28/06/2026 - Bela Bakos - Knock Up - Westerleigh - Taylor's Pool

Knee's 90% better and both of them looking forward to getting back out fishing. Nice gentle start at Westerleigh on Bela's knock up on Taylor's Pool. At last putting all 13 pegs in, which I support, think it makes it a closer lower weight match - better for me. No Silvers's pool though - didn't bother me, but would have preferred any caught be returned.

Peg 14 for me today with Geoff drawing peg 15. That's him before the all in, there is some suspicion of an hangover. Geoff's watching too much football, he wanted a hydration break halfway through. The wind was blowing into our pegs. Neil Mercer had 200 lb off my peg in last Summer league match on paste.

Only took paste, micro and 4's today so very simple with 2 paste rigs - one for top set plus 3 barrels the other for the margins. Thought about fishing the pellet waggler but the wind was a concern, but not such a concern as Bela opposite nearly poking me in the eye fishing on the bar at 16 metres. My wayward loose feeding and casting would definitely would have effected Bela.

Fed both margins and the long line with a mix of wetted micro and 4's Started long and was soon realising the wind was going to be a nuisance and was wishing I choose one or two barrels instead. However, I got off to a flying start catching Carp to 4 lb and after 30 minutes was concerned I would just spend the day playing fish rather than fishing. I need not had worried as I had a spell catching some F1's and Skimmers before starting a period of foul hooking Carp. I had been feeding heavy and thought it was that but Geoff and others were also having the same issue. Gave the line a rest and went in the margin which seemed completely dead. Went back out and had a couple more Carp and F1's and far too many foul hooked Carp nearly getting two 4 pounders in the landing net, but it had slowed. It wasn't long before it completely died, not only for me but everyone. Spent some time messing around in the margin for two Carp and another lost foul hooker. Last twenty minute came in to one barrel which is where I should have started and another foul hooker not reaching the landing net.

Finished with 49 lb 10 oz for 4th. Again my impatience lost me 8 lb of Carp. A few things differently would have improved things, like coming short earlier. Still a nice days fishing.

The match was won by Tony Rixon with 74 lb 11 oz from peg 26. Tony is one the the best mud bank anglers around, I could see his delight when peg 26 gave him two banks to fish at. And that's how he caught and like most anglers only caught early slowly coming to a dead stop. Well done matey.

I dare not put the weigh sheet up as one of our "Donk" builders had taken the opportunity to take the urine out of a few of us, so top six:

1. Tony Rixon 74 lb 11 oz peg 26

2. Bela Bakos 59 lb 3 oz peg 21

3. Neil Mercer 57 lb 13 oz peg 17

4. Mike Nicholls 49 lb 10 oz peg 14

5. Geoff Francis 45 lb 9 oz peg 15

6. Ron Hardiman 36 lb 12 oz peg 24

Sunday 24/05/2026 - Ron Hardiman's Summer League - Round Two - Westerleigh - Shipp's and Taylor's

Just back from Whiteacres and feeling a but jaded, so no prep and left over bait of maggots, casters and GB so limited to probably silvers.

My turn on Shipp's and pre-draw could see some big Carp cruising around with the odd rushes moving so not long before a full spawn, especially as the temperature has at last become comfortable 30 degrees C!

Peg 9 for me which has replaced peg 4 used in the winter league. It's a good Carp peg - silvers not so much. I have done well fishing over to the island which is reachable with 11.5 metres and one of the short stubby bits in the end. However, wasn't going to be bothered with that today as the reeds were moving a lot and thinking foul hooking, couldn't be assed more like. Loads of big Carp cruising between the two islands seen one of the Grass Carp - looked lonely.

Set up a 4x12 Winter to fish top set and two barrels over LR's (soon to DR's in the heat) laced GB, Short Ronnie rig for maggot over loose fed same and a 0.3 RJ swinging the two barrels down the right to some Sedges.

Started long over the GB with single LR and started to catch very small Skimmers. I netted them all due to a lesson given to me by Kim Milson, fishing a match next to him at Durleigh. We were whip fishing which naturally leads to swinging the fish which were mainly 4-6 oz Skimmers. Of course you loose a few swinging. I noticed Kim netted all his Skimmers but swung all the Roach. He beat me but only just ever since have netted Skimmers - soft mouths. Kept a bit of feed going in and wasn't long before bubbles appeared which soon went after landing a decent F1. F1's tend to scatter the Skimmers so rested it in favour of the Ronnie rig catching a few Ronnie's and Perch until hooking an 8 lb Common. So back out and a couple more Skimmers and some Ronnie's until more F1's re-appeared. Went down the long edge to the right with kindered caster and double on the hook. Was soon playing another 8 lb Carp this time a Mirror. Thought I might have enticed the 3 lb Perch that lives nearby with the caster but alas not just more Carp. Spent the rest of the match on the Ronnie rig down the left loose feeding DR's catching the odd Ronnie and Carp on single DR's. No doubt I would have caught much more if I could have been assed to fished over - next time!!

Weighed 4 lb 10 oz of silvers for the silver win - mission accomplished, with the Carp taking my weight to 44 lb and 8 points. 

Shipp's was won by Nick Saunders (pictured with the Taylors winner) with 55 lb 12 oz (weigh sheet had incorrect adding) from peg 6. I couldn't see Nick but from what I could hear he spent the match slapping about his peg with maggot hook bait. NO FEEDING - HOW?? Well done matey.

Taylor's was won by Martin Rayet's stand in young Freddie Harper-Wojtyla (pictured) drawing the winter unfancied peg 16 - summer peg apparently.

In his own words:

"Set up 14m with pellets then top 5 with meat and both edges one maggots and gb and one with meat. Shit first 30 mins no bites then had a nice hour and a bit catching small f1s and little carp about 2 pound f1s 6 ounce to a pound and a half then dried up a bit  with odd bite last 2 hours was good in edge on meat on a top kit ended up with 106 pound what won the section and the lake 🥇🥇🥇and got the important 10 points for mart." 

Nice to see how well Freddie has come on and one to watch for the future. Nice lad too. Keep it up and obviously not listening to Dad anymore. Well done great result.

Matt Tainton won the silvers on Taylors with 10 lb from peg 26. Matt caught on worm over chopped worm. Mine had died overnight! Well done matey.

Well nearly back to the New Inn with the usual suspects to find it closed!! Strange pub. However, a much better pub just across the road. Old Inn much better managed I think.

Thanks to Ron Hardiman for another well run match.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 03/05/2026 - Ron Hardiman's Summer League - Round One - Westerleigh - Taylor's and Shipp's

Round one of Ron's Summer League today. Weather looked reasonable, with hardly any wind which would likely effect the silver fishing. However, on the start on any league it's only sensible to start to catch the heaviest weight and get some good points. So Carp targetted.

Nineteen fishing with one "unavailable".

First round is a random draw following matches swop between the two pools. So you stay fishing with the same ten anglers throughout the league.

Into the draw bag and peg 16 on Taylor's for me. Far from being the best peg. it's been poor for some time usually last on the pool. However, you never know - staying positive. For company on 15 was Shaun T and peg 17 Tony M. Our pool had the full 10 fishing with the absentee being on Shipp's peg 1.

Well had to give the paste a go. I should know this peg well by now, drawn it a few times and fishing any closer than three barrels you are fishing over a rocky bottom and difficult to plumb. Sensibly it's best to fish just short of the bar at 13 metres. So set up a 0.4 gram PC paste float to fish top set plus three barrels. The peg does have a good margin to the left so a 0.3 gram paste float was set up for that. The usual short Ronnie rig in case! Finally set up the waggler to fish on the bar in 30 inches of water.

Fed half a pot of micro on the long paste line and plopped in the paste and had a fouler first attempt, which didn't reach the net. After which the paste was getting pestered by I think were small Tench, too small for the size of paste, so put on a small piece and had a 8 oz Tench, so refed and had a few casts on the waggler with double LR's over loose fed same and once again foul hooked a Carp which broke me. Subsequently got pestered by small Ronnie's. Meanwhile Paul Elmes opposite was catching well short (good short peg). All along our bank was struggling. So on to the Ronnie rig to put something in the net fishing single LR's over loose fed same and caught small Perch and Ronnie's for a couple of hours before trying the long paste line again but with no sign of a fizz it was soon abandoned back to the Ronnie rig. Nick S on 14 was blanking at this time Shaun T had a few F1's long on pellet. So stayed on the Ronnie rig and had three Skimmers and a couple of Tench when the rain started and the line went completely dead. It was either due to the rain or Carp had moved in. Luckily it was the latter had a 5 lb dumpy Carp on the Ronnie rig with single LR. So time to pick up the margin paste rig, so fed some micro and with great expectations as it was plopped in and it just sat there without any indications!! Shaun was now bagging in his margin on meat. So went back on the Ronnie rig and had three more decent Carp and some F1's (well F0.5's as they were so small). Shaun T and me needed another hour as Paul E opposite had stopped catching at the same time we started to catch.

Weighed 40 lb dead with 9 lb 9 oz of silvers enough for the pool silvers win. I would have settled for 6 points off this peg at the start. Very enjoyable day's fishing.

Taylor's was won as expected by Paul Elmes with 87 lb 11 oz from peg 20. Paul caught short on meat and 14.5 metres out to the bar fishing pellet. Well done matey.

That man on fire on this venue Bela Bakos (pictured with the winner on Taylor's pool) easily won Shipp's with 102 lb 8 oz from peg 11. Bela started short with meat and had a few F1's, switching to long over to the end of his right side island with pellet and started to catch better stamp of Carp. He later dropped back short on meat and was rewarded with a beautiful 12 lb Grass Carp (foul hooked apparently). he also manged to properly hook some munters that do come in close to your keep net on this peg late on and are very difficult to hook properly. Well done matey.

Couldn't help noticing a number of anglers now suffering with injuries from fishing very long. Think it's time to introduce a 13 metre limit. Even the best pole you can buy are heavy fished long.

Back to the New Inn for a pint and the usual banter.

Weigh Sheets - Rain effected:

Sunday 12/04/2026 - Bela Bakos Open - Westerleigh - Shipp's and Taylor's

After a short break was looking forward to today's match. Usual twenty pegs and hoping for a peg on the far side of Taylor's. Into the draw bag and peg 4 Shipp's again! This peg can throw up a Carp weight once in a while but not of late, so no need to cut up meat or mix paste today. However, it's an OK silvers peg - so that will do. Nice to have fishery manager next door on peg 3.

Simple set up 4x14 winter to fish two barrels, Short Ronnie rig and a 6" slim bodied drake.

Plan was to initially fish the two barrel line for Skimmers then switch to the Ronnie rig and if things got hard onto the waggler for again Ronnie's. Every time I fish this peg the first 30 minutes is spent catching F1's and can guarantee one first put in. So fed a knub of GB laced with Pinkie and yes the Winter rig hadn't settled and a F1 took the double Pinkie and was soon in the net. Kept topping up every fish and after four F1's had two small Skimmers and a couple of Crucians (which don't count as silvers). Had a couple more Skimmers and some Ronnie's before it was time to test for the Ronnie's on the short rig. Had a good couple of hours regularly catching 1 - 2 oz fish. Thought I would rest it and try the waggler with single LR over lose fed same. First couple of cast was getting indications, then the heavens opened with a barrage of hail stones making the waggler invisible, so abandoned that and went back on the Ronnie rig. Last hour thought I would have an experiment on the two barrel line by dumping a big pot of LR's in. With single LR on the hook and had two instant F1's and foul hooked two decent Carp.  Experiment over - thinking paste might have worked today. Spent the remaining time on the Ronnie rig had slowed but did add two better Skimmers.

F1's weighed 12 lb 4 oz and the Silvers 8 lb 13 oz for the lake silvers win. Mission accomplished.

Shipp's and the match was won by Vince Shipp (pictured) - AGAIN - with 90 lb 1 oz from peg 8. Vince struggled early on fishing soft pellet and micro (thought I heard some moaning) . He later switched to corn hook bait over micro fishing short down his right margin and caught decent Carp. Vince had also had a go with meat which didn't produce much - guessing it was due the highly coloured water. Well done matey.

Taylor's was won by Mike Etheridge (pictured) with 74 lb 10 oz from peg 20. Mike tried catching long which didn't produce switching to both his margins fishing meat in both. Well done matey.

Taylors silver's was won by Matt Tainton with a decent weight of 14 lb 12 oz from peg 25. Matt caught mainly Skimmers on either maggot or worm over chopped worm. Well done matey.

Now here's a thing Ricky Mills was on peg 11 which was on my sight line and his yellow topped float was a right distraction. Then relised Ricky must of borrowed some of Geoff Francis special floats also explaining Geoff's absence.

Well done to Bela for running the match today and thanks for putting peg 4 in 😉

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 22/03/2026 - Westerleigh Winter League - Final Round 8 - Taylor's and Shipp's

Weather set fair again 😊. It's the best health wise I felt for some time - joyous.

My turn on Shipp's. Into the draw box and "Scull Corner" - peg 8 for me. Umm, can be a very good Carp peg, wind dependant, with very few silvers coming from it. Arrived at the peg and could see pairs a big Carp on the surface. So thinking it might be a Carp day. But first need to test it for silvers.

No chance of pick up in either the pairs with matey Johnny Wintle or the league.

Holstered the Long Ronnie rig, 4x12 Winter to fish two barrels and a 0.3 gram RJ to fish four barrels down to the LH side margin to the tree. The island was 13 metres so out of my physical reach.

Felt if the Carp were to have a go I would catch one very early. Started on the two barrel line feeding some GB with Pinkies and a single LR on the hook and had a Ronnie first put in and started to miss bites so went on the Ronnie rig with single Pinkie. Had a nice couple of hours catching small Skimmers and Ronnie's - no sign of Carp. It started to slow and had two F1's before the peg completely died so thinking oxygen crash. Struggled for the odd small silver. Had a go down the margin with a bunch of LR's on the hook over kindered DR's expecting Carp, just two more Ronnie's. Went on the two barrel line with double Pinkie over GB and had a 8 lb Carp spending the rest of the match on this line had one more decent Carp getting beat up three times.

Silvers weighed 5 lb for the silvers win and the two accidental Carp and two F1's took me to 26 lb 3 oz for 6 points. Really enjoyed the day. Picked up the highest weight silver prize, so mission accomplished.

Our pool was won by Dave Monks (pictured with the silvers winner) from peg 10 with 56 lb 7 oz. Dave initially caught tight over at 14.5 metres fish maggot over loose fed maggot mainly catching small Carp and F1's. Later Dave switch to down his margin catching a better stamp of Carp again on maggot. This also elevated Dave to second overall in the league and a decent pay day. Well done matey well deserved.

Taylor's was won once again by Vince Shipp (pictured). Drawing peg 20 Vince initially fished long, switching later in the match to his RH margin. His all Carp catch came on meat fished over meat. Well done Matey.

Silvers went to Marcus with a lowly 2 lb 3 oz from peg 25. Well deserved.

The individual league was won by inform Vince Shipp with 10 points, also the pairs with Ricky Mills with 604 lb

Thanks to Mark Taylor for the use of his lovely well kept fishery and Brian Shanks for running a well manged league. Already looking forward to the 2026/27 league. Lots of fish caught in some very difficult conditions.

Back to the pub for the presentation and a pint.

Weigh Sheets:

Final League:

Vince 10.   326-12

Dave. 14    309-14

Paul    15.   284-8

Ron.     15.   238-12

Bela.    16.    294-4

Ricky.    16.   278-4

Mike E.  19.   187-4

Brian.     20.   245-10

Mark.      23.   197-8

Steve R.  30.   129-9

Lee.         32.    162-4

Mike N.    32.    156-8

Geoff.       32.    154-5

John W.    33.    106-1

Tony.        33.     104-12

John C.    36.    139-5

Glen.         38.    120-5

Marcus.     45.    78-1

Steve S.      46.   62-8

Andy.          50.    58-2 

Pairs

Rick & Vince 604-0

Dave & Ron.  548-9

Mark & Bela  491- 12

Sunday 01/03/2026 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round 7 - Taylor's and Shipp's

If you have not watched "Dirty Business" on Channel 4 - it's a must watch for anglers, and follow up by contacting your MP. That said the sewage system is intended for pee, poo and toilet paper only. So stop flushing other crap, this is down to us.

Only light rain today and signs of warming up. Wind still with us though.

My turn on Taylors and peg 20 for me. Happy with this one for a number of reasons, primarily because the wind would be off my back.

Good company with Nick on 19. With the Carp bunched up on the far left hand corner pegs 25, 23 and 22 decided to fish for silvers for any chance of coin. With the wind off the back set up a 8" Drake to fish the bar with maggot over loose fed maggot. A 4x16 Winter in full depth in 7 foot of water at top set plus one barrel, finally the short Ronnie rig.

Fed the deep line with with GB laced with some pinkies. No good loose feeding in this depth. First put in on a single LR had a decent Carp about 6 lb. Initially thought it was fouled but it was just fighting hard in the deep water. Umm, might have to switch to carp fishing - nope it was the only one caught on this line, later was to catch two F1's shallow. Had a nice run of small Skimmers and Ronnie's before picking up the Ronnie rig to rest the line. The Ronnie's were at last feeding catching some decent ones on single LR over the LR's. Switched between the two rigs adding some very small Tench on the deep line plus a 12 oz Perch. The last hour switch to fishing shallow - 3 foot - and was wishing I started it earlier as the catch rate and quality of Ronnie's increased. Even though I fed LR's onto the bar the waggler didn't get used as it was patiently waiting for Nick and Ricky opposite to catch there - it didn't happen.

My silvers weighed 14 lb 10 oz  and the Carp 9 lb 2 oz for 23 lb 12 oz and the silvers win, mission accomplished. Very rare to beat Nick, so had to give him the poke in the chest. Very enjoyable day.

Taylor's was won as expected from peg 22 by Paul Elm's (pictured with his catch) with 79 lb 10 oz. Paul caught over to the island at 16 metres with pellet and 14.5 metres with maggot. Well done matey.

Shipp's was won again as expected from peg 2 by Vince Shipp (pictured) with 77 lb 1 oz. Vince caught on his usual soft pellet and micro. He does have a knack of drawing this peg regularly. Well done matey.

The silvers was won on Shipp's from the dreaded peg 13 by matey Geoff Francis (pictured) with a lowly 3 lb all caught short until the Carp arrived taking him to third weight on the canal with 43 lb. Nice one.

Felt for Lee Waller fishing peg 17 where the wind was hacking into, he was fishing 13 metres down the edge, during gusts Lee could be seen walking round to the tree to recover his rig.

Back to the New Inn for a well earned pint with the usual suspects.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 22/02/2026 - Bela Attila Bakos Open - Westerleigh - Shipp's and Taylor's

Bela has lined out the floor of his van with artificial grass which included parts of a goal line! Just wondering how well the next football match went! Glenn would love this (pictured).

Bela has gone solo running the match today. Must say in nearly all went superbly well. A nice touch was his environment friendly peg cards made of corrugated cardboard ideal for recycling (pictured).  Well done looking forward to the next one.

As the bread is allowed in Bela's matches, decided to do some liquidised bread. Very long time since I done this, didn't know we had a new liquidiser. However, as it turned out won't be doing it again any time soon.

Into the draw bobble hat (another nice touch) and peg 12 for me - Oh, that's not normally in! However, peg 13 was left out. Happy with the peg for for the potential fishing, however, it's a right quagmire. All my gear now a bright red. Good company with Geoff opposite on 2 and Tim "Calamity" Ford next door on 11.

Peg 12 is a good small silvers peg, but can throw up some big Carp, that's what the bread was supposed to be for, that is, if they were at our end of the Pool - they weren't so no more about bread and bread rigs Ronnie nibbling. Just the two rigs fished in earnest - 4x12 Winter with a black sleeve on the tip and a long Ronnie rig.

Fed top set plus three barrels with GB laced with Pinkies and bread down the right in 3 foot of water - last mention of bread. The wind was hacking into my peg so the Ronnie rig was left in abeyance until better conditions. Had a few decent

Ronnie's and a 12 oz Skimmer, all on double Pinkie. It went a bit iffy, stayed a while on the line thinking it might be a Carp - alas not. The wind had eased a bit so tried the Ronnie rig with single Pinkie over loose fed Pinkie. Started well catching much smaller Ronnie's but the wind was hindering feeding - most of it going in the keep net!! Now here's a thing when the wind permitted sensible feeding the catch rate fell missing lots of bites, however, when increasing resulted in much more positive bites and higher catch rate. Stayed on the Ronnie rig for the remainder of the match.

The only match that I can remember at Westerleigh that I didn't hook a Carp of any description. My 50ish Ronnie's weighed 7 lb dead, for the silvers win. Love this type of fishing.

Shipp's was won by Martin Rayet (pictured with the silvers winner) with a decent weight of 76 lb 13 oz. Martin started slow, it wasn't until he started loose feeding caster that he started to catch on double maggot. He most probably pulled fish from peg 6 probably drawn by the sound of caters being fed. Well done matey.

Taylor's was won by tackle dealer Matt Challenger (pictured - yes that him smiling) from peg 22 with 59 lb 10 oz. Matt fished 16 metres using 6 mm hard pellet feed and banded. Well done Matey a good weight on the day. 

Matey Dave "Rodney" Monks won Taylor's silvers with 6 lb 3 oz from peg 21.

Back to the New In for a pint with the usual suspects and a few stragglers form the Bitterwell match.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 15/02/2026 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round 6 - Taylor's and Shipp's

Although we had rain once again today (rained all of my eight matches this year), think I must be getting use to it as it didn't seem too bad.

My turn on Shipp's and with the wind blowing down to peg 13 would have settled for pegs 2,1,13 (yes) and 11. Preferably avoiding 3 and 4.

Must stop thinking about pegs. Peg 3 for me and next to Andy on 4 and Dave on flyer 2, so good company.

Fished this peg recently and was surprised nothing came from either margin which is nice and flat but 3 foot deep. Nonetheless, set up a 0.3 gram RJ set to suit both sides. Next was a 4x14 Winter to fish just up the inside slope at top set and just short on middle at 5 1/2 feet. I set up the Ronnie rig which due to the wind wasn't used.

Really expected the top set line to produce well with double Pinkie over GB laced with plenty of Pinkie. Soon relised it was a poor choice catching a few quick Ronnie's before it died. Having tried the margin and realising my prediction, catching just one tiny Perch. Spent the rest of the match at top set plus three barrels fishing GB and Pinkie expecting to initially catch some F1's. Alas not, they haven't fed on the pool. Instead, and unusually the bigger Carp fed. In between catching the odd Ronnie had a 8 lb Carp so decided to up the hook length and soon playing a foul hooked munter which after careful playing it the hook pulled. I knew there was another Carp about as a few bubbles were apparent. Hooked it and played not as careful as the first being over confident with the hook length which bust on me - bugger. Potentially two big Carp not in the net. Had a couple of Skimmers before another few bubbles and a 4 lb Carp in the net. Had three decent F1's and another Skimmer late on just before the all out.

The Carp weighed in at 16 lb 3 oz and the silvers 3 lb 15 oz for a silvers win, with the total of 20 lb 2 oz getting me 5 points. Thinking now I might have under feed today. Really enjoyed it today, especially packing up in the dry for once.

Taylors was won by Ron Hardiman (pictured) with 21 lb 4 oz from peg 15. Ron fished long all match on the bar fishing pellet over pellet. Well done mate especially holding the pole at that distance for so long in gusting wind.

Taylor's was won by Lee Waller (pictured with his catch of decent Carp) with 47 lb 4 oz from peg 11. Lee caught on maggot over Kindered maggot from various lines - mainly long to the corner of each island. Well done matey.

Back to the New Inn with the usual suspects and yes they had some beer this week!

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 01/02/2026 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round Five - Taylor's and Shipp's

"A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty" Winston Churchill.

So my turn on Taylor's. The pool was flat calm - not a ripple, umm going to be hard for some. Into the draw box and peg 16 for me. Oh dear a peg that's had poor results all year, with some just breaking the pound!! Definitely going all out for silvers, especially as the pool has been recent stocked with 300 small Tench - thinking might be too early for them to show in any numbers.

It's beginning to feel like the 15 July started 20 days ago - St. Swithen's day - 40 days and 40 nights of rain. Another soaking coming our way today.

With it flat calm set up the 7" waggler to try the bar. The short Ronnie rig and a 4x14 Winter to fish top set plus three barrels.

Bait GB, Pinkie's, live and dead reds

Loose fed some Pinkies on the Ronnie rig line and some GB laced with Pinkie on the long line. Started long with double Pinkie and soon had a 1 lb and a bit Skimmer - good start. I noticed that the water had coloured up where I loose fed the Pinkie's so went over it with the Ronnie rig until the colour went - nothing. So started to feed the waggler line with LR's. Back out long again an had a few very very small Ronnie's and two Tench about 8 oz each. Had a go on the waggler the presentation was spot on but only foul hooked one Carp which came off. On hind sight should have fished in front of the bar in the deeper water. That said definitely wanted a bit of ripple to get some movement. Back on the Ronnie rig fishing at various depths catching the odd better Ronnie. Surprised I didn't catch some Perch, but did have a big Brown Goldfish and a decent size Crucian.

Weighed 4 lb 11 oz of silvers and the two Carp took me to 7 lb 7 oz winning the silvers but only beating one for 8 points. Would have settled for that at the start. The fish move around on this pool with some of the favoured pegs not producing.

Shipp's was won by Tony Mears (pictured) with 63 lb 1 oz from peg 11 which hasn't produced for a few weeks. Tony caught on maggot at top set plus 3 and 4 barrels. Well done matey - some say that Tony moaned them on.

Taylor's was won by Ricky Mills (pictured - been waiting to include this picture 😁) with 37 lb 7 oz from peg 22. Ricky caught at 16 metres up to the island on maggot and shorter to the aerator with meat. Well done matey especially as you fished the match with a really bad toothache - best of luck at the Dentist.

Back to the New Inn who had ran out of ale's and cider's - oh dear lager's all round then.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 25/01/2026 - Bela Bakos Open - Westerleigh - Shipp's and Taylor's

Graduation to Bela for running his first match 😁. "A wise person doesn’t make all the mistakes alone — they let others have some". Winston Churchill

Full house at 20 - Pegging same as the Winter League. With an open draw. Didn't mind where I drew as you can never tell where the fish are going to be. The wind direction sometimes gives a clue, but with light winds coming from the SE I was unsure. May be worth collecting data on wind direction and catches.

Bread was allowed today. I don't use it as it usually means fishing long. I often hear the words "Dobbing Bread", but not sure they actually do this in the manner first intended.

Peg 6 again for me, which won the last match. For company on 5 was Vince Shipp which came second. So what to do? Decided to to keep both options of Carp and Silvers - start for Carp and see what fish salutes the flag.

So three rigs with the 4x12 Winter doing most of the work as the two lines I chose were almost the same depth - marked the deep line with a marked pen above the float and the shallower below the float adjusting accordingly. Long Ronnie rig for silvers and a 0.3 gram for the RH margin.

Bait wise - DR's, LR's, Pinkies and GB.

Fed the two barrel line with GB and Pinkie and four barrel line with DR's. Started at two barrel and as previous match on peg 4 was catching F1's regularly and again in the first hour was winning the Lake, and again it petered off. So on to the four barrel line and few more F1's, plus some Ronnie's. Mike Etheridge on 8 was catching well, Vince was struggling. Matty opposite on 10 and Bela on 4 were doing OK, couldn't see anyone else. Decided to switch to the Ronnie and silvers. Caught a 12 oz Perch and 12 oz Skimmer, so stayed with this for the rest of the matching adding the odd Crucian and F1 and the occasional better Ronnie. Sport was interrupted when I hooked a double Common which was played for a very long time before the hook length let me down - I had caught a lot a fish on it though!!

Weighed 3 lb 10 oz of Silvers and 17 lb 12 oz of F1's and Crucians for a total of 21 lb 6 oz for a silvers win. Enjoyed the day especially when Vince's umbrella collapsed over his head - twice! Plus was able to pack up in the dry - at last.

Shipp's was won by Mike Etheridge (pictured with Taylor's pool winner) with 64 lb 8 oz from peg 8, Mike caught on 8 mm punched bread just off bottom fishing over and down the right side of the island and later long down his left margin where he caught the Lion's share of decent Carp - feeding nothing. Well done matey.

Taylor's was won by Taylor with 38 lb 4 oz from peg 22. Mark caught at 16 metres with punched bread on bottom, again no feed. Well done matey.

Andy Gard took the silvers on Taylor's with a lowly 1 lb 7 oz waggler caught small Roach from peg 17.

Feeding is in my DNA, so would find it unsettling to fish without feeding? I would at least take some liquidised bread.

Back to the New Inn for a pint. Always a good part of the day.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 18/01/2026 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round Four - Taylor's and Shipp's

Promised rain and got it again for most of the match. Last two matches soaked through. Looks like rain again for our Thursday match.

My turn on Shipp's. Wanted to avoid pegs 3 and 4, otherwise didn't mind. Draw bag gave me peg 4, oh well, get on with it.

I only set up enough pole that's just short of the fence, peg 4 is top set plus two barrels, otherwise it's shipping over the fence and invariably into tree branches. Nothing worse than shipping a fish back and the pole butt catches a branch.

So two Ronnie rigs - short and long for up and down and a 4x12 Winter in 5 foot of water. Bait wise it was Pinkies, LR's, expanders, Micro and GB. Two lines for the Winter both at two barrels left and right into light areas with the black float tip. The left side (4 inches shallower) was fed with some micro and the right with GB and Pinkie.

It didn't take long to get indication's over the right side with single LR on the hook. Over the next hour landed six F1's. Looking around everyone was struggling and was probably well ahead. Rested the GB line in favour of the left side with 4 mm expander on the hook. My inpatients showed through again not really giving it enough time - confidence thing I guess. Thought I would look to see it the Ronnie's were feeding, trying both rigs catching a couple on both rigs but it was slow. Back out on the GB/Pinkie with double LR's and had two better F1's. Meanwhile, Bri Shanks on peg 5 was catching some big Carp as was Matty on 6. So guessed that the section money was accounted for so thought I would concentrate on the Silvers. It wasn't long before Dave opposite on peg 10 was holding up a 3 lb Perch just to rub it in. Had a few better Ronnie's on the Pinkie on the long rig. Last look over the GB line produced a big F1. Never had a sign of a Carp all day.

Silvers weighed 2 lb 15 oz and with the F1's took my weight 18 lb 14 oz for fourth in section and 4 points. Just needed some bigger Carp which may had come form the pellet line had I given it enough time.

Thought my Lake was won by Bri Shanks and he would have if he hadn't lost 12 Carp! He managed second though 😂. Matty Tainton won the lake from next peg 6 with 62 lb 8 oz. Matty caught some better Carp at 14.5 towards the island and later F1's down his edge fishing Maggot on both lines. Well done Matey

Taylor's was won by Vince Shipp from unfancied peg 23 with 34 lb 8 oz. Vince fished is usual expander and micro, firstly over to the island catching F1's and small Carp and late on dropping back into the deeper water catching a couple of bigger Carp. Well done Matey.

Everything and everyone soaked through again. Still everyone do enjoy this venue.

Back to the New Inn for a pint with the usual suspects. 

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 07/12/2025 = Westerleigh Winter League - Round Two - Shipp's and Taylor's

Pairs drawn and Johnny Wintle for me again.  However, he was AWOL today apparently gone to his clubs Christmas match. Don't blame him. I do miss them, great day out no matter the fishing with prize giving for everyone in the pub afterwards. Back in the day use to fish two Christmas matches every weekend through December followed by the Upper Avon Champs on New Years day no matter the state of the weather or river.

My turn on Shipp's. Into the draw bag and peg 6 for me. I ran to it but as I got closer the enthusiasm started to wain. This Pool is effected by the wind and with the wind blowing from the SE my peg was flat calm. Told Paul Elms on peg 8 thought we would struggle with pegs 1 to 4 and 11 to 10 being favoured. Told Glenn who had dawn peg 1 again which has been iffy for some time might catch.

Put the landing net handle in the water to check the water clarity which looked a lot clearer than usual - bloody weather.

My thinking was to target Carp rather than silvers but set up a Ronnie rig in case. Margin rig and a 4x12 Winter for top set plus three barrels to fish towards peg 7.

Decided on loose GB and DR attacked. Started on the long line with Single LR on the hook over kindered GB and DR's. Expected to catch a few Ronnie's initially but not the case and wasn't long before I had a F1. First hour netted seven decent F1's before it died. So down the RH margin to the tree fishing double LR on the hook over the same feed and had a small Perch and after a long wait had a 2 lb Carp. Spent most of the time out long adding just another small F1. With 30 minutes to go and the light going started to get pestered by Ronnie's, and because Lee next peg 5 said they had caught well down the other end picked up the Ronnie rig and caught small fish one a bung on single Pinkie. During which was thinking the margin might also start producing.

Weighed 20 lb 3 oz which included 2 lb 11 oz of tiny silvers for last but one in section - another dropper!!

Now here's a thing - When wanting a pee NEVER say to yourself wait until after the next fish, especially when dressed for winter. 

Shipp's was won by fishery manager - Mark Taylor (pictured) with 70 lb 1 oz from peg 2. Mark fished top set plus two barrels out in front fish meat over meat. Well done matey.

Taylor's was won by Vince Shipp (pictured - last to get back) with 69 lb 11 oz from end peg 19. Vince caught at top set plus one barrel fishing soft pellet over micro. Well done matey.

 Back to the pub with the usual suspects plus one ringer - Martin Rayett. Great laugh.

Weigh Sheets: