinder cup I was getting plenty of indications and had to keep shallowing up because the sneaky Carp were coming from behind the float. I managed two Carp and was to wish I started it earlier as the Carp were there in abundance come the all out.

My Silvers weighed 31 lb 10 oz for the Canal Silvers win adding my few Carp took it to 43 lb 12 oz. I needed 49 lb for the double bubble. However, Stu White on Moorhen did a double bubble. Well done matey.

The match was won by Ricky Mills (pictured right with his catch) with 61 lb from peg 39. Ricky struggled for the first half on the match until he switched to his margins with either corn over corn or corn over a wetted mix of micro and 4's. Ricky caught particularly well late on. Ricky also noticed that the Carp were doing the "back sneak".

Finally we were treated to a flying display by five Red Kites. Beautiful to watch.

Result:

1. Ricky Mills 61-0-0 peg 39 K
2. Paul Baker 55-12-0 peg 49 K
3. Stu White 49-02-0 peg 46 M

Silvers:

1. Stu White 43-14-0 peg 46 M
2. Baggy 35-0-0 peg 31 M
3. Mike Nicholls 31-10-0 peg 41 K

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 17/06/2018 - Ivy House Open - Moorhen and Kingfisher Canals

Back with Bela and his jealousy van. Must say it’s so easy to get the kit in especially now I have an allocated area! We have both booked in for the Todber Autumn pairs again this year - shame they are on Saturdays; at least no clashes.

We promised a quick return to Ivy House so this was the next available date. Apparently Bela entered a one man raffle and won a Drennan rod and stink bag. Vince Shipp was miffed he wasn’t asked to enter.

One of Karen’s breakfasts then into the draw tin and out come peg ball 31. One peg away from where I was last match and I thought then it looked a better peg because it’s the narrowest on the Canal and would create some wind driven flow especially as the wind was hitting the peg hard today. This was to become a bit of a nuisance though.

Vince Shipp told me Ryan had won the Silvers from the peg the previous day. Apparently feeding 7 pints of casters!! Well my one pint would surely be ample with some left over for the next match? For company I had Baggy who was to fish paste all day. He was telling me about some guy in Bristol that spends lots of time mixing his paste with special ingredients – wonder who he’s referring to?

Bait table consisted of a small tin of corn, 1 pint casters and half pint of wetted micro. I could easily reach the far bank with 11.5 metres so thought I would set up a 4x12 Roob set to 3 foot with 0.16 straight through. The Ronnie rig for caster over caster and a 4x14 winter to fish top-set plus two with corn over corn and micro; simple.

I started on the Ronnie rig and found it a slow start, but the Ronnie’s arrived for a while catching them to 12 oz – lovely; some Skimmers and Hybrids; until the bloody nuisance 2 oz Carp arrived. Time to leave alone and start on the corn and micro line I did have some big Bream on this, losing 2 huge flyers, not sure one was even hooked though. I overdid it with the micro as fizzing started with fishing slowing. Shall I go over to the far bank – bugger nooo. Laziness came in to play and I used the Roob down my margin with double caster over kindered caster hoping to avoid the small Carp. First try I hooked a big Skimmer and bumped it due to the heavy elastic. Bugger it let's do it properly so a lighter top-set and a 4x12 winter was soon having a 5 lb Bream flying off the hook. Things then settled and I had a lovely run of Skimmers, Tench, Roach and Perch, until the bigger Carp showed up. The first Carp I bullied too much and pulled the hook. The next two were landed. That was it three in a row – amazing. I stupidly up the caster and brought back the tiny Carp. So back out on the corn, I think I fished this line too far out and may have been better fished just on the top-set just down the near shelf. The wind wasn’t helping the presentation either. That’s how the match progressed; switching between the two lines to keep away from the Widgers.

My Silvers weighed 43 lb for a first and my Carp 16 lb 14 oz for a second overall total of 59 lb 14oz.  Double bubble and I came away with ¼ pint of casters!! I did feed most of the micro to the Widgers at the end. Some of my Skimmers pictured upper right with me dressed for winter.

The match was won by Vince Shipp (pictured right) from near end peg 34 with 65 lb 14 oz. Vince caught on pellet either shallow long towards the corner or down his RH edge to the end pallet.

I think Andy has got the fish balance about right (except for the Widgers) because more often than not you need the Slivers back up to frame either of the Canals.

 Another great day out.

Result:

1. Vince Shipp 65-14-0 peg 34
2. Mike Nicholls 59-14-0 peg 31
3. Mick Gale 47-10-0 peg 43

Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 43-0-0 peg 31
2. Mick Gale 40-08-0 peg 43

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 03/06/2018 - Ivy House Open - Kingfisher and Moorhen Canals

Bela arrived with his new van for its first trip fishing. In fact first time Bela has driven it. All I will say RTMF1 (Read The Manual For Once). Nice and shiny (pictured right sun glasses recommended) I was given prior instructions not to wear anything dirty!! It’s about time he treated himself, he works so hard it is well deserved (pleased as punch – picture right).

We decided on Ivy House Open which was on both canals – Kingfisher – Moorhen. Both Ryan and dad Vince has recommended it many times especially for the Silvers fishing. Arrived early and had a very nice home cooked breakfast. Fuelled up and into the tin and out comes white ball with 30 on it – Moorhen it would be then. With seven on each Canal we would all have plenty of room.

Peg 30 is one into the Wides which would need 14 metres to reach tight to the far bank. However, I could get close enough with 13 metres to get halfway up the shelf. I’m not sure why I have mentioned this because I didn’t go any further than my top-set! Two rigs – a 4x14 Winter to fish anywhere from top-set out – very flat bottom. I don’t know why I have mentioned this either as I only used the Ronnie rig all match!

Two swims one down to my left with the rig set at 3 foot which could be fished up and down by pulling into the margin and one out in front fished at various depths. Only one bait live reds. I started well catching some decent Ronnie’s and couple of Hybrids and small Skimmers to 1 lb. Then due to over feeding drew in the pesky 2 oz Carp that have been stocked which all have to be netted!! The problem is that the Silvers won’t stay feeding with them or more like these small Carp get to the bait quicker. Anyway as soon as I fed them into the swim I would changed to the in front swim and that’s how I kept the Silvers coming. I caught Bream to 4lb and Ronnie’s to near a pound. I did have an accidental 8lb Carp. My one pint of maggots looked like not being enough but by rationing managed to get through the full six hours.

My 2 oz Carp weight 9 lb (55 of the blighters) and the one proper Carp 7 lb 10 oz. My Silvers weighed a dead 42 lb for a total 58 lb 10 oz. Now “if only” I had caught one more 2 lb Skimmer I would have double bubbled. Instead coming second Silvers and third in the match. I was a bit rusty due to having a week away on holiday with the Brighton side of the family; plus it was bloody hot. My net of Silver pictured right.

The match was won by Baggy (pictured right with another fossil) who fossilised the competitors on Kingfisher winning both the match and the Canal Silvers, so a nice double pick up for Mrs. Baggy. Baggy caught on paste initially down the middle then later down his margin for an overall weight of 80 lb 10 oz from peg 39.

The Silvers was won by “I haven’t caught much” Ryan Shipp with 43 lb 10 oz from Kingfisher peg 24. Ryan caught on caster and Corn.

Last time Bela and I fished ay Ivy House we said we must go there more often; we said it again today with greater intentions. Another great day out fishing.

Result:

1. Baggy 80-10-0 peg 39 K
2. Simon 59-06-0 peg 34 M
3. Mike Nicholls 58-10-0 peg 30 M

Silvers:

1. Ryan Shipp 43-10-0 peg 24 M
2. Mike Nicholls 42-0-0 peg 30 M
3. Baggy 17-08-0 peg 39 K

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 11/03/2018 - Ivy House Winter League - Match Lake, Moorhen and Kingfisher Canals

I needed a match so rang Andy Lloyd at Ivy House. It was the last of his winter leagues and had some spare spaces; I suppose it was the last match “I’m not doing any good” effect. Three sections Kingfisher, Moorhen and the Match Lake which appears to have been converted to a Carp Slayers venue, which I was hoping to avoid.

Into the draw box and out came white ball 32. End peg on Moorhen Canal (pictured right). I was told it was a good Skimmer peg with very few Carp, so that appealed. However, the more anglers I spoke to about the peg the lower the appeal became! On next peg 34 was Ryan Shipp who said that the two times he’d fished it resulted in a blank and one Skimmer. Umm. Surely the advantage of an end peg would help?

I set up the one rig a 4x12 F1 Winter to fish at top-set plus three. Skimmers or nothing it was then. GB laced with red maggot was fed out in front and with a single on the hook it took 30 minutes to get my first bite a 1lb Skimmer. Perhaps they had roll-up. Not - I struggled adding just a few small Ronnie’s. I opened another line at the same distance at 10-o clock again with maggot and GB. This resulted in another 1lb Skimmer and one Ronnie. I struggled for most of the match for bites and it wasn’t until the last 30 minutes that I added two better Skimmers and a few more Ronnie’s. I did foul hook a big Skimmer which pulled free.

I weighed 7lb 8oz for last but three on the Canal. That said I did enjoy it. The peg certainly kept me thinking which helped with the enjoyment. I think come warmer weather there will be some good weight of Skimmers from this end of the Canal.

Jon Clarke (pictured upper right with his catch) won our Canal with 33lb 2oz of small Carp caught mainly on corn over corn at 13 metres.

The match was won by Dave Fox (pictured right) with 103lb 2oz from Carp Match Lake peg 7. Dave caught on the lead fished over to the opposite margin using Waffters fished on a 6 inch hook length. Dave landed fourteen Carp losing two.

Result:

1. Dave Fox 103-02-0 peg Match 7
2. Matt 38-08-0 peg Match 9
3. Jon Clarke 33-02-0 peg Moorhen 26
4. Ian 26-10-0 peg Kingfisher 49
5. Chris 25-08-0 peg Moorhen 34
6. Jason 18-08-0 peg Match 4

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 07/09/2017 - Ivy House - Cost Cutter - Kingfisher

According to the BBC Bela’s work would be rained off, so fishing it is then. I tried to book into the Viaduct cost cutter but left it too late due to the limited number of pegs available on Lodge and Match the match was full. So I booked us into Ivy House - Kingfisher Canal. Bela usually does well on this Canal so far drawing the same three pegs 5, 6 & 7.

The turnout was a bit disappointing, but I guess this is due to the general decline in match fishing, but more so to do with small clubs forming with limited membership fragmenting the potential larger matches. Into the draw coffee tin and out comes end peg 15. I was told it was an out and out Carp peg. In support of this I have seen some better Carp caught from the peg, so was hoping I could catch a few. I was expecting a good result. Bela’s drawing arm didn’t let him down pulling peg 7 - again, a good Silvers peg, we wanted to swap.

What I like about this Canal is the way Andy has pegged it with the prevailing winds off your back and the sun behind lends it’s self to comfortable fishing. It’s hard enough as it is in these recent times with the rain and wind battering us.

I didn’t have any company today as Val was too far away on peg 13 to have any form of conversation. I set up a Speedy to fish the margins with maggot, a 4x14 Winter (extra two foot of water had been delivered) to fish the 4mm expander at top-set plus one, the final rig a 0.3g paste float to fish at various lengths along the end bank where I expected to catch some lumps. Meanwhile Val had to return home to get his top-sets, good job he lives close by and not in Bristol.

I fed two places along the margin with a pot of hard 4’s and started to loose feed reds down the RH margin. Starting on the 4mm expander over micro resulted in a couple of small carp but found I had to re-bait four times due to missed bites before actually hooking one – very frustrating. I’ve not had this before and was eager to find out what was causing this – liners, Ronnie’s, Perch I couldn’t come to any conclusion that was until we were driving back and now believe it was the small carp taking the drop shot mistaking it for micro. Next math I will test this by pumping up some 2mm expander. To end the frustration I switched to paste and caught on the top-set to the end bank and had about 20 small Carp. My calculation was I could put 60 of these Carp to be safely under the fishery limit of 50lb. I thought I needed to catch some of the bigger Carp so went top-set plus three along the end bank but could only catch similar small Carp. Fishing paste this long for small Carp isn’t sensible if you can catch then shorter. So tried the maggot rig and was surprised to start catching Silvers in a peg I was assured there wasn’t any! In 20 minutes I had a bout 15lb including four Tench and two decent Skimmers and a host of Perch. I had been having problems with the elastic in one of my top-sets and should have changed it but, you know how it is. I lost the lost on another Tench. Luckily Adrian on peg 6 retrieved the float for me. The upshot was I messed about with paste and maggot until the end catching only one decent Carp on maggot.

I weighed 22lb 2oz of Silvers (where there are none, should have fished for them all match, but wouldn’t have beaten the Silvers winner). My 40 Carp weighed 29lb 8oz for a total of 51lb 10 oz, a decent days fishing with plenty of bites and action.

The match was won by Bela (pictured below with the Silvers winner) from peg 7 with 71lb 8oz. Most of his larger Carp coming from his LH margin using triple maggot (two side by side an upside one) fished over DR’s.

The Silvers was won by Andy Gard with a decent weight of 41lb 8oz from end peg 3. Andy caught on worm over GB laced with chopped worm. Well done matey. I thick Andy regrets not spending some time fishing for Carp as he was on for a double bubble pick-up.

With a bit of drizzle on the way to the fishery and some on the way home seem to nullify Bela’s guilt for not working today. The Pinky Ponk also helped in Bar-Gar-Age I think – another memorable day out. The van now has four double bubbles and a single with me dipping out today.

Finally, I hear that Martin Rayett whilst fishing peg 17 at Acorn Fishery on the Tuesday cost cutter that whilst shipping back over the fence behind him had the end of his MAP 901 pole bitten off by the resident horse. The funnier part was he expected the owner to compensate him!

Result Overall:

1. Bela Bakos 71-08-0 peg 7

Silvers:

1. Andy Gard 41-08-0 peg 3

Weigh Sheet: