Thursday 12/01/2023 - Over 55's Silvers Knock up - Bitterwell Lake

With Ray Beazley's rip off's at Windmill not starting until March we have moved to Bitterwell for a few silvers matches. A venue Iv'e not fished for two years. Due to various reasons we only had 8 fishing who were prepared to suffer the horrendous weather of high winds and heavy rain to get our weekly fix.

Paul Issacs the the fishery manager has certainly turned the venues fishing around. One thing having the enthusiasm for managing a fishery, however, you also need the fishing/fishery management knowledge, Paul has both in in bucket loads. If your lad/lass shows any interest in fishing contact Paul, the go to venue for junior training sessions.

On to the draw tray and picks last peg 12. Not the bank I was hoping for. Arriving at the peg found I was on the now "wader" peg - top peg by the fir tree - pictured.

I had a walk around on the Tuesday match which was won with 14 lb and looking at today's conditions thought it was going to be a low weight match. So went negative with a 4x14 Titan. I set up the waggler but having change the waggler three times getting to the largest in the box and still couldn't stop the float going with wind gave it in. So the one rig to fish top set plus one and two barrels. The presentation was awful with it going with wind. Fed negative choosing small balls of GB laced with Pinkie and double Pinkie on the hook. first put in at three barrels had a 2 oz Ronnie followed but one a put in until foul hooking a carp on the drop. I tried the short line for 2 small Perch, spending most of the match on the longer line getting battered by the wind for some small Skimmers and Ronnie's had nothing over 6 oz and one more foul hooked carp. The upshot was got it wrong and should have been more positive as it fished really well. The water lever came up 3 inches during the match, making adjustment to the depth necessary, probably noticed this more than most as the level was creeping up the seat box and the foot path behind me.

Weighed 4lb 12oz for nearly last. But some learning in the bag. Considering it's a popular venue it was surprising the exceptional condition on the fish and the size mix from 1 oz to 3 lb Skimmers.

The match was won by in form angler Chris Ollis (pictured with his catch) with 22lb 14z from peg 3. Chris caught ay 10 metres (wind off back) using expander hook baits over micro, feeding 1/4 pint throughout.

Runner up was John Smith with 18lb 8oz (pictured) from peg 10, Similarly John caught on expander hook bait over GB at 10 metres.

Back to the Ringer with the usually suspects. Managing to avoid most of the floods driving home.

Next match 26/01/2023

Result:

1. Chris Ollis 22-14-0 peg 3

2. John Smith 18-08-0 peg 10

3. Andy Gard 14-14-0 peg 1

4. Pere Greenslade 9-02-0 peg 17

Weigh Sheet: (Andy guarding his sandwiches)

Sunday 08/01/2023 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round Two - Taylors Pool and Shipps Canal

Brian did the draw for the pairs, found my self with Lee Waller so very happy with this. Looked around for him, but found he had sloped off to the Canary Islands! No dropper or stand-ins in this league!

My turn on Taylor's Pool and with the weather forecast to be gales and heavy rain I was desperate to avoid pegs 14 to 17, hoping instead for pegs 26 to 19.

Into the car boot and first in (mistake) and with disc 15 in hand and me looking daggers at it - bugger going to be difficult, wet , cold and the wind blasting in at me at 11 o clock.

For company on 16 was bush wacker Ricky Mills and 14 Steve. Initially only set up  a 4x14 Winter Titan to fish at various lengths dictated by the wind. A 0.3 gram RJ slim for down the edge where I might get some presentation and shelter form the wind. With 15 minutes to waste before the all in set up the waggler!

Started at top set plus two with 4 mm expander over micro and after 20 minutes and only one indication I think, hard to tell with the wind - prestation was awful. Tried top set plus one with single maggot over GB and one 2 oz skimmer and a micro Perch. Again presentation was awful. That's it on to the margin rig. Unfortunately down wind - right side - was limited to just the top set because of a sapling in the way. The left look much better but self preservation kept me away for the time being. All in view were struggling except Bela who was bagging. Choosing to fish GB and maggot here and had a run of silvers. When it died thinking carp had arrived and had one 2 lb and another 4 lb. Then it completely died. Ha, the wind subsided a bit so chucked the waggler with maggot over loose fed same, after a few cast the sun came out and that was the end of any visibility - so abandoned.Thank heavens not long left so tried the right had margin again with maggot hook bait over GB and micro and had one bite which proved to be a welcome 6 lb carp.

Silvers weighed 2lb 4oz and my carp 10lb 13oz for 13lb 1 oz and a lowley7 points. However, one more carp would have made a difference. That said broke a cardinal rule - "If your thinking of trying something, do it straight away" - was thinking of fishing corn late on using it to help get the depth dead on, but couldn't be asses to get a tin out. I think the fish had shoaled around the island where they probably found warmer water. 

The match and my pool was won by Bela Bakos (pictured with the overall silvers winner) with 48 lb 12 oz from peg 26. Bela caught on All sorts with corn being best over hard 4's and with the coconut covered Alsort less productive. Bela described the peg "As God's peg". 

Steve Rogers won the silvers with 5lb 15oz from peg 5. Steve caught all around his peg with maggot over sprayed maggot. Well dome both.

Back to the inn with the usual suspects and the winners pot of gold.

Now to dry out the kit.

Result:

Shipp's Canal:

1. Martin McMahon 31-12-0 peg 6 (Hard 4's and 6's banded)

2. Vince Shipp 28-14-0 peg 1

Silvers: Steve Rogers 5-15-0 peg 5 (spaying maggots everywhere - apparently)

Taylor's Pool:

1. Bela Bakos 48-12-0 peg 26

2. Tony Mears 24-10-0 peg 25

silvers: John Clark 4-15-0 peg 19

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 05/01/2023 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's - Silvers League - Round One - Withy Pool

After the Christmas layoff couldn't wait to get out fishing again, which was the Bathampton AA winter pairs silvers series on Withy Pool. All available pegs were in due to 24 fishing. The pairs draw done and I had a right result drawing Paul Clayton.

I was hoping for peg 51 which is behind the island and because some pegs are currently unfishable gave two empty pegs one side and an empty peg the other. However, for the second match now my chosen peg has been snaffled by Tony Rixon who wont be making any mistakes.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 40. Unfortunately Paul drew next to me peg 38. So the best we could do was a first and second section. However, we were in one of the harder sections so it was going to be a tight affair. Expected some disruption from carp.

Set up a 4 x14 Winter Titan to fish top set plus three barrels which plumbed up at just over 7 foot on the top set! So a tad deeper than I would have liked and a short rig at the same depth. Set up the waggler to fish around the peg. Thought the peg far too deep for the 4 metre whip but set it up anyway.

Started short out in front on the caster on the hook over GB laced with caster and couldn't get a bite losing three hooks in a snag - bugger decided to switch to the left with the same rig and feed. I was about to give it up and go long when the float dipped and landed a 1 lb Perch followed quickly by one 12 oz. This explained why I wasn't catching the expected Ronnie's. Had there more smaller Perch before the bites went iffy so switched to single thighed rolled LR. Changed the feed to GB and Pinkie. and had a run of 2 - 3 oz Ronnie and a 6 oz Skimmer. The line slowed so had a quick go on mag and waggler over loose feed had only two small Ronnie's the fish appeared not to be responding to the loose feed - waggler abandoned. Similarly, as expected it was too deep for the whip which was tried up and down in the water for two more Ronnie's - whip abandoned. Went on the long line with GB and Pinkie feed with a single stretched red maggot on the hook. At this point Paul shouted down waving a 3 lb bream in the air - happy days. Spent the rest of the match switching between the short and long lines picking off the odd small Skimmers, Hybrid's and Ronnie's. Come the last hour things took a drastic change with the carp switching on, hooking 4 with Paul hooking 7! This probably have cost us a few fish.

Took 9 lb 13 oz to the scales which was just good enough for a section win and Paul was just 3 oz behind for second in the section so a great start. As expected it was a close section as was the others. However, upset arriving home to find a 2 oz Ronnie left in the net, hate seeing a dead fish due to my carelessness - sorry.

The match was won as expected by Tony Rixon with 17 lb 12 oz of Roach from peg 51. Tony caught on cater - see his blog for further details.

I think Withy Pool is a fair winter silvers match venue.

Back to the Compton with the ever growing number of suspects. Always a great end to the day.

Result:

1. Tony Rixon 17-12-0 peg 51

2. John Smith 11-03-0 peg 44

3. Tony Ponting 10-14-0 peg 41

4. Shay Gillman 10-12-0 peg 66

5. Chris Ollis 10-10-0 peg 64

6. Andy Greenham 10-03-0 peg 56

Weigh Sheets:

Year End Report 2022

A much reduced fishing calendar this year due to a double hernias, missing 3 months of fishing during the summer months, including the Viaductors holiday which was just before my operation by which time found it difficult standing for long let alone go fishing. This lead to only fishing 57 matches, I aim for 100 per year. I knew when I returned it would mean fishing short and for silvers as lifting a carp would be too painful and risky. I choose Todber Manor short pole to start back and did manage 26 lb for a silvers win by feeding the margin with everything in the bait bag managed to keep the pesky carp occupied only catching 2 small accidentals! I must say a big thanks to Glenn Bailey who has been a great help during my come back. Great to travel with, a proper family man who loves his paste fishing. I also took the decision to stay local as far as possible as sat for long journeys was uncomfortable, fishing only 7 different venues. Fingers crossed now over the worse and planning more fishing in the summer and keeping it local in the winter. Have booked into a Whiteacres festival in 2023 will be interesting.

As usual spent more time fishing with the Over 55's both at Hunstrete and Windmill which were ably run by Dave Gillard and Ray Bazeley with the usual suspects pictured. Don't underestimate this lot, lots of experience on show - very competitive.

My favourite all time picture. Viaduct - Campbell Peg 112 during an horrendous storm. I still haven't found out who it is, but fair play to him. If anyone knows let me know. I was busy collecting some of my tackle from Carey. 

Just a few pics from 2022:

The black death was still with us, are they on the decline?

Chris Ollis has come into his own during the latter part of this year with his small pieces of worm heads. Chris playing a Withy carp.

One of the usual suspects and key attractions along with his matey John Smith - One sip of cider and it's a laugh a minute.

My highest weight of silvers this year - just - and surprisingly from peg 50 on Withy Pool. Very enjoyable albeit uncomfortable. Most memorable silvers was at plantation peg 35 catching quality Perch to 2 lb + had 7 for 15 lb.

Close contest with Junior aka Gary Bowden at Windmill and Pete Greenslade. Junior taking it apart at the over 55's at Acorn in 2022. 

Leyton Palmer with me and professional photo bomber Nick. "Any Peg" Palmer had a great run during the summer at Windmill

First match of the 2022/2023 Westerleigh Winter league with Glenn and me winning both our lakes so a good start for both. First time photo of Bill Ferris smiling and well done to fishery owner Mark Taylor for keeping his fishery pristine. Only going to get better. My heaviest weight came from his fishery this year - mainly carp to 2 lb - great fishing.

Finally: a picture of a gate post with some black on it - any clues?

May be unrecognisable in this picture but in my opinion one of the best up and coming anglers in the South West. Should have a decent sponsorship by now. A clue - he won the Bitterwell Xmas Match 2022.

Year 2022 facts and Figures

Thursday 22/12/2022 = Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Bridge Pool

Last Over 55's on Bridge Pool until Spring, we now move to Withy for the Silvers series starting 05/01/2023 - 24 booked so currently full.

Had a part walk around hoping to see all the arms removed from the platforms, alas no change. There were a few volunteers today willing to help out.

The Met office forecasting a summer hotter next year than this. Wish they would concentrate on forecasting the next day correctly. Drizzle all day - miserable. 

I was hoping for another go on peg 28 to settle a score with the peg. Tony one in front of me had his peg drawn for him and handed peg 28 handed to him - bugger. Peg 14 for me which I thought would be OK for some F1's. For company Mark Tanner on 15 and Barny with incessant chatter on peg 11, occasionally drowned out by peg 26 coughing, lot of lurgy about.

Peg 14 is the deepest peg at top set at 7 foot, however it was so clear I could see down to the 3 foot margin bottom. Set up a 4x16 Titan to fish three barrels (hampered by the bank behind), a short rig at two barrels and the Waggler with a 7 inch bodied Drake to fish off the island - pictured.

Fed the two pole lines with GB laced with Pinkie short and caster long and fed some LR's over to the island. Started short with Pinkie and had one tiny Ronnie - that was it. So went longer with big Red on the hook and had a run of small Ronnie's with plenty of indications from even smaller one's. Refed and as it was to transpire was to be too much feed and went on the waggler, my banker for F1's with various hook baits mainly single LR's. The upshot it was very disappointing to not get a sniff of one, neither did Mark who fished the method for most of the day. It seems that the F1's have moved away from this end of the pool where they have been since stocking. More being caught in the gap and on the third island. Having buggered the pole lines with too much feed now up shit street. With two hours to go decided to change to caster on the waggler and sit it out for bigger Ronnie's. Have a couple better one's but nothing that would change the result.

No carp with the silvers going 4 lb 2 oz for a par. Looking forward to fishing Withy and hopefully by April we have more fish in Bridge Pool especially Skimmers.

The match was won by Tony Rixon (pictured with the silvers winner) with 34 lb 1 oz form peg 28. Tony aided by his body mass fished 16 metres to the island catching F1's on corn. I noticed his F1's were all smaller than the one's I caught last match, most probably the second stocking (pictured) - interesting. Said then it was a match winner. For further details read his blog.

The silvers was won by Dave Wride with 7 lb 15 oz from peg 26. Dave caught long on maggot over kindered feed - micro, GB and maggot. His catch included an unseasonable 1 lb Tench.

Well done both.

Back to the Compton with the usual suspects. Going home me and a the taxi in front got ran off the road on to the pavement by a speeding artic when approaching Keynsham town centre - lucky escape.

Result:

1. Tony Rixon 34-01-0 peg 28

2. Phil Morgan 23-10-0 peg 7

3. Chris Ollis 18-07-0 peg 31

4. Andy Greenham 17-11-0 peg 10

5. Dave Wride 12-0-0 peg 26

6. Kev Winstone 11-02-0 peg 8

Silvers:

1. Dave Wride 7-15-0 peg 26

2. Kev Winstone 6-06-0 peg 8

3. Dave Poole 6-03-0 peg 24

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 08/12/2022 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Bridge Pool

Right cold one this morning with hard frost and temperature -4 degrees. Packed the ice breaker, but didn't think it would be needed - it wasn't. It was with great delight to see BAA have started to remove the arms off the platforms - great move, be wonderful once they're all gone.

Now, if a "Lady" (clue here) loans you their bib and brace, best not tell anyone - Jeff Grant couldn't help himself and had some stick with plenty of quips throughout the day - non are publishable.

The low numbers would see sun most of the day whilst those from 26 to 34 wouldn't see any. I didn't get involved with the pegging today, left it to Tony. Into the draw bag and out comes peg 28 - Brrrr. Wasn't long before the kit became white with frost.

No seat box leg adjusting on this venue, just plonk the box down - certainly makes it easier on the hernia repair. Really fancied the waggler so set that up with a 7 inch bodied Drake, however, with the sun now out and behind me the reflections from the trees meant fishing it to the island made it impossible to see any colour (pictured). I could find some open areas of water to fish it so set the depth at 6 1/2 foot and planned to fish that until the sun moved on from the island. Set up the usual two rigs for the Ronnie's.

Fed some very still and cold Red's out in the open water and a small ball of GB laced with Pinkies on a close line. Had a cast on the waggler but visibility was too poor. Out short on the Ronnie rig and started to catch small fish to 2 oz on single Pinkie. Had a reasonable two hours basically putting 4 lb in the net. Tried out at three barrels over the same feed only catch a couple more ouncers and one F1. It had now become a struggle. Tried the waggler with single LR on the hook in the open water again, very hard, adding just two ouncers. Got a bit preoccupied with this line and it wasn't until the last hour that I switched to the island shallowing up to about 3 foot again with single LR which resulted in landing seven of the bigger F1's, one lost, and two proper carp, one was definitely fouled the other not sure but both broke the hook length. Could have fished this line two hours to go albeit a bit of a strain on the eyes which could have put me in with a chance of a win. 

My silvers weighed 4 lb not unreasonable on the day and my F1's 10 lb 11 oz for a 4th overall weight of 14 lb 11 oz. 

The match and the silvers was won by Tony Rixon (pictured right with his net of fish - spot the chub) with 23 lb 5 oz from peg 16. Tony caught on caster at mainly 10 metres - see his blog for the full details. Well done bubbler.

Back to the Compton with a very warm log fire and the usual suspects.

Result:

1. Tony Rixon 23-05-0 peg 16

2. Kev Winstone 21-15-0 peg 31

3. Chris Ollis 16-10-0 peg 30

4. Mike Nicholls 14-11-0 peg 28

5. Phil Morgan 13-09-0 peg 7

6. Shay Gillman 12-03-0 peg 15

Silvers:

1. Tony Rixon 16-08-0 peg 16

2. Shay Gillman 9-02-0 peg 15

3. Tony Ponting 8-04-0 peg 19

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 04/12/2022 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round One - Taylors Pool and Shipp's Canal

Cold damp weather greeted us for the first round of the Westerleigh winter league, feared that my usual winter attire would not keep the cold out from the NE wind, so put on the heated body warmer.

Eight league matches, rotated, so four on each pool. Ten on each pool with one missing today (Bela elsewhere). All the better draws would mean facing the NE wind. Into the car boot selected the nearest disc which was peg 2 on Shipp's canal. Very happy with this and probably best peg on this pool. For company had Scaffolder Ricky on peg 1 and Tony peg 3. The colour had significantly dropped out during the week.

Gold fish now count as silvers. I explained that Goldfish are also brown - but these wont count - they must be gold in colour - all over? So had to put a brown gold fish in with my carp!!

Set up was simple - a 4x12 Roob for down to the margin bush which looked like Ricky would share. The waggler was set up, but didn't fancy it much but would be tried if it was really hard. Finally the 4 x13 MR to fish top set and up to three barrels.

Bait tray micro, 4 and 6 mm Baitec expanders, semi-conscious red maggot,Pinkies and GB.

Started by feeding GB laced with maggot at one barrel and some micro with 4 mm expander down to the bush. Started with single red on the hook and after 10 minutes had a 1 oz Ronnie, after a couple more re-fed and went down to the bush. Had a 2 lb Mirror carp first try. Persevered with this line trying allsorts of hook baits -  went back to maggot and started to feed the same through the Kinder pot, but was foul hooking small F1's landed two 10 oz and one 1 1/2 lb. Ricky had a few down to his side(or mine) of the bush but also foul hooking. I think the water was too clear, got frustrated with the bush and gave it up tried the waggler over to the aerator had 4 Ronnie's and one small F1. Had been feeding the short line and kept trying it but it wasn't happening, so opened a line with the MR at three barrels towards the aerator which is the deepest part of the peg. No indications here, but to be fair didn't give it long. With two hours to go and the pole tip now shivering I switched on the heated body warmer. With an hour and half to go the carp woke up. I had four consecutive 4 lb Common carp all on the drop on either single red or double red Pinkie. The float was dotted right down and because of the clear water it was hard to see the bites. Steady remainder on the match catching  3 to 4 lb carp plus one about 7 lb. Last put-in had another 4 lb Common just as I was netting it the hook pinged out which hit the pole and trashed the rig (pictured - caught a few fish on this one - wonder if its still under warranty - Martin Rayet)? However, did manage to scoop the carp which was just enough to beat Johnny C.

My silvers weigh in at 11 oz and with my carp 35 lb 1 oz for the lake win. So a good start to the league, as did Glenn who also won his lake. All the the lake winners pictured - makes me feel cold just looking at the picture.

Back to the New Inn with a few suspects missing - football, cars breaking down the main cause.

Result:

Taylor's Pool:

1. Mike Nicholls 35-01-0 peg 2

2. Johnny Clark 32-14-0 peg 6 (expanders)

Silvers: Bill Ferries 3-14-0 peg 8 (maggot and GB - fished short)

Taylors Pool:

1. Glenn Bailey 36-08-0 peg 22 (maggot fished long)

2. Lee Waller 36-04-0 peg 20

Silvers: Mark Taylor 2-13-0 peg 14 (maggot long)

Weigh Sheets: