Sunday 16/02/2025 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round Four - Taylor's and Shipp's

Broke a cardinal rule today. Over a Wetherspoons breakfast with Geoff and with him on Taylor's said he didn't want peg 23. Unfortunately I retorted by saying I didn't want peg 13 on Shipp's - dam.

Into the draw and yep Geoff on 23 and me on 13!! There was some very cold wind blowing into peg 13 from the East but not enough I feared to entice the fish there. This series both Geoff and Me have drawn it twice each. Can be decent peg in the latter stages of the league, bet we are nowhere near it by then.

Just had Carp in mind today as the peg is shallow and doesn't hold enough silvers to target them. Two rigs a 4x12 Slim to fish down to the right into 3 foot, and a 4x14 to fish 3 inches deeper into the deepest line all fished at 10 metres and a bit. Started on the 4 mm expander over some micro at 2 o

clock hoping for a quick Carp. One Ronnie after 30 minutes everyone I could see was also struggling so if the better pegs like 1 & 2  were to I was in serious trouble. In a bit of panic set up the Ronnie rig (should have been the waggler on hindsight) and had a few silvers before that died. Spent a painful three hours freezing cold catching the odd silver from now four lines. Ten minutes to go had a surprise F1 quickly followed by a small Carp from two different lines. Both caught on double LR's over kindered DR's.

Weighed 2 lb 3 oz of silvers and 4 lb of Carp for 6 lb 3 oz which got me 6 points. Needed another 14 lb to get better points that wasn't on the cards from 13. For some reason at the mo the silvers don't seem to want GB.

The match and Taylor's was won by Ricky Mills with 28 lb 10 oz from peg 20. Ricky caught in the deeper water with maggot.

Shipp's seen a unusual draw between Steve Rogers peg 10 and Mark Taylor peg 2. Both catching 23 lb 8 oz using like most of us today maggot. Steve boosted his weight with a nice 7 lb of Roach on Pinkie fishing shallow over loose fed Pinkie. Both pictured. Well done to all three.

Back to the pub with the usual suspects and a warm up with plenty of piss taking. Apparently Bela gave Geoff a kick up the ass about his presentation and heeding his advise lead to catching a couple of decent Perch with him missing out on a silvers pick up by 1 oz, unlucky, blame Bela for not kicking ass earlier. 

Arriving home the BBC were saying it was a very mild day today - NOT it was 4 degrees adding the wind chill 2 degrees or less, I suspect it was the same all over the UK.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 02/02/2025 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round Three - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

Weather wise sunny all day with little to no wind - OK for walkers but not fishing.

My turn on Taylor's wanted pegs 14 round to 20 (excluding 23). Draw bag gave me peg 15. Last week 1 lb 14 oz came from it!! Oh, dear, can I beat it? Little to no wind and bright sun in the face wasn't going to help that cause.

Geoff drew peg 13. I went and had a look tried to boost his enthusiasm, but i knew he would struggle with no wind and the Canal loosing it's colour. Third time on the peg this term unlucky draw arm at the mo.

Thought about setting up the waggler but the conditions were against it, plus felt the fish wouldn't be on the bar. Set up a 0.3 gram Slim for the Left margin which to be fair was ideal depth and a decent flat spot. A 4 x14 Winter for top set plus four barrels for expander and over micro - my banker. Set up the short Ronnie rig for scratching around. Started feeding some micro at four barrels with 4 mm expander nicked on a 20 - 808. No sign of a bite gave it 30 minutes at which time panic set in thinking blank, so quickly on the Ronnie rig with pinkie over loose fed Pinkie and had about 15 Perch. So tried the expander again and still nothing - should I be patient and try it for longer? Nope went down the margin with double LR's over kindered same. Had a few very small Ronnie's and Perch then had a 1 lb Gold fish. Set up 13 metres adjusting the  the margin rig to try the bar but having fed it could not  see anything red or black tips so only lasted 5 minutes. Came in to top set plus one with the 4x14 near same depth with GB and Pinkie and had two small Crucians. Sat the rest of the match sat down the margin hoping for a decent Carp which didn't materialise.

Weighed 3 lb 11 oz for 6 points so not a complete disaster. Lee kept our pairs hopes alive from peg 1 with 19 lb 3 oz.

The match and Shipp's canal was won once again by Vince Shipp from peg 11 with 42 lb 3 oz. Vince caught on Maggot over micro.

Taylor's pool was won by inform Johnny Clarke (pictured with the match winner) with 21 lb 6 oz doubling the next weight from peg 26. Johnny caught on expander, Pinkie and Maggot over micro. Well done to both on a very hard day.

Back to the pub with the usual suspects. 

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 26/01/2025 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round 2 - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

Here we go again, high winds and heavy rain. At least a good breakfast with Geoff before it all begins.

Pairs drawn which is decided on weight alone. Whereas the individual is points then weight. Got paired with the affable Lee Waller, happy with this as he pretty good on this venue and already has a decent weight in the locker.

My turn on Shipp's Canal. Tried to get peg 13 out of my mind as the rain and wind would be howling into it. Hoping for peg up the other end, pegs 8 or 6. Late into the draw bag and couldn't believe it to be looking at peg 13 and with only ounces off it in the last two matches was a concern, but worse was the condition's facing me. However, had an idea that the fish might be down in this very shallow peg. That said the conditions was awful. Put two Gore-Tex coats on and gloves this time. Certainly not a peg for Scaffolders!!

Set up the margin pole three barrels and a top set elasticated with blue hydro. Love this elastic as OK for both silvers and Carp. A 4x13 black top MR winter rig with a 20 - 808 hook to 0.14 GLine. That's it. Not really caught many silvers on this peg but decided to fish for them at one barrel initially then if the wind eased go to three barrels at 2 o clock in search of Carp.

Started on Pinkie and GB and had a Ronnie first put in after a couple more had a F1. After a few more Ronnie's and Perch and even though the wind was still gusting switched to the longer line with Mainline 4 mm expander over micro and had a good couple of hours catching Carp to 7 lb and some F1's, this in between fighting the wind which occasionally caused the pole to whiplash violently due to quick change of wind direction. Absolute nightmare, but catching a few took my mind off freezing fingers exposed from the gloves. Last 45 minutes was awful as stopped catching.

Weighed 34 lb 2 oz for second in the match and the important section win

Stand-in Matt Tainton won from flyer peg 2 with 48 lb 6 oz catching down to the bush and at 3 barrels out in front using maggot.

Partner Lee (pictured with his partner) won Taylors pool with 30 lb 4 oz from inform peg 14. Lee was restricted to fishing down his left due to the wind conditions. Again all caught on maggot. Well done partner.

As so often happens right on the all out the sun came out and the wind and rain eased.

Back to the pub with the usual suspects - less one Scaffolder!

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 05/01/2025 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round One - Taylor's and Shipp's

Some snow overnight which luckily turned to rain. Had a call from Geoff Francis and had a tree down in his road, fortunately a local farmer cut some branches enabling Geoff to get through to keep our meet at Wetherspoons. Very mild 10 degrees.

First round today, so all keen to get a decent start. I wanted Taylors first as Shipp's fishes better last, especially the dreaded peg 13.

Into the draw bag and peg 25 (pictured) it would be, one away from practice day. Not the best at the moment, better in the summer.

Even though the silver fishing results all over are really poor for some reason only the fish know. Still set up for them with a short Ronnie rig. Just adding a 4x14 Winter for the expander to fish up to top set plus three barrels. Feed the Ronnie line with GB laced with some Pinkie and the pellet line with "not a lot" of micro and four expanders. Undecided what to started on choosing the expander over the Pinkie as can catch both decent Skimmers and Carp on them, which I think proved to be the right choice.

Out on a 4 mm expander at two barrels and had a decent Carp first put in, another second put and a F1 third put in. Going to empty it - NOT. Other than a lost fouler at three barrels didn't have another bite for four and half hours except for four 1 oz Perch on the Ronnie rig. Could not catch a Ronnie!! I don't think it helped having a hell of a tow against the wind which was making it difficult to hold the rig still. Ended up with six lines in a very restricted peg mainly to try and generate some enthusiasm!!

Weighed 12 lb 12 oz and was amazed and delighted to get a keeper 3 points.

The match and Shipp's was won once again by Vince Shipp (pictured) from in form and his regular draw peg 2 with 58 lb 3 oz. Vince caught mainly at three barrels in open water on maggot over kindered maggot and micro. Well done matey.

Johnny Clarke (pictured) won Taylor's with another stand out weight of 36 lb 13 oz from peg 20. Johnny caught the same as previous match expander over "not a lot" of micro at 12 and 7 metres.

Expect the fishing to improve once the water levels return.

Back for a pint at the pub with the usual suspects to round off a slow but good to be out fishing.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 29/12/2024 - Westerleigh Winter League Practice Match - Taylor's and Shipp's

I Wondered why we needed a practice match - found out today!

Three missing the practice, so 17 of us spread over the two pools. Was going to fish for silvers so didn't mind where I would spend the day. However, was happy to draw peg 26 on Taylor's. recently fished it and had a few Skimmers.

As per last time set up just two rigs 4x14 Winter and a long Ronnie rig. Fed the Ronnie rig line with GB laced with Pinkie. A two barrel line with the same and a three barrel line with micro.

Well had a 4 oz Skimmer first put in on the Ronnie rig with double Pinkie, followed by some tiny Ronnie's. Refed which appeared to killed the line. Went out at at two barrels with the 4x14 Winter and had some more tiny Ronnie's, it was too slow to stay with them. So set up the waggler for over to the end of the island with single maggot over loose fed same - result one Perch. So set up the short Ronnie rig for down the RH edge with single Pinkie over lose fed same and had a few Perch and more tiny Ronnie's, unfortunately lost the margin to dead floating reeds accumulating on the line. Did have an attempt to remove them but futile. The LH was just as bad. Got up and set up a RJ 0.3 Slim for Carp against the reeds at three barrels with GB and LR's - one Perch and another tiny Ronnie. Usually get a few F1's etc... here but no signs. Now for my last gamble the expander over micro. Went out in front at three barrels with the Winter and a 4mm hooker over some more kindered micro and instant bite and a 1 lb Fantail - not what I wanted, following this had three instant Skimmers which when I refed the line completely died. So spent the rest of the match trying new lines around at three barrels for nothing.

Weighed 4 lb 6 oz of silvers and one Fantail 1 lb 3 oz. More practice required.

The match was won on Shipp's Canal from inform peg 2 by Vince Shipp (pictured) with 67 lb 14 oz Carp haul. Vince caught on his favourite soft pellet over micro, short, down the middle and over with the latter producing the Lion's share. Well done matey.

Taylor's Pool was won by Dave (pictured) with 39 lb 5 oz from peg 19. Dave caught mainly at 13 metres with maggot over micro later coming to 7 metres adding a few more small Carp on the same baits. Well done matey.

Back to the New Inn for a pint funded by our Lottery winner.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 15/12/2024 - Ron Hardiman Open - Westerleigh - Shipps and Taylors

Nice breakfast with Geoff at Spoons, seemed mild until we got to the fishery which was supposed to be 12 degrees - my ass - it was bloody freezing wind.

The fishery has been fishing hard.

Eighteen fishing so nine on each pool. Into the draw bag and peg 3 on Shipp's it would be. It has won a few matches also some have struggled on it. So not overwhelm with the peg. It seems that fisheries with open water at each have retracted the fish probably because to the narrow parts having been towing due of the high winds of late. The fish like it towing in the summer but not so keen in winter, preferring instead to preserve their energy.

Now here's a thing I thought there was a silvers pool, but apparently not, got confused with the forthcoming Winter and Summer leagues. So only gunned up for silvers Pinkie, LR's and GB. However, Bela shared a large tin of corn with the pool. However, decided to stick with maggot.

The waggler was my first choice as I could reach the end of the island and cast it along the island bank in search of bites. Having set it up and to Bela's (peg 2 again) amusement relised I was under two trees. However, there was a small gap between them and hopefully might be able to sideswipe a cast. Set up and 0.3 gram RJ for the margin and a 4x14 Winter for top set plus  three barrels.

Started at three Barrels with the double Pinkie over GB and had an 8 oz Skimmer second try followed by a 2 ouncer. The Ronnie's then moved in who were really up for a munch. After 30 minutes could already see who were going to pick up the top three pools pegs 1, 2 and 6. So nothing to fish for so stayed on the Ronnie's catching some better ones. Had a go on the waggler and LR's and more Ronnie's. More fun for Bela when the tree snatched my waggler. Set up 11.5 metres to get to the island but the wind was skimming around the end of the island had nothing from it, so packed it away spending a few hours in the RH margin catching two small Mirror Carp and some more better Ronnie's Last hour spent thrashing the waggler around the end of the island which took me a lot of side swiping practice to get it right, catching an F1 and more Ronnie's. Hooked a Carp which took me into some reeds losing both my waggler and the fish. Luckily John on peg 9 retrieved it for me. Back out with the waggler and lost another 10 minutes before the end which, hopefully, Mark Taylor will retrieve for me.

Had Tony on peg 8 (aka as the patio table) kept putting 5 fingers up at me, I translated this as 5 lb, however, he must have been busy with the other hand weighing 12 lb!!

Weighed 10 lb 12 oz for nowhere.

Our pool and the match was won by Bela Bakos (pictured) with 66 lb 1 oz from peg 2. Bela started on two barrels with meat catching instantly. Later moved to the island with hard pellet keeping some decent Carp coming. Some say he was loose feeding as if it was mid summer!! Well done matey.

Taylor's pool was won by Johnny Clark with 51 lb 2 oz from peg 21. Johnny caught at 7 and 12 metres using expander hook bait over micro. Well done matey.

The fish of the match came to Steve Rogers in the first 10 minutes on bread from peg 11. Steve who regularly fishes river matches thought he had a record Chub, in fact is was the pools biggest 14 lb Grass Carp. Mothers Pride must love you, ask for a sponsorship! Well done matey

Back to the Pub waited for a new barrel of Doombar, but couldn't drink even the second poured for me, tasted like vinegar. Amazed how many pubs have stopped selling beers in favour of lagers and ciders.

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 10/11/2024 - Ron Hardiman's Open - Westerleigh - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

First stop Wetherspoons Staple Hill. Geoff and me agreed that it really doesn't matter where you draw on this venue, the winner can come from any peg, which the wind and aerators will help decide. Currently both our favorite venue.

Into the draw bag and peg 24 on Taylor's it would be then. Happy with this as it's a peg I've not fished. However, don't think it's won a match yet but has framed a few times. Glad there was no silvers pool today, being a tight corner peg didn't think it looked favorable in that respect. The peg of one option - see picture. Simple set up one 0.3 gram RJ Slim. Plumbed along the edge and luckily found a flat spot at top set plus three barrels, but had to put four barrels on to reach the fence roller so no need to break down. However, whilst plumbing a short line caught the reeds and for the first time ever broke a Ryan Jordan float (wonder if he does repairs?).

Started on triple maggot on a 20  (yes the LR's were fat Pinkie size) over kindered DR's. First two Carp were small and foul hooked and lost. Switch to 7 mm over maggot and had two quick decent Carp for 10 lb and one small one back on maggot. Fed a tiny bit of meat and didn't have a bite for an hour or so. There was a temptation to go longer but refrained as felt would just move the fish further along and out of reach and probably only get a couple more before that line died. Decided to knock up some GB and put a small ball down the left margin. I thought the water coloured up there but didn't bother to adjust the depth of the rig to fish over it, instead fed some loose GB with DR's on my "stick to line". The response was instant catching decent F1's and the odd Carp to 3 lb. Still had the issue of catch a couple before a short dwell. Seem to like the GB including a small Tench. Didn't want the match to end as I was catching up with the one's that had been doing well from the start.

Weighed 44lb 14oz for 4th on Pool. Happy with this from the peg if only fed GB earlier, pretty sure it wasn't to do with the time of day. Really enjoyed the day with some great anglers.

The match was won by Scaffolder Ricky Mills (pictured) with 108 lb 3 oz from peg 3, beating Steve Rogers (bread) peg 1 by 11 oz! Ricky caught on meat at top set plus three barrels. Well done matey.

Once again overall the pools fished very well, this down to Mark Taylor's fishery management.

Back to the New Inn for a very welcome pint of Doombar.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 29/09/2024 - Ron Hardiman's All in Match - Westerleigh Shipp's Canal and Taylor's Pool

Weather forecast was awful looked out the window this morning to see a strange pink sky - red sky in morning etc...whats pink? (pictured). Well done to Ron who had the sense to reduced the match by half hour missing the down pour and the worse of the wind.

Into the draw bag feeling around for a blue disc (Shipp's Canal) and found one with peg 5 on it. Happy with this, but comes with a warning on which way the wind has and is blowing. Last match the early pegs struggled whilst my peg had 200 lb. Nonetheless, in for a day's fishing whatever. Found myself next to Mark Cook on peg 4 who DNW'ed as he had to rush off due to a horse standing on his wife's foot - stupid animals!! Our end was flat calm with loads of red colour.

Fished the same rigs as last match. Started on the meat at top set plus two barrels wasn't happy with the meat - not sinking fast enough with some floating? Had about 15 lb and a lost fouler before it died OR the Carp were up in the water waiting for the feed mid water. I'm going to try pumping it next time. Two choices of islands to fish to, the one to the right is overgrown and couldn't get to the shallower water. The island to the right has a nice depth but very stony so careful plumbing required. Could reach both islands with 11.5metres. Went to the right island having fed some 4's and corn with the response was instant catching a few small Carp, plus some foulers. It died far too soon. Had been feeding the RH margin and caught the occasional small Carp and F1's again on corn. Could see the other end bagging up with my end not so much.

Weighed 54 lb 4 oz for nowhere. As per usual enjoy it. Had some maggots and on hindsight should have tried them in the LH margin. Me pictured on the run to my peg. Is that Ron in the background looking stressed.

Our Pool and the match was won by Paul Elms (pictured with some quality fish) with 115 lb 9 oz from peg 1. Paul caught a few over and short but his LH margin was the most productive catching on maggot over maggot. Well done matey.

Bela once again took Taylor's pool from peg 15 catching mostly in his RH margin on meat over meat. Well done matey.

Considering the change in conditions the pools have gone through over the past week or so it fished really well with 50 lbs being par. Great little fishery, all down to Mark Taylor. Roll on the winter league.

Back to the pub with the usual suspects and for once I didn't by a round 😁

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 15/09/2024 - Laurel and Hardiman All In Match - Westerleigh

Geoff and me breakfasted in Wetherspoons, my small breakfast and coffee cost £4.55, now that's good value. We were joined by Willy Willmott who was off to Windmill.

Bela had made up new draw discs very pretty - blue for Shipp's and red for Taylor's 😂. With the match spread over both pools with the £26 pools paying 3 on each.

Eighteen fishing and a great bunch they are too.

Into the woolly hat and found peg 9. Right pond wrong side for a decent margin.

Knew there wasn't any silvers payout so - 4's, corn, micro and 6 mm meat. No GB or natural baits which gave the feeling that I had left something behind.

Set up a 0.3 gram RJ Slim which did the LH margin to fish top set with corn over hard 4's and over at 11.5 metres. However, would start at top set plus two with a 0.4 gram RJ Slim with meat. Had a few small Carp and F1's for about 20 lb before is completely died. Interestingly the silvers were taking a liking to the meat. Quick look in the margin where I had been dripping hard 4's and some corm for one better Carp, felt as if they didn't really want to be there, it's very rocky close in. So spent most of the match long as my neck can testify. Kinder potting 4's and corn with corn on the hook. Found the Morrison's corn very soft, the skin soon peels away making what I think if a more attractive hook bait. Picked off 2-3 decent Carp and the odd F1 before resting in the margin but only ever catching one there at a time.

Finally got weighed as only one set of scales, weighing 84 lb 1 oz for third on Shipp's Canal. Happy with that but my body isn't up to this Carp hauling at long distances. Back to Silvers fishing Tuesday at Bitterwell. 

The match was won by Vince Shipp (pictured) with 180 lb from peg 5. Vince started slapping long around his peg catching regularly on pellet. Later switched to both margins with corn to keep the fish coming. Vince only brought two nets, assumed both were Carp which by my reckoning had more than filled them both after 4 hours. Vince borrowed a net from Chris Fox (who on earth comes to a Westerleigh match with just 2 nets?). Vince soon filling the third net. Vince was in my eye line and my estimate was over 180 lb. Indeed, Vince went over the 60 lb limit in all his two nets and Chris's and could have weighed 202 lb if he had more! Well done Vince nice to watch. Ask Des for some more nets for the winter league.

Back to the pub with the usual suspects for a pint. Nice end to the day.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 21/07/2024 - Westerleigh Knock-up - Shipp's Canal

The Honey Bee is the most important animal on Earth, so it's produce can only be the elixir of life - Thanks to Apiculturists Geoff Francis.

Ten lucky anglers fished a knock up on Shipp's Canal. It doesn't matter where you draw on this Pool as all pegs have their day. Picked an old Avon Angling swim card showing peg 2. Happy with this as its a short pole peg. However, you tend to catch small Carp and F1's until the last knockings when the big boys arrive.

No silvers pool so paste it would be. Three rigs - up to the bush 0.3 g down the RH side 0.3 g and at top set plus one barrel (later for the big boys).

Fed all lines with 4's and micro. Started down to the bush (nice to see the post removed - pictured) and had a F1 first put in, then another, subsequently pestered by silvers and Crucians. Tried the in front line (bit early) had two F1's and again pestered by silvers, had three skimmers but put them back. Down the RH side margin wasn't good as it went from 3 inches down a steep slope, which I held the rig against again two F1's before the nibblers arrived. Wasn't worried as by rotating around was able to keep F1's coming hoping to catch up with Mark Taylor and Shaun later. Did have a decent Carp by switching to large worm on the hook, but it was a one off as the Perch took too much a liking to it. Started to put the skimmers and Perch in the net as there was plenty of net available. Last 90 minutes went on the in front line where I had been loose feeding hard 4's expecting to significantly increase my weight. Had two 3 lb Carp then all of a sudden the lake completely switched off! Limped to the end adding a few more F1's and Crucian's which have doubled in size in 18 months, but doesn't add much to your weight.

Weighed 55 lb 10 oz for 7th. Tad disappointing from this peg. The pool fished really well with a lot of close weights. The silvers were a nightmare with paste, really needed a harder bait, did have some unopened meat but thought that this too would be too soft. Fancied corn which I forgot to take.

The knock up was won by Shaun Townsend (pictured) with 101 lb 15 oz from peg 13. Shaun caught mostly down his margins on 6 mm banded pellet over 4's. Well done matey.

Back to the New Inn with Bela, Geoff meeting up with Shanksey for a cooling pint.

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 21/04/2024 - Westerleigh - The Shanks Match - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

I like this fishery for many reasons. Planned for a bit of Carp fishing on Shipp's Canal today. It wasn't to be as ended up on my usual peg 16 on Taylor's. As Glenn Bailey said to me - "silvers it will be then". I fished the peg enough now, so nothing new, same old, well nearly.

Sun cream on, making sure it's nowhere near my eyes today1

Set up the waggler only because of plenty of time which would also be useful whilst having a cuppa. The usual two rigs - 4x14 Winter and the short Ronnie rig, boring now.

Started at top set plus two barrels initially with 4 mm expander over GB laced with micro. I couldn't believe it every put in a tiny F1, tiny being less that 4 oz. Switched to LR on the hook and the same except did have a decent Skimmer and a 4 oz Tench. Gave up the line for the Ronnie rig with GB laced with Pinkie with single LP on the hook catching Ronnie's and the odd Skimmer. Hooked a big Skimmer which jumped out onto the bank and couldn't get to it without pulling the elastic out a lot so tried teasing it back in the water unfortunately the hook pulled.

Weighed 17 lb 5oz with the lost Skimmer getting me closer to 20 lb! The twat on the weigh sheet mixed my Carp and silvers weight mixed up - oh that was me!!

The match was won by Vince Shipp (pictured with the silvers winner - prefer the bottom picture to the one above) with 114 lb from peg 8. Vince caught on pellet and meat fishing 12 inches deep fished close around and off the island. Well done matey.

The venue fished very well with the canal throwing up 4 x 90 lb + weights of quality carp to 14 lb.

Back to the New Inn where we were Doomed, Bar a couple.

That's it for this week getting the kit ready for Whiteacres.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 07/04/2024 - The Shanks Float Only - Westerleigh - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

Was looking forward to the match until seen the forecast - 50 mph winds and rain. luckily little to no rain. Before all that Geoff and me got a Spoons breaky in us.

I was praying for a peg with the wind off the back. Prayers answered Peg 20 it was. The wind was off my right shoulder, blasting into peg 17. Felt for those on pegs 15 to 17, especially Glenn who was probably on the worse form peg 15. It was bad enough with the wind off the back. Good company with John on peg 19 who appeared to be twitching to get up the pub, but was on the scales 😒 - pictured.

I had planned to have a go with paste, two things prevented this, the wind plus left the paste in the fridge 😢! However, had the expanders so set up a 4x14 to fish them over micro and loose fed 4's over the top down the shelf to the right with tow. Foul hooked two lost carp on this so was abandoned. The short Ronnie rig was set up but without any Ronnie's feeding was a waste of time only catching a few tiny Rudd. So the most of the match was spent on the 4x14 Winter initially at top set plus one barrel for 5 lb of Skimmers then adding another barrel for another 5 lb of Skimmers, all caught on double DR's over GB laced with Pinkie. The fish were up in the water and caught the majority of the silvers 6 inches off. Out on the bar Carp were topping so set up the waggler and had a few chucks on it, however, because of the wind felt the feeding wasn't accurate enough - presentation wasn't too back though.

Weighed 10 lb 2 oz of all Skimmers for the silvers win.

Seen Glenn disappearing out the carp park for a FOE surprised he lasted as long as he did.

The match was won by Steve S (pictured with the silvers winner) from peg 1 on Shipp's with 56 lb. Steve caught at 12 metres fishing meat over meat. Well done Matey.

Back to the Inn with most of the usual suspects. I'm not sure picking up at this venue is financially wise.

Thanks to Bri Shanks for running the match in his usual efficient way 👍

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 17/03/2024 - Westerleigh Winter League - Final Round - Shipp's Canal and Taylor's Pool

Final round of the league it was back to Taylor's Pool which has improved every match for both Silvers and Carp. I had nothing to go at in terms of league and pairs but had so far the highest silvers weight. As I suspected the the last match on Taylor's would throw up a bigger silvers weight, so set out to protect my position.

Into the car boot and selected the disc nearest to me - peg 14. Happy with that as it's both a good Carp peg and fancied it for Silvers. If the Silvers weren't cooperative I could swap to Carp. For company on peg 15 was Ricky Mills who I think was happy for me to fish for Silvers and leave the waggler in the pole case.

Simple set up - short Ronnie Rig and a 4 x14 to fish top set plus one barrel or two.

Fed left and right for the Ronnie rig and one barrel line all with GB laced with Pinkie and micro an single Pinkie on the hook. Started at one barrel and had three Skimmers and a couple of decent Ronnie's. It didn't take long for an F1 to upset the line. Re-fed it - never to go back and started on the Ronnie rig switching from side to side after topping up. Basically had a great day catching regularly until the last hour when the Carp arrived. Switched to lightly loose feeding Pinkie helped keep a few Silver coming but was comparatively slower.

Finished with 7 lb 12 oz of F1's and more importantly 14 lb 11 oz of Silvers to keep the top weight. If I fished for the Carp Steve Rogers would have nicked the Silvers payout.

The match was won again by Bela "Bagger" Bakos (this boy can draw) with 59 lb 13 oz from peg 13. Bela caught mostly down his RH margin at 11 metres fishing triple maggot over potted maggot.

Well done to all, especially Bri Shanks for running an excellent league - only found one mistake with his adding this year!

Back to the New Inn for the Result with all the framers. It was happy birthday to John C, well nearly, his car broke down, so not miss out on a few pints and birthday video and a cup cake decided to leave it in the car park.

Top four Individuals:

1. Ricky Mills - 9 points

2. Bri Shanks - 12

3. Bela Bakos - 13

4. Glenn Bailey - 17

Pairs:

Bela and Dave 512 lb

Top Weight:

Bela 104 lb

Top Silvers:

Mike Nicholls 14 lb 11 oz

Weigh Sheets:

Final Result Table - not in order:

Final Pairs - Not in order: