Thursday 02/07/2026 - Viaduct Cost Cutter - Campbell Lake

Back to Viaduct for the cost cutter with Geoff. Lucky to get in it's a sell out every week, so full house with 21 fishing. Had the SH1T's for a couple of days and was hoping to be OK for the match.

We had breakfast in the White Hart in Somerton, and met up with Steve Denmead and Leon Hubbard. The breakfast is "interesting" and expensive. The talk was about the cost some anglers will go to for a match Silvers win with the record being beaten again on the Tuesday using copious amounts of maggot, told 8 pints were fed. Not for me.

Nice to catch up with a few more anglers Rich Coles was in attendance and we had a chat about the old days and the miles we travelled on the weekends for our teams. He mentioned a numerous time he didn't want to draw peg 135 😂. Also nice to meet up with Dave White, does Dan still fish I wonder?

Into the draw coffee tin and peg 130 for me. Not an area I particularly fond of, I certainly have had my share of the pegs in this area over the years.

Just paste, corn and micro on the table and see what transpires with the Silvers.

One corn rig for down under the tree to my right about 5 foot out in the shade. A paste rig for the left hand side margin and similarly a paste rig for top set plus two barrels.

Two visits to the toilet before the all in and luckily that was it for the the duration of the match.

Fed the corn line with a few grains and a smidgeon of micro and the long line with half a pot of micro. Started on the corn and had a one pound hybrid first try, then pestered by small silvers with the odd better Ronnie to 6 oz. With the long paste line settled went over it with a small piece of paste and had seven decent Skimmers in seven put in's so things starting to appeared better than I thought. I could hear a few moans opposite on the decent Skimmer pegs. I then got carried away with the feed and now think I over done it as I started to hook Carp which proceeded to beat up two paste rigs. Landed the third one. I left the line alone in favour of the corn line and had some more decent Ronnie's and one decent Skimmer then another Carp. Back out on the long paste line over Kindered micro and just could not get the Skimmers back , but increase the feed and it was Carp city adding just two more Skimmers. Each side had been catching Carp regularly on the tip so last couple of hours put on a heavier paste rig and fished for Carp - cripes they fight hard catching five losing a few foulers.

Silvers weighed 19 lb 1 oz with a total weight of 64 lb 10 oz fro nowhere. A days fishing though.

Well done Dave White (pictured) showing the way on the pole with 284 lb from peg 121, pity Howard wasn't here today, be nice to see him cry - nice to catch up - still got it matey.

How Dave caught in his own words:

"Viaduct today for an open and I drew peg 121 which is a good edge peg so I was happy with that. I’ve caught 24 carp and a few skimmers for a total weight of 284lbs which was enough for the win so happy with the result and I would like to thank everyone who helped me today hopefully for not much longer lol 😜 before you asked me I caught all my fish on the pole who knew lol 😎"

The Silvers was won by Leon Hubbard (pictured) with 79 lb 2 oz from peg 118. Leon caught short on worn, maggot and GB. Well done matey.

Geoff and me stopped in the The old station Inn. Quirky place but good food at a decent price.

Overall:

1. Dave White - 284lb - peg 121

2. Steve Macdonald - 241lb 5oz - peg 131

3. Tony Wittcomb - 200lb - peg 114

Silvers:

1. Leon Hubbard - 79lb 2oz - peg 118

2. Nick Ewers - 59lb 11oz - peg 111

3. Mat Rowe - 45lb - peg 112

Weigh Sheet:

Saturday 06/06/2026 - Tuesday 09/06/2026 - Viaduct Fishery Holiday - Campbell Lake

Saturday 06/06/2026: Viaduct Open

There are usually 12 of us that stay at Viaduct for this week in the Lodges. However, a decision was made to try Hillview this year. Geoff and me decided to return to Viaduct. Geoff tried to book Viaduct but we couldn't get a Lodge as all booked up, so we stayed in a in a Town house in Somerton (pictured). There was some pro's - only 3 minutes flat walk to the pubs and restaurants. It served it's purpose very well.

I've not been to viaduct for a year and it looked exactly the same - very well kept, nice to meet with Matt Long and some of the regulars. Some of them fish Campbell Lake 3 to 4 days a week, so up against it.

Into the same draw coffee can and peg 118 for me and would you believe it 119 for Geoff. Although I would prefer to fish for Silvers I like to keep my options open until the finish. So decided bait wise Live Red Maggots (LR's), GB, Paste and micro. Simple Like me.

Got to my peg to find Matt (pictured) Checking the oxygen levels which was 55%. Glad he was taking anal temperatures with that probe.

The wind was blowing hard into peg 123 but was effecting our side to some extent. Plan was to start short at top set plus one barrel and add two more barrels if the wind dropped. Set up a short Ronnie rig for maggot and GB down the left into the bay which meant fishing uncomfortably behind yourself, which from last years results expected to catch Skimmers rather than Ronnie's.  A 0.4 gram PC paste float to be used on the one barrel line which plumbed to have a hard bottom which was a good sign, plumbing up at three barrels found it 4 inches shallower - Umm.

Fed the one barrel line with some micro and the Ronnie rig with GB laced with plenty of LR's which is where I started with double LR on the hook and was amazed to find it solid with small Ronnie's. Well after a pound abandoned it as you won't win anything on Ronnie's - YET as I reckoned you need at least 55 lb to frame in the silvers pool, so went out on the one barrel line with small piece of paste and had a little run of Skimmers which on the river would weigh 3 to 4 lb, for net limit purposes count them here as 2 lb and you will be definitely under the 50 lb limit. Had an angry Carp, after which refed with micro and had a few more Skimmers followed by another Carp and that's how a pattern formed. Just as I was thinking of opening the three barrel line the wind picked up finding it difficult enough presenting at one barrel so stayed on the one line all match.

My five Carp weighed 25 lb 8 oz and my 27 Skimmers 45 lb 14 oz. for a total of 71 lb 6 oz for nowhere overall and 4th in the Silvers. Very enjoyable day except for the bloody cold wind needed another layer.

Geoff amazed me today. He fished a straight Drake waggler shallow at 30 metres in a very very strong wind to weigh 90 lb with Carp to high double figures on banded pellet. I except that the Drake would be more stable than the short pellet waggler, nonetheless remarkable. I knew he lost a few as could hear him cursing. Amazing.

Now here's a thing. Since Viaduct opened as a match venue I have fished 220 matches and with it being only an hour from home via a steady drive left me wondering why I stopped fishing here as it's much better than most venues I'm fishing at the moment. Geoff felt the same and we promised to start coming more regularly - if we can get booked in that is. A great day's fishing whatever and very competitive.

The match was won by Mark Wynne (pictured) with 168 lb 11 oz from peg 114. Not sure how he caught, guessing the feeder in some form. 

The Silvers was taken by Any Akehurst (pictured) with 79 lb 3 oz from peg 123. I could hear a worm chopping machine working hard, so guessing he fished worm over worm short. Well done to both and the other framers.

Booked the Globe for dinner, firstly had a couple of pints of Rascal in the White Heart, we both went for the steak pie with too many chips - luckily Geoff was available to prevent wastage. It was acceptable, pie certainly looked home made. 

Result:

Overall:

1. Mark Wynne - 168lb 11oz - peg 114

2. Phil Hardwick - 131lb 8oz - peg 130

3. Paul Bell - 124lb 6oz - peg 128

Silvers

1. Andy Akehurst - 79lb 3oz - peg 123

2. Nigel Hargreaves - 70lb 3oz - peg 127

3. Ant King - 50lb 7oz - peg 124vce of paste

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 07/06/2026: Viaduct Open

With an extra layer on into the draw tin and peg 116 for me another good peg. Use to be good for Silvers. Nice to meet up with Tea Bagger Adrian Jeffery again (pictured), who said it was a good Carp peg down the edges, but difficult to get them out to the right along the brambles. I had been thinking keeping options open was leaving me short in both silvers and overall. But decided to keep to the same approach. 

Set up two paste rigs - 0.4 gram for three barrels and 0.3 gram for top set in the risky Bramble margin to the right - could lead to be a bit of fun. Very deep margin which I do like.

With the wind off my back beginning to regret the extra layer feeling hot 

Fed the the two paste lines with micro. Started on long line and had a few silvers but was slower than yesterday with more Carp about. Now still early in the match is where I should have upped the feed and larger pieces of paste and concentrated on the Carp. I didn't because it looked like it was fishing harder for the Silvers. My paste rigs were 0.16 straight through which was totally under gunned for the size of the Carp I was hooking especially the foulers!!! Spent some time changing broken rigs. Last hour went down the edge and for 45 minutes I was catching Carp very quickly losing a few due to rushing them and either breaking or hook pulling - Note to Adrian, I never lost a fish in the brambles. It was manic couldn't put in quick enough with Carp taking the paste on the drop. Didn't want the match to end.

Silvers weighed 27 lb 1 oz for 4th silvers and Carp weighing in at 63 lb 14 oz for 90 lb 15 oz for 7th and one out of the section. So again the keeping options game isn't getting me there. But a very enjoyable day, except when an angler's umbrella fishing on Carey took off in the wind landing on me. "We" were lucky I had moved my pole as by then I was just on the top set.

Geoff had a tough day on spit peg 128. I didn't fancy it.

The match was won by Jason King (pictured) with 186 lb 7 oz from peg 119. When I walked up to the end bank for a pee he was playing a fish on the pole so guessing he caught most of his Carp on it.

Silver's was won by matey Nigel Bartlett (pictured) with 50 lb  5 oz from peg 123. Nigel fished worm short and down his left hand edge. Well done to both and framers.

We had booked a table in the White Hart for a Sunday three meat roast, very nice. Geoff had my Yorkshire pudding, cripes this boy can eat for England.

Result:

Overall

1. Jason King - 186lb 7oz - peg 119

2. Adrian Jeffery - 156lb 15oz - peg 113

3. Dick Bull - 120lb 7oz - peg 126

Silvers

1. Nigel Bartlett - 50lb 5oz - peg 123

2. Rich Butler - 37lb - peg 130

3. Mark Vigar - 28lb 11oz - peg 115

Weigh Sheet:

Monday 8/06/2026: Pleasure day

Firstly back to M&M cafe to find Mandy still there. Very nice small breakfast for me Fat Bastard one for Geoff.

Geoff was keen to get fishing. I have a problem pleasure fishing as I get bored within the hour of starting. Needed to re-tie my paste rigs on 0.22 GLine which was probably and over kill from the 0.18.

Finished the rigs by lunch so wet down the fishery to watch Geoff but first a cup of tea and a Mars Bar which now are half the size of the original sat on the bench on Lodge Lake. A beautiful day.

Found Geoff fishing peg 66 on Lodge needing another Carp for 100 lb. - pictured.

There were for Belgium anglers staying in a Lodge also fishing Lodge Lake. So had a walk around to have a look at their tackle. Certainly geared up for the Carp. Found out they were regular's to Viaduct. They also fished the matches.

Geoff's favourite meal tonight - back to the Space gallery for an Indian. I had a pint of larger in the Unicorn Hotel which I couldn't fully drink and upset my stomach for a short while so couldn't do the meal justice. Geoff was fine should have had the same cider as him. I did notice another pint of the same larger had been left un drunk. Geoff pictured with two different bottles of ciders.

Tuesday 09/06/2026 - Viaduct Open

Weather was to be warm with occasional light showers. So a question of coat on coat off - Factor 50 sun cream on.

Had a chat with Nigel Easton, who mainly fishes for Silvers but is not adverse to catching Carp. I chuckled at his dry humour. He said " Everyone is fishing for Silvers these day's, I wish it would go back to only me"

Into the Tin and yet another good draw for me with peg 124. Notice Incognito had drawn peg 123. Arrived at the peg and found 124 had sunk at the back making a big step down. I proof tested it before putting my box on it. So plenty of hip and knee physio today so won't have to bother tonight. The wind had changed sides now blowing hard into peg 119. So this week has been a question of the draw tin keeping me out of the wind even though I have been chasing it.

Geoff was on 115 looking cold.

Went and had a chat with 124 who was chuffed to show me his new purchase, a sea boat rod to help fling his Winky-Wanky bags helicoptering out to the middle of the lake. Incognito pictured sat under his parasol. Very good company and could have been a a sit down comedian but probably wouldn't pay as much as he wins with the Winky-Wanky.

As this was my last match decided to stay with the same approach of beefed up 0.4 gram PC paste rig to fish top set plus two barrels, similarly a beefed up 0.3 gram for both margins.

Fed micro on all lines starting on the long line and had a good start on the Silvers before the same cycle of Skimmers and Carp form. Had a few lumps in the margins and the decision to up to 0.22 wasn't far away as I had some right lumps with one just boring me to unintentionally pull the hook. The margin didn't quit come to life as it did on peg 116. Thinking I fed too often not giving the Carp time to settle - shying away from feeding.

My silvers weighed 43 lb 7 oz for 5th Silvers. The Carp weighed 61 lb 3 oz for a total of 104 lb 10 oz for 5th overall and just out of a pick up. The fish certainly didn't seem to mind the heavy line. Very enjoyable day especially being with Incognito who doesn't fish in the winter, spending his time in Hawaii collecting second hand shirts.

Geoff weighed 94 lb 2 oz. So not far behind.

No guesses who won today - peg 123 (pictured) with 158 lb 15 oz. He caught on the Tea bag with worm or maggot hook bait. Interesting he didn't have one Skimmer on it. The method involves shutting your eyes and casting out followed up with loose feeding a mix of 4's and 6's to the centre of the ripple which last quit a while. The loose feed is best kept in a large Aldi shopping bag which holds just enough for an entire match. Well done matey thanks for the entertainment.

The Silvers was won by Ant King (pictured) with 83 lb 10 oz from peg 119. Not sure how he caught except it was pole short or in both margins - worms or maggots? Well done a great weight on the day.

We booked the Unicorn Hotel for dinner and found Geoff had a table named after him (pictured). We started in the White Hart for a few Rascal's first. We were apprehensive about the food, but were pleasantly impressed, really enjoyed my pub made Lasagne. The Aspall cider was good too.

Result:

Overall

1. Howard Webb - 158lb 15oz - peg 123 

2. Tom Thick - 139lb 01oz - peg 131 

3. Lee Kerry - 125lb 04oz - peg 110

4. Kevin Collins - 120lb 13oz - peg 118 

5. Mike Nicholls - 104lb 10oz - peg 124

Silvers

1. Ant King - 83lb 10oz - peg 119 

2. Nigel Easton - 55lb 08oz - peg 112

3. Darren Duffield - 51lb 12oz - 129

4. Mat Rowe - 51lb 11oz - peg 128

5. Mike Nicholls - 43lb 07oz - peg 124

Weigh Sheet: Yes Thomas was here today on the weigh sheet, apparently he just passed his fundamental GCSE Maths. Most impressive.

Summary of my time at Viaduct:

• Get to know the pegs better 
• Decide on either Silvers on Carp and fish light with maggots or worm (at the mo) over small amounts of feed. Paste good for Carp with more feed (but not as much as Incognito).
• Great place to spend time - a need to replace some of the tired platforms.
• Great company
• Book early for a Lodge become very popular. They are building two new one's for next year.
• Book early for matches
• Definitely not going to leave visits on a yearly basis have really missed the venue. Be back soon.
• Thanks to the Matt, Steve and Helen for their service.
• Thanks to Geoff Francis for organising everything and cooking a couple of great breakfasts and being great company.
• After the last match my arms were aching due to lifting the munters over the keep nets, have to get on the Dumbbells.
• Pub food was acceptable, but difficult to get exceptional food these days. 

07/06/2025 to 13/06/2025 - Viaduct Holiday - Campbell and Lodge Lakes - Lavender Lodge

Started going holidaying here the first time Viaduct open the Lodges in 2012. I've not been full time for a couple of years so it was great to visit full time again. The Lodges looked like the first visit well looked after. They have built three more up on the hill which look very nice, first bookings next week.

Now here's a thing, I have been going down viaduct since it opened for course fishing. Many times I have tried to get a photo of Helen Long on my blog, every time I've tried Helen has ran off into the back office. However, got her this year partly clothed whilst advertising the new lodges. Perhaps she ran in the back office to get undressed and I missed the gesture!! Nice picture of you three.

Geoff and me decided on not fishing the open on Saturday instead taking our time over breakfast in Street Wetherspoons. Also wanted to catch up with Steve and Helen. We had a walk around the match with me stopping on all those fishing for silvers. Had a nice chat with Tom Thick and Nigel Bartlett. Thought this may help me because I was planning on fishing for silvers on Campbell as the Tea bagging (The Wanky Wanky) is not for me. Some of the lads had been preparing them for weeks for these matches. The main applicator of the tea bag is Howard Webb who tries to be incognito so not to give too much away. I've known him for years and there was no fooling me in case you missed him he's the guy sat in a deck chair and currently sporting an Hawaiian shirt chucking out the "Wanky Wanky" Oh, yes and winning. However, have to thank him for starting me experimenting with paste fishing all those years ago. Nice to catch up Howard.

Sunday 08/06/2025: Campbell

Paid the pools of £29 - a prime number and so is the cost cutter at £19. I was totally confused with these numbers as could not reason why.

Drew peg 113 where Nigel Bartlett was the day before. For company on 114 was Glenn Bailey. Thought it would be helpful with the wind blowing into the peg.

Set up a 4x12 Winter to fish two barrels and the short Ronnie rig to fish in the nice deep margin. Started on the Ronnie rig and had an amazing start catching Skimmers averaging 1 3/4 lb on double LR's over loose GB laced with LR's. Great fishing which usually slows at some point when it did went out on the Winter rig with the same hook bait and feed and had a few more. Hindsight told me should have fish corn over this longer line.

Weighed 49 lb 12 oz of silvers for second silvers beating Rob Eagle by an ounce!! Sorry mate.

The match was won by Tony Wittcomb (pictured) with 137 lb 7 oz from peg 126 tea bagging to the aerator.

Silvers was won by Martin Rayet (pictured) with 53 lb 10 oz from peg 125 using meat short and in the margin.

Our lodges picked up everything except second overall. So a good start for us. Once Glenn Bailey chucked the tea bagging crap up the bank and fished to his strength on the long pole and paste caught some lumps for a section win 😉

Our night for the Indian, love these nights even though the food isn't the best its very sociable. We had a bit of a surprise when Martin Rayet order a curry - converted now? The table of legends - pictured

Weigh Sheet:

Monday 09/06/2025 - Lodge Lake - Our Resident Match:

The match was teams of three from our two lodges  I drew well being with Gary Bowden and Tim Ford.

Open draw and Peg 71 for me. Plenty of pleasure anglers behind me on Carey.

Martin Rayet was right when he said there was no sign of fish which got me in the cautious mode.

So paste and pellet for me. Margin pole today. Two rigs for me one at three barrels and one for down to the brambles on the right with the Drennan 25 elastic which also was suitable for up to the empty platform peg 70. Definitely going to be some bramble gate today.

Started long on on paste kindering in the paste with 4/6 hard 4's. Had a response straight away with a decent Carp. Everyone appeared to be struggling so kept the feed the same and having filled two nets and with it slowing decided to put a big pot of pellet in - mistake loads of fizz and started to catch Skimmers. So abandon that for the Bramble gate where I had been lightly feeding with hard 4's and started to catch some really big fish. Foul hooked one which ripped the 25 elastic out so fast I couldn't stop it going into the brambles - bugger. Set up another margin paste rig with 0.22 line which I decided to fish up to the platform again with light feed and caught straight away, the 25 elastic was doing its job keeping the Carp from reaching the brambles just. Only had three nets so put back my Skimmers. Carried on catching down to the platform. I might have over done the feed as started to foul hook losing another rig in the brambles the other side of the platform. - cripes they are fast. With 15 minutes to go gave it up as thought I had filled my nets plus I was bored playing Carp. In my opinion the Carp in this lake are really too big to be in keepnets.

I weighed 177 lb 3 oz for second thinking our team would have won, alas not. Tony Wittcomb and Martin Rayet who were first and second leading their team to victory. Well done lads.

Went to the White Hart for a meal very good food but expensive had a drink with Mark Tanner and Gordon Cannings. As Haydn said pensioners night out

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 10/06/2025: Viaduct Open - Campbell:

Into the coffee tin once more and drew out peg 132. The upshot was should have known better to fish for silvers in a corner Carp peg! Should have set out for Carp from the start probably with paste. Plenty of them about. Had two for 19 lb 14 oz late on changing to corn and a miserable showing on the silvers with 13 lb 9 oz of mainly Ronnie's and Perch with just a couple of small Skimmers on caster.

The match was won once again using the "Wanky Wanky" by incognito from peg 129.

Nigel Easton made no mistake drawing the inform silvers peg 115 winning with 48 lb 10 oz of Skimmers.

Well done both.

White Hart again for fish and chips. Wasn't that impressed to be honest.

Weigh Sheet:

Wednesday 11/06/2025: 

Rest day for me and Geoff fished outside the lodge but spent most of the time tying rigs I lost yesterday. The rest of the crew drove up to Acorn for a match organised by Gary Bowden.

Early up the White Hart and had a great Rump Steak.

Thursday 12/06/2025: Viaduct Cost Cutter - Campbell:

Paid the prime number pools money. Into the coffee tin for the last time and pulled peg 127. Thought it would be OK for silvers. Good company between Martyn Woodington and Tim Ford. Got to the peg and was very surprised to see Carp spawning down both margins.

Set up a 4x14 due to the wind blowing in at me to fish at three barrels, the short Ronnie rig and a 0.3 RJ Slim for the margins.

Started on the Ronnie rig with caster over caster and got emotional foul hooking Carp. So went out at three barrels with double LR's over GB and had a couple of decent Skimmers foul hooked another Carp losing the rig. So down the margin with the RJ rig firstly with maggot over caster and GB but pestered by small silvers so switched to fishing pinched corn over a few pieces of corn in with potted micro. What a transformation had a quick run of ten Skimmers before another fouler. Afterwards found Getting tight in produced the occasional Skimmer but it was slow. Started to hook some tree roots. Suddenly Had the the urge to seek a toilet and fast - quick dash and just making it. Slower walk back having a chat with the silver slayers and relised I was well behind. Got back and decided to give the tree roots a seeing to. It didn't quite work out that way as I pull so hard it was all I could do to stop myself pulling myself into the lake, Didn't realise to the next day I had pulled the right side stomach muscle which took two weeks to clear up.

Weighed 30 lb 12 oz of silvers which is a good days fishing in my book.

The duo did it again with Tony Wittcomb taking first spot with 126 lb 11 oz from peg 130 and Martin Rayet taking the silvers with 63 lb 3 oz from peg 125 again on meat.

Well done both.

We all joined up in the Unicorn Hotel for our last meal. Which to be fair was very good and according to Geoff the his pie with top and a bottom was the best he had - and he's had lots of pies.

Weigh Sheet:

The lads have decided to try Hillview - Tewksbury next year. It's very doubtful I will be going.

It was inevitable.

Finally who's drives a van like this?

Saturday 12/06/2021 - 17/06/2021 - Viaductors Holiday 2021

This year we were back to our usual June Viaduct Holiday slot, which came round quick because we were there last September due to the Kung Flu. All the usual suspects plus this year Gary "Junior" Bowden, so eleven of us (pictured). Couldn't wish to socialise with a better bunch of lads, plus very knowledgeable anglers all having been through a tough apprenticeship through the early days on both canal and river, none of these new "manufactured" anglers here. A great thanks to Woody and Glenn for the organisation. Slot already booked for next year.

Martin Rayet brought some of his range of MR floats with him "only a few left" the new Topper? MR puts a lot of time into each float and is happy to make floats to your pattern, so if you can no longer get your favourite pattern contact him.

Once again Mandy at M&M café in the Somerton precinct did our breakfast to order and was on the table at 08:00 sharp. Highly recommended. We had dinner at the Unicorn the food was indifferent, however, they were accommodating for the after dinner dinking sessions. We had the usual Indian which is a must do every year and  was OK, but lacked some spices - luckily I was sat next to Lee. A visit to Weatherspoon's and a fight with their bloody App, hate the place everything is wrong about it, hope it's not the future. The best place we ate was the Globe, limited menu but good food and sociable service - recommended. The rest - well - what went on in Somerton stays in Somerton. Then there was three pairs of shoes stayed and one pair of trainers in the bin!!

Saturday 12/06/2021: Viaductors Open - 13 metres Pole Only - Campbell

Our first match and I was handed peg 125 which meant I would be in the hot sun all day. I found Tim Ford who was to have a torrid time with foul hookers and pole breakage on peg 124 and Stu White on peg 126. Had a chat with Stu and agreed that due to the far side pegs being shaded and a light wind blowing into it we were probably on the wrong side. Both of us would be fishing for Silvers Stu for the Skimmers long and me close in with the Ronnie rig and caster. As it happened we were wrong Stu won the the Silvers with 40lb 3oz. Perhaps Stu will give us a few words on how he approached his match. I was second with 24lb 15oz with my catch consisting of five Tench with three of them foul hooked, but did lose two hooked proper in the edge reeds.

The match was won by Glenn Bailey (pictured with the Silvers winner) with 137lb 7oz from peg 127. Glenn caught Carp with his two pots rig and paste.

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 13/06/2021: Viaduct Open: Lodge Lake:

After the usual first night drinking madness I certainly was jaded found Glenn on the couch in the morning appeared to have ate (or drank) something that disagreed with him!

Matt long handed me peg 62 a peg I've have previously struggled on, but would be in the shade until late into the match. Peg 61 was occupied by Junior. I decided to have an easy day fishing the Ronnie rig with caster. I had a good first hour catching small Skimmers, Ronnie's and one Tench for about 10 lb, so all going well. The peg then completely died replaced with foul hooking Carp who appeared to like my GB. I scratched around the margins adding the odd silver and two Carp. With half hour to go and with the umbrella no longer shading me I was so hot I had to wave the white hanky and stand in the shade. I weighed 12lb of Silvers and 27lb 1 oz of Carp for second in the Silvers, but no pay day.

The match and the Silvers was won by Gary Bowden (pictured wrestling with a flipper) with 15ln 1 oz of Silvers and a total of 109lb. Gary caught mainly on paste at 13 metres and unfortunately for me had a couple of accidental Skimmers late on whilst fishing for Carp. well done matey. Double bubble.

Looks like another scorcher tomorrow.

Weigh Sheet:

Monday 14/06/2021: Viaductors Residents Match: Match Lake:

After a night of abstinence I felt good and was looking forward to fishing this Lake as I have not failed to enjoy the fishing albeit it being difficult at times due to it being a very shallow lake circa 3 foot. 

I was handed peg 43 a good F1 peg on the waggler or feeder. However, I was on holiday and decided against both in favour of fishing for Silvers short at either top set, top set plus one barrel or two barrels with maggot over loose GB. Started on the longer line and after feeding loose GB and a six maggots through the kinder pot got lots of fizzing and pestered by big Carp. I did have two small Skimmers before I relised I was on a hiding to nothing loosing a couple of rigs with one right beast of a Carp breaking the main line and the elastic hitting my arm which pissed me right off and my neighbours will testify - some anger management to follow. I fed the shorter line with the same and would watch for any "don't go there fizzing" whilst I fished the top set to the left, again with maggot and GB. I had a good run of Rudd and Ronnie's including another Tench. After catching a small Carp I switch to the short line where no fizzing was showing and had a a very enjoyable remainder of the match catching hand size Skimmers and one big Carp. My Silvers weighed 21lb 9oz for a Silvers win.

The match was won by Martyn "Woody" Woodington (pictured with the Silvers winner) with 105lb 7oz from next peg 42. Woody caught mainly long down to his RH margin with paste over soaked 4's. Well done matey nice to watch.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 15/06/2021: Viaductors Open - Avalon -  Match Lake:

Vic Bush has done a lot of work adding parking behind the far bank pegs which was very welcome by match and pleasure anglers alike. A reasonable turn out for a Tuesday with 15 fishing. I had a plan to fish for Silvers worked out. However, when I drew far end peg 24 all plans went out the window as its really a Carp peg especially now that the tree has been removed and the bank modified to be like a beach with the bank sloping off for about 3 metres to full depth from the end bank. There was a lot of floating flotsam and jetsam along the end bank which Carp were slurping at. So one paste rig set up set to two foot deep to fish the margin pole at the full length of 9.5 metres. Th slope was such that that it necessitated at times some holding back the paste. The upshot was I lost three Carp hooked fairly losing one and a rig in a snag and two for bad rushing angling. Then there were al the foulers which I'm not discussing as it's the fishes fault for coming down the slope and not up!! The sun was again relentless with no shade whatsoever and nearly threw the towel in again. 

I weighed 58lb 10 oz for a match par.

The match was won by Lee Masey (pictured with the Silvers winner) with 75lb from peg 40. Lee caught primarily on the waggler and feeder with pellet.

Chris Ollis won the Silvers with 7lb 4 oz which comprised on two Skimmers (on meat) and 4 lb of whitebait and Motherless. Chris's shoes soles had melted in the car necessitating going to Wetherspoons in his wellies. Glenn as usual came to his rescue loaning him a pair, not that the wellies would be out of place in this establishment.

Back to the Lodges for a debrief and team talk by chip shop Martin "Boris" Rayet.

Weigh Sheet:

Wednesday 16/06/2021: Viaductors Short Pole Open - Viaduct -  Campbell:

This is match limited to top set plus three barrels. Matt long draws me peg 131, which has been winning recent matches on the lead towards the aerator. No concern about this as I would have only fished for Carp if I had drawn a corner peg. So Silvers it would be on the Ronnie rig with casters for the duration - nice and easy. Drawn next to Paul Faiers on 132 and Boris on 130 who would get Chip shopped again.

Caught on and off all match losing the only Tench I hooked. Only a few Skimmers in my net of mainly Ronnie's. very enjoyable for me. I did have a small Carp and a 19 lb Common on single caster which I landed eventually and was scale perfect and looked if it was rarely caught. My Silvers weighed 24lb 12oz for 3rd Silvers and the two Carp 23lb 1oz.

The match was won by Dave Willmott (pictured) with 235lb 5oz from corner peg 119. Dave caught from his RH margin using meat hook bait over potted meat. Dave fed about two tins.

Ryan Jordan (pictured) won the Silvers with 32lb 4oz from peg 111. Ryan caught on hard pellet both 6's and 4's over 4mm feed.

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 17/06/2021: Viaductors Away Day - Todber Manor - Homegroundl:

A bad start for us all as the A303 was closed so flying by wire which meant arriving late for the draw so match pushed our for half hour. The match was limited to our group plus Tony Rixon and not just because he had the scales, draw cards and provide us a quick weigh in!!

We decided that all Silver fish would be returned so no Silvers pools and provides that extra keep net which will probably be needed. So a fish race it would be - not my cup of tea but OK for once a year.

Martin Rayet had been chip shopped all week and promised if he happened today he would give his tackle away, I had already made a list. So all would put extra effort in to today match, that is until he drew the best peg in Europe peg 90. For me it was 87. Happy enough with this as there was a bit of wind cover our side. I was sandwiched between Tim Ford and Glenn Bailey.

Two rigs both paste one at top set plus one Barrel set half way up the shelf and a margin rig set to between 12 and 18 inches deep.

Started on the one barrel over potted micro and wetted 4's and caught first put in after a few carp decided to come in on the top set to speed up the catch rate and stop the wetted 4's in favour of hard 4's feed because the Carp were coming up intercepting the particles coming of the wetted. Again caught well but did have a rig break due to pulling too hard and another the elastic pulling thought the stop bead because it slipped out of my wet hands banging on the top set a couple of times. Been lose feeding maggot and micro in the margin until I saw some tails waving at me. So went in there with the 25 elastic on the top set and basically I got caught by the Carp if I held the paste off bottom they would rip the elastic out. I had changed to potting maggots and micro and managed to get too many Carp in the margins which ended in too many liners/false bites. With 30 minutes to go I had enough but managed to hang on to the end playing fish after fish.

I weighed 275lb 14oz for second overall. This is not match fishing.

The match was won by Boris (pictured with some of his catch) with 384lb from peg 90. Martin caught on maggot feeding copious amounts of the same. However, he did have a slow start and after an hour he was looking worried when I started to passing his tackle list along the bank

A well done to Geoff Francis on a personal best of 166lb 9oz. I think he enjoyed himself.

Weigh Sheet:

And finally the picture of the week with all suspects present. It's debatable whether there were more cans of cider drank or fish caught.