Thursday 07/10/2016 - Amalgamation Autumn League - Round Seven - Tockenham Reservior

The Special One has twisted her knee so in two minds whether to go today, but she said it would be OK. However, it was with some trepidation and guilt that I went. So after devouring a “Pig One” and before paying the pools I rang her to check on how she was I felt a bit better to hear the swelling was going down.

It looks as if all the fish have switched into autumn mode with weights dropping everywhere. The weather reflected this with a stiff Easterly wind and the temperature first thing recording 4 degrees. It did warm up with the sun popping in and out.

In to the draw bag and out comes peg 28, not happy as it is in the corner amongst the Sedges and a Carp haven, plus I had the scales for the third time! Things soon brightened up when matey Bill Ferris arrived on peg 27. So would have some pole competition with Bill. Neither of us expected to set it alight.

I set up the Normark feeder rod but to be fair only got used during two tea breaks which resulted in  nothing, far too shallow in these pegs and impossible to reach deep water. Next I set up the Ronnie rig and a 4x18 jolly to fish at 10 metres in 6 foot of water, heavier than the depth required but sized up due to the wind blowing into me.

I started by feeding three large balls of GB laced with a few casters and dead reds at 10 metres. Potted a few casters on the Ronnie line (didn’t loose fed because worried I would dinner gong in the Carp). Started on the Ronnie rig with single caster and first put had an 8oz Perch quickly followed by an ouncer. Potted in a ball of GB with caster on this line and tried the 10 metre line with single maggot and started to catch small Ronnie’s. I then hooked what felt like a 2lb Skimmer which I pulled out of. It then went iffy getting indications on the drop which I couldn’t connect with. Back on the Ronnie rig this time with singe maggot and had a run of small fish – Rudd, Gudgeon, Perch and Ronnie’s. I then hooked a 14lb Common Carp which luckily I managed to land (upper pictured right). A pity they don’t count. By this time

Bill and I were neck and neck. Then Bill hooked and was playing something XL which when netted turned out to be a pair of underpants. Bill said it was “Scud” Jefferies pants (pictured right with his second overall weight of Skimmers). Not sure how Bill knew this, but luckily pants didn’t count today either! Bill followed this with a pound Roach. I then realised what was happening with the missed bites – liners from fish up in the water so spread the number eleven shot out and shallowed to 6 inch off bottom (where I thought they were) and kinder potted caster with again caster on the hook, a lot more liners followed until I hooked another 2lb Skimmer which came off the hook because I think it was foul hooked. I then landed a 2lb Skimmer flowed by a 1lb Roach. I now didn’t want the match to end and it wasn’t the time of day as I was getting what I now realised was liners a lot earlier in the match – bugger.

The two lost Skimmers and the penny dropping too late cost me a pick-up as I finished 7^th overall with 8lb 7oz. I thoroughly enjoyed the laughs I had will Bill today he has a great sense of humour. But beat him again!! But I do hope I can still fish 3-4 times a week and catch Silvers as well as Bill when I’m 75 years old – amazing.

The match was won by John Osborne (pictured right) with 24lb 2oz from fancied peg 20. John caught on the pole at 13 metres using caster and or worm hook bait over GB lace with – well everything including micro pellet. John fed the GB mixed heavily throughout to keep the Skimmers coming.Its a pleasure fishing with this guy.

Finally with one match left I have decided to give up fishing this league and any future leagues whilst run as they are at present. Apologies go to my fishing friends. The day started with us expecting to fish the far bank only to be told it had been moved to the near bank because it was very windy over there on Tuesday!! The Dam wasn’t in again and was told it had been left out because the wind was blowing in to it!! The wind was in fact blowing from the East which was blowing from the Dam wall straight up the Lake into the pegs in the twenties where we were!! When challenged you get no discussion on the matter just told “If you don’t like it don’t fish”. I can’t see this league being that well supported next year.

Full Result:

1. John Osborne 24-02-0 peg 20
2. Steve Jefferies 19-12-0 peg 25
3. John Smith 13-12-0 peg 31
4. Pete Greenslade 11-12-0 peg 32
5. Doug Sutton 11-05-0 peg 33
6. Bob Black 9-12-0 peg 17

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 22/09/2016 - Amalgamation Autumn League - Round Six - Tockenham Reservior

Usual Stop in Miss Piggy’s and a Pig One devoured, the best breakfasts for sometime.

Disappointing turn out with only 13 fishing. On the car park bank today which according to the pegging scheduled before the start of the series the Dam wall would be pegged which was once again left out. This meant there would be some difficult pegs in the draw. In to the ASDA bag and out comes peg 30. Not happy with this peg as you are looking along the bank 90 degrees to the angler on peg 31 who is facing out into the Lake (pictured right). Plus the inside is shallow for a long way out.

I set up the Normark Feeder, a 3 metre whip and the 10 metre pole with a 4x16 Jolly. Whilst my next door neighbour Scud Jefferies and I were clipping up the feeder the writing was on the wall as he could cast well past me and I was accused straight off for fishing his swim. So very limiting. What got my goat I was looking towards the Dam wall and could see four great pegs with no one on them.

Had a chuck on the feeder with GB laced with caster and triple dead red on the 16 hook. Didn’t take long to get bored as it just sat there. So went on the whip over GB laced with caster with caster on the hook and had a few Perch but no Ronnie’s. So decided to chop some worm and put it out on the 10 metre line in with the GB and caster. This produced a run of small Perch. Really struggling. So decided to sit it out on the feeder which I think was a mistake as I just got bored waiting for a 1oz Perch to finally pick up the hook bait. I did have some excitement hooking a Carp which went in to the Sedges losing the hook length.

I finished the match with a lowly 6lb 8oz beating only four anglers all of which would loved to have been on the Dam wall.

The match was won by Mark Bellringer (pictured right) who took advantage of his end peg to catch 32lb 4oz on the GB feeder. Well done matey.

Full Result:

1. Mark Bellringer 32-04-0 peg 33
2. Hughie Evans 27-09-0 peg 20
3. Steve Jefferies 19-04-0 peg 31
4. John Smith 19-0-0 peg 24
5. Mike Jones 16-08-0 peg 25
6. John Osborne 15-14-0 peg 22

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 09/09/2016 - Amalgamation Autumn Silvers League - Round Six - Tockenham Reservoir

Breakfast in Miss Piggy’s with pegger outer Dave Poole. I went for the Pig One excellent, no wonder it’s away busy. Dave had put the pegs closed signs up on the Sunday but sensibly went by permanent peg numbers (where they existed). We were allocated the far bank down along the dam wall. I then went through all the risks with Dave – signs tore down and pleasure anglers on the pegs. Dave rushed off to check.

Arriving at the fishery and yep signs missing and two pleasure anglers on our pegs – one moved with no fuss and the other stayed and surprisingly it was Bernard Jones a good river match angler in the day and a Amalgamation committee member. We didn’t insist he move as we need to keep on the right side of committee members.

We were expecting 18 today but with Coffin Dodgers holiday season now here we were down to 15. Mike Jones was today’s organiser standing in for Andy Smith – expect a few hiccups then – Mike spent 30 minutes working out the payout based on every possible scenario – his head was spinning. PS: Happy birthday Mrs Jones hope Mike wasn’t too late home with the flowers!

Time for the draw bag, not an ordinary bag but a Pensioners draw bag – expensive and with a tight opening allowing only one hand at a time (pictured right). My sort of bag. In I go and out comes peg 48 – Scales - plus next to the pleasure angler - Bernard. Is it psychological or is it the fact the Bernard had already baited up and had 12 Skimmers in his net that leads you to think your not going to get the best out of the peg?

A bit of swim clearing before setting up the Normark feeder, a 4 metre whip and the Ronnie rig. The weather looked a bit threatening (pictured right) but stayed dry but windy. The water was like tap water so clear you could see down 2-3 foot. This Lake is deep but the topography is all over the place – lots of big stones. Probably because the Lake was dug by hand!

I fed a ball of GB on the top-set plus one line for the Ronnie rig in 6 foot of water. But started on the mesh feeder at 30 metres, Blow me I had a 1 ½ lb Skimmer as soon as it hit bottom. Bag up time – Not which was it for the next fidgety 15 minutes I didn’t have any indications whatsoever. As there were a few anglers I could see on the feeder I decided to fish for Ronnie’s until I saw then catching. I started to feed hemp and caster over the GB watching the bait slowly sink out of vision. I had a run of small Ronnie’s and  two 12oz Perch, but I think because of the bright skies and water clarity it was hard keeping the fish in the swim. The fishing was hard and only going to get harder. I then hooked the preverbal Carp which put paid to the Ronnie line. So I tried the 4 metre whip up and down in the water only adding a handful of Ronnie’s to 8oz. With about 7lb in the net it was time for the Banana walk the purist anglers were all struggling on the pole with Hughie Evans doing best with 14lb of Skimmers on the feeder. Hughie had only set up two feeders – why two – well that’s what some Pensioners have to do in case they forget where they put one.

Back to the peg and out went the feeder. I do like twitching back but was finding this difficult because I supposed of the stony bottom so added another 5 meters to the clip and had 20 minutes of catching 8-12 Skimmers one a bung. The bites were un-missable. It went quite again. So on went another 5 metres to the clip and sensed the water wasn’t so deep, another but shorter run of Skimmers followed. On went another 5 metres to the clip and I had a 3lb Skimmer on the Whistle.

My Ronnie’s went 6lb 15oz and my Skimmers 17lb 8oz for a match third of 24lb 7oz.

As I suspected Hughie (pictured right) won the match with 31lb 4oz from peg 53. Hughie caught on the GB feeder fished at 40 metres using the usual various hook bait combos. Who would deny Hughie his first math win since his return to match fishing – it certainly won’t be his last. However, if anyone finds a feeder on or near this peg its Hughie’s. Well done matey the cap you lent me wasn’t you lucky one then!!

Result:

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 14/07/2016 - Amalgamation Summer League - Round Two - Tockenham Reservior

First stop was Miss Piggy’s for breakfast and a fiver bought a very good one. I was joined by Dave Poole, John Smith, Pete Greenslade and John Osborne who had practiced a far bank leg swim and moaned all through breakfast how bad it fished catching just 2lb. I said he would moan a few on.

Andy Smith had pegged the match the day before only to find someone had taken the pegs out, again, luckily no one was fishing the allocated pegs. Doug Sutton and Dave Poole re-pegged the match length.

Fifteen are fishing today with a couple on holiday and two resignations! Sections reduced from three to two today, everyone was hoping for a low number draw to be out of the leg. Andy had put all 24 pegs in the box and it took me four dips before I got a match length peg which was unlucky for some peg 13. However I was just about first out of the leg. For company I had on peg 14 Hughie Evans and on peg 12 John Osborne. 

I set up a 4x16 Jolly to fish at 10 metres with expanders over wetted micro in 7 foot of water, a Ronnie rig for caster over caster and a 4 metre whip again for Ronnie’s up in the water. As back up I set of the Normark no 1 Feeder.

I started by feeding a ball of GB at 4 metres laced with caters for the Ronnie’s, followed by a big pot of micro at 10 metres. I started with 4mm expander and expecting an immediate bite – but nothing. I came over the caster line with single caster and again no bites. Thirty minutes gone and biteless. So I picked up the feeder and after some deliberation decided against caster and maggot approach instead going for 6mm expander hook bait with GB and wetted micro in the feeder. First cast the bait hadn’t reach bottom when a very willing 4oz Skimmer took the bait. I had a good thirty minutes catching these small Skimmers. Up to the penultimate hour I kept having bursts of Skimmers. In between I kept trying the pole and Ronnie rig which proved to be a complete waste of time I couldn’t believe I didn’t have a bite on anything other than the feeder. One fish in hour five and nothing in hour six cost me a higher placing. But no Carp today The Roach were noticeable by their absence.

My Skimmers weighed 16lb 10oz for fifth overall and a section pick-up by double default.

The match was won by John Smith (pictured above centre with runner up John Osborne) with an amazing weight of 46lb 12oz especially considering it generally fished so poor. John was on peg 10 and fished the feeder with GB laced with caster with triple red maggot on the hook.

Full Result:

1. John Smith 46-12-0 peg 10
2. John Osborne 19-0-0 peg 12
3. Steve Jefferies 18-08-0 peg 8
4. Mark Bellringer 17-0-0 peg 2
5. Mike Nicholls 16-10-0 peg 13
6. Bob Black 12-0-0 peg 11

Weigh Sheets:

Wednesday 16/10/2013 - Amalgamtion Summer League - Rund 8 - The Fish Off - Tockenham Reservior

This league is run a little bit like the Rugby Union leagues in that the top teams play off to decide who gets promoted. So today the top ten in the league (final league table pictured right) were to fish off for the purse. Both Barry Fitchew and I were joint top point scorers over the seven matches (not sure where we were on weight count back). A couple of years ago Bath RFC won their division but failed to get promoted failing in the play-offs. Barry and I now know what that feels like. That said you enter these competitions knowingly and have to accept the outcome.

 

So the last match greeted us with yet more rain which promised to be clear by mid afternoon, which is was. In to the draw bag and out comes peg 31. This peg is in “The Woods” and as you would expect the peg is under trees. This peg however is out on a gang plank in the middle off very tall Sedges both sides with no elbow room. Gentleman Dave Bacon was next left to me on peg 30. Dave had also had tall sedges down his Left side which went out some 30 metres. Dave’s peg was also looking at 2 o clock in my direction which meant if he fished the feeder (which he did) he would need to cast out in front of me past my peg. These things are annoying especially as there is so many available pegs available including peg 32 which would have negating these issues. But because I was in a bit of a parrots cage (which 32 isn’t) the feeder was not my first choose. That said I know Dave and I would have gladly share the same feeder swim. Looking at the swim I thought there could be a few Carp about so I set up a margin rig to fish worm/corn. But having plumbed up I found I had 7 foot at 4 metres taking me to the edge of the Sedges. I suddenly didn’t fancy it for Carp as it would have meant playing them on the top four with the pull a bung inaccessible. I then set up a 4x18 jolly to be fished at 6 metres where I had 11 foot of water. The swim was in a bit of a bay and was sheltered from the wind. The plan was to fish double caster over tight golf ball size laced with the same.

 

On the whistle I fed 4 golf balls and started to catch Ronnie’s from 3oz to 12oz. After each small Ronnie I would put another golf ball in. And that is how my match went. It did get me thinking Hemp and Tares (next time perhaps). I did lose the fish for awhile probably due to maundering Carp. At about 15:00 the rain stopped and the wind picked up veering more into my peg causing a few difficulties. The Sedges were being blown across my peg right in front of me and I was being bombarded by Acorns. They bloody hurt if the hit you on the head, so I had to keep my hoods up for protection. I at first thought it was Dave feeding 30 mm pellets!! Near the end the Skimmers started to show but a tad too late to make any difference. My Ronnie’s weighed 20lb 8oz.

 

I must say I thoroughly enjoyed today, but Andy needs to sort of his pegging on this venue, especially at the dam wall end as there were only three fishing there leaving four good empty pegs.

 

The match was won by Gentleman Dave Bacon (pictured right with his Teddy boy hair cut) with 42lb 8oz from peg 30. Dave caught on the feeder at 30 metres using Marukuy 131 GB with worm and caster. Dave caught Skimmers to 3 lb.

 

Runner up was Dave Poole (pictured lower right with his catch) from Dam wall end peg 40, Dave also caught on the feeder.

 

Bill Ferris was next also on the Dam and interestingly enough his Silvers catch included 20lb of margin Perch whilst fishing for Carp!

 

Andy is running the league again next year with nine matches - four at Tockenham, four at Sabre and only one at Pawlett. I did enjoy the league as the venues are not out and out commercial type fisheries infested by Carp making a change.

 

 

Full Result:

 

1. Dave Bacon 42-08-0 peg 30
2. Dave Poole 36-0-0 peg 40
3. Bill Ferris 33-13-0 peg 35
4. Bob Black 31-10-0 peg 26
5. John Osborne 25-15-0 peg 33
6. Doug Sutton 23-0-0 peg 36

 

Top Silvers;

 

1. Dave Bacon 42-08-0 peg 30
2. Dave Poole 36-0-0 peg 40
3. Doug Sutton 23-0-0 peg 36

 

Weight Sheets:

 

 

Wednesday 22/08/2013 - Amalgamation Summer League - Round Five - Tockenham Reservior

The second visit in the Summer League to Tockenham Reservoir (pictured right looking from the dam wall). Whilst driving to the match I had that left something behind feeling, then going up Tog Hill the penny dropped I had forgotten my feeder rod. I decided to press on regardless. After breakfast with Barry Fitchew in Miss Piggies (small and friendly) it was off to the draw.

 

I was hoping for a draw on the dam wall however; in to the draw bag and a peg two away from where I was last time stuck to my hand, peg 26. I would have been happy about it had the next peg 27 not been in as I knew from previous experience that it is an out and out Carp area. That said I did expect to catch a few Skimmers on the pole, but believe it or not I didn’t have one Silver fish, not even an indication of one – unbelievable from a venue full of the blighters!

 

So I started with the Silver rig a 4x16 Jolly, which lasted half hour with out a bite on soft pellet over initially GB and then hard fours followed by softened micros until I hooked my first Carp. After about three or so minutes I lost the lot, fish and rig which broke 0.18 G-Line on the connector knot. After some deliberation I decided to retire the Silvers line and put paste over it. Unbelievably it just sat there which is unusual because if Carp aren’t about you do get some nibbling from the small Silver fish. Alas the float just sat there. So from previous experience I decided to give both margins a try with paste over hard 4’s. Second put in the RH margin I hook and land an 8lb Common which appeared to be quite annoyed with being interrupted during its dinner. The upshot was I landed four Common Carp and lost two foul hookers, as their scales testified (even their scales fight like hell) and lost two in the mouth that broke me. The biggest weighed 17lb 8oz which took me 15 minutes to land having to ship back on five times. The fish here fight like demons as many anglers will testify today with plenty of poles being broke. My four Carp weighed in at 52lb 6oz for third overall.

 

I was glad to hear the final whilst but not as glad as Mike Jones who was walking around soaking wet in his wife’s Knickers carrying a broken number five section which Mike had just recovered from the Lake. Mike had drawn the peg he wished for – point peg 23. Alas he put in a dismal performance on this flier landing a few Skimmers and Ronnie’s losing ELEVEN Carp on maggot.

 

The match was won by Malcolm Ockwell (pictured right with some of his Carp) from next peg 27 with 70lb 13oz. Malcolm tried allsorts to catch Skimmers but failed with most he tried, it wasn’t until he went in to his RH margin fishing double Dendrabena over GB that he caught six Carp and a few Bream. Once Malcolm went in to his margin it appeared to cut the fish off from my swim. Malcolm landed one Carp that regurgitated a small Perch (pictured lower right).

 

The Silvers was won by Dusty Barrett (pictured lower right with his travelling partner and match winner - I lost two Carp bigger than these!) with 53lb from Dam Wall end peg 41. Dusty caught at 11 metres on the pole using double caster over GB laced with the same. Dusty feed about 1 ½ pints of casters and 1 ½ kilos of GB, feeding mostly through his kinder pot after every two fish or so.

 

Full Result:

 

1. Malcolm Ockwell 70-13-0 peg 27
2. Dusty Barrett 53-0-0 peg 41
3. Mike Nicholls 52-06-0 peg 26
4. Gary Davis 51-0-0 peg 36
5. Bob Black 42-10-0 peg 23
6. Pete Greenslade 34-04-0 peg 25 

Top Silvers:

 

1. Dusty Barrett 53-0-0 peg 41
2. Gary Davis 45-08-0 peg 36
3. Bob Black 42-10-0 peg 23
4. Pete Greenslade 34-04-0 peg 25

 

Weigh Sheets Follow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 26/06/2013 - Amalgamated Summer Wednesday League - Round One - Tockenham

I decided this year to fish the Amalgamation Fisheries Summer Open Wednesday League. With three matches on Tockenham Reservoir , three on Sabre Lake and two on Pawlett Ponds with the first today on Tockenham. The league is run by Andy Smith and is a sell out although there was a few missing today who are fishing a festival down at Whiteacres.

 

In to the draw bag and out comes permanent peg 28. Which meant nothing to me, only that it wasn’t on the dam wall where I was told you needed to be. Andy Smith said it was OK, but someone whispered in my ear that Andy says that about all the pegs! Arriving at the peg I found I was in a bit of a corner of a big bay. With loads of sedges to my right which I was sure would contain a few Carp although I thought I would be suicidal to fish there. I didn’t fancy it much for Silvers as I was well away from the main body of the Lake. Then to compound my bad luck Steve “The Scud” Jefferies arrives on peg 27. So it was to be a ear battering to my left and a rig bashing to my right. I got both!!

 

I set up:

 

The waggler to fish at depth with caster on the drop over caster.

The 4x16 Jolly (in 7 foot at 10 metres) with soft pellet or caster

The GB feeder to chuck anywhere.

A paste rig to fish over the soft pellet line.

A paste right for the dreaded RH margin.

 

The upshot was that the Wag, Feeder and long paste rig caught nought. The only way I could catch Silvers was with 3mm expander over loose fed hard 4’s, but couldn’t hold them there for long as the water was extremely clear (I could see down 3 feet). I did have a 1 ½ lb Roach.

 

With 13lb 6oz of Silvers in the net I was going nowhere in terms of framing. Then with 1 ½ hours to go I seen the Sedges move in the margin so a nervously placed ball of paste went in and the float buried. However, I wasn't prepared for this and took me a adrenalin fill two minutes to get more pole on, luckily it swam out of the Sedges and a 9lb beautifully scaled Common was in the net. My luck wasn’t to hold out because I lost the next two, with one Carp bottoming out my 22 elastic taking the entire rig. However, I did land the next two 9 pounders both Commons and just before the whistle I pulled out of another even though I had managed to persuade it to swim out on the Sedges – bugger. So the score was three all.

 

My three Carp weighed 26lb 12oz taking the total to 40lb 2oz for fifth overall. I was happy with this result from the peg, but those lost Carp cost me a win.

 

Scud (pictured right - he was so exhausted from his unceasing chatter that he fell a sleep holding his 14lb Common) did more damage to me than the Carp; driving home I had a throbbing headache.

 

The match and the Silvers was won by Malcolm Ockwell with 58lb 6oz from Dam wall peg 40. Malcolm caught all Skimmers on the pole using caster over caster in GB.

Finally we all got home late because some low life pinched the scales from the dam wall section. The moral is don't leave scales on a peg that is not drawn.

Good news for Mr Osborne on peg 25, I retrieved your Diawa top set with a part of a number four. I will bring it to the next match - forsaking my salvage rights!

 

Full Result:

 

1.      Malcolm Ockwell 58-06-0 peg 40

2.      B Black 43-08-0 peg 19

3.      Mike Jones 43-04-0 peg 44

4.      Gary Davis 42-12-0 peg 20

5.      Mike Nicholls 40—02-0 peg 28

6.      Dave Bacon 35-04-0 peg 33

 

Top Silvers:

 

1.      Malcolm Ockwell 58-06-0 peg 40

2.      Mike Jones 43-04-0 peg 44

3.      Gary Davis 42-12-0 peg 20

 

Weigh Sheets Follow:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 05/05/2011 - Carps AC - Tockenham Reservior

Carps AC decided that today would be a training day for the youth of the club and under the supervision of Bill Ferris Tom Thick was allowed to peg. Tom did a reasonable first time effort. However, one golden rule is always look up before you decide on the peg. Tom luckily drew peg 3 (unlucky for the rest of us) which had a huge branch precariously hanging over his head (see picture right).

I drew peg 7 which put me out of the leg for once. But was told I had a pleasure angler next to me. Arriving at the peg I found I was pegged next to Roger Warlock (pictured lower right) a SWWL and Commercial House stalwart. Roger hadn’t realised that there was a match on this bank and started to pack up. I tried to persuade him to stay, but being a match angler he moved down to the dam where he met up with his buddy. Before Roger left we had a good chat about the pros and cons of fishing the river - more cons that pros these days. Nice hat mate!

Colin drew next to me on peg 6 and moaned about his peg all day (Tom). Colin’s peg was similar to mine in that you needed at least 16 metres of pole to clear the Sedges each side of the narrow swim with cut down stick-ups down the middle. Luckily I had a feeder rod – Colin’s didn’t. For the first time for about five years I left the pole in the holdall, setting up the feeder rod and waggler, both to be fished over the same line at 25 metres where I had about 8 to 9 foot of water. I started on the traditional feeder methods of red maggot, caster and worm. However, I was getting bitted out so switched to the micro pellet in the Skimmer GB with 3mm expander on the hook. I caught small 6oz Skimmers steady all day but they really needed tackling with the pole as I struck far too many times on liners. I did hook a couple of Bream which kited off in to the Sedges and cost me a couple of hooks. I did have a go on the waggler but the wind didn’t help with the presentation, I did have a small Ronnie on it though! All in all it was quite a frustrating day with too many small Skimmers in the swim and not enough in the net. I ended up with 29lb 12oz for third overall.

The match was won by Tom Thick (pictured right nice pantaloons) with a massive 49lb 12oz of Skimmers to 2lb from peg 3. Tom fished the pole at 7 metres and 16 metres using 6mm expander pellet on the hook fished over the same feed. Tom fed about four pins of 6mm expander throughout.

No Carp were caught.

Full Result:

1. Tom Thick 49-12-0 peg 3
2. Mark Tanner 39-0-0 peg 10
3. Mike Nicholls 29-12-0 peg 7
4. Steve Dawson 24-05-0 peg 2
5. Bill Ferris 23-0-0 peg 1
6. Charlie Barns 17-0-0 peg 4

Wednesday 01/09/2010 - Carps AC - Tockenham Reservior

It was very sad news to hear that Gary Wall (pictured right) had passed away; I think we were all willing him to carry on for ever. I like many other anglers didn’t know Gary personally, simply because he was a very private person. One thing I had in common with him was photography, Gary specialised in wild life. I wish I could have seen some of his work as I understand it was of the highest standard. Tony in his blog mentioned about some of Gary’s more excitable moments. One such event that I will always remember occurred during a match at Avalon. I had drawn peg 25, and whilst setting up I could here some cussing followed by what seemed carbon sawing, so being a nosy bugger I investigated and found Gary on opposite peg 21 with a hacksaw setting about one of his major sections. Gary explained that he had broken a section close to the joint hence it would not pull through so he needed to cut the joint off. Who on earth carry’s a hacksaw to a match – Gary Wall does. Just a few weeks later on arriving for a Sunday Viaduct match I was told that Gary had won the Saturday match with 245lb off Lodge peg 70 - incredible. I must say Gary that you had a brilliant final season fishing the paste – RIP Paste Master.

On Charlie Barns recommendation I decided to fish the feeder from beginning to end, more so to stop his nagging. I also decided that because I believed the venue to be more natural than the commercial venues I fish these days to use a traditional GB. So last night I mixed up a bag of Sensas Bream 3000 to be fished with sweet corn. My first mistake I think. I was asked to peg it out and because I have yet to draw out of the Lakes leg I decided to peg it backwards. Peg 1 near the Dam end. I still haven’t drawn out of the leg! I pulled peg 8, my second mistake. To the plan I started on the feeder with corn and after two hours had one Skimmer to show for it. I could tell from the discussions along the bank that the fishing was slow around me. However, I decided to have a walk and as expected the lower pegs on the main bowl of the lake were catching Skimmers and Bream – but on the pole. Arriving at Charlie’s peg 2 (one from the end) he confessed to having just a few Skimmers and said he should have fished the pole because Rod Wotton, Tom Thick and Steve Dawson were catching on the pole with traditional soft pellet or corn over 4mm pellet – plunker – Ex venue expert!! So back to my peg and I set up a pellet rig but it was all too late and at the wrong end of the match. In the last four hours I could only muster a few Ronnie’s and Perch for a grand total of 6lb 6oz. However, I wasn’t last – quite.

The match was won by Mark Tanner (pictured right with his three Carp) with 47lb 9oz. Mark started on the feeder but after the first two hours the peg died. However, Mark notice some dark shapes swimming around and set up his pellet waggler and second cast had a mirror Carp of 13lb 6oz, which fell to a 8mm banded pellet fished over loose fed 8’s. Mark Landed another two Carp losing one more for a Carp total of 31lb 1oz.

Full Result:

1. Mark Tanner 47-09-0 peg 1
2. Rod Wotton 38-08-0 peg 3
3. Tom Thick 36-10-0 peg 4
4. Steve Dawson 36-07-0 peg 7
5. Charlie Barns 23-02-0 peg 2
6. Colin Golding 14-0-0 peg 10

Wednesday 14/04/2010 - Carps AC - Tockenham Reservior

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Fondling works for me!!

Congratulations to Ray Hayward (pictured right) for winning the Fish O Mania qualifier at Viaduct Fishery. This is by my reckoning the tenth angler from the South West to qualify for the final – not a bad record especially as they only tend to fish the one qualifier. Speaks loads for the quality of the angling in the South West – best of luck in the final matey, we will all be supporting you.

Bloody freezing cold with an Easterly wind blowing in at me all day, it was the coldest I felt all winter! As Colin was away I was entrusted with the pegging out. I fancied the early numbered pegs because I had to put the last two pegs in the start of the leg. So I was disappointed when I pulled peg 14. Even though it was an end peg I didn’t fancy it for the Bream, perhaps some Ronnie’s again as I drew the peg next door last year and had 22lb of Ronnie’s on the pole with caster. I had previously set up my 11ft Normark no1 Feeder rod (the blanks being whipped up by a young Tony Rixon in 1983 his first year in Avon Angling) with 3lb Preston direct mono (a great line for Skimmer fishing once you get use to the directness). On setting up I cast out a bomb to set the line clip and spot on my target distance I had a clip-up, well so I thought. On inspection I was down to the spool knot!! So my preparation was in vain and had to get out a new spool and re-set up. I also set up a Ronnie rig – a 1 gram Jolly (the wind was really gusting so I needed a heavier than normal float). For some strange reason I also set up a paste rig. Both rigs to be fished out in front at 9 metres. I fed a 125ml of wetted micro and 4mm on this line before setting about the feeder. I had added a mixture of caster and wetted micro in my GB (some green stuff I scrounged from Nick Collins on Sunday). I also had a bag of Sensas River to add to the mix if I needed to put it in at distance with the GB catty (I have always found it enjoyable using this catty). However, as the water was so clear I decided to take it steady and put the GB in by the cage feeder only. After about four chucks on the feeder with triple red maggot - not a bite - so on to the 6 mm soft pellet on the pole. Again - nothing. I decided to put a pot of casters over this line for the Ronnie’s. I think this was a mistake and should have moved further out on a different line because I didn’t have a bite on caster either. However, I think I had now made up my mind to stay with the feeder for the rest of the match. Out again on the feeder and had a couple of small Skimmers. It then went quiet then another couple of 1lb Skimmers. I tried corn and soft pellet; neither was productive so stuck with the triple maggot. And that is how my match went catch a couple straight off then long spells without a bite. What I thought was happening was the Skimmers were coming up in the water to feeding off particles falling from the feeder as it descended. So I increased the tail to 3ft and thought I had sorted it out as I had a Bream on the drop first cast. Alas not, I did have more bites on this but I didn't see the bites. It left wondering whether I should have filled it in at the start on the catty and fish the lead over it - we will never know now! I weighed 17lb 8oz of all Skimmers for sixth overall. I am surprised I have written so much about fishing the feeder – Ian Spriggs would have been proud of me today – my casting was fairly accurate - for a change.

The match was won by Steve Dawson (pictured right with a lovely net of Skimmers) from peg 3. Steve caught at 9 metres on the pole using 6 mm expander over micro pellet. Steve caught steady all day and had some shelter from the bitter East wind.

Full Result (All Silvers):

1. Steve Dawson 41-11-0 peg 3
2. Mark Tanner 24-08-0 peg 10
3. Dave Wride 23-13-0 peg 6
4. Tom Thick 20-08-0 peg 5
5. Charlie Barns 19-05-0 peg 4
6. Mike Nicholls 17-08-0 peg 14

Wednesday 05/08/2009 - Carps AC - Tockenham Reservior

Although Tockenham Reservoir is reasonably close to home I have never fished it. This is probably because there are few matches held there, tending to be a Pleasure anglers venue. The venue doesn't have any permanent pegs, so a need to peg. All the pegs were down the left hand bank, with peg 1 starting just out of the leg. John Bennett announced at the draw that there wouldn’t be separate pools payout for the Silvers, justified by “there wouldn't be any Carp caught”!! The reason I and many others fish Carps matches is because of the Silvers pool. If there are going to be changes to the rules it should be made clear when you book in for the match.

As always I had a plan of either long pole or feeder, but which ever I started on I had planned to fish it through (one of my cardinal rules). I drew peg 2 which had high Sedges each side, making the swim very narrow, so although I set up the feeder I was concerned about losing fish in them. I set up one rig at 11.5 metres where I had about eight foot of water which could be used for both 6mm pellet and caster/maggot.

On peg 3 was Colin Golding who was complaining about his peg, he asked me to help him with his box – I must agree with him the decking gang plank and platform was very narrow and slippery. I suggested he take the wheels off his box, however, no, no, no it will be all right!! Back to my swim to sort out the bait and then one hell of a Splash – was it a Hercules crashing in to the Lake or was it Colin. I ran round as fast as I could to find Colin completely submerged – then his head pop up. I caught hold of his Harris Tweed jacket until he found terra firma. Once he got his breath back he was able to walk up the bank side. There were many offers for a change of clothing which Colin accepted - (picture right shows Colin drying off – not for the faint hearted - what on earth is Tom Thick doing!). It's a well known fact that Colin can't swim!!

I started on the pole with 6mm expander and had a few small Skimmers. The swim then slowed. As I had made up a big mix of GB for the feeder I decided to add one pint of casters and ball the lot in – about eight pints. I then switched to caster hook bait and caught Ronnie’s and the odd Skimmer to the end. I did have one scare – Colin hooked a Carp and I was worried that he might get pulled in – so some coaching from me until he landed it. I weighed 21lb 10 oz of mainly Ronnie’s, but got beaten all round by mainly Carp! So much for “No Carp today”.

The match was won by Paul Barnfield (pictured lower right) from peg 8 with 64lb 8oz. Paul caught quality Carp and Bream on the feeder at twenty metres with a small white boily (not sure I have spelt this right) as hook bait.

Full Result (No Silvers):

1. Paul Barnfield 64-08-0 peg 8 ( 5 Carp + Bream)
2. Tom Thick 43-02-0 peg 7 (3 Carp)
3. Charlie Barnes 38-14-0 peg 9 (All Skimmers/Bream)
4. Steve Jefferies 36- 01- 0 peg 10 (2 Carp)
5. Colin Golding 33-08-0 peg 3 (1 Carp)
6. Gordon Cannings 29-08-0 peg 6 (3 Carp)