Thursday 12/12/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter - Match Lake

Attendance was weather dependant. Didn't look too bad so fished. What a miserable day it was, damp and gloomy.

Found out that the Sunday match was about saving a blank with only 20 lb winning.

It seems Dave Haines had some success scaring the Cormorants off the pylons with his whiz bang fireworks.

At last a draw on the far side peg 8 which I was happy with. The peg has some form, but you really need to fish 13 metres, never had the appetite for that, so only set up the maggot feeder and waggler. Only had LR's on the bait tray.

The chuck over to the sedges needed an 8" Drake had a few practice cast and wasn't confident it was going to stay on station long enough due to a skimming wind blowing along the inside.

Fed some LR's and started on the waggler and had one indication which was either a Ronnie or liner. As I thought couldn't keep the float still long enough, but did keep trying it throughout particularly once the wind reduced, had a couple more indications. Spent the lions share of the match on the feeder. Had two small Carp in two chucks which gave me false hope of another bagging session. Subsequent had a couple of hours without a bite. Last couple of hours added four more Carp. Once again the last two Carp were better fish and about the same weight as the other four.

Thought I had 35 lb weighed 35 lb 8 oz (without a clicker) for 6th overall. The North Easterly was very cold and glad to get in the car. Although caught most of my fish off the reeds think I got a handle on this feeder fishing tight to the reeds. Wish I  had started on a small open ended feeder with Pinkie might have had a pick up with a silver.

The match was won by matey John Williams (pictured with the silvers winner) with 108 lb 11 oz from peg 12. John fished the pole at three barrels using soft pellet on the hook fished over the same. The fish have shoaled up, I think subsequent to the high winds blowing down the lake legs driving the fish out of the horrendous tow in such conditions, as Gary Bedford was second with 80 lb fishing into the gap between the islands on the waggler and pellet.

Tony "Turbo" Ponting fishing peg 2 picked up both pools in the silvers with two accident Perch stretching the scales down to 1 oz!

Geoff and me stopped in the Griffin pub for a pint. Primarily to see the recent refurbishment. As Geoff said it looked the same except no longer doing food. All but empty, block of flats coming soon me thinks.

Result and partial weigh sheet: 

Thursday 05/11/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter - Match Lake

Some say the wind forecast is usually double at Windmill, think the rainfall should be x10. Right miserable day weather wise. Still haven't used the umbrella due to the wind.

Because of other matches the numbers were down to 11. Waited to last again and at yes out of the 20's, only just though, peg 16 for me found myself next to Geoff Francis on peg 14, unfortunately couldn't really see him.

Must admit arriving at the peg the any waggler fishing would by difficult to impossible due to the wind blowing in at 2 o clock so not only blowing down my side but also cutting across between the islands - bugger. Hey, still set it up love a challenge. Thought the maggot feeder would be important so reluctantly set it up. Last of all a 4x16 so fish top set plus three barrels for a silver or two if lucky!

Had a few casts on the waggler, looked ok but the wind was pulling the inside line away from the island far too fast. Had a  go on the pole with a LR over GB laced with DR's. Could not pick up the tow and hold back and run wasn't going to do it for me, abandoned. Last resort picked up the feeder and worked it all along the far back for one lost fouler. With 3 hours gone and blanking the wind eased slightly picked up the waggler and cast to a small bay where I had been loose feeding LR's with the hope the waggler would stay still long enough in the slight of shelter. Had a 2 lb Carp first cast saving the blank walk of shame. The wind is definitely my enemy as it soon got up making presentation impossible. So spent the remainder of the match of the feeder in the same area with triple DR hook bait. Things started to happen ended the match with 7 Carp. No silvers although I did have a nipped maggot.

Weighed 49 lb 3 oz for second overall. One more Carp would have done it. Felt for Geoff who was beating me until my last Carp caught at on the whistle.

The match was won by Bill Knight (pictured with the silvers winner) with 53 lb 14 oz from peg 8. Not sure how Bill caught but suspect it was the feeder in some form. Well done matey.

Pete Greenslade took the silvers with one 2 lb 14 oz Skimmer caught on maggot and feeder. Well done matey.

With everything soaking wet Geoff and me couldn't wait to get back to the curry house for a couple of Doombar's and a Ruby.

Good luck to anyone fishing this weekend, weather looks awful.

Result: (No readable weigh sheets)

1. Bill Knight 53-14-0 peg 8

2. Mike Nicholls 49-04-0 peg 16

3. John Smith 48-07-0 peg 3

4. Geoff Francis 46-13-0 peg 14

5. John Williams 45-0-0 peg 1

6. Kev Murch 30-09-0 peg 10

Silvers:

1. Pete Greenslade 2-14-0 peg 22 (1 Skimmer)

2. John Smith 2-07-0 peg 3 (1 Skimmer)

Thursday 28/11/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter - Main Lake

Some say my kit and car is very tidy. Now this van (pictured) tidiness is totally alien to me. Guess who's van it is. Two clues it's not Tony Rixon, but the most consistent angler at Windmill. He nearly got knocked over by the spare tyre falling out of the van.

At the last match here everyone blanked! And after a heavy overnight frost this morning most of us were wondering what we were doing here. At least there was little wind chill factor.

I have been trying not draw in the 20's for over a year, so had the last peg and found peg 22 staring back at me. However, pegs 23 and 21 wasn't in the draw, so plenty of room. So fairly happy for a 20's peg for once.

The talk was there would be loads of blanks, so went negative setting up the feeder, but found I had left all my maggot feeders home. Luckily Phil Morgan and Gary Bedford helped out, nice to so Gary back after a 15 year lay-off. A good angler who's done his apprenticeship.. Decided instead to fish a very small cage feeder with GB and Pinkie for an early silver. 

Also set up a 4 x16 Winter to fish top set plus three barrels and a short Ronnie rig. Neither of these rigs got wet. Started on the small feeder with triple Pinkie on the hook and had an instant bite a small Ronnie which fell off swinging it. Out again and one missed bite with damaged Pinkie. Had a liner, so feed some LR's over to the reeds and immediately the reeds started to move and with blanking after 45 minutes set up the waggler and second cast had a Carp which was played very carefully. The rest of the match was a question of catch three instant Carp then a dwell. Kept adjusting the depth from full to one foot off. It was noticeable as the match progressed the fish got bigger. Got pissed off with three Moorhens that came out of the reeds bending them down in the area being fished, so had to switch about to avoid the reeds, but wasn't always possible losing some tackle. The last 30 minutes was manic catching four big Common Carp to 12 lb. Fed just under half a pint of LR's, with double DR on the hook.

Weighed 113 lb 7 oz for the match win. Thanks to the Robin fed throughout for shitting all over my kit. The venue fish extremely well considering recent results. Lovely days fishing on my favourite method. Plus the drive way was much improved.

The silvers was won accidentally by Phil "Fuzzy" Morgan (pictured with the match winner) from peg 24. Phil catching a 2 lb 2 oz Skimmer on the waggler fished at full depth on maggot. Well done Matey.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 08/09/2024 - Windmill Open - Match Lake

Back to Windmill through rocky road. Although rain was in the forecast I knew different as just bought a new umbrella - Drennan Specialist - heavy and strong, definitely got the ability to do a Mary Poppins on me.

Peg 18 today - still cant get away from this side. Straight away the focus would be silvers until the last hour or so. For this cleared the left hand margin out right up to the bank, no way for the Carp to get behind the rig - pictured. Made me chuckle fed it all match and didn't attract one Carp there.

Set up the waggler hoping for some better Skimmers on the end of the island, short Ronnie rig and a 4x16 Winter to fish top set plus one barrel.

Started on the Wag and Mag and found the bottom was all over the place, but caught two quick small Skimmer's and some Ronnie's before foul hooking some munter Carp. Couldn't catch any silvers after this so spent most of the match switching between the two lines fishing single LR over GB catching small Perch, Ronnie's and Rudd, Did have three bonus Skimmers to 3 lb which heralded the arrival of the Carp on both silver lines, but not in my margin Carp trap!! Lost five landed two one nearing10 lb.

The two accidental Carp weighed 13 lb 5 oz and silvers 14 lb 2 oz for the silvers win - mission accomplished.

John Fuidge (pictured) took the match out from peg 1 with 161 lb 7 oz. John fished the pole long fishing pellet shallow. Well done matey.

The venue fished well for Carp today with some close 75 lb weights.

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 15/08/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter - Match Lake

Pre-draw got off with a really bad start hearing of Bill Ferris passing away aged 83. Very upsetting, will miss him a lot. We have match fished together for many years, both often fishing for the silvers pool with a competitive friendly spirit. He loved catching small silvers - pictured - Bill pictures with a typical catch of red fins from Shepherds Lake - Cider Farm. RIP matey will be thinking of you during the Westerleigh winter league. Condolences to brother Norman.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 16. Not one I would choose today, but a good silvers peg, however, came to fish for Carp. My neighbour on 17 was once again my jinx Ray Bazeley - good company nonetheless.

Setting up the wind started to pick up and was to get really difficult especially as

the peg is narrow, seems every visit the wind appears in force. A 0.3 gram RJ Slim for the LH margin on the top set. The RH was a bit undulating due to large stones so didn't bother with that side. The rig was a 0.4 Gram paste float again to fish top set in 4 foot of water. Went on the paste to see how it presented over hard 4's and DR's, then trialled the corn over kinder corn and hard 4's in the margin and had a 7 lb Carp first put in. Umm, could be good then. In again and had and had a swirl and that was it. On the paste and it was noticeable the lack of small fish nibbling the hook bait. Took a while to catch my next fish a 10 lb Mirror. The up shot had another Carp and a 3 lb Skimmer from the margin and another Carp on the paste. The wind was horrendous - again.

Weighed 30 lb 13 oz. Two things hindsight tells my I got wrong - should have fished for one fish at a time instead of trying to empty it - over fed it. As the small silvers weren't feeding should have tried the maggot feeder over to the tree. Steadier start next time!

Paul Barnfield caught a rod and reel on peg 17 last match. Today I caught a old tin - pictured - typical.

The match was won by Paul Barnfield (pictured with the silvers winner) from peg 9 with 92 lb 13 oz. Paul caught on either corn or worm over worm ans corn feed. Well done matey.

Shay Gillman took the silvers with 13 lb 9 oz from peg 10. A good weight on the day. Shay caught on maggot over Gb and maggot. Well done matey a good weight on the day.

Finally; matey Bill Ferris not only caught Silvers he occasionally caught some accidental Carp.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 01/08/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter - Match Lake

With the Bitterwell match cancelled due to only three booking in. I was going to give fishing a miss this week. Geoff had previously booked in to Windmill and wanted a curry afterwards, so booked in last minute. I wasn't prepared for the match and pinched some 6 mm pellets from Geoff and a handful of maggots from Shay and Andy. Had 4's, corn, micro and worms with most of my other baits left in the garage!

Into the draw bag hoping to draw somewhere other than the low twenties. Peg 2 it was - still can't get down the other end of the lake. Handy being drawn next to Geoff peg 1 and Shay peg 3, not far to get my bait! Opposite peg 2 is a line of tall Sedges where lots of Carp live and are notoriously hard to hook and keep out of the reeds. So set up the pellet waggler - 6 banded over 4's feed. A 0.4 gram RJ for top set plus three barrels and a 0.3 RJ Slim margin rig for both sides in the Reeds which was attached to the Drennan margin top set with 25 elastic, any fish hooked wasn't going anywhere far soon.

Started on the waggler for two swirls. The Sedges are so high couldn't get close enough even when I touched the top of the Reeds. The Carp wouldn't or it was too early for them to come out of the reeds. So waggler abandoned.  Fed chopped worm. micro, maggot and corn mix on the long line for just some indications. Not looking good. four hours to go - bit early for margins? Went in anyway with corn over corn and a few 4's. Had some knocks from silvers putting couple in the net. Bit slow so one more try before going for a banana walk and landed a 7 lb common - walk postponed. The elastic is very aggressive but got it out of the reeds. I had plumbed up tight to the reeds as possible on a shelf that was about 8 inches wide and is where I fed. I found laying out the rig out into the lake and letting it fall towards the shelf produced positive takes at what was guessed at as half depth. Leaving it on the shelve did produce four lost foulers. Lost three with hook pulling and line breakages due to the aggressive elastic, but non lost in the reeds, so you have the choice on which way to go on this one. Next time I would makeup some rigs with 0.2 through rather than 0.16 hook lengths. managed to land 11 Carp, 1 Perch, one Ronnie and 2 tiny Skimmers all on Corn! Ten minutes to go one of the 11 jumped out of the keep net so down to 10!! Jump must had been a near record, at least a PB. Really enjoyed today more relaxing than normal Ronnie bashing.

Weighed 11 oz of accidental silvers 😀 with the ten Carp going 62 lb 4 oz for 7th. Some lovely fish

The match was won by Matt Taynton (pictured) with 92 lb 10 oz from peg 6. Matt caught most on paste at 6 metres. With corn in his LH margin and worm over DR's from his RH margin. Well done matey.

The silvers went to Paul Barnfield with 9 lb 11 oz from peg 14. Guessing worm and micro did it for him!. Now hears a thing he's drawn peg 14 four times on the trot. Chances of this with 18 fishing every match is 1/105000. Well done matey 

Best part of the day was in a cool Indian with a pint of draught Cobra, a Chicken Balti and good company.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 27/06/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter 500 Open - Match Lake

After just a few day's of Summer it was back to Autumn with overcast skies and a cold gusting wind. Would it be too much to ask to be on the far side and any number less than 16? 

Dave Haines had locked himself out of his van, I was able to help out with a pen and some of Avon Anglings left over swim cards, which was enough to get us started.

Into the draw bag and peg 23 it was. One of the better pegs in the twenties, but arriving at the peg found the wind howling into it at 11 o clock and with it 8 foot deep at one barrel and the margins almost unfishable due to the reeds it was going to be a rough day - hate the wind. Decided to clear as much bankside vegetation as I could down to the right which gave some cover from the wind. I was soon in fleece and Gore-Tex whilst opposite Barny was in tea shirt well sheltered from the wind. Found myself next to the Jinx - Ray Bazeley on peg 22.

Set up the maggot feeder - had one Perch on it, binned it. Tried the top set plus one barrel, but the presentation was awful with the rig being blown into me. No idea where the GB feed was going. The upshot fished the margin with the short Ronnie rig for most of the match in between the wind blowing the rig into reeds. Had about 130 fish - Perch, Rudd, Ronnie's and some tiny Skimmers. Just couldn't get any bonus Skimmers. Landed one small Carp with another three doing me in the reeds.

Silvers weighed 10 lb 3 oz and my one Carp 4 lb 13 oz. Third in the silvers - needed a bonus - bloody wind buggered the peg for me.

The match was won by Barny (pictured above baiting up) with 86 lb 1 oz from peg 1. Barny caught on his usual of worm over humongous amount of micro and chopped worm. However, he didn't catch until the last quarter of the Match, which seems the way on this venue. Well done matey.

The silvers was won by Shay Gillman (pictured with the match winner) with 13 lb 15 oz from peg 3. Shay started on the small fish short, later switching to 11.5 metres catching some better Skimmers on Maggot and GB. - well done matey.

Matey Geoff Francis came second qualifying for the 500 final by default with 61 lb 13 oz from peg 12 catching down his edge with double corn mostly caught in the last hour. Well done matey.

Geoff and me shooting off for our usual Thursday Indian.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 13/06/2024 - Windmill Fishery - Cost Cutter - Match Lake

Not been here for a while. The access road is much improved. Originally had 22 booked in but a few cried off most probably because of the awful weather. I had six layers on and was still cold.

Hoping for any peg except 21 to 18 which have in recent times been awful, however, they do throw up the occasional decent weight. In to the draw bag and peg 19 it was - duh. I think the way it fishes depends on the wind and with it gusting down the lake it was going to be hard. Good company with Ray Bazeley on peg 20. We both knew we were on no hopers - but you never know. We both laughed when the whistle went the wind started to increase considerably.

Only hope of a pick up from the peg was silvers, so set up from them. The wind prevented the use of the waggler so just set up a maggot feeder in the hope of a couple of decent skimmers over. The short Ronnie rig for the small fish and a 0.4 gram RJ to fish top set plus three barrels for skimmers both theses rigs fished over LR's over GB.

Had a couple of casts on the maggot feeder whilst the GB feed on the two rig lines settled. No signs, so on to the long rig and had five Skimmers to 3 oz!! Refed the line which subsequently died. On to the Ronnie rig and basically sat with the cold wind off my back catching very small Perch and the odd Rudd and Ronnie for most of the match knowing it would be difficult to beat three or four big skimmers. Did have a Common Carp on the maggot feeder after being pestered by small Perch on the maggot feeder during a tea break.

Weighed 5 lb 10 oz of silvers and the one Carp 3 lb 12 oz for nowhere.

The match was one by the migratory angler Tony Rixon (pictured with the silvers winner) with 67 lb 8 oz from peg 17. Tony caught three on a full depth pellet waggler in open water and later at three barrels on meat over loose fed meat. Well done matey see you here next year.

Silvers was won by Andy Gard with 10 lb 3 oz from peg 25. Andy caught short out in front on caster and maggot hook bait over GB. Well done matey.

Glad to get in the car and get the heater on - some scientist believe we are entering a mini ice age - now seems more likely than global warming.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 21/03/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter 500 - Main Lake

Geoff was up for a after match curry and why not, something to look forward to. Feeling really good today and up for it.

A full house again. Into the draw bag and peg 1 for me. Haven't been on this peg for quite sometime but have found memory's of catching Silvers. Unfortunately the few that are left are shoaled up down the far end as is most of the Carp. Peg 1 was also a good Carp peg but hasn't shown any recent form. That said decided on a Carp day - who knows?

Got to the peg without too much mud and even managed to get the trolley down the slight slope. Set up the maggot feeder, a 4x14 Winter to fish top set plus 2 barrels and a 4x12 for long down the RH margin where the reeds where moving. The problem with this peg just up to the reeds its 4 1/2 foot deep which is too deep for margin fishing. However, the Carp were in the reeds and were unlikely to come out anytime soon. So at the start went out four barrels with a shallow margin rig and second flick in hooked a Carp which was far too fast for me and ended up loosing the complete rig - bugger. Had a go on the Winter over micro and LR's and caught a few small Ronnie's. Decided to try the margin again so whilst setting a new rig up put the maggot feeder out which was getting ragged by Silvers. Back into the reeds and lost another Carp - rig OK though! The upshot caught one Carp on the feeder losing one to my poorly tied loop, caught another on the Winter and eventually got a Carp out of the Reeds.

My few accidental Silvers weighed  1 lb 14 oz and my 3 smallish Carp 13 lb 6 oz for 15 lb 4 oz.

The match was won by Bill Knight (pictured with some of his catch) with 88 lb 13 oz from fancied peg 11 (for both Carp and Silvers at the mo). Bill caught at 13 metres down his RH edge shallow with 8 mm banded pellet and later out in from again shallow. Bill fed nothing all match! Well done Matey.

The Silvers was won by John Osborne (pictured with the Match winner) with 14 lb 4 oz from peg 9. John caught on caster over loose caster at four barrels. Well done Matey.

Well done to Glenn Bailey for winning our section.

Now for the best part of the day and our visit to the Mughal Palace. Best Indian around, cant beat draft Cobra.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 07/03/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter 500 - Match Lake

Been a long time since I've fished Windmill. Good turn out of 21, more the merrier I say. Rumour has it the access road will soon be repaired.

Looking forward to today as it was to be dry. Most fisheries are suffering from muddy banks as it is here. Plus the enticement of a curry and draft Cobra on the way home with Geoff and Glenn.

I was told the silvers were down on pegs 10 and 11 so hoping for one of those. Into the draw bag and found red milk bottle top 22 in my hand. No emotion, yet! For company on peg 21 Geoff, so good company.

Set up the waggler, short Ronnie rig and a 4x16 to fish the peg is deep found 5 foot at top set - no rolling out the barrels day.

The up shot was didn't have a single bite on the silver rigs. The tow against the wind was horrendous, tried the waggler which went with the wind presentation didn't feel right. Foul hooked a small Carp which came off. With no one on my bank having caught and pegs 24 and 25 catching Carp set up the feeder rod. The rod and reel are Diawa's which was won 20 years ago and been out 4 times without really catching. I put in a very soft tip as hoping for some Skimmers. Set up a small maggot feeder. I don't clip the waggler or the feeder so took a few casts to get the distance right, probably to the amusement of Geoff who's proficient on the feeder. With double LR's and one Pinkie on the hook I was getting liners. Knew it was due the steep slope I was fishing against with the fish coming up behind the hook. Luckily the soft tip came in good use as I could inch the feeder down the slope until finding the hook bait over the feed. Had a near 14 lb

Common followed quickly by another double after the third things slowed up but the liners did not, so switched to half a dendrobaena on the hook this worked better but still had to inch down from where I was casting and learnt where to best hold up. Had three more Carp but not as big as the first three. No sign of a silver.

The six Carp weighed 48 lb for 6th overall and a section win. Got some stick for fishing the feeder with Geoff taking pictures as proof. I think it was the liners that kept my interest. I Rest the rod on my keep net, don't think I will be getting the feeder arm out anytime soon though.

The match was won by John Williams (pictured above) with 75 lb 7 oz from peg 25. John fished at 10 metres using his favourite part soaked 4 mm Skrettings pellet fished over 4's. Well done mate. I use to use this method - my semi hard's, must try it again sometime. Well done matey.

The silvers was won by Hughie Evans (pictured) with a cracking weight and the best for a long time of 13 lb 5 oz from peg 11. Hughie caught on maggot or Pinkie at 11 metres over GB. Well done matey nice to see the Cormorants haven't munched them all.

Then for the highlight of the day a visit to my favourite Bangladeshi restaurant with Geoff and Glenn - excellent as usual only thing the Cobra on draft a bit too scrummy.

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 28/12/2023 - Kev Winstone Silvers Knock up - Windmill Fishery - Silvers Top Lake.

Having been under the weather with a heavy cold (aka man flu) most people I know have either had the bug or are currently suffering. I was looking forward to getting out fishing, so booked into Kev's knock up on the Top Lake - silvers only. Ten booked in with Jeff Grant dropping out once he tested the walk - you did right you wouldn't have made it mate with your short legs. 

Walked the gear up (I mean up) to the lake which was physically challenging due mainly to the water logged fields. Helped Kev peg it out and as we were told by Andy "misinformation" Gard that Paul Barnfield had switched to the Match Lake match suggested we leave out peg 1 which was full on in the wind. Luckily Kev didn't listen because Paul arrived last. Kev admitted that fishing this Lake today wasn't his best decision of the year! Andy Misinformation had to sit in peg 1 - did feel for him.

Picked peg 2 (pictured) in the form of a scrunched up tiny piece of paper from Kev's shovel like hand. Slightly in the wind but thought would be OK. Only one rig a 4 x16 Winter Titan. Plumbed around and found it sloped off from 3 foot to I'm nor sure but deeper that 8 foot at 6 metres. Decided to fish 5 foot at top set plus one barrel with GB and Pinkie. Started reasonably well catching small Skimmers and Ronnie's. The issue was the tow and presentation. There appeared to be plenty of small Skimmers in the peg but  was towing into them foul hooking and coming off, very frustrating. The peg died until after I foul hooked a Carp which came off. Had a few more small fish but it gradually got worse. With 3/4 hour to go I could see a very very dark cloud heading our way and with thinking a still bait might be the answer set up a small cage feeder. The wind and rain that followed was horrendous. Had two small Skimmers on the feeder. Judging by the time the feeder was sinking gave the impression that the lake shallowed at 20 metres or so. We were all glad to hear the all out.

The digital  scales arrived which weren't working right, not zeroing or showing any weight when loaded. After pressing a few buttons got it to read a weight albeit still not fully zeroing. So my weight had 2 oz deducted. Why I mention this, there has been a number of occasions when these type of digital scales have had issues. I am sure my weight was about right, but these episodes always leave you wondering though. Don't think you can beat dial scales.

I weighed 3 lb 12 oz for last but one in what was a tight match and with reasonable weights considering the conditions and how other fisheries are fishing for silvers at the moment.

Paul Barnfield won the match with weight of 8 lb 9 oz. Paul caught short on either caster of maggot over GB. I think with him nearly walking around the complete lake to find his peg helped him focus - lol. He wasn't happy. Character building I say. Well done matey well deserved.

I thought going back down hill would be better but only just, still had to push hard. Glad to get back to the car and home for a pint in the garage.

Would be a decent silvers knock up venue during the dry season!

Will be keeping out of crowded pubs for a while, don't want to catch anything else.

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 16/11/2023 - Ray's Rip Off - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake

Well done to Ray Bazeley for raising an enormous sum for the British Legion again this year - takes a lot of effort and time organising a 100 peg river match.

Peg 22 again for me - when are we going to get some steps for pegs 2 to 11?

Great company today with Rip Off on 23 and Geoff on 21. Some colour in the lake but with the shortage of wind it was going to be hard for most.

Had a phone call from various family member's - the St Brendan's bus had broken down (again) so delayed setting up in case I was summon to the rescue. All OK in the end.

Set up just the short Ronnie rig and a 4 x16 Winter Titan in 8 foot of water at 10 metres both to target silvers.

Fished pinkie and GB on both lines. Caught small fish short for about 1 hour, then went out long but was loosing small fish, reduced the size of elastic but still enough power to get the Common Carp out. Had one Ronnie and one decent Skimmer, followed by a near 10 lb Common and one about 6 lb both on 0.1 bottom!. Sat on this line for far too long in search of more skimmers. Spent last 15 minutes back short and had a run of Ronnie's and Rudd. Should have spent longer on it. 

The two Common's weighed 15 lb 10 oz plus 3 lb 9 oz of silvers which I didn't think would come anywhere as I could see Haydn Withers catching better fish on peg 25. So was amazed to find it enough for second silvers.

The match was on by Leyton Palmer (pictured with the silvers winner) with 92 lb 13 oz from peg 9. Leyton caught 50 % of his carp initially on the straight lead over to the island with double corn. The other 50 % came from fishing meat on the pole. Well done matey.

As I thought the silvers was won by Haydn with 6 lb 15 oz from peg 25. He caught on the pole at 10 metres fishing maggot hook bait.

Geoff and me rounded off a good day out by another visit to the Indian. The Manager has named us Chasni and Ramo after the meals we usually order 😄.

Weigh Sheet: