Thursdays 24/07/08 Bathampton AA Over 55's and Disabled - Withy Pool

I had planned to take Brenda (the much better other half) out yesterday, but she had made other plans with her friend Gill. I took the opportunity to have a sneak practice for today's match. I needed some answers for the Silver fish:

• What if I sat on corn over corn?
• What if I fished corn over 6mm hard pellet?
• What if I fished caster, could I tell when the Carp had moved in to switch to paste?

My answers:

• Corn over corn resulted in one Ronnie Roach and one small Carp
• Corn over 6mm hard pellet was much better and resulted in 10lb of quality Skimmers in an hour
• Fished caster and caught Ronnies to 4oz every put in. Went quite - out with the paste - and bang a 10lb Carp - back on the caster more Ronnies - quite - out with the Paste - bang another 10lb Carp


• SORTED!!!

There was some sad news today fromk Colin Golding that regular John Tilley had passed away. Likewise, John also focused on the Silvers, I will always remember John beating me from un-fancied peg 3 on Bridge pool with 15lb of waggler caught Skimmers - quietly and unassumingly done - rest on peace matey.
Weather wise the best day this year. I drew peg 45. I was pleased with this, but wasn't that bothered either way. With a plan in place started on the caster at 2 metres and had three quick Ronnies. Then latched in to a 1o lb Carp on single caster. Tried caster again and the bites had gone finicky, so out went the paste rig and land another two doubles. Back on the caster - no bites - back on the paste and another smaller carp. Tried corn over the 6mm hard pellet which resulted in one Ronnie - Skimmers weren't having it today (as per Monday - what about the weekend!). The wind kept veering from the South East to South. It was noticeable that the fish were following the cover the wind was giving from the bright sunlight. When the wind was in SE I caught well, when in the S Bob Warren caught well. I had almost given up with the Silvers until I landed a 4lb Tench on paste. I weighed a total of 77lb 3oz which included 10lb 2oz of Silvers (one Green!) and nine Carp. This gave me first in the match and third in the Silvers and a pick up of £25.
My good friend Bob Warren (pictured top right) was second with 64lb 1oz. Bob drew un-fancied peg 60. Bob alternated between Pellet waggler, straight lead and pole for ten Carp and a couple of decent Bream.

The Silvers was officially a dead heat between Bill Ferris (pictured above right) on peg 50 and Colin Golding (pictured bottom right) on peg 69. I say officially, as Bill lost a 1oz Ronnie at the weigh in - we left Bob Price still looking for it in the grass - I think he's still there!

Full Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 77-03-0 peg 45
2. Bob Warren 64-01-0 peg 60
3. Terry Bruton 55-02-0 peg 5
4. Tom Coulston 41-08-0 peg 47
5. Chris Snow 35-14-0 peg 54
6. Dave Bacon 33-08-0 peg 53

Top Silvers:

1. Bill Ferris 11-12-0 peg 50 (plus 1oz!)
2. Colin Golding 11-12-0 peg 69
3. Mike Nicholls 10-02-0 peg 45

Monday 21 July 2008 - Rowland Poole Open - Boyd Valley lake

I was a little jaded after yesterday's match, but I was looking forward to my return to Boyd Valley Lake after a one year lay off. During 2006 I broke the match record on an evening series three times consecutive, accumulating with 108 lb in three and half hours. This lake is an unusual bright colour red, which stains absolutely everything. I am sure that the local natives use it to paint their faces during festive seasons. I have kept one set of net for this venue and have attached a picture (bottom right) of my Preston Silvers net - now dyed red!

Today I drew peg 5, the deepest peg on the lake, and not one of my favourites. However, it is usually good for Skimmers to two pound. I decided to start after the Ronnies on caster and soon decided they were a bit small (1 to 2oz). Went out on the Skimmer line and caught a few small Skimmers to 10oz, the Skimmers weren't having it. So back to the Ronnies. I tried on and off for the Skimmers , but predominately stay with the Ronnies. I did manage to land a 5lb 8oz Common Carp on the caster rig. I weighed 20lb of Silvers and a 5lb 8oz Carp for 25lb 8oz for first in the Silvers and joint second overall with Bob "The Bread" Price, and a pick up of £20 um!!!

Kevin Dicks (pictured top right - note the red clay) won the match from peg 2 with 37lb 12 oz, which included 17lb of Silvers. Kevin caught 20lb of Carp fishing long in to his left hand margin using paste hook bait.

Kevin has a reputation of being a "Tackle Tart", I counted three rods and nine top sets made up. I think he used them all!

Full result:

1. Kevin Dicks 37-12-0 peg 2

2. Bob Price 25-08-0 peg 7

2. Mike Nicholls 25-08-0 peg 5

4. Steve Monday 24-10-0 peg 11

5. Steve Dawson 23-14-0 peg 9

6. Colin Golding 16-10-0 peg 1

Top Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 20-0-0 peg 5

2. Kevin Dicks 17-08-0 peg 2

Sunday 20/07/2008 Carps AC Open - Landsend Fishery

I drew peg 36 on Specimen Lake. I have previously drawn the next peg 37 and have caught Crucians with a few Skimmers, so pleased with the draw. I targeted the same species at 10 metres. After an hour I had one small skimmers and a couple of tiny Ronnies. Tried the paste over the same line to no avail. I had set the waggler up for right across with double maggot over caster - again s few small Ronnies. Two hours in to the match and only 3lb of Silvers in the net! I noticed that Dave Lewis on peg 35 was catching some small Perch - so out on the caster at 2 metres over loose fed caster resulted in a run of Perch to 4oz. I then cut the caster feed back to 3 - 4 casters every cast, this resulted in a run of quality Ronald's (senior Ronnies) to 1lb. I wish I had started on this method as I would have been much closer to winning the Silvers. As it was I weighed 23lb 14oz for third and a pick up of £40. The water quality was showing signs of a algae bloom, I think this put the Crucians off feeding.

The match was won by Ian Hudson (pictured above right - with free Plumbers advert) with 122lb 7oz from Specimen Lake 27. Ian fished the pole at 17 metres to the Island using hair rigged banded 6 and 8 mm hard pellet up and down the far shelf. Ian loose fed 4 pints of 6mm pellet (I went to both junior and senior school with Ian uncle John).

For the second Carps match Anton Page has been seen swimming to the islands far bank. Anyone know why he doing this!

Full Result:

1. Ian Hudson 122-07-0 peg 27

2. Dave Wride 93-11-0 peg 1

3. Anton Page 68-0-0 peg 6

4. Andrew France 65-13-0 peg 38

5. Jerry Pocock 59-07-0 peg 34

6. Rod Wotton 52-07-0 peg 40

Top Silvers:

1. Barry Fitchew 29-02-0 peg 17

2. Colin Dyer 28-12-0 peg 10

3. Mike Nicholls 23-14-0 peg 36

Thursday 17/07/2008 Carps AC - Summer Evening Series - Shangri La - Round Four

Hopefully my pegs will now start getting better. Once again the wind blowing direct in to my face. I had another plan in place to target the lager Carp on Corn at 6 metres then come inside for the Widger Crucians on 6mm pellet and top set. Well it didn't go to plan - in fact it was exactly opposite - caught Widgers at 6 metres and some better fish on the top set! That's fishing. I weighed 18lb, which I was pleased with from this peg which, just about keeps me in contention for a league placing - hopefully.

The match was won by Bob Feltham (pictured top right with his 12lb 8oz Mirror) from point peg 5 with 38lb 12 oz. Bob caught on paste at 8 metres over 8mm hard pellet. It was a night of big fish - Steve Jefferies (pictured bottom right with his 15 pounder - doesn't he look pleased with himself) came from no where to fourth with a 15lb Mirror.

The league Leader is Phil Coulam on 32 points (one result to drop) with second place Steve Jefferies on 26 points (one result to drop) and Bob Feltham on 25 points (no results to drop).

For full points and placings see carpsac.co.uk

Full Result:

1. Bob Feltham 38-12-0 peg 5

2. Phil Coulam 32-12-0 peg 4

3. Colin Golding 27-04-0 peg 2

4. Steve Jefferies 25-0-0 peg 3

5. Mike Nicholls 18-0-0 peg 9

6. Bill Ferris 15-06-0 peg 6

Wednesday 16/07/2008 Carps AC - Burley Fields

Time once again for my favourite Roach venue - Burley Fields. Darren Gillman and I walked the pegging and was surprised how the pegs were crammed in at the bottom right corner. We explained this to Colin Golding and as usual he was not in listening mode. I felt sorry for Bob Feltham who draw tight in the corner peg 4. When you pay £18 to fish a match you expect a bit of space, especially when it is available!

I drew peg 3 , which is the same peg as last match but without peg 4 being in. I started on the caster rig and caught steady. Tried now and again for the Skimmers at 10 metres but they weren't having it today - the water was a little clearer than last time. I stayed most on the match on the caster - trying 6mm and 3 mm GOT expander now and again. I did land two Carp and Lost two on the pellet. Darren, who was on peg 4, was convinced (again) that I had won the match - I wasn't sure. I weighed 38lb 8oz of Silver for second in the Silvers by 1lb 10oz and weighed 51lb overall for second in the match by 1lb 9oz! Second and second - no pick up this time! Hindsight is not "wonderful" as some say, another 1lb 11oz would have given me the double win - could have done it easy now!
I was pleased to see Andy Gard (pictured top right with his 17lb 8oz Leather Carp) win the match with 52lb 9oz. Andy caught all his fish on red maggot - including the Carp! Good running commentary Andy - enjoyed it!

My mate Darren Gillman won the Silvers with 40lb 20z, consisting of mainly quality Rudd - What a venue.

Full Result:

1. Andy Gard 52-09-0 peg 5
2. Mike Nicholls 51-0-0 peg 3
3. Darren Gillman 40-02-0 peg 2
4. Colin Golding 39-12-0 peg 7
5. Bob Feltham 35-11-0 peg 4
6. Steve Jefferies 24-04-0 peg 8

Top Silvers:

1. Darren Gillman 40-02-0 peg 3
2. Mike Nicholls 38-08 peg 3
3. Andy Gard 35-03-0 peg 5 (Andy qualifies for the Carps AC Wednesday Silversmaina - Well done)

Weekend 12th and 13th July 08

Took the weekend off from fishing for some essential maintenance on my top sets. The elastics were, to say the least, in poor condition. To cut a very long story short I spent five hours trying to get bungs stuck in top sets out. The bung on one top set was so badly struck I had to cut one top set and carry out a repair. The bungs are all Vespe and I observed that they had all deformed inside the top set - bellowing out. I discussed the problem with Tony Rixon, he had also, experienced similar problems. So, on Tony's advice I will now start changing to the Drennan winder bungs. After every match I will not only give the used top set down a wipe down, but also pull the bung out and give it a clean.

Darren Gillman was off this weekend to the Angling Times Final on the river Nene with his Bathampton Team - led by Kev Dicks. Darren drew peg 99 on the North Bank (not the place to draw - others only seem to remember his good draws). Darren did well weighing 14oz 12 drams. His catch consisted of one Perch and a number of Roach juveniles, caught on the whip feeding slop with bloodworm hook bait. I previously fished this final with Avon Angling and said after the last match I would never fish the venue again (I was forced to fish on top of submerged dense Lilly pads catching Bleak blades on joker - this is not fishing as I understand it - what river venue should need B&J to avoid blanking in July?). This venue is an absolute disgrace for such a spectacle. There's no doubt this venue is chosen for convenience of the organisers rather than the participating Anglers. If Angling Times are serious about this League then they must change the venue next year, otherwise the League will continue on it's demise! Bathampton finished 7th overall, beating Thatcher's off the next peg - not a bad result - well done lads.

It was nice to get an e-mail from my good friend and fellow ex Avon Angling team mate Andrew Floyd. I knew he had been resting from match angling and going woolly hooking (his "Pink Floyd" lure is devastating - should you be lucky enough to get one from him - I did, but had to hand it back after the session!). What I didn't know is that he had joined the Camo and Bivvey brigade. Andy sent me the attached picture (top right - Andy is the one with glasses) with a 21lb 7oz Mirror carp, caught at Hunstrete Lake. Not as good as his 22lb Ghost Carp caught on his Diawa Pro pole in a match at The Sedges Peg 11 (Glenn Bailey must have been on holiday). I remember the catch well with Andy needing to stand of his seat box to land it! My biggest regret that day was not having my camera with me. Andy is one of the great all round anglers. Get back to Match fishing mate, it's missing you.

Whilst we are on the subject of ex Avon Angling team members - Tim Ford (now Preston Thatcher's) on Saturday fished the Bristol Avon at Newbridge. Tim elected to fish peg 10 in the small field. This is his report:

"I went to Newbridge and after I had managed to run across the road bridge and avoid an oncoming bus I then had to fight my way through 8ft tall weeds and plants. If I had taken a trolley I wouldn't have got through! Got settled into peg 10 and as the river was chocolate and pacey just set a feeder up (plus I had no river pole rigs made up). In all I had 5 bream from 2.5lb to 5lb, roach and perch to 10oz, small hybrids, 1 eel and a chublet!
Had bites virtually every cast, but started in close and this died after 3 hours so went further out and had a bite first chuck.
It was nice and relaxing, very peaceful except for when unbeknown to me a dog had got right behind me and then barked in my left ear, I nearly fell in and told the owner that I nearly had a heart attack!
Just goes to prove there are stacks of fish in the river, as long as there is colour they'll feed."

Thursdays 10/07/08 Bathampton AA Over 55's and Disabled - Bridge Pool

I mentioned in yesterday posting that Pete Hodge had passed on. Pete up to the end wrote articles for his local paper the Bridgwater Mercury, they have subsequently published an article on him. If you want to read it double click on the attached shortcut.
http://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/search/display.var.2381410.0.pete_hodge_passes_away.php
A good turn out once again. I drew the same peg 28 as the previous match with the same result albeit a lower weight as the fish were not responding as well. I started on the caster and had a few pound Skimmers and a bonus 4lb Bream. The Ronnies were not feeding, but I managed to put about 4lb of them in the net. I went on the paste over potted micro pellet and landed a couple of eight pounders. I found by loose feeding caster over the paste was much better than feeding pellet. I ended the day with 14lb 14oz Silvers and 58lb 8oz of Carp for a total weight of 73lb 6oz. This gave me first in the match and first in the Silvers and a pick up of £25.
Runner up with 55lb 1oz was Martin Alexander (pictured bottom left) from peg 30. Martin pole fished 10mm hair rigged hard pellet. Runner up in the Silvers was Colin Golding with 13lb 8oz of small Skimmers from peg 29.

Full Result:
1. Mike Nicholls 73-06-0 peg 28
2. Martin Alexander 55-01-0 peg 30
3. Dave Bacon 51-10-0 peg 4
4. Bob Warren 39-0-0 peg 26
5. Harry Muir 27-14-0 peg 7
6. Chris Snow 24-10-0 peg 9
Top Silvers:
1. Mike Nicholls 14-14-0 peg 28
2. Colin Golding 13-08-0 peg 29
3. Bill Ferris 12-04-0 peg 10