Sunday 08/03/2020 - Westerleigh Individual Winter League - Taylors Lake and Shipp's Canal

They say there is a first time for everything - well after travelling with Bela for 14 years today was the first time he was late, albeit only 10 minutes. It didn't matter as we arrived at Wetherspoons in plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast. How do they prepare the food so quick?

The Special One doesn't do panic buying, so just now off to do our weekly shop, I wonder what awaits us?

Standing in today for Mark Taylor who was off to Stafford moor for the Silvers festival week. Which meant I would be on Shipp's Canal. The draw is done at Wetherspoons and last into the ice cream container and out comes peg 11. Told it's a good peg for Carp fished long over to the island dobbing bread. Well that wasn't going to happen especially when I arrived at the peg to find I was in a gap between two islands with the wind blasting straight through into my face - when is the bloody wind going to do one? Luckily I had put plenty of vaseline on my face to reduce wind burn. The only other angler I could see was Simon Belcham opposite on peg 3 who had the wind off his back.

The small Carp on this Canal are very shy bitters, so decided to fish top-set plus one just down the inside shelf in 6 foot of water suing a 4 x12 with logarithmic shotting pattern. I also set up a 4x12 to fish down the left hand side at top-set plus two, which had a nice slow sloping margin down to full depth, so set the float at 3 foot - hoping that the fish would be in the shallower water. I put up my full 13 metres and was able to use the 4x12 rig on both ends the the island which would only happen if the wind significantly subsided.

I started by feeding the two close lines with a knub of GB laced with Pinkie hoping for some early Silvers. Started out in front with double Pinkie on the hook and realised straight away that the wind was going to hide the bites because by the time I relised it was an indication the event was over. so lots of missed opportunities. I gradually got to recognise some indication and soon had a 1 lb F1 in the net. More missed opportunities but was putting the odd small Crucians and small unidentifiable Carp in the net - but no silvers. After a few top ups the swim died so tried the margin and started to catch micro Pech and small Ronnies. After topping up this line it died. So I decided to start loose feeding LR's on both short lines, which seemed to switch the fish on catching a couple of better Ronnies and Perch from both lines with single LR on the hook. The wind dropped so thought I would have a look over with 13 metre with single LR over loose fed LR. I had a few more Ronnies and Perch but due to having to ship back up hill I was losing more than I landed - very frustrating. I did hook a Carp that looked about 10 lb which came off just after the "pulled" elastic slipped from my hand. I lost another three smaller identifiables again I think to due to the poor unshipping I was doing - would have been better to double unship but I hate that. Simon had an accidental big Tench which put me just behind him, but as he had been catching some better Carp was hoping I could still default the lake Silvers.

My net of unidentifiable Carp weighed 7 lb 6 oz and my Silvers 2 lb 1 oz just 1 oz behind Simon. However, he did come second on the lake so I picked up by default. If it wasn't for the wind it would have been an enjoyable days fishing. I do like these low weight matches.

The wind had gradually strengthen towards the end which contributed to Simon breaking his pole and blowing in his stink bag. Picture upper right shows Simon's cunning way of retrieving it.

The Lake and match was won again by Darren North (pictured upper right) with his catch of decent Carp from peg 7 - Again! Darren dobbed bread just off the opposite island which is about 11.5  metres away. Well done matey.

Taylor's Lake fished poorly with all the small Carp having migrated to peg 23 occupied by Marcus who had the second highest weight of 23 lb 8 oz all caught on 4mm expander pellet.

Back to the pub where the winners become losers and the losers become winners -  that said I think in this league we are all winners and well run by Bri Shanks - a great way to finish the day even though we have to put up with Bela's phone videos. Subsequently it was back to bar-gar-age for our after drinks Silvers winners selfie.

Result:

Taylors Lake:
1. Marcus 23-08-0 peg 23
2. John W 6-11-0 peg 14
Silvers: Bela Bakos 1-08-0 peg 16

Shipp's Canal:
1. Darren North 24-09-0 peg 7
2. Simon Belcham 20-01-0 peg 3
Silvers: Mike Nicholls 2-01-0 peg 11

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 05/03/2020 - Bathampton AA - Sponsored by Premier Angling - Silvers Priority and Carp - Bridge Pool

Rain, rain and more rain. However, today was more rain but really cold rain. I did my usual ten minute wait for the fishery gate to open. I then sat in the car park with the rain running down the windscreen and nearly put the car in reverse. I then noticed Tony Rixon sat under his pop-up gay bar so went in for a chat - piss take more like. With the wind in the NE and the rain forecast until 13:00 I had no enthusiasm, leaving my kit in the car until after the draw. I decided I would go home if on the far bank.

Into the draw bag and peg 11 stuck to my hand. Stay it was then. Luckily I could drive behind my peg to unload and was surprised to find the area behind the peg roped off. Spoke to Bailiff John Fry who said I could fish the peg but not drive on the new surface. I must say it was really clean and must rate as the best looking yellow peg in the south west - pictured.

For company I had Tony on peg 14 and Wayne on peg 10. My section went from Mike Jones peg 15 to John Fry peg 8. With some good potential Silvers pegs in my section and me sat on a decent F1 peg the decision was made to fish wag and mag for them. So set up a light waggler - short cast and wind nearly off my back on 3 lb Maxima reel line and an 18 - 808 hook to 0.14 GLine. I did set up a 4x16 float to fish top-set plus four barrels incase the Skimmers showed.

I fed the waggler line with LR's and the pole line with a nugget of GB laced with Pinkies and casters scrounged from Tony tried the pole with single LR on the hook had a tiny Perch then a bottle top which fell off. A seemingly long wait for a 2 oz Bottle top. The rain was making the pole very cold to handle so excuse made to abandon it for my beloved waggler. Right decision, wasn't long before I had a small Carp, followed by a decent Carp unfortunately foul hooked, luckily the gear stood up to the 15 minute battle. I knew then I would had enough for the section backup payout. I would have usually had then tried harder for the silvers, but I was enjoying staying warm, so stayed with the waggler for the rest of the six hours. It was the right decision as everyone in my section were Skimmerless relying instead on Roach. I was myself catching the odd Ronnie but when they disappeared I knew  carp were present. I had another two decent Carp in excellent condition as my arm could testify. The F1's were conspicuous by their absence, but managed five. All caught on single LR feeding about half a pint throughout.

My few Ronnies and micro Perch weighed 2 lb 8 oz and my Carp 38 lb for a match winning total of 40 lb 8 oz and the important second in section pick up.

The Silvers was won by Paul Clayton (pictured right with the match winner) with 21 lb 8 oz of Skimmers from unfancied peg 3. Paul caught on 4 mm expander over couscous laced with 2 mm soaked pellet. I Know couscous really - must be a vegetarian!

We sometimes say fish can swim well they certainly do on this fishery. It appeared the Skimmers have moved to the top end whilst the Roach have swapped areas moving to the near end. I think the top end is not as deep and with all the overnight cold rain probably contributed to this migration.

There is a club natch on Withy Pool Saturday 14/03/2020. Contact Dave Gillard.

The Premier Angling voucher went to Wayne Storey.

Result:

Section A:

1. Paul Clayton 21-08-0 peg 3
2. Paul Barnfield 25-08-0 peg 5

B Section:
1. Tony Rixon 10-01-0 peg 14
2. Mike nicholls 40-08-0 peg 11

C Section:
1. Dave Poole 5-06-0 peg 24
2. John Smith 26-12-0 peg 18

D Section:
1. Dave Gillard 16-02-0 peg 29
2. Hughie Evans 9-03-0 peg  33

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 27/02/2020 - Tony Rixons Silvers Only - Plantation Main Lake

First I have to apologise to Tony Rixon and Kevin Winston for the remarks I made about their body masses recently. I stated that their joint weights was 40 stone. Sorry, in fact it is a lowly 39 stone - unlike me to over estimate.

It looks like the third weekend I will be in self isolation. Hope it doesn't last as the Special One will be finding jobs to do around the house.

Travelled with Two-Pots-Corona (man flu) today, breakfast at the bridge Inn was OK, just too much food for a regular breakfast. By time we finished the rain had stopped with the day turning into a bright wind free day - at last. Kev Winstone sat in a tee shirt all day!

Sixteen fishing today with Matt Tomes putting in a welcome appearance.

Into the draw landing net and out comes peg 13 which is permanent peg 8. I had drawn this peg two matches ago and said that then it was a winning peg had I not had an issue with a Carp near the end. I found myself sandwiched between the the Bath pair Paul Barnfield and Chris Ollis - so good company.

Even though at the last match I had been battered by 12 Carp I felt no change of approach was needed. Except I decide not fish expander and micro thinking it responsible for attracting Carp. So it was GB laced with pinkie and caster. Just two rigs - the Ronnie and a 4x12 to fish at top-set plus three barrels. I started by feeding one small nuget of GB on the Ronnie rig line with single LR on the hook and had a great start in the first 45 minutes I had put 10 lb in the net. This included two big Skimmers and a couple of Hybrids, topping up the feed three times. This line went quiet so fed the long line with a similar amount of GB with the same fillings. I had another run, this time smaller Skimmers and Ronnie's. I was beginning to think a placing was on the cards when I hooked my first Carp. As an experiment I opened another long line at four barrels with just caster in the GB but resulted further Carp. I had wetted some micro so fed the lot off to the left as far as I could in the hope that this would attract the Carp away from my feed - it didn't. I did have one of the better Bream and some more Ronnies on the initial long line by feeding loose GB. In the last 30 minutes I came back on the Ronnie line which had been loose fed throughout with caster and had three Carp in three put ins. I did have some more Ronnies on this including one nearing a pound which did me under some old wooden staging to my right - fair play to it.

Well another match winning peg buggered up by Carp. I hooked 13 from peg 13. Chris Ollis asked if I was suspicious - indeed I am. I weighed 22 lb 8 oz for 7th overall in what was once again a very tight frame, with one more decent Skimmer taking me to 4th. I won't know if its what and how I feed that attracts the Carp until I draw what appears to be a Carp free area such as pegs 3,4 and 5.

The match was won by Dave Willmott (pictured right - nice Tesla hat - where's the car?) with 38 lb from peg 28. Dave caught on his usual method of blasting copious amounts of casters at 13 metres and fish single caster on the drop.
.
Result:

1. Dave Willmott 38-0-0 peg 28
2. Tony Rixon 35-03-0 peg 5
3. Paul Faiers 26-15-0 peg 4

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 20/02/2020 - Bathampton AA - Silvers Priority and Carp - Bridge Pool - Sponsored by Premier Angling

It's a good job we don't have Snowflakes organising this match as it would have been cancelled. As it was the numbers dwindled to 13 - all hardy experienced winter leaguers from way back when matches were only cancelled when you you couldn't see the banks of the river.

Before the draw I would have settled for peg 16, 17,18,19,21 and 24. However, as the numbers were down only pegs 16,19 and 24 were in the bag. In I go and peg 24 staring back at me happy with this I thought - but not for long!

I set up a 4x16 yellow top for the Skimmers to fish top-set plus three barrels, it would have been four except for the wind. The only other rig a 4x12 set to three foot deep to fish down the right hand side into the bay. I would have preferred to fish it to my left as well but it would have meant facing in to the wind.

I initially only fed the Skimmer line with Pinkie and caster in the GB. I would have like to have loose fed the right margin but the wind would decided where the feed actually landed. The wind on this fishery can come at you anywhere around the compass, bending the pole quickly in opposite direction without warning.

Started with three Pinkies on a 20 hook and started to catch Ronnies with a few flapping off in the wind. I was getting pestered by small Perch which was bad news. The wind then picked up and the torrential rain started. I was forecast to be a warm day - wrong the wind was from the NW and bloody freezing. It wasn't long before the rain turned to hail - at least it didn't get me any wetter but was stinging the hands. The Skimmer line had become impossible to fish and for self preservation I switch to having my back to the wind fishing the margin. This coincided with John Smith and Barney who had the wind smack in the face having a walk around to get warm. The upshot was I sat on the margin rig for the remainder of the match with double DR's on the hook kindering micro and DR's, landing 11 small F1's losing one proper Carp. The issue was the water was so clear playing fish would scatter the F1's so it was a question of a long wait between fish. I'm sure I would have more if I could have switched between the two margins. Packing up was difficult and my hands were numb, Barny's had turn blue - Barney's are normally purple!

My few Ronnies weighed 2 lb 4 oz and my eleven F1's 13 lb for 15 lb 4 oz and one out of the money.

The Silvers was won by Tony Rixon (pictured upper right with the match winner - 40 stone at least) with 24 lb 4 oz from roadside peg 7 which had some shelter from the cold winds. See his blog for details.

The match was won by Kev Winston with 30 lb 14 oz from peg 19. Kev caught similar to the last match he drew this peg, kindering caster and fishing bits of worm on the hook. He fished up to the dip in the rope towards the fish shelterbox. Unfortunately, Kev broke his number 6 section using his brute force to take apart a sticky section.

The Premier Angling voucher went to FOE angler Chris Ollis.

Back to the pub to a welcoming log fire. Luckily it took awhile to thaw out.

Result:

A Section:
1. Tony Rixon 24-04-0 peg 7
2. Hughie Evans 22-12-0 peg 11
3. Harry Muir 20-12-0 peg 3

B Section:

1. Dave Gillard 10-04-0 peg 16
2. Kevin Winston 30-14-0 peg 19
3. Mike Jones 19-09-0 peg 33

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 13/02/2020 - Tony Rixon's Silvers Only Open - Plantation - Main Lake

The weather soothsayers predicted high winds, rain and getting colder. However, I wore my magic heated body warmer. Everytime I wear it the weather completely changes leaving me sweating. It worked again today, dry with a moderate breeze and definitely not cold.

Sixteen fishing today. So into the landing net and out comes peg 11 permanent peg 19 which is on the end of the top spit. Happy with this as last time I drew it I framed. Having waded through the mud I arrived at the peg to see Paul Faiers walking towards my peg, leaving me thinking one of us was on the wrong peg. It transpired that Tony had moved the pegs around putting Paul on permanent peg 18. Paul and I weren't happy with this as we were at 90 degrees to each other so would be pole fencing. We spent some time working out our rollers to reduce the amount of pole clashing. Thankfully we were both right handed.

Tony came round to see us mainly to take the piss and pointing out how many Carp were in my peg.

I decided on three lines short with the Ronnie rig, top-set plus four to my left at 10 o'clock and another at top-set plus five to my right at 2 o'clock both with 4x12 rigs. However, there was enough depth difference to set up two identical rigs albeit set at differing depths.

I fed the Ronnie line with a nube of GB and Pinkie feeding a few LR's over the top. I fed the same on the left hand line and micro on the right. I could see Carp blowing on both GB lines, so started on the 4 mm expander over the micro and first try had a 1 lb Skimmer - going to have a good day then? next put in a foul hooked Carp which wasn't on for long. I couldn't get another bite from a Silver over this line except for some small Ronnies. Next I tried the Ronnie rig and I think because is was so shallow close in didn't have a bite. Meanwhile Paul was catching 1 lb Skimmers regularly. So out on the GB line and had a Carp first try - bugger already thinking it was going to be a long day. As the right hand line had more wind cover I decide to switch the micro line to GB and Pinkie. Still more Carp but did have two decent Skimmers. The upshot was for five hours in between catching small Ronnies I landed five Carp, broke on four and pulled out of three foul hookers. Come the last hour I decided to target the Ronnie's to try and get my Silvers to a face saving double figures. Using the same line with a lot of caster in the nubes of GB and interestingly I didn't have another Carp adding some better Ronnies and a couple more Skimmers. Come the end I was catching quite well and from wishing the match would end half time to now not wanting it to end!

My Silvers weighed 16 lb 8 oz so content with this considering the number of Carp in the peg. There's no doubt that the wind cover is very important on this fishery.

The match was won by Mark Broomsgrove (pictured right with runner up Paul Faiers) with 28 lb 12 oz of mainly Skimmers from peg 5. Mark caught on maggot over micro at 13 metres.

What a fishery, eight 20 lb weights with loads of close back up weights. Can't wait until the next one.

Note to the organiser peg 17 although at 90 degrees to 19 would allow each angler to un-ship without hindrance.

Result:

1. Mark Bromsgrove 28-12-0 peg 5
2. Paul Faiers 26-0-0 peg 18
3. Ryan Jordan 24-12-0 peg 3
4. Paul Barnfield 23-12-0 peg 31
5. Martin McMahon 22-08-0 peg 11

Weigh Sheet:

06/02/2020 - Bathampton AA - Silvers Priority and Carp - Bridge Pool

Hungry Horaces was the first call for Geoff and me - excellent breakfast, really enjoy the food here. Arrived in time to queue 10 minutes for the electric gate to open. I had a quick look around the Lake noting the colour had remained the same as last match. The promise was for light winds and bright sun all day with seasonal temperatures. So a draw NOT in the shades pegs 29 - 34 would be welcome.

Nineteen fishing today so very close to the ideal maximum of 20.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 16. Happy with this has it has plenty of form for Carp and Silvers albeit not recently with two DNW's in the last two matches. For company I had mate Glenn "Canal Rig" Bailey on peg 15. Because these two pegs are at 90 degrees to each other they are a pain in the ass to fish sensibly particularly on the pole without the odd clash. Anyway with the loan of Glenn's pole roller we sorted ourselves. The otherside was Junior on peg 18. Our section ran from Mike Jones peg 14 to Kevin Winston peg 19.

I got my wish to being in the sun, unfortunately the low sun was in my eyes and centering on the peg - blinding. I set up a 4x12 to fish off the opposite island set at 3 foot. This rig would also suit the inside down to the left so this was plumbed up and sighted to Juniors keepnet. The other rig was a 4x16 to fish at full depth.

I foolishly started out in front at top-set plus three barrels. Having fed a nube of GB with some Pinkies and double Pinkie on the hook I hooked a decent fish first put in - it came off. I then had a small Perch. I had been shielding the sun's reflection with my hand which was starting to ache, so gave up on this line and swung around to the right - down sun still at top-set plus three. Now fishing parallel with Glenn. Same feed and was soon playing a decent Skimmer. I kept a few coming with most being 2 oz but at least I was getting more bites than expected. I did have the occasional 1 lb Skimmer mixed in with the occasional small Ronnie. 

Jeff Grant (pictured upper right) opposite on peg 24 was struggling and decided to switched to dobbed bread two foot deep down his left hand margin. He was amazed (so were we) when he caught five Carp in five put-ins!!

The sun was starting to creep into vision so thought I would try the far bank rig with kindered micro and LR's. I had one fouled hooked F1 which came off, after a 10 minute wait with no other indications and where I wanted to fish now being sun free which was 10 0'clock to my left with one more barrel. Again nubes of GB and Pinkie topped up after every three fish I had a great last couple of hours catching Skimmers to 2 lb. Near the end they were really queued up which helped attract the one F1.

My Silvers weighed 20 lb which won both the section and overall Silvers, with my one F1 taking me to fourth overall. Really great days fishing considering it was bright and calm.

Our section overall was won by Kev Winston (pictured right) with 27 lb of F1's from peg 19. Kev caught on bits of worm over caster down his left upto the rope. Kevin would have won the match had he not got "boxed" a few times!!

The match was won by John Smith (pictured with the Silvers winner) with 35 lb 11 oz from peg 30. John caught two decent Carp on the waggler and maggot and taking 10 lb of Silvers on the pole.

A  great laugh back at the pub with the usual suspects. Another memorable day.

Result:

A Section:
1. John Fry 6-15-0 peg 10
2. Paul Clayton 12-11-0 peg 8

B Section:
1. Mike Nicholls 20-0-0 peg 16
2. Kevin Winstone 27-0-0 peg 19

C Section;
1. Paul Barnfield 5-07-0 peg 21
2. Hughie Evans 22-9-0 peg 27

D Section:
1. Dave Gillard 16-10-0 peg 33
2. John Smith 35-11-0 peg 30

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 02/02/2020 - Bitterwell Silvers Only Open

Was expecting a good turn out for this one with originally 17 booked in. However, probably due to the weather 8 booked out, so reduced to a knock up of 9 brave souls.

Nice touch from Paul providing us a cuppa before the draw. Into the the Tesco plastic bag and out comes a plastic fork with 6 on it! Another first for me. Happy with this as I would have the wind off my back on the roadside - until I found out it had been re-pegged with corresponding forks, which put me on permanent peg 14. So wind blasting left to right.

For company I had Paul on end peg 12 to my left and Robin Guy who I haven't
seen for a while, due to an illness, which is now all sorted, so good to see him back put fishing.

I set up a light feeder and a 4x14 to fish at top-set plus three and four barrels. Shotting up I was surprised the tow was going with the wind which was opposite to the last time I was on this bank with the wind apparently in the same direction. This confused me somewhat as to where the feed would end up. I fed the three barrel line with GB and Pinkie but had a couple of casts on the feeder over the four barrel line which produced quick on the drop bites from very small Ronnie's - interestingly there was no sign of tow on the feeder? So tried the Pole and had a little run of small Skimmers and Ronnie's - nothing bigger than 2 oz. I then hooked a bigger Skimmer of about 1 lb which was fouled and came off. I re-fed with a larger ball of GB laced with Pinkies and tried the feeder again, only to catch a couple of 1 oz Perch. Back on the Pole and had another run of small fish before I fouled hooked another better Skimmer followed by another two before it dried up. More feeding really killed the peg. That said I was convinced that there were better Skimmers over the feed but sensibly they wouldn't take the poorly presented hook bait due to the wind and tow - hence the foul hooking due to towing into them. That was it, I struggled on between the pole at the two distances and feeder catching next to nothing. As I was well behind I toyed with setting up a long waggler on the pole and drag it through well over depth - but couldn't be bothered, but is something I must try next time I am confronted with similar conditions.

I weighed 2 lb 12 for last but one. All my fault really over fed it with too many particles (Pinkies) in a very tight match with those with space filling the top three places. 


The match was won by Geoff Francis (pictured upper right with a nice net of mixed Silvers) with 7 lb 6 oz from end peg 4. Geoff got the feeding spot on today fishing 11.5 metres over two lines. One out in front with single white maggot over golf ball size of GB with some loose LR's and the other line again at 11.5 metres swung round to his left at 10 o'clock fishing maggot over Micro and loose maggot. Geoff landed an equal share from each line. Well done matey got it spot on.

Geoff had the wind off his back and told me his peg was tripping hard from left to right which meant the whole Lake was tripping anti-clockwise with the wind - interesting the hydraulics of the various Lake shapes.

Back to The Bells for a pint with Geoff and Matt.

Result:

1. Geoff Francis 7-06-0 peg 4
2. Paul Isaacs 7-01-0 peg 12
3. Tony Ponting 6-08-0 peg 18

Weigh Sheet: