Bristol Golden Carp Angling Association - Minute Book

Bob "The Bread" Price gave me a book which was rescued from Colin Goldings House. It contains the minutes of the meetings of Bristol Golden Carp Angling Association. The book has 263 pages and covers the years from April 3rd 1939 to 3rd July 1950 - which includes the second world war period. 

As some one that still uses pen and ink I was most impressed with the quality of the hand writing and the long forgotten English language, wonderful how the meetings are closed with the words "in Harmony and Peace" - heart warming compared to today's standards.

There is too much to put on here but if anyone local to me wishes to read it contact me.

Post war they were running 200 peg matches on the Bristol Avon.

Note the comment re - Otters.

Colin Golding - I Did It My Way

It is a sad ending to 2023 with passing of Colin Golding aged 87 on New Years Eve.

Colin Golding Born 21^st November 1936 in 24 Queens Road, Kingswood Bristol, and still lived there up to a few days ago. In some ways this sums up Colin or as some named him “Mr Pastry” or “Our Col”.

Colin married just the once which lasted six months, but both remained good friends.

Colin did an Engineering Apprenticeship, becoming a Draughtsman specialising in detail Gear design. This occupation required mathematic dexterity and hand printing skills, which Colin has in abundance – Never made a mistake in calculating the pools. Colin spent the majority of his working life at Rolls Royce Engines at Patchway, Bristol. Colin had a fall out with management about promotion and went on strike, as he reminded us on a good few occasions he is technically still on strike after some 40 years.

We often use the word Angling Legend lightly. However, in Colin’s case this without doubt applies. Colin is a Legend in Match Angling not only in the South West but is also well respected throughout Anglings fraternity.

Colin was coached and encouraged by his father George both fishing for the local club Adults AA. Father and son are renowned for there post match arguments over how badly each other  fished. Colin won his first senior open match at the tender age of 15 after previously winning the Adults AA Juvenile cup a few times.

 In 1956 at the age of 19 having qualified for the Bristol and West All England Team Colin was elected team Captain. A big honour back then as it was hard enough to qualify for the team. The team finished 26^th out of 94 teams taking place on the River Witham. It was during the 1964 National Championship representing the Bristol and West fished on the river Severn that Colin caught 500 Bleak for 14lb 6 ½ oz for 5^th overall out of 1,284 competing anglers. Catching these small fish was a skill Colin had honed catching Dace on the  Bristol Avon. 

Colin was the most consistent angler in the South West for 17 years. Regularly winning and framing on a majority of venues, especially the Bristol Avon and River Huntspill. Colin Captained the Golden Carp AA South West Winter League Team which regularly won the league to take on national team winners in the finals held in Ireland.

The pinnacle of Colin’s angling career came in 1973 when he was selected to represent his country in the World Championship to be fished on a Lake in Chalon-Sur-Saone France on July 22^nd. The final team of five to fish was picked the day before the match and unfortunately Colin ended up as Reserve. On his return Colin having been on “Strike” started work with an agency and low and behold he arrived in the next drawing office to my design office. How lucky was I, we spent plenty of time chatting about fishing. It was Colin that recommended I join a winter league team, because it was the best place to learn and develop. He was right.

George Crookes was one of the few anglers to threaten Colin over a long spell of domination on the Bristol Avon until Mike Jones appeared on the match scene in the 1970’s taking over his crown. During the 90’s Colin turned his attention to fishing the King of Clubs in Ireland making a name for himself battering Sid Huggins of the next peg a few times which Sid found hard to take especially having taken the piss out of Colin because of the state of his tackle. The then World Champion Bob Nudd said of Colin “It’s amazing what Colin does with such crappy tackle”. I’ve got news for you Sid, Colin (or Mr Pastry as you named him) has been battering us in the south West for five Generations. Colin has continued to win and frame regularly up until a few years ago, winning a match at Acorn Fishery in 2012. 

I was lucky enough to fish in the Golden Carp team under Colin’s captaincy in one of the top winter league teams with the largest number of teams taking part at the time.

Colin is not only a legend with regard to his angling but equally because of character. There are endless stories. Ask anyone that has fished with him, they will have a story or two. I would love to sit down with the likes of Bob Price and Bill Ferris to pen some of the better one's.

Just a few of Colin's achievements: England Cap France - Gladding Masters final – Woodbine Final Denmark – AT Winter League Finals Ireland. I was lucky enough to borrow Colin's scrap book which can be seen in this blog labelled "Coilin Golding" or copy paste the link below.

https://silverfoxangling.blogspot.com/search/label/Colin%20Golding%27s%20Scrap%20Book

Colin would never be influenced by fellow anglers whether it was match pegging, pools, payouts, tackle or how to fish. In fact the reverse was often true. Colin influenced many of his peers with them mimicking his top and bottom Peacock floats. What anyone may say about Colin – HE DID IT HIS WAY for which he was admired. RIP Matey.

Some of my favourite pictures.

Landing a 10 lb Carp of Withy Pool:

His rig box comprising his Peacock Floats on home made carboard winders:

Typical condition of Colin's tackle - Fooled many into thinking he would be easy to beat:

Year End Report - 2021

Covid Lockdown from mid December 2020 to April 2021!

April - 2021 - Roy Garland Bristol Evening Post Sports Journalist passed away. As far as I know this is the only picture of him fully armed with camera on the bank. Not a good start to 2021!

1 April 2021: Shiplate - Main Lake: First "official" match back after lockdown. The weather conditions were awful with a cold NW wind. Drew peg 9 so would be sat facing it all day, I was bloody freezing come the end, but did win the silvers with 34 lb.

25 April 2021 : Shiplate - Hawthorne's and Westpool: A rose between to very large thorns. Tom Thick winning Westpool and Matt Culpin winning Hawthorne's with his blaster caster approach witch left everyone standing. I did my usual fishing for the silver which I won from Hawthorne's.

18 May 2021: Acorn - Paddocks: The tree amigo's top three on the day. Yes they are holding up the winner. Great day especially the part in the Prince of Waterloo. Very memorable day with great friends.

6 June 2021: Westerleigh Winter League: The last match of this very hard league - both due to the high standard of anglers and the hard fishing. I did enjoy this league. To me its in between a venue close to fishing natural venues. Doing it again this year. I came join first on points second on weight to my pairs partner Martin McMahon.

12-17 June 2021 - Viaductors Holiday: There may be trouble ahead! I always managed to sneak off before the serious drinking began - Noisy buggers. Great week once again with Junior taking most of our money.

We had an away day to Todber - Homeground and with Martin " Boris" Rayet so far having a torrid time drew peg 90, so game over, he did have a slow worrying start, but came good to win the match with 384 lb. As there was no silvers pool then this was the place to get your best weight of the year, which I did with second place 275 lb.

18 July 2021: Tony Rixon's Float Only - Sedges - Brick and Tile: My highest silvers weight of the year from Tile Lake peg 29 with 43 lb 8 oz. I must say I was surprised to catch this many silvers from the peg especially when both sides were bagging carp with me only having one accidental. 

5 August 2021 Rays Rip Off's - Windmill - Match Lake: Pictured Dave "Willy" Willmott and Dave "Diddly Bonk" Haines. Willy clearing up regularly in the overall and Diddly the silvers. Well done to both of them. Both slowing in the winter though.

26 August 2021: Huntstrete - Bridge Pool: Bridge Pool is a difficult venue to get to understand with all the pegs different, which of course if the attraction for me. Chris Ollis pictured with his silvers winning catch of 28 lb 10 oz of skimmers proves there are plenty to catch if you can avoid the F1's.

11 September 2021: Dave Crookes Memorial Match at Huntstrete - Bridge Pool: Really pleased to win this match as Dave was a good friend of mine, we both worked at Airbus and use to meet up regularly in the café for a chat. Paul Barnfield won the silvers as he does regularly using copious amounts of worm and micro, certainty got this worked out.

10 October 2021: Windmill - Match Lake: Boris with his new posh stainless steel trolley. He went on to win the match with 147 lb from peg 25. I was next to him winning the silvers.

16/11/2021: Acorn - Paddocks: Dave Wride match winner pictured with the silvers winner, he really has this venue sorted during the winter winning again today with 111 lb 11 oz doubling the next weight! He catches on the pole in the water - seen him doing it so I know its true.

02/12/2021: BAA Over 55's and short walks - Hunstrete - Bridge Pool: Just say its a privilege to fish (and drink) with this motley crew. The match was won by Cliff and the silvers as usual by Barny.

Thanks to the following unpaid match organisers for running the various matches I fish: (with one of them taking home most of the winnings).

My Match Data 2010 - 2021:

Review of 2020

Twenty Twenty Annus horibilous they named it twice. A year to forget, but will be talked about for years to come. Once the Kung Flu is done and dusted we need a full investigation of it's origin and lessons learnt, we don't want a reoccurrence too often. The Special One and me can't wait to get vaccinated, hopefully will be during January 21. Also, I would be first in the queue for a microchip if it could continuously monitor my wellbeing.

The upside to Kung Flu is that tackle shops have done really well with loads of Dads and Lads getting out fishing, which has knocked-on into the commercial fisheries having an exceptional year.

The good news Brexit is done. I have to confess, I wanted a clean break at the beginning of the year and negotiate from a position of independence in it's fullest sense. However, the deal Boris got is acceptable, including the fishing. It makes sense to allow the EU to fish our waters for 5 years whilst we build back up our fleets. Leaving fish in the seas that could feed many doesn't make any sense. However, I understand we can walk away from this agreement if we wish.

Do match angling need a governing body? A question I've asked myself a number of times this year. I think we do, but am concerned about the Angling Trust's (AT) behaviour during the lockdowns, calling the Police to a match was unacceptable. For a number of reasons I am sure they have a not so well hidden agenda for a full keepnet ban. Something to keep a close eye on.

Politics over. It's been a good year for "Juniors" making a come back now they reached the age of 55 - 😁. To be fair they haven't lost it, surprised how quickly they adapted to fishing commercials - trolleys were soon full of kit and developing their own styles of fishing. Lets hope we see more making a comeback.

During the lockdown I did fish a few bootleg matches (organisers and venues withheld). It didn't feel the same having to self distance, unable to socialise at the draws. Be glad to be back drawing my own pegs and have the close encounters of the strange kind. Matches post lockdown's were subjected to risk assessment and were very well run.

The Viaducters had booked our annual fishing weeks holiday at Viaduct for June and were hoping to get there, alas not, but did get a booking for September, but due to the Kung Flu restrictions had to limit the numbers so some could have separate bedrooms. Luckily all went well. Thanks to the Unicorn hotel that we got fed and watered most nights, with a bonus of still doing half price meals. Also thanks to Mandy at M&M café (pictured right) for a super breakfast every morning. Tim Ford was man of the week picking up every match he fished. As per most years we have a swimmer! We have booked again next year, hopefully a Kung flu free holiday and back to normal.

I aim to fish 100 matches a year, but because of the lockdown I was well behind the curve. To catch up I started to go three times a week, adding Acorn Tuesday's to the calendar. I must say I did enjoy these matches, especially the pub garden on the way home with the usual suspects. Fourteen visits - 9 tons and one double ton. The double was memorable not for drawing peg 11, but because of the horrendous wind. Self perseveration kicked in and back to the wind and head down on the top set in the margin for the entire match. I got off the box to get another keep net and the wind started to move the seat box! A proper sou'wester. However, the most memorable day at Acorn was drawing peg 40 and catching 50 lb of Tench and 85 lb of Carp.

Had a few trips to Shiplate for their Thursday matches. I did have my highest Silvers weight of the year from peg 14 - 82 lb 14 oz of Skimmers - pissed down all day. I've been bugged by this match as I still can't believe I went for a Banana walk and fished for Carp in the last hour adding 63 lb of lumps!! Why, just one fish off the Lake Silvers record?  The fishery has changed ownership recently, it seems not much will change with regards to match fishing. 

Not hard to guess where my biggest weight came from - The Prolific Todber Manor. Tony Rixon's floats only matches were changed to opens and it was at one of his matches at Todber that after fishing for Silvers for 30 minutes that 246 lb of Carp caught me. It's not my sort of fishing but nice to do a couple of times a year. I'm a great believer that if you get the Silvers feeding the Carp inquisitive Carp wont be far away.

Have to mention Bathampton AA Hunstrete Over 55's. We did mange to get back there after the lockdown for a few matches until Boris introduced tiers. I did well on a few matches fishing the waggler, would always be my first choice of weapon. Peg 11 pictured right crying F1's and waggler - pole rollers only out to dry. I do miss theses matches especially the great company. We are all waiting for B&NES to get into the same tier as the majority that fish it. I did go out on Withypool for a couple of rare short pleasure sessions catching some quality Roach with nets to 18 lb, not a Carp in sight.

Well that's it for 2020. My next match Westerleigh Winter League on Sunday 03/01/21. Looking forward to it.

Some 2020 - Facts and Figures:

 

Review of 2019

This years review looks back at some of my memorable matches:


Have to start with the winter matches run by Dave Gillard at Hunstrete, entitled "Silvers Series". Dave ran two knockouts - the greats and the also rans - fished over six matches with five peg sections payouts, where the highest Silver weight won the section and the highest weight came second - both picking up - no overall payouts. So the section could be won with say 1 lb of Silvers and the second in section could have say 100 lb of Carp. This puzzled a few, including Enigma. However, once I got my head round it I thought it a good system as it spread the payouts further than usual. I understand that it will be the same this year. We've had some right laughs back at the pub with the usual suspects

Shiplate Farm was especially enjoyable this year for both the Silvers fishing and Carp. Great Roach and Skimmers fishing on the Main Lake along with some munter Carp. I drew peg 15 one match, starting off fishing for Silvers but ended up being caught by some huge Carp seven for 90 lb with three over 20 lb. Glenn Bailey and me entered the paris match fished over Hawthornes and Westpool. Glenn rang me halfway through and we were both struggling on 30 lb each. Getting back to the Gamekeeper's Lodge we both ended up with near same weights of 112 lb and 113 lb which was enough for us to win the day. A great fishery run by The Gamekeeper and his Goldilocks.

Due to the pain in driving long distance these days I fished a local venue Windmill Fishery. I have this ability of drawing golden pegs here and coming second. However, this year I actually managed to win one from the fancied peg 14 with 99 lb 14 oz!! 2019 also seen the Fishery Management change hands and is now run by Brad Nelson - he's the one on the right.

Another fishery to change hands in 2019 was Bitterwell Lake with Paul Isaacs taking over in the autumn. I think all the local match anglers were pleased with the news that we have a very proficient match anglers now in charge. I have just started to fish the Lake again in the Tuesday's Silvers matches run by Ken Morgan and like Windmill is only five miles from home.

Have to mention our Viaducters holiday back in June where we had ten of us this time. Next year it has grown to twelve. I'm wondering how we are going to fit in the Somerton Indian - alfresco? We all caught fish and all ten of us picked up at sometime during the week. During the week I had my biggest Silvers weight of the year 40 lb 13 oz from peg 99 in the Viaduct Thursday costcutter. However, we don't seem to be able to keep Geoff Francis out of the water, don't think Chris Ollis even noticed.

It was great to see the Angling Trust start a Silvers mania match. I entered the Viaduct round and had a reasonable days fishing on peg 129 coming second in the section to match winner Stu White on peg 130. It was especially good to see that all the Viaduct qualifiers were all from the South West. I wouldn't bet against any of them in the final especially "draw bag" White.

I qualified for the Viaduct all winners Silvers final and was very disappointed to find myself on Spring Lake peg 20. Some anglers would have not gone to the peg but I am the eternal optimist. It was good to see Bela in the frame - back for fish and chip supper then.

The Viaduct Silvers league was a disaster for me. It was a question of bad draws and bad angling or a bit of both - roll on next year when I can hopefully put things right.

Three memorable matches at Todber. The first was to be my biggest weight of the year with 235 lb and just beating Bela's 221 lb for just a section pickup! I was on the weigh board but couldn't hold the pencil due to cramp in my hands after all the Carp slaying. 

The second was John Candy's birthday bash where the weight to qualify for the King of the Manor Silvers final was set at 12 lb. I found this interesting so entered drawing Ash peg 62 and thought I would count the weight backwards which I thoroughly cocked up. Somehow starting to count back from 12 oz!! Anyway all turned out OK weighing 15 lb 4 oz.

The third match was during the Todber 3 Dayer travelling and staying with the McMahons and Martin Rayet. Come day three I drew peg 15 on White Post and had a lovely days fishing catching Carassio's and small Carp short on my favourite soft pellet for 74 lb and a Lake win which helped me win the over 65's. But what was more pleasing was travelling partner Joe McMahon won the festival overall picking up £2,300 on his way - great lad.

Finally I have to mention the Bathampton Coffin Dodgers at Hunstrete. I had another great series with some great guys. Memorial because mainly due to me drawing peg 30 three times and peg 29 three times meaning I spent a continuous three months on the same pegs, plus I can include pegs 31 and 28 in this year. That said I did pick up every time - but nice to see some different scenery. Not forgetting Tony Rixon's Bramble Gate - and the biting off anglers feeders - LOL. We often say the best part of the day is back at the pub - may it continue. Wishing all the Dodgers pain free joints for 2020.

My wish for 2020 is for all the Fisheries to have have a Cormorant free year - Silver stocks are suffering badly.

Some facts and figures from 2019:

Review of 2018

2018 started well with the first two opens - Bathampton AA and Windmill being double bubbles - Silvers and overall.

The next open match I organised at Boyd Valley Lake. It was soon obvious that the Silvers were shaking nervously in the reeds trying their best to avoid predators - primarily Cormorants. Luckily enough I caught eight fry Ronnie's to weigh 3 oz for a pick-up by default! The Carp caught were in excellent condition. I took my two 12 year old Granddaughters down there in the summer and it was quality Ronnies every put in for them.

During February I visited Plantation for two of Chris Rolfes open matches. It's a great venue especially for Silvers, coming second in the silvers with 28 lb is great fishing.

I have been going on and off to Hillview in Tewkesbury since it opened. I'm not so keen on the current summer Carp slaying, preferring instead to visit in the dead of winter when its sensible fishing. Only the one trip which through a good draw I won with a sensible 63 lb. Matey Dave Willmott was a close second. I will be back again in 2019. Keith is building another Lake behind the fourth Canal so that will be interesting - can't have too many Lakes.

Started fishing the Shiplate Thursday matches with Geoff Francis. We both enjoy fishing it's such a nice clean place to fish. Well managed by the Game Keeper "I've only got one cartridge so don't expect a warning shot" and Goldie Locks "who ate my porridge". We always stopped on the way home for a meal, mostly Brent House carvery.

April and it was time for the Todber King of the Manor Silvers final. I was in two minds whether to go. I was glad I did as I won it, beating Tony Rixon by a couple of ounces. I'm still not sure which was better the £825 pick-up or beating Tony by such an excruciating margin?

It was a question of either Huntstrete, Windmill and Shiplate for a good few matches. I then decided to fish the Todber Manor three Dayer. I felt I did well from the peg 23 at White Post, but didn't get it right for the next two days. The subsequent learning has encouraged me to try again in 2019. What a venue, suitable for the Carp Slayers and Silvers anglers - right balance of both. John Candy has got it right, then there is his pre-draw wit.

Come June Bela and I had a few trips to Ivy House fishing the two Canals. I really enjoyed fishing these, it's where I caught my two heaviest Silvers weights. Andy Lloyd has got the pools right - if you win both Silvers and overall you pick up both. Andy has constructed a new Lake named Heron and has been stocking it with various types and size of Carp - opening in April I think. Baggy always catches a few on his favoured paste or corn.

Early June is our group holiday at Viaduct. I spent the holiday chasing the Silvers which I failed miserably, often getting beat by Two Pots with his accidentals fishing paste. We are down there again this year but have another four coming taking us to ten, will miss Podge. Should be interesting trying to get ten of us in the local curry house. May have to leave the "bring our own" outside.

June also sees the start of Tony Rixons short pole and float only matches. Todber Manor was a welcome addition to both his leagues. I did well in the Short Pole picking up in every match - mainly Silvers, but did have my heaviest weight in this league nearly 200 lb. However, due to family commitments I missed three matches in the float only league, fishing three and picked up section in two, so okay. Thanks to the three anglers that stood in for me. It would be nice to actually fish them all in 2019, but already guessing the Special One is making plans for Michael.

Geoff and I had a few trips to Harescombe match Lake. We did okay, but thought the weights were down and found it a bit peggy. Still will be back in 2019, even if it's to have one of Pricey's breakfast, plus I have ran out of reading material. Then there's the friendly regulars.

I stayed local for a while fishing Ivy House, Windmill, Hunstrete and Shiplate until the Todber pairs started which I was to fish with Bela. However, due to the matches being on a Saturday Bela had too much work on, so Martin McMahan stepped in. I Did well in the first two but couldn't fish the last two because I got a bacterial infection and spent five days in hospital. The Doctors tried very hard to find out the cause but so far have failed. They are still taking blood for analysis. They even sent some to Porton Down!! As soon as the Special One agreed I was out fishing in time for the Viaduct Silvers league.

I never seem to get a decent start in this Silvers league and it was the same this year. I drew three time on Lodge and managed on one pick-up for second in section and once on Campbell for another section second. Again I has two surprise family commitments so missed two matches and blow me both reserves won their sections!

It seems that anglers are wanting to stay local especially in the winter, which is having the effect of reducing the size of matches. However, the numbers fishing matches in the South West have stayed consistent. During 2018 I have been weighing more Carp with the Silvers appearing to be reducing. I hope this is not the case.                        

                                               Some Facts and Figures - 2018