Friday 21/10/2011 - Stafford Moor October Festival - Day Five - Pines Lake

We had planned to go out for a curry in Torrington with Brian Shanks, Ron Hardiman and Bela Bakos tonight, but they cried off because they wanted to stay in to watch Broke Back Mountain for the fourth time this week! Mark and I went to the New Inn again and had a delicious steak.

I was a little concerned that the weather this week might be a bit cold and damp. However, we managed to survive, although the wind had a chill about it, it hasn’t been too bad – went away dry every match.

It was obvious that yesterdays result would be the one to drop and I reckoned I would need either a section win or perhaps a section second to be in with a chance of some overall festival coin. So the draw was crucial in this respect. But Pines would suit my style of fishing. So in to the draw bag and out comes peg 14. A quick check on the previous four days results and it was clear that any hopes of any overall coin had evaporated. The peg had been last in section three days and a last but one the day before with a good Angler on it – Stu Foal’s with the highest weeks weight of 9lb. I found Stu who advised fishing for Ronnie’s and hope for the best. Having come to terms with the fact I was out of the Festival I was determined to improve on Stu’s results – fishing against myself I suppose. Arriving at the peg there was a lot of very small Ronnie’s topping, which got me looking forward to a days fishing.

I set three Ronnie rigs, a Skimmer rig, and a margin rig (it’s a corner peg come bay) and finally a Silver fish waggler in case the Ronnie backed out of the corner (this was only used whilst I ate my banana – nothing caught).

On the “Have a great day everyone – All in” Andy’s usual match starting cry. I fed a ball of GB at 9 metres at 10 clock for the Skimmers and started on the Ronnie’s at 3 metres with caster. The fish were tiny 1oz to maximum of 2oz, plus they weren’t coming as quick as I would like, so it a switch to the Skimmer line with soft 3mm expander and it was the same again – small Ronnie’s. I decide to feed some micro and caster in to the end margin at 9 metres, however, a slight skimming breeze started blow a lot of green slime in to this margin. Back on the Ronnie’s this time on the 4 metre whip. It was the same again but slight quicker this was because I was now fishing further out – and the maximum I could hand feed casters. I then noticed a blow over the GB so went back over it and started to get strange line bites. I then caught a Skimmer of 1 oz, then another and another it was taking too long to catch these blighters. I noticed that everyone was struggling with pegs 13, 12 and 11 fishless and these are the good Skimmers pegs. So I decided to get my head down for the remainder of the match with the 4 metre whip. With 20 minutes to go I noticed that the surface scum had cleared a bit so I thought I would try the margin and first put in with double caster on the hook resulted in a scale from a foul hooked Carp that was as big as my Ronnie’s to that went in the net. Ten minutes later the same happened again. I was first to weigh in my section and put 140 Ronnie’s on the scales for 12lb and I had beaten pegs 13,12 and 11 which unfortunately were not in my section, but still found this satisfying. I finished up better than anticipated with 5 section points with 30lb winning the section it from peg 28, again satisfying for me.

It was Mark Tanners turn on Josephs (or as Mark calls in Jurassic Park) and pulled peg 9 on the bridge. Mark's pole survived they day as it was only tested by two Skimmers. Not everyone was so lucky, Chris Davis came back with a "Top set necklace".

The match on the day was won by Andy Pell from peg 17 Woodpecker with 148lb 12oz. However, I must mention fellow Bristolian and very nice guy Ron Hardiman who finished second on the day from peg 24 with 131lb 10oz. Ron fished corn down to the next four empty pallets!! Well done matey pleased for you.

Dropping the worse result I finished the Festival on 11 points with 193lb (dropping the lowest points and weight).
The overall Festival final results were very tight as can be seen from the top 8 below. Overall I was very satisfied with how I fished four of the matches, but if I could re-fish the fourth match on Tanners I am sure I would had got another £60 to add to my overall winnings of £200 and would, I think had finished with 8 or 9 points overall, which would may have got me some overall Festival coin. This mistake I have put down to not knowing the venue as well as many of the regular festival goers – some have been fishing it for ten years. My favourite match was fishing the Josephs Dam Wall – paste at 13 metres in 14 foot of water - plus it was a new experience for me – lovely. I must say Joseph’s peg 27 came a close runner up – what I nice place to spend the day even if you don’t catch anything.  My worries about my fitness standing up didn't materialise. I could have fished again on Saturday, Sunday, Monday ......!

I thanked Andy Seery for running it. Andy must be exhausted after each match because he fishes all the pegs for us. Those that know him will understand. What I will say is this man should not be let loose with a pen, he has the worse handwritting I have seen trying to determine the daily results for my blog was a nightmare. I now wish a took a photo of it.

So another one ticked off the fishing “Bucket List”. Unfortunately the others cannot be paid for I will have to rely on a great deal of luck to catch 100lb of Ronnie’s.

Part Result on the Day:

1. Andy Pell 148-12-0 peg 17 Woodpecker
2. Ron Hardiman 131-10-0 peg 24

Overall Festival Results:

1. Simon Keiffer 6pts – 272lb £1,000
2. Andy Poole 6pts – 231lb £750
3. Perry Stone 7pts – 379lb £500
4. Dave Stockton 7pts – 212lb £400
5. Joe Roberts 7pts – 171lb £350
6. Lee Farmer 8tpts - £300
7. Another 9pts - £200
8. Another 9pts - £150

Finally if Andy can’t accommodate you in his Chalets then, I would highly recommend the following which is where Mark and I stayed:

http://www.wansleybarton.co.uk/

Thursday 20/10/2011 - Stafford Moor October Festival - Day Four - Tanners

Starting to feel the pace with the enthusiasm waning, but no moaning this morning! We were promised a frost last night but the temperature managed to stay at 4 degrees add the cloud cover it didn’t happen, we were also promised another dry day which we did.

Mark was on Woodpecker lake peg 25 and I thought it would suit him.

In to the draw bag and out comes peg 4 Tanners. Arriving at the peg I was in a Landsend sandwich, Mike Duckett on peg 6 and Dell Boy on peg 3. This morning I was third equal overall in the Festival so to be in a chance of good points it would have to be Carp, plus I was completely fogged by the fact that peg 3 has recent Carp form with two Match seconds. So I set up three rods, shallow pellet waggler, another full depth and a lead rod. As I had time I set up a paste rig to be fished at 7 metres – no more of this as it got bitted out by small Skimmers.

On the whistle I started to feed 8’s and fished a pellet waggler over it this resulted in two missed bites which I thought were Silvers which was proven correct as I had one of 8oz. Out with the full depth waggler – still feeding 8’s and I had a 6lb carp first cast on the drop – that’s it then – nope that was it for the waggler for the rest of the day. So out on the straight lead, the boredom was relieved twice with two very small Carp. After four hours peg three hadn’t had a Carp and peg 36 had five. I had enough of this slaying, so I got my Ronnie rig out the bag with the intentions of turning a bad day in to something more memorable. In the remaining two hours I had a lovely period of catching Ronnie’s up to 8oz using single caster over caster. The three Carp weighed 13lb 4oz and my Silvers 20lb 8oz for a total of 33lb 12oz. With only 30lb winning the Silvers (fished for from front to back) it was clear I had made the wrong choice and should fished for Ronnie’s from the off (I think if I had known the Lake better I would have done this and if I had listened to Glenn Bailey) – I reckon I would have had at least 40lb and another pick up – bugger. Isn’t this why we go fishing, wanting to reverse our wrong decisions? The result to drop I hope!!

The last day tomorrow and I am on Pines which will suit me much better than today – no slaying rods on this Lake, subject of course to a decent draw.

I was really pleased to hear Mark had caught well winning his section with 89lb 4oz. Mark choose to fish the first half on the pellet waggler both up and down with banded pellet, catching the Lion share in the last ninety minutes on the lead – Mark fed 8 pints of 8’s – he does look a tad tired now as does his catapult.

The match was won by Perry Stone (pictured right - tes thats his nromal look) with 188lb 12oz from peg 3 on Woodpecker – I have written enough this week about this flyer!

Full Result:

1.      Perry Stone 188-12-0 peg 3 Woodpecker

2.      Jake Marshall 147-14-0 peg 8 Woodpecker

3.      Lee Jan 109-02-0 peg 34 Tanners

4.      Neil Cottee 94-12-0 peg 11 Tanners

5.      Allwyn 90-11-0 peg 35 Tanners

6.      Mark Tanner 89-04-0 peg 24 Woodpecker

Wednesday 19/10/2011 - Stafford Moor October Festival - Day Three - Joseph Dam Wall

Back to the New Inn for Tapas, which I must say was very good and a change from the usual pub grub.

Glenn went AWOL this morning. I was very sorry to see him leave. Why? Glenn will explain. Glenn would have been on 13 Pines, a corner flyer with loads of Skimmers!! Poor Mark drew the worse peg on Pines peg 6 – The “Bus Stop” Swim weighing only 2lb (hope I don't draw this one).

As I said yesterday I was hoping to be on the Dam Wall and by the time I got to draw there was only one peg left for Emily’s so out comes Dam Wall peg 5. Bela drew it first match and blanked and the Angler who fished it yesterday weighed 3lb, so not a flyer then!! For company, on next peg 4 was Landsend Mike Duckett.

My target was more than 3lb. So set up the usual two Ronnie rigs – both to hand rigs for the caster. These pegs are known for fishing paste at 14.5 metres and the quarry is larger than normal Carp in excess of 20lb. So I set up a 1g paste float and was amazed to find that at 13 metres (the most I was prepared to use) I had 14 foot of water – Umm. I also set up a margin paste rig. On the “All in” I fed the 13 metres paste line with about ten 8 mm pellet which I had soaked to make them soft and fluffy, which I planned to top up after every fish – I hoped. I do like to feed micro pellet when using paste so because of the depth I made up some wetted micro into small balls to help the on their way to the bottom. I then started on the Ronnie rig close in and had five small Silvers. It was soon apparent was going to be difficult day. I then noticed that the Angler on the opposite bank had hooked a Carp on the paste. So out mine went and first cast I hooked a Carp. Playing these fish in 14 foot of water is very difficult and can’t be rushed. I used the Sensas top set with the side pull-a-bung so I could land the fish on the top five. This was new to me and played the Carp which was about 8lb for 10 minutes, after which I had it beat, but bugger the hooked pulled just as I picked up the landing net. To say I was pissed is an understatement as I thought I had lost my only opportunity to catch a Carp. However, Dad was watching down and next cast I hooked and landed a 10 pounder which got the adrenalin pumping. Out again and another Carp but this time hooked in the tail. For some reason it was less of a fight than the previous fished hooked in the mouth? This was compensation for the one I lost- thanks Dad. I then had a run of two foul hooked fish – one straightened the hook and the other pulled free. I was quite happy at this stage as I had far more in the net than I had anticipated. About an hour later I hooked a Big Boy (18lb 8oz) which took me an age to land. However, there was a down side I broke the landing net frame lifting it out. I then spent the rest of the match bite less as did most of the other Anglers. My few Silvers weighed 6oz and when added to my Carp I had 42lb 14oz. The section was won with 45lb so the one I lost cost me another section win. However, I was delighted to come second and pick up another envelope reducing my Polo shirt down to £10, still too expensive!

On Tanners Lake tomorrow which seems to be very peggy with peg 36 or peg 3 winning every match. I hope I get one of these, however, I don’t think it’s going to suit me as it's like Woodpecker.

 

The match was won by Ade Marshall (pictured right) with 121lb 13oz from peg 36 Woodpecker. Ade caught on the full depth waggler using the proverbial pellet over pellet.

Full Result:

1.      Ade Marshall 121-13-0 peg 36 Woodpecker

2.      Bob Clarke 104-06-0 peg 26 Woodpecker

3.      Ray Hayward 102-09-0 Peg 11Tanners

4.      Simon Heiffer 86-12-0 peg 20 Josephs

5.      Andy Poole 82-14-0 peg 35 Tanners

6.      Mike Etheridge 75-14-0 peg 3 Tanners

Tuesday 18/10/2011 - Stafford Moor October Festival - Day Two - Josephs Lake

Out to dinner again but this time at the Union Pub in Dolton, where we all had steak pies, chips and mushy peas. However, before we left mark Tanner decided to have a swim in out pool – yes that’s him right.

As I said I was looking forward to fishing Josephs Lake in to the draw bag and out comes peg 27. Andy said it’s called Blackpool Pier. It didn’t take long to discover why. The platform is 5 metres long! The peg wreaked Mr Crabtree. It reminded me a bit of one of the end swims at Rood Ashton. That said there wasn’t much sign of fish except a number of very small Rudd and Ronnie’s topping. There are many stories of lost big fish on this Lake so with plenty of features around me including an island at 16 metreish. I decided to use my margin pole at 7 metres in open water and as the Lake had been patchy the day before I decided to fish negative and set up a Ronnie rig and a 4x14 rig for any Skimmers that might be about.

That left me 1 ½ hours to have a walk around and found Mark Tanner on Tanners peg 18 and Glenn on Tanners peg 6 outside the Bollywood Chalet, where Dave Stockton was staying and made me a cup of coffee – thanks Dave. During the walk around I was informed that my swim does hold Cat Fish – cripes.

Back to the swim and on the “all in” I kindered in a dozen casters with a single on the hook, it took five minutes to get my first bite a ½ oz Rudd – saved a blank then! I started to catch them regularly so switched to my Ronnie whip fished to hand. I had a good first hour catching very small Skimmers, Ronnie’s and Rudd. I thought I would try and catch some of the bigger stamp and put a small 3mm expander on the Jolly and started to miss quick bites. Switched to the single caster and hooked a Carp which after a tussle I broke off as the fish decided to switch sides of Blackpool Pier! I jumped up and made up a paste rig and first put-in in foul hooked a carp and was once again left in wonderment of a huge scale. Back out on the paste and – nothing. I now had about 8lb of Silvers and with 9lb winner the Silvers the day before I thought bugger back on the Jolty and single caster still feeding through the kinder pot. And would believe it I hooked and landed four Carp in consecutive put-ins three of them were teen fish the biggest I guessed at 16lb. I went back on the Ronnie rig and caught another 3lb of small fish. As the swim went quite I was worried that I might hook another Carp so I went back out on the Jolly with single caster. I was right as I had another two small Carp making it six – another one and I would another net, however, this wasn’t necessary, because the next one bottomed my elastic (Middy blue tightened down). As the Silvers had dried up I decided to spend the last ¾ hour fishing paste having put in a huge amount of dead red maggot to no avail.

My Silvers weighed in at 11lb 3oz and my Carp 53lb 2oz for a total of 64lb 5oz for a lake win overall and a Lake Silvers win. This contributed £160 to my Polo shirt but it’s still costing me £50 – still too expensive!! This left me 10th overall.

It will be either Emily’s Lake or the “Wall of death – first eight pegs on Joseph’s dam wall. I was secretly hoping to draw here as it would be easier than trying to fish 16 metres on Emily’s.

The match was won by Simon Jones (pictured right) from in form peg 36 Tanners with 140lb 8oz. Simon caught on the straight lead and 8mm pellet.

Full Result:

1. Simon Jones 140-08-0 peg 36 Tanners
2. Derek Smith 134-0-0 peg 3 Woodpecker
3. Perry Stone 132-02-0 peg 3 Tanners
4. Nobby 121-14-0 peg 32 Woodpecker
5. Dave Stockton 91-11-0 peg 20 Woodpecker
6. Ryan Harris 86-12-0 peg 16 Woodpecker
10. Mike Nicholls 64-05-0 peg 27 Josephs

Monday 17/10/2011 - Stafford Moor October Festival Day One - Woodpecker

We were out for dinner last night in the New Inn at Roborough. Nice local pub complete with the village drunk (been in there all day – me thinks). After a good pork and pineapple casserole in comes about ten hikers. Not ordinary hikers, these were from Barnstaple and were “All night Hikers” and were just starting out – they all had the same livery – “We do it all night”! Best not look this lot in the eye. And I thought the Bridgwater folk were strange!
After a Mark Tanner breakfast it was off to the draw, joining the queue of 80 Anglers. We were all presented with a polo shirt and a few bags of GOT pellets. If I don’t win any coin it will be the most expensive item of clothing I have bought. However, I am hoping as the week progressive that it will become less valuable!

Mark and Glenn drew the same section – Emily’s and dam of Josephs – luckily for me they were on Emily’s as there were four blanks on Josephs and I fear we would have been on our way home otherwise.

I was next to draw and out comes the peg I drew in the last match I fished, theMaver Pairs – peg 20 on Woodpecker. There is always good advice given out And I always listen to all of it before deciding what to do. Mel King, Brian Shanks and gentle giant Stu Foale are always worth the listen. Arriving at the peg the wind was blowing at me from 11 o clock, but just gentle enough for the waggler. So I set up a deep waggler, a shallow waggler, a 4x14 Jolly to be fished at 10 metres with soft pellet and a paste rig to fish over the same line (the peg isn’t 9 foot deep as published), finally a Ronnie rig to fish in the margin with caster. I decided on a gentle approach starting on the 6 mm expander over hard 4’s, to my amazement this resulted in nowt, not even an indication. In to the margin where I had been heavily (for me) feeding caster and I had two small Ronnie’s and one 8 oz Perch – then nothing. So out on the shallow waggler and by this time the wind had increased making presentation almost impossible with presentation lasting about ten seconds. So it was out on the full depth waggler which in reality was about three foot deep ¾ across. I was soon left wonderment at the size of scale that was left on the hook. Presentation was still not good enough; if I dragged it through it would lead to a foul hooker. So I succumbed and went back to the car and got the lead rod! The upshot was that I landed ten Carp on the banded 8 mm pellet, breaking on one. I kept feeding my pole lines and did the rounds from time to time. A few small Skimmers finally arrived on the 10 metre line landing 5lb of them. I spent an unproductive last hour on the lead.
What I found was that if you kept feeding 8’s over the lead the Carp would move up in the water allowing access underneath for the Skimmer which pecked at the hard pellet. So it was a question of stop feeding until the carp followed the bait down. However, I would catch one or two, subsquently the peg would die. I put this down to the fish tearing off in the shallow water scaring the few others away.

I weighed 74lb 8oz for 3rd in section and ninth overall. One out of a reduction in the cost of the Polo shirt!!

I am looking forward to fishing Josephs lake tomorrow.

Glen did well weighing 33lb 12oz for third in his section off Emily’s 7 and had a section pick up by default. However, can’t say the same for Mark who weighed 8oz off Emily’s peg 2, but not last of the Bristol boys because Bela blanked and Chris Davis had 5oz!

Mike Duckett did fish having made a miraculous recovery and caught 77lb until he broke his pole on peg 10 Woodpecker.

The match was won by Dave Churchwood (pictured right) with 132lb 5oz from peg 3 on Woodpecker. Dave caught on the shallow waggler until the wind got up making the last hour difficult. Dave fed 4 pints of 8’s with the same banded.

Full Result:

1. Dave Churchwood 132-05-0 peg 3 Woodpecker
2. Bob Clarke 129-08-0 peg 36 Tanners
3. Neil Cottee 126-04-0 peg 28 Woodpecker
4. Gary Thorpe 120-14-0 peg 15 Tanners
5. A. Mooreton 111-0-0 peg 26 Woodpecker
6. Mark Thomas 82-08-0 peg 10 Tanners
……
9. Mike Nicholls 73-13-0 peg 20 Woodpecker

Sunday 16/10/2011 - Stafford Moor October Festival - Non Fishing Day

Today it was off to Stafford Moor Fishery to complete one of my remaining “Bucket” fishing list, which is to fish a Commercial Festival. I choose the Stafford Moor October Festival as it had been recommended by many fellow South West Anglers. For company I have Mark Tanner and Glenn Bailey. Mark booked the accommodation - Bramble Cottage - Wansley Barton. I must say for £110 each for the week self catering it was a good choice. Included, is a small fishing lake and a swimming pool. However, it is out in the sticks having to negotiate roads that have grass growing in the middle and hedgerow that scratch each side of the car and in one instance the nice lady cutting her hedge had to move her step ladder for us to pass. – Miss Satnav is essential.

I do have concerns as to whether I will last the full five days – purely because of my Arthritis. Hopefully I won’t have to resort to the straight lead!!

So looking forward to the first draw tomorrow when I will find out which 16 anglers I will be completing against for the remaining four days of the five day festival – dropping one result.

On arrival I paid the £210 entry fee – that hurt and then sulked around the venue and found Dave Downton in his Chalet and was offered a cup of coffee providing I made it! I then had the usual technical teach in on the benefits of Clurrusso (bet thats not the spelling) wagglers by Dave pictured right.

Back to the shop and Mike Duckett (pictured lower right with Andy Seery) was explaining how he ended up in hospital this morning, because last night Mike blacked out and fell on to the cast iron bath in his digs. Apparently it wasn’t anything to do with the six pints of cider Mike West fed him!! Mike was struggling to use his right arm. Let’s hope he’s able to fish tomorrow – bet he does, irrespective of his condition.

I have just heard that matey Darren Gillman won the Winter League today on the Bristol Avon with 89lb 3oz. Darren caught Skimmers and Bream on the pole from peg 12 – one above Newbridge Bridge – well done matey that will do me tomorrow!!

Saturday 10/07/2010 - Maver Pairs - Stafford Moor

Bela Bakos had booked in to the Maver Pairs at Stafford Moor with Pete Notton only to be informed Wifey 1 that he was booked to go to Spain. So Bela passed the ticket to me and I asked Glenn Bailey to team up with me as he was keen to fish the venue for his first time, plus he’s been catching a few Carp of late.

You can always rely on Glenn to be spot on time as he was today with a 05:30 pickup, arriving at Stafford at 08:00 after a short break for coffee and some sort on breakfast pastry. We had the usual friendly greeting from Andy, who is always happy to help with advice.

The team plan was that I would fish Pines or Josephs and Glenn, Tanners or Woodpecker. Like most well laid plans I ended up on Woodpecker 20 and Glenn Pines 4! The draw rules were changed by Andy, however, having partially set up our gear in these pegs Andy did agree to us swapping, however, it didn’t seem worth while. In any case, I don’t think the result would have been any different.

I set up a waggler at depth and the straight lead. On the pole I set up two paste rigs one for 8 metres (deepest part of the swim) and another paste rig in the LH margin, as it happens for the Ronnie’s!! I fed the 8 metre line with two pots of 4mm’s. The peg was about 50 metre wide to the opposite island and with a nasty skimming wind I started at three quarters on the waggler with a very large banded 8mm pellet loose feeding the same over the top. Nothing, so I swapped floats to a shallow pellet waggler as I could see a few swirls from Carp. However, no one I could see was catching so I went on to the 8 metre line and started to catch Skimmers and Crucians steadily, until Dave (don’t know his surname) on next peg 19 caught a small Carp on the pellet waggler, so started the mistake of the day. I was teased for the next three hours by Carp, with the windy conditions not helping me at all. I did manage three Carp in the mouth and had four foul hookers on the retrieve. I had half hour on the straight lead with three small Skimmers to show for it. From what I could see no one was catching on it. In the last 10 to 15 minutes of the five hour match I switched back to the pole at 8 metres and had a Crucian, a Skimmer and a 5lb Carp. I weighed 34lb 10oz (approximately 50/50 Silvers/Carp)for fourth in the section with three DNW’s!! I was left feeling that if I had stayed with the pole through out the match I would have doubled my weight – who knows - Andy apparently who suggested this as an alternative to the straight lead.

Glenn weighed 54lb 9oz of small Carp, Crucians, Tench and Skimmers on Hard pellet fished at 16 metres to the island for 3 points. No where close for the team event with 7 points.

The match was won by Des Shipp (pictured right) from Tanners peg 30 with 165lb 6oz. Des only set up the pole (I wish I had done this – I shouldn’t be allowed out with rod and line) fishing shallow with 3 foot of line above the float splashing 6mm banded pellet around at various lengths (14 to 16 metres). Des fed 6mm and 8 mm hard pellet.

I have been writing my peg number on the back of my hand for some years now as there is nothing worse than setting up in the wrong peg only to be moved on. Oh yes there one worse - winning the match from the wrong peg!! I think Des might take a leaf out of my book on this one - we ain't getting any younger matey!!

The pairs was won by Jamie Smith and Tony Gilbert (pictured right) with a penalty points tally of 3.

Full Result:

1. Des Shipp 165-06-0 peg Tanners 30
2. Tony Gilbert 121-05-0 peg Pines 13
3. Ken Foxwell 94-05-0 peg Tanners 8
4. Craig Grant 86-04-0 peg Joseph 6 (included a 20lb Carp)
5. Mark Lynch 78-12-0 peg 17 Woodpecker 17
6. Save Stockton 7804-0 peg Woodpecker 32

Top Pair: (3 points)

Jamie Smith 65-04-0 peg Woodpecker 6 (2 point)
Tony Gilbert 121-05-0 peg Pines 13 (1 point)

Sunday 29/11/2009 - Stafford Moor Teams of Four

Bela and I were joined at the Globe Inn by fellow team members Rich Coles and Paul Locke. We had a great evening dinner; my sirloin steak was the best I’ve had for a long time. Because I have to minimise my alcohol intake due to gout issues I was off to bed early after just four pints. The heavy weights stayed up much later with a gallon or more on board by lights out!

At the draw I was asked by Captain Rich which lake I wanted to fish, Tanners or Woodpecker. As I am unfamiliar with the fishery I left it up to the Captain, which left Bela and I drawing for the two pegs on Woodpecker. I pulled peg 10 (see lake plan showing my two weekend pegs pictured right) and Bela peg 26. Rich was on Tanners peg 13 and Paul on fancied peg 35.

Well when I got to my peg my first thoughts were what a strange peg and why had it been pegged!! The platform looked directly up the lake and my LH margin being the main open water of the lake. As it was an out and out Carp match (highest weights of all species wins the section) I soon realised that to my RH margin was a group of trees that overhung the lake by at least 3 metres, which was surely a holding point for some munter Carp!! However, as with all my margin pegs I like to feed little and often gradually building the Carps confidence, then go in after them in the last couple of hours or so. So my plan was to fish for Silvers in open water for half the match and Carp for the second half. I set up two rigs the same Skimmer rig as the previous day plus a corn rig for the RH margin (another painful left handers peg ). I must have been the only angler that didn’t set up a waggler of lead rod!! I started on the Silver rig feeding identical to the previous day with similar results. After about an hour and having about 4lb of Silvers I hooked a Carp. I then up the size of elastic and first put back in hooked and landed another Carp. At this point I decided to give up on the Silvers and go in to the margin early for more carp (for the team’s sake you understand). I used a size 18 Colmic Nuclear hook (very strong and sharp) tied directly to 0.18 G Line for the corn, which was hooked very lightly – one strike and it’s off. First put in and the corn was taken on the drop and the third Carp was in the net. I then had another six Carp in consecutive put-ins, losing only one under the platform. With one hour to go the swim completely dried up. I was left with small Skimmers and Ronnie’s mouthing the corn. At this point I should have gone back out for Silvers, but I was hoping for a couple more carp which didn’t materialise. I weighed 4lb 14oz of Silvers and my nine Carp weighed 45lb for a total of 49lb 14oz, which point me fourth in the section and tenth overall. Whilst packing the van Bela said he thought he might have won the Silvers with just 9lb 8oz. I thought this unlikely. Back at the results, guess what Bela (pictured right) did win the Silvers and I was absolutely amazed when I was told I had won £40 for second in the Silvers!!

The match was won by Gary Webber from Woodpeckers peg 3 with 97lb 3oz. Gary caught on waggler and straight lead using corn hook bait.

Team wise Somerset stormed the match with just 9 penalty points. Charlie’s Angels ended with 22 penalty points for 5^th overall. Paul Lock did best in the team with 52lb and a section second.

The man of the weekend must be Steve Kedge (pictured bottom right) who had a second placings on both days and lead his team to first overall. Well done matey.

Full Result:

1. Gary Webber 97-09-0 peg 3 W
2. Steve Kedge 86-05-0 peg 22 W
3. Mel King 72-01-0 peg 16 W
4. Bryan Shanks 64-08-0 peg 3 T
5. Nick Jones 60-14-0 peg 4 W
6. Ray Hayward 59-18-0 peg 18 T

Top Silvers:

1. Bela Bakos 9-08-0 peg 26 W
2. Mike Nicholls 4-14-0 peg 10 W (Accidental)

Top Teams:

1. Somerset Angling 9 points (Penalty)
2. Avon Angling 12 points
3. Stafford Moor 16 points

Finally: The Stafford Moor Christmas match is to be held on the 30th December - Contact Andy on 01805 804360 to book in.

Saturday 28/11/2009 - Stafford Moor Silvers Open

After a hearty breakfast Bela and I were soon at the draw. Bela was first in the queue and pulled out peg Woodpecker’s 3. I was about sixth to draw and drew peg Woodpeckers 4 – next to Bela – what are the chances of that!

Dave Downton thought 43lb to 45lb was going to be needed to win the match (a bit precise from someone that caught 15 lb the day before pleasure fishing!!). However, I thought 25 lb would be sufficient to frame, which I made my target weight.

The weather had dramatically changed - for the better and both Bela and me had plenty of shelter from the wind as it was off our backs and with the high bank behind us made it was quite comfortable. However, we had a tree lined spit between us that extended out about 16 metres, so we couldn’t see each other but could still manage a chat. I must say I thought the peg more of a Carp peg that a Silvers peg, but I guessed it was pegged because of the shelter from the elements that it gave. I set up two Ronnie Rigs, one for fishing elasticated top set distance and the other a 4 metre whip. I also set up a Skimmer rig for 10 metres at 11-0-clock. The lake map promised me 8 foot of water, but only provided 6 foot (I shouldn’t buy anything down this way measured in feet and inches)!! As I thought Carp might be an issue, possibly effecting the Silver fishing I decided to fish ground bait over the Skimmer line (Carp tend not to like ground bait – especially the GB’s that have no fish meal content). I feed three Satsuma’s size balls through the cup. As I like the Skimmers to settle over the GB I started on the Caster and top set, which resulted in one ½ oz Ronnie. I then tried the 4 metre whip and found this very slow. So an earlier start on the Skimmers then! First put in and a 6lb Carp was soon stretching the hell out of my Skimmer rig. Umm!! Out again and I started to catch Skimmers in the 2-3oz bracket (what big eyes they have). In between I started to catch some good size Crucians on 3mm Pellet or caster. At the half way stage I started to top up through the Kinder pot, which kept the Skimmers and Crucians coming. I had a rest bite and came back on the top set and found that a few Ronnie’s had moved in, but I couldn’t make up my mind whether the Ronnie’s would weigh more than the Skimmers, even taking in to account it was much quicker on the Ronnie’s – difficult decision, but I was swayed to go back out on the Skimmers in case I caught more Crucians – which were going to be a real bonus today. I didn’t have any more carp trouble and finished the match with ten Crucians and a shed load of “peas in the pod blades”. I was amazed when I weighed 24lb 8oz achieving my target weight. This put me third overall and a pick up of £50.

The match was won by Tom Pallent (pictured right) with 34lb 3oz also from Woodpecker peg 34. Tim caught decent Skimmers to 2lb on chop worm or maggot hook bait over neat chop worm with a pinch of red maggot.

Bela weighed 11lb plus 4 Carp!!

Full Result:

1. Tim Pallant 34-3-0 peg 34 Woodpecker (W)
2. Steve Kedge 32-08-0 peg 32 Tanners (T)
3. Mike Nicholls 24-08-0 peg 4 W
4. Gary Webber 23-09-0 peg 5 T
5. Adam Palmer 22-05-0 peg 26 W
6. Darren Waite 20-09-0 peg 8 T

Friday 27/11/2009 - Siver Fish Practice at Stafford Moor!

Off to Stafford Moor for the Saturday Silverfish Open and the Sunday Teams of Four with Charlie’s Angels. I was travelling with Bela Bakos who was standing in for Charlie Barns. Bela and I decided to travel down on the Friday morning to get a Silver fish practice session in. By time we got to Bridgewater the weather had deteriorated in to heavy rain, so we changed our plan for a session on the lead. By the time we got to Exeter the weather worsen so I decided to have a lead fishing lesson from Bela. On arriving at Stafford Moor the wind had picked up to add to the rain, so we agreed that the fishing kit would stay in the van. We met up with Dave “Dodgy” Downton and Mike Etheridge who were also down for the weekend. Dodgy was fishing and Mike was tying some rigs in the Log Cabin. Mike soon had the kettle on; I must say he makes a great cup of tea.

We then went down to see Dodgy (pictured right fishing on peg Tanners peg 5). The conditions were awful. We didn’t hang around long and was soon enjoying another of Mike’s cuppers. Mike then took Bela and me on a tour of his tackle (Mike and Bela pictured bottom right with Bela having a rig tying lesson). I was amazed how much tackle Mike had and how clean and well prepared it all was. In fact Mike must be the number one “Tackle Tart” in the South West, yes Dodgy don’t even come close.

We then went off to find the Globe Pub in a place called Beaford, which we soon found only a 10 minutes drive away.

Friday 28/11/08, Saturday 29/11/08, Sunday 30/11/08 - Veals Teams of Four Winter League Round 5 & 6 - Stafford Moor Fishery

Friday 28 November:

As I had not fished Stafford Moor previously, Bela Bacos and I decided we would fish the Friday open. This meant getting up at 4am ready for pick up at 5am. We had a steady drive down arriving at 8am, which included a stop for a McDonald's breakfast - this is serious junk food.

Bela was staying at one of the Lodges on site and gave me a quick tour before the draw. I must admit they are really nice and spacious. Very much different than the Royal Oak where the Angels were staying.

I drew peg 25 on Tanners. Information was, that it was not that good a peg - shallow. Also, it would not be featuring in the League. I must say after all the hype with regards this fishery I was a little upset to hear that there were such poor pegs in the draw!! With a £2 Silvers pool I decided to focus most of my attention on them. The upshot was that I had 12lb 2oz of 2oz Roach and Skimmers on soft pellet - maggot - caster - etc... I came fourth in the Silvers, but with hind sight I could have came very close, by staying with the Ronnies, rather than chasing the bigger Skimmers.

The match was won by fellow Angel Rich Coles (pictured right) from peg 36 with 119lb 9oz. With the lake being flat calm all day Rich was able to fish the waggler dead depth with 10mm banded pellet. Rich fished in to open water towards peg 1. Rich red about a quarter of a pint of 8mm pellet.

Full Result:
1. Rich Coles 119-09-0 peg 36
2. John Lacey 95-0-0 peg 35
3. Adam Palmer 60-15-0 peg 30
4. Eric Fouracre 43-03-0 peg 11
5. Vince Shipp 42-03-0 peg 16
6. Ryan Shipp 39-10-0 peg 5
Top Silvers:
1. Steve Fouracres 20-13-0 peg 32
2. Vince Brown 18-08-0 peg 4

Back to the hotel - a few beers - steak and chips and early to bed.

Saturday 29 November:

The talk at the draw was that Pines Lake was fishing bad, with Tim Pallant catching only 2lb the day before - pleasure fishing! Charlie arrived at the draw dead on 8-30 and we were last to draw again. The draw was conveniently at the Royal Oak, where we were staying. Charlie, informs me that I had drawn Pines 16! After a quick chat with Tony Rixon and a few others (apparently it's Nick Collins favourite peg - good enough for me), it therefore seemed I had one of the better draws on the lake, albeit it being shallow (three foot). When I arrived at the peg I had a very cold wind blowing directly in to my right hand cheek - it was bitter cold. As I was informed that there were only a few Carp in this Lake, I decided to fish it light (0.o6 Ignesti). I plumbed around and found the deepest part at 9 metres. I decide on three lines out in front (pellet) - 2 o clock (chopped worm) and 11 o clock (maggot/caster). The pellet line was the most productive. The first eight fish were all of different species - not usually a good sign. Mel King was on adjacent peg 14 and was struggling to get bites. However, Steve Mayo was opposite to me, on peg 13 and was getting the odd fish. I could hear the odd chattering suggesting that it was fishing really hard - some confessing to ounces. I fished it hard to the end and weighed 12lb dead for a lake win and a pick up of £40. Bela also drew Pines 26 and was last on the lake with 15oz!

The overall Carp winner was Vince Shipp (pictured right) with 61lb 12oz from Woodpecker Lake peg 20. Vince's little known brother Des (I have included Des's picture underneath for those who may not have seen him before) won the Silvers from Tanners peg 30 with an impressive 36lb 11oz of Skimmers and Roach on chopped worm and caster.

Full Result:
Carp:
1. Vince Shipp 61-12-0 Peg Woodpecker 20
2. Jon Green 58-02-0 peg Woodpecker 22
3. Paul Garrett 46-05-0 peg Tanners 16
4. Tim Clark 36-01-0 peg Tanners 6
Silvers:
1. Des Shipp 36-11-0 peg Tanners 30
2. Tony Rixon 18-0-0 peg Tanners 26 (an excellent Silvers weight from this peg)
3. Martin Pettifor 17-12-0 peg Tanners 9
4. Brian Slipper 15-04-0 peg Tanners 35

On the Team front Charlie's Angels move up one position from fifth to fourth. Charlie was well pleased - promising to be first in the draw the next day!

It was announced that with today's lake win I was now top overall league individual with 60 points.

As the result was in our hotel we had already downed a few pints. Charlie is not a great drinker and after a couple and a hearty meal Charlie (pictured right) dozed off in the corner by the fire. Apparently only to revive later and keep everyone entertained with his endless joke telling.

Sunday 30 November:

Charlie nearly lived up to his word by being third in the draw - only after Rich Coles got him out of bed!

Charlie drew peg 36 Tanners for me, an excellent peg for Carp and Silvers. When I got to the peg the wind was blowing straight in to me, so the waggler for the Carp was out, so set up the straight lead. I set up two pole rigs one for four metres and the other to serve two swims (pellet/cwc) at 10 metres for Silvers. On the whistle I fed my three swims and then chucked the lead out. I counted to 120 - no indications so up the bank it went. I decided to focus on the Silvers until the last thirty minutes (this decision was reversed later). I had a steady run of Skimmers, Crucians and Roach. I then had a 7lb 1oz Carp and one lost foul hooker on pellet. However, I could not keep the fish concentrated and didn't work out the feeding pattern until the last half hour (I suspect Des Shipp worked it out after his first fish). I weighed 17lb 3oz of Silvers and the one carp for 24lb 4oz. This gave me a lake second and fourth in the Silvers and a pick up of £60.

Vince Shipp was two pegs away and weighed 23lb 3oz of Silvers. We discussed the feeding and Vince suffered the same as me, even though he had full instructions from Des. Des even gave Vince the rig he used the previous day!!! More to this fishing than meets the eye.

Full Result:
Carp:
1.Chris Davis 44-0-0 Josephs 17
2. Brian Slipper 43-12-0 Woodpecker 24
3. Rich Coles 43-02-0 Woodpecker 10
4. Bela Bakos 42-03-0 Woodpecker 20
Silvers:
1. Vince Shipp 23-06-0 Tanners 34
2. Steve Mayo 21-12-0 Tanners 5
3. Ryan Shipp 18-0-0 Pines 3
4. Mike Nicholls 17-04-0 Tanners 36
Top Teams:
1. Westerleigh 79
2. Sedges Mosella 62.5
3. Charlies Angels 61.5
4. Sarfix South West 57
Top Individuals:
1. Mike Nicholls 74
2. Chris Davis 73
3. Rod Wootton 64