Thursday 17/11/2022 - Tony Rixon's - Silvers Only - Plantation - Main Lake

Never seen Tony so nervous of getting the draw wrong again, eighteen fishing but he kept counting 19, confused by Scott Puddy injured and not fishing. Counted the draw cards  at least 5 times. Obviously concerned that the growing nick name "Redraw Rixon" might stick.

Draw time - will I pull 38 again - slight greater odds than last time as one angler short. In to the landing net and peg 11 it would be. Got to the peg and found no platform, just a sloping muddy bank. Not too much of a problem setting up the box this time. However, wasn't too happy to find a cold Westerly blowing right in at me. Willy Willmott took the picture showing the wind blowing in at me. Plus two rainbows on top of my bait bag containing my wallet!!😁 Talk of crock of gold more like "old crock" these days.

To the left of the peg is a weed bed which will surely hold some of the lakes big Perch just in reach of the short Ronnie rig, but informed that it also holds plenty of carp. 

Set up the short and long Ronnie rigs and a 4x13 MR to fish over the Long Ronnie line if the wind became too difficult, but as it worked out didn't get used. Fed the Long line with GB laced with a few Pinkies and caster, loose fed the edge of the weed bed with caster for the Perch, finding loose feeding a but wayward due to the wind. Started on the long line with single DR and started to catch small Ronnie's to 2 oz before I had a 1 lb Perch and a couple of 1 lb skimmers. Refed a small amount of GB again and as you need to leave the line until it settles (love to know whats  happening to the fish to stop feeding during this time). On to the short line with caster and had a carp first put in which did me in the reeds, saving the rig though, realising I had been feeding quite heavy causing too much noise attraction for the carp, so switched to lightly feeding LR's. Back over the GB with maggot and a few more skimmers but was pestered by small fish. I knew there were bigger fish there but the blighters were getting to the bait first. So put 6 inches on the bottom to hoping it would reduce this. The wind was blowing the rig into me and up the inside shelf making presentation pretty good. As usual mid match was slow so focussed on the short line for Perch and after fighting a few carp caught another pounder. Managed another three but the ratio of Perch to Carp was against me. I only landed one which was a PB F1 which was nearing 5 lb, (heard someone call them "Funny Ones" which amused me). I was expecting a good last hour on the Skimmers but the small Ronnie's had a different idea.

Glad to hear the all out in the dusk, as the wind and rain we had was bloody cold, been spoiled this year with the warm weather. I weighed 15 lb 8 oz, but did learn a bit more about the feeding.

The boys to beat at this venue:

Result:

1. Dave Willmott 37-04-0 peg 28

2. Kev Winstone 30-04-0 peg 27

3. Tony Rixon 26-04-0 peg 31

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 10/11/2022 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Bridge Pool

Due to the fishery having suffered fish deaths for most of the year new net dip tanks have been installed around the fishery. Some a tad too close to the lake I thought, but need one in Bridge car park. Bridge Pool fish deaths; members still haven't been told the reason - rumoured to be Black Spot. Withy Pool was confirmed as Koi herpesvirus (KHV) which makes all three pools having had it now. Personally I don't believe that anglers nets were in any way responsible, simply because anglers visit many and varied venues around the South West, it appears that Hunstrete has suffered badly in comparison. Need to consider the stress put on fish through too much netting, continued application of Siltex, weather condition, etc...

Couldn't remember if I dipped my landing net so dipped again on the way to my peg.

A few members were unaware of the matches restarting so numbers down to 18 making peg selection more difficult. Very few anglers have fished the pool so far, so very little information, the feeling was it was going to be difficult. 

It was no good thinking of what peg I would like because had the feeling as per usual would be down the far end section. Hate being right peg 31 for me. Good company with Paul Barnfield on next peg 30. 

For some reason the F1's don't inhabit my opposite island tending to be around the other two. However, set up the waggler to fish towards the island for the Ronnie's, the long Ronnie rig and a 4x14 to fish anywhere to search for bites. Light hook lengths and a 5 elastic as didn't expect ant decent carp as very few left. Bait tray consisted of Pinkies, and semi-conscious red maggots and GB - simple.

The hydraulics of this pool can be strange as it was today with the wind predominately from the SE driving the water from right to left and left to right quite hard on the waggler and the opposite directions close in!!

Fed a few Maggots to the island and a ball of GB laced with Pinkie on the Ronnie rig line. With single maggot on the hook and for the first hour caught Ronnie's from 1/2 oz to 6 oz and a 1 lb Skimmer before it slowed and the culprit a F1 was soon in the net. It picked up again until another F1 was in the net. Refed and tried the waggler, could get a bite a chuck but the fish were small and was missing loads of bites, finding it too slow. So back on the Ronnie rig and although slower did manage a few more ounces. Decided to try the 4 x 14 at top set plus one barrel out in front again over GB laced with Pinkie and had a few more Ronnie and a couple of small Perch (did expect to catch more of these initially) then hooked a decent fish which snagged me, looking at the now bunched up shot it looks as if it was them that got snagged. Next put in had a 5 lb carp one of the only two caught today, surprising how strong the 5 elastic is. This line died so spent the last 30 minutes on the waggler picking off the odd small Ronnie.

My Silvers weighed 11 lb 4 oz and carp 9 lb 12 oz for the silvers win and 4th overall. I must say it was very enjoyable. However, the weather conditions were perfect for Roach fishing, dread to think what would be caught if they don't feed as there is very few other silvers to fish for. Desperate need for Skimmers.

The match was won by Dave Wride (pictured with the silvers winner) with 36 lb 11 oz from peg 10. Dave caught in the water on the pole - more details today though - fished at 11.5 metres with expander over micro, catching F1's steady throughout. Well done matey. 

Result:

1. Dave Wride 36-11-0 peg 10

2. Shay Gillman 23-0-0 peg 34

3. Phil Morgan 26-14-0 peg 8

4. Mike Nicholls 21-0-0 peg 31

5. Paul Barnfield 20-11-0 peg 30

6. Pete Greenslade 20-02-0 peg 16

Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 11-04-0 peg 31

2. Andy Greenham 9-02-0 peg 24

3. Chris Rolfe 8-0-0 peg 21

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 03/11/2022 - Tony Rixon's Silvers Only Match - Plantation - Main Lake

Today the weather was mainly about rain. It has taken me 50 years to master a fishing umbrella, mainly due to the the invention of umbrella attachments to the box. Umbrella goes with me everywhere now.

Even though there was lots of traffic (where are these people going, I asked) Glenn and me arrived in the puddled car park in plenty of time for the draw and the rain to abate whilst we unloaded the tackle.

First into the draw net and out comes peg 18 - at last a decent peg - off I ran. When I arrived at the peg heard the dreaded cry of "Re-Draw" - bugger. In two minds to stay where I was, but succumbed to a dreary walk back. Relegated to nearly last to the draw net and out comes peg 39 - bugger. Tony said I could fish the never pegged bay if I wanted, so chose to sulk in bay peg 35.

Set up a short and long Ronnie rig both for caster over caster and a 4x12 Titan to fish four barrels out in front with 4 mm expanders over micro. No worms would be tormented today.

Started on the long line with the expander over kindered micro whilst loose feeding caster on the long Ronnie line. Usually expect an immediate response to the micro, however, nothing no blows or indications. To be fair didn't give it long because as itching to go on the caster. On to the Ronnie rig and had a couple of just swingable Ronnie's and then a 1 1/2 lb Perch. Couple more swingable's before it died. Been feeding caster down the edge for the short Ronnie rig so fed a bit a GB laced with caster on the long Ronnie rig and a pot of micro long before picking it up. With single caster on the hook had a 2 lb perch on the drop, Added another five between 1 1/2 lb and 2 lb only losing one in the brambles. Very enjoyable. It slowed so tried the long Ronnie rig with caster and had a couple of 6 oz Hybrids before the small Ronnie's arrived so missing bites meant switching to maggot. Didn't stay on this long as they weren't adding any weight. I decided to spend the rest of the match on the short rig down the edge and had a 2 1/2 Skimmer and a couple of small ones and two foul hooked carp which luckily didn't take the hook. Added a couple more Perch and with half hour to go the Hybrids arrived which were a bugger to catch as they would only take the caster on the drop. Added about 4 to 6 oz before the all out. Really enjoyed this spell and didn't want the match to end and not because it was raining hard.

My silvers weighed 22 lb 13 oz for a very enjoyable days fishing in an unfancied area. Fish there any day and think I could increase my weight next time. Told it was the best weight from the bay by owner James.

The match was won by Kev Winstone (pictured with the runner up Scott Puddy - camera lens kept fogging over due to the damp conditions.) with 35 lb 9 oz from peg 26. Kev caught long using small amounts of GB and chopped worm with worm hook bait. I looks like the neat worm is becoming the favorite feed at the moment. Well done matey.

Excellent silver fishing especially with the weather we have been having.

Now time to dry out the kit.

Result: (only 4 lb between the top 6!)

1. Kev Winstone 35-09-0 peg 26

2. Scott Puddy 33-14-0 peg 2

3. Ryan Jordan 33-02-0 peg 18

4. Tony Rixon 32-13-0 peg 5

5. Glenn Bailey 31-04-0 peg 19

6. Steve Kedge 31-0-0 peg 32

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 30/10/2022 - Windmill Fishery Open - Match Lake

The time of year for me to adjust to the clocks changing - body clock got me up the usual time an hour early! Wish we could stay on GMT.

Another visit to Windmill and will probably be last Sunday for a while as the Westerleigh winter league will be starting up next month.

I was hoping for either pegs 24 or 25 where I would have the wind off my back both pegs are sheltered too. Come the draw I was waiting for peg 20 to come out only to find it wasn't in this week. Instead I drew my other regular peg 4! Just cant get away from these two pegs.

Just managed to get the umbrella up before the deluge. During the first half of the match we were to have a couple of heavy squall's.

Again would target the silvers so set up the waggler and a 4x13 MR to fish top set plus three barrels. Started on the pole feeding a nugget of GB with some Pinkie and had three small Skimmers, three micro Perch two Ronnie's and a Rudd by topping up three times. Alas the line soon died. So on to the waggler and maggot hoping to catch the two bonus Skimmers that I usually catch on this peg. Alas only hooked carp in various parts of their anatomy but did land two in the mouth. The wind was awful which making the waggler difficult, but do enjoy fishing making it work. 

My silvers weighed 1 ln 3 oz for third silvers one skimmer would have been enough to win - unbelievable. Total weight 12 lb 1 oz. Very disappointing match for many with 4 DNW's. Whats it going to be like in the dead of winter?

The match was won by that man again Leyton "Any Peg" Palmer (as long as it's peg 1 or 23) (pictured with the silver winner) with 69 lb 9 oz from peg 23. Leyton caught on his usual 13 metres with worm hook bait over micro and copious amounts of chopped worm. Well done matey.

The silvers was won by Dave Haines with a lowly 2 lb 14 oz. 

Glad to get back to the "Ringer" for a pint.

Result: (see the fish have moved to the deeper water)

1. Leyton Palmer 69-09-0 peg 23

2. Matt Taynton  56-08-0 peg 25

3. Paul Staite 40-07-0 peg 11

4. Gerry Welsh  36-01-0 peg 1

5. Kev Winstone 29-08-0 peg 6

6. Fred Brown 26-03-0 peg 22

Silvers:

1. Dave Haines 2-14-0 peg 12

2. Andy Gard 2-10-0 peg 18

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 27/10/2022 - Tony Rixon's Silvers Only - Plantation Fishery - Main Lake

Steady drive down in the rain which had stopped on arrival, with the weather being comfortable. Glenn and I discussed the cost of bait and how the price has increased over just a few months. Worms £22/kg and GB £4 to £8 if this continues it will effect attendances at matches. The pools payouts are becoming less than the cost of the days fishing.

Eighteen fishing. Early into the draw net for being old - by the way Rixon is an ageist. Out comes peg 38. Arrived at the peg to be faced with being unable to set up my tackle box (being a Boss box). The bank had subsided into the lake - pictured. Shouldn't have been in the draw far too dangerous. Spoke to Tony and said I could move into the bay, however, Gary Bowden on peg 39 offered to swap which was agreed to by Tony. On hindsight should have fished the bay, but miffed I couldn't fish the peg I drew.  Apparently the peg will be refurbished by the next match. Peg 39 has reputation for being a carp peg. The other downside I would be watching pegs 1 to 5 opposite catching - pictured.

Set up the usual and on plumbing around noticed the peg was 18 inches deeper than the one I fished last match and the colour had dropped out due to the recent rains. Decided on fishing it similar to last match but couldn't feed anything without attracting carp which were having a right munch today. They were swirling on the surface for any loose feed and blowing like mad over the GB and worm feed. I stopped feeding for a while but they were coming to the noise of the rig going in!! Unlike Gary I didn't loose any rigs but would have to spend a lot of time tying 0.1 hook lengths - which I hate doing. Another disappointment was the Roach were noticeably absence, probably because of the colour.

My few Ronnie's and Skimmers weighed 16 lb 10 oz for third from last.

The match was won by Des Shipp (pictured with some of his catch and the runner up's) from peg 24 with 72 lb 11 oz. Des caught on three lines 13, 7 and 5 metres. Des caught mostly with worm over chopped worm, feeding 1 kg on the longer lines and late on on caster and worm on the short line over loose fed caster, with this line producing well seeing off the threat from next peg Tony Rixon. Well done matey.

These three have certainly got the feeding sorted at this venue. Must be wealthy!

Result:

1, Des Shipp 72-11-0 peg 24

2. Dave Willmott 47-08-0 peg 2

3. Tony Rixon 44-15-0 peg 23

4. Ryan Jordan 44-09-0 peg 16

5. Kev Winstone 41-07-0 peg 11

6. Mark Broomsgrove 33-0-0 peg 31

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 23/10/2022 - Windmill Open - Match Lake

Some welcome heavy rain throughout the night which not only filled the car park but also helped put some flow in the river Avon, turning the fish on for the two leagues fishing the upper and lower parts - some nice nets of fish coming out. Only a small impact on our lake today with it fishing a tad better.

Kev Winstone arrived in his new van, very nice. With limited visibility with vans I gave him two weeks before it had go care white post strips!!

Only 13 fishing today - leagues and rain not helping fill the pegs. Hoping for peg 25 today so again waited until nearly last before going tub dipping hoping that peg 20 had gone. Couldn't believe to find 20 had stuck to my hand for the fifth time. The milk bottle top was dispensed toot sweet. 

Got my mind round it, there must be a hundred ways to fish any commercial peg - not tried that many yet.

Decided on fishing the waggler and maggot just over middle to stop antagonising the common carp which live in the shallows on the far bank and a 4x13 Roob to fish top set plus 1 and half barrels up the inside shelf. 

The plan was to fish for Perch using the Sonubaits worm fishmeal with bits of worm and once this dried up convert it to a carp line with micro and loose fed maggot, switching to the waggler until the last 2 hours before trying the carp line.

The Perch certainly liked the GB but were very small and tugging off the worm so switched to single live red maggot which accounted for 20 Perch  for about 1 lb before drying up. On to the waggler over minimum feed hoping for some silvers. First cast a foul hook carp which wasn't suppose to happen. Third cast another lost fouler - bugger. I then had one in the mouth. Over the next three hours caught 6 small Skimmers to 10 oz a few Ronnie's and a bonus 2 lb Hybrid. Two hours to go dropped in on the now converted carp line with worm and had a 8 lb carp first try. Now thinking might be lined up, alas not just tugs from small Perch. Any chance of coin would be the silvers so stayed on the waggler for the remainder of the match adding 2 more carp and taking my foulers tally to 5. With just four more small silvers added to the net.

My silvers weighed 5 lb 10 oz for the silvers win taking the total to 29 lb 1 oz. Much better average to carp fouled to carp hooked properly of 5 - 4 to the carp! It's the same odds of drawing peg 20 next time.

The match was won by Nick Saunders (pictured with the silvers winner) with 71 lb 12 oz from peg 1. Nick caught about half his weight in the first half of the match slapping around with pellet. The second half Nick switched to worm over micro at13 metres. Well done matey.

Result:

1. Nick Saunders 71-12-0 peg 1

2. Gerry Walsh 57-06-0 peg 16

3. Matt Tainton 53-05-0 peg 8

4. Lionel Legg 52-05-0 peg 4

5. Kev Winstone 49-07-0 peg 25

6. John Osbourne 35-02-0 peg 21

Silvers:

1. Mike Nicholls 5-10-0 peg 20

2. Dave Haines 5-07-0 peg 18

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 20/10/2022 - Ray's Rip Off - Windmill Fishery - Match Lake

A little rain,this morning, but need lots more. Day started well with a Hungry Horace breakfast joined by Geoff Francis. Bit of a wait for it as it's a very popular cafe, we still arrived in plenty of time for the draw.

Waited for almost last into the draw bag to try and avoid peg 20 and out comes peg 4. This peg and peg 20 seem to be sticking to my hand over the last few years. Next door on 5 was Jeff Grant who had fallen over on holiday breaking his wrist - that would be all inclusive then!

Got to the peg and not a good start, stepped on to the steep and now wet bank and slipped,. Luckily had my net bag in hand and fell on to it breaking my fall. Lucky.

Had a plan to fish light and negative for the silvers only needing 3 lb or so to win. Surely I could manage that? So set up a 4 x13 MR with 0.1 hook length to a Preston 5 elastic to fish 2 barrels which I intended to fish hard for an hour and see what I could muster. I would later convert it to my carp line using a 0.4 gram RJ Lifter, which I use for lifting and dropping at dead depth rather than their true design of laying line on bottom. And finally the waggler to keep me occupied until the carp decided to feed, which will probably produce nothing other than foulers.

Potted a small ball of GB with a few Pinkies and with single Pinkie on the hook and in the first hour produced three small Perch a even smaller Skimmer and one Ronnie! Time to give it up so fed the lone heavy with micro.

Went on the waggler which was set at a hook length depth and the next three hours went like this: Numbers 1 to 7  foulers lost only losing one hook. No 8 fouler landed in the fin. No 9 fouler also landed, again in the fin.

Two hours left so picked up the carp rig and waited and waited continually feeding pots of allsorts until 1 hour to go hooked a carp in the mouth - yes. It wasn't until the last twenty minutes before I hooked a big Common and with time against me now in a fish race bullied it too much and pulled the hook - bugger. Had one more carp before the all out.

My silvers weighed 3 oz - again!! waste of time and my four carp 20 lb 6 oz for a 5th overall total. Match lake in desperate need of a restocking of carp and silvers.

The match was won by Leyton "Any Peg" Palmer (pictured above) with 80 lb 5 oz from peg 23. Leyton caught on worm over micro at 13. Well done matey.

The silvers was won by Andy Gard (pictured) with 3 lb 10 oz from peg 14. As expected it took just two Skimmers, both caught consecutively on the waggler and maggot over no feed. Well done matey.

Back to the Ringer with the usual suspects for a pint and a cheese roll. A great working mans after work boozer.

Thankfully down Plantation next Thursday the best silvers venue around these parts.

Result:

1. Leyton Palmer 80-05-0 peg 23

2. Paul Barnfield 71-13-0 peg 11

3. John Smith 39-03-0 peg 10

4. Kev Bamford 35-11-0 peg 2

5. Mike Nicholls 20-09-0 peg 4

6. Paul Haines 20-05-0 peg 7

Silvers:

1. Andy Gard 3-10-0 peg 14

2. John Smith 3-08-0peg 10

Weigh Sheets: