Thursday 16/03/2023 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's - Silvers Pairs - Round 6 - Withy Pool

Final round of the silver pairs. Paul Clayton and me needed to win our sections. Into the draw bag and out comes peg 54 for me in the "Skinnies" (pictured) and Paul on point peg 64. So both potential section winning pegs.

The Skinnies is only 10 metres wide so no waggler for me. However, the trees opposite were adorned with a few floats by those that gave it a go!! Just two rigs, the Ronnie rig for short and a 4x14 Roob to fish four barrels down the far shelf.

Fed the far line with potted loose caster and a nugget of GB and the short line with GB laced with Pinkie. Started short with double Pinkie hook bait and nothing except indication of carp in the peg. It took 30 minutes before catching my first fish followed by a good run of decent Ronnie's and a couple of small Hybrids. It died so topped up and went long with single caster hook bait, kindering caster retained by GB. Had a few more Ronnie's from 1 oz to 3 oz. This was interrupted by hooking a carp which was eventually persuaded to come off! Back short and just two fish before it stalled, re-fed. Over again and was pestered by Rudd which was intercepting the caster on the drop. the buggers were topping off the caster like a boiled egg, so plenty of caster changing. Back short and again two fish and another carp which didn't make the net, then nothing. Stayed over to the end with single LR which was "Rudd rugged". Just before the end had a 1 lb Skimmer.

Weighed 11 lb 2 oz for second section. Felt both the carp and the Rudd prevented me form weighing a lot more. Paul also had second in section. However, we didn't quite do enough being three points from third pick up. Not bad considering we had a couple of poor results.

Well done to Andy Greenham/Tony Ponting/Mick Gale for winning the pairs. The top three pairs pictured below (where's Andy Gard):

Really enjoyable league. Thanks to Dave Gillard for running it and Tony Rixon for efficiently  weighing us all in every match.

Next match is on Bridge Pool 😔

Result:

1. Tony Rixon 16-0-0 peg 65

2. Kev Winstone 14-04-0 peg 40

3. Paul Barnfield 13-10-0 peg 55

4. Paul Clayton 12-0-0 peg 64

5. Mike Nicholls 11-02-0 peg 54

6. Hughie Evans 8-13-0 peg 56

Weigh Sheets:

Final Pairs Result:

Sunday 12/03/2023 - Windmill Open (knock up) - Match Lake

Decided to fish this one for insight for the up and coming Ray's Rip-off's. With the silvers now starting to show and even though there was no silvers pool decided to target them. But expected some accidental carp. Low turn out probably because the fish are still "balled up" down the far end.

The wind was nasty so was hoping for peg 25 with the wind off the back would push the waggler up the far slope. Wishful thinking pulling peg 3 with the wind howling right to left.

Set up two silvers rigs - one for down the RH side up to some reeds and one for top set plus three barrels both to fish GB and Pinkie. Due to the wind didn't bother with the waggler. The upshot after three hours had one lost carp (fouled?) and one skimmer. Set up the waggler to take on the wind with a 8" small bodied Drake. Needless to say had to lay some line on the bottom which isn't what I wanted. Nonetheless, the float was bombing through. Three small reds on the hook and no initial feed and amazed had a 3 lb carp. Started to feed which so far has stopped the carp going for hook bait. More surprise as had four nice skimmers. The wind didn't quite beat me but buggered up what would had been a much more productive day.

Weighed 9 lb 6 oz - 5 Skimmers, 3 Ronnie's, 1 Rudd and one micro Perch and one carp for last but one with 12 lb 4 oz.

The match was one by Nick Saunders (pictured with the runner ups) with 71 lb 9 oz from peg 14. Nick caught on the lead fishing maggot.

If there had been a silvers pool it would have been won by Andy Gard (pictured) with 33 lb 6 oz of big skimmers from peg 1. Best weigh for some time. Well done matey.

Result:

1. Nick Saunders 71-09-0 peg 14

2. Kev Winstone 69-12-0 peg 10 (close)

3. Shaun Townsend 61-13-0 peg 25 (bread dobbing down his margins)

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 05/03/2023 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round 5 - Shipp's Canal and Taylors Pool

My turn on Shipp's Canal, my preference - pictured. Three pegs left was told the 13 was still remaining! But was a another piss take by Bri Shanks, as it happens it was pegs 1,2 and 3 - any would have done. Peg 1 it was. Happy as it's the first time Iv'e fished it. Once again was Ricky next  door on peg 2 a complete swap around for us. You can never predict which pegs are going to produce, the fish are well trained.

Set up the 4 x13 MR to fish short at top set plus one barrel. Plumbing around I was uncomfortable with the bottom which was telling me there were lots of large stones. A 0.3 gram RJ slim (well made - great floats) to fish done to the bush, and the waggler with a 6 " small Bodied waggler - the body helps hold the float back when sinking the line helping it to stay close to the island.

Fed the bush with maggot and Micro. Started short with maggot and after 15 minutes and hooking the bottom twice and losing a hook switched to the bush and had two micro Perch on double LR's. Usually get some indications form the F1's being in resident, but not today had a couple of Ronnie's before foul hooking a right lump which came off - nothing more down by the bush so out on my banker - the waggler. It was a very short chuck and on hindsight the island could easily be reached with 11.5 metres. Fed a few LR's and with a single on the hook expected bites initially from Ronnie's and when they disappeared a carp or two. Alas not, just a couple of small Perch. Two hours left and next to nothing in the net, with no way of a lake win. Decided to fish for silvers for the last two hours so put another section on and fished Pinkie and GB and had a few small skimmers to 12 oz. The temperature had been really low, but suddenly the sun tried to come out and it warmed up. During this time I had a few more Skimmers an 2 lb F1 and a 4 lb carp. Might have been the time of day, however, temperature soon dropped again and the fish seem to disappear with the warmth.

My silvers weighed 3 lb 13 oz, my total weight of 10 lb 1 oz got me halfway with 5 points. I do enjoy these matches it's proper fishing. The two carp were in pristine condition and looked like they had never been caught.

All the framers pictured below.

Back to the New Inn with the usual suspects where I had to put my had in the pocket and buy a round - so back to being out of pocket again. Great company.

Result:

Taylor's Pool:

1. Lee Waller 39-0-0 peg 26 (14/16 metre - Pellet & Maggot hook baits)

2. Glenn Bailey 29-0-0 peg 23 (14.5 metre - maggot)

Silvers: Vince Shipp 2-12-0 peg 19 (accidentals)

Shipp's Canal:

1. Tony Mears 18-14-0 peg 4 (pellet, later maggot over to island)

2. Bela Bakos 15-0-0 peg 10 (as above)

Silvers: Mike Nicholls 3-13-0 peg 1 (GB and Pinkie)

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 02-03/2023 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's - Silvers Pairs - Round 5 - Withy Pool

Driving pass Bridge Pool and noticed what a nice green/blue colour it now is. Hopefully some more silvers soon.

Full contingent of 24.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 65 another wooden barricaded platform (pictured), and between Glenn Bailey peg 64 and Chris Ollis 66.

Set up the same as last match on peg 65. However, I didn't learn from this  match and set up two rigs that were to be a waste of time even though had said to myself after last match to just stay with the Ronnie rig thorugout.

Had overdressed for a warm Spring day and was glad to get some of it off.

Caught all my fish short on the Pinkie and GB, weighing 8 lb 2 oz for second section beaten by Glenn Bailey (pictured) with 12 lb 13 oz of quality Skimmers and Roach fishing GB and double maggot long. Glenn was also match runner up.

The match was won by Kev "Three Spikes" Winstone (pictured) with 14-06-0 from peg 44. Kev caught on caster, catching some quality Roach down his margin late on. Well done matey. Some say he has won so many pickled eggs from Phil Morgan that he been forced to have an egg stamp.

The pairs is very close no one can afford any slip ups. All six results to count this year. 

Back to the Compton with the usual suspects. Its a great way to finish off a great day out fishing. Great banter.

Result:

1. Kev Winstone 14-06-0 peg 44

2. Glenn Bailey 12-13-0 peg 64

3. Tony Rixon 12-04-0 peg 56

4. Dave Gillard 11-06-0 peg 43

5. Andy Greenham 10-09-0 peg 55

6. Shay Gillman 8-15-0 peg 42

Weigh Sheets:

Pairs Result Round 5: One Round to go.

Thursday 23/02/2023 - Over 55's - Silvers - Bitterwell Lake

First stop Hungry Horace's with Geoff Francis, still one of the best breakfast about. Due to illness we were down to 14 so 2 sections of 7. Paying the top two in each.

On to the draw platter and one left, peg 29. Paul Issac's had fished it the day before and had 32 lb. Didn't want to hear that, but was on the side of the lake where most of the fish are, however, the best befit was being out of the wind and an overcoat warmer than the opposite bank. Vic Bush on peg 23 won Tuesday's match with a near 50 lb of mainly big Tench.

For company on end peg 30 Paul Barnfield and on peg 28 Martin McMahon.

Simple set up a 4x13 MR to fish at top set plus 3 barrels or 4 which was the maximum with out breaking down, with the depth being similar, finally the 8" waggler.

Fed the long line with micro and some crushed expander and the short line with GB laced with Pinkie. I decided to catapult three small balls of micro out on the waggler line which on refection might have been the wrong thing to do as likely to attract the carp.

Started short on double Pinkie and soon had a small Ronnie, quickly followed by a big skimmer which was probably foul hooked as it came off nearing the net - bugger. Out again and another skimmer 2 1/2 lb this time the hook was imbedded in the pectoral fin so was netted. Had a couple of 3 oz skimmers and Ronnie's before it died. Went out on the longer line with 4 mm expander kindering in micro and crushed expander and couldn't get a response, however, I'm sure I didn't give it enough time. Out on the waggler with double maggot over loose fed the same and had a a 2 lb Tench and some more small Ronnie's and a 1 lb Skimmer. Chris Ollis was doing well on peg 27 on the waggler and corn, so copy catted and hooked a decent Tench which slipped the hook close in - very usual to loose these tis way - bugger. Next cast had a 5 lb carp which was bloody landed!! Out gain and had two quick positive biting skimmers. The line died after this and tried switching between corn and maggot. Very slow for the Ronnie's but did get some catapult practice on the corn, definitely all the kernels need to be of the same weight and size. Back on the pole and had a couple more skimmers and Ronnie's.

I weighed  9 lb 15 oz for fourth, however the fish lost wouldn't have improved my placing, but would have been satisfying to have them in the weigh net.

The match and section B was won by Chris Ollis (pictured with his net of quality Tench and skimmers) with 21 lb 7 oz from peg 27. Chris caught most of his fish on the waggler and corn fished over loose fed corn and caster. Well done matey nice to watch.

Section A was won by Andy Greenham (pictured with his net of silvers) with 9 lb 5 oz from peg 15. Again most of Andy's fish came to waggler and corn.

Thanks to Paul Issac's again for the support and weighing in and presenting the sections winners with a Preston Polo shirt. Thankfully he only needed Medium size, a different result could have required marque size.

Next match 09 March 2023.

Back to the Ringer with the usual suspects where the topic of Bridge Pool came up. There was a consensus that until more fish is stocked a new venue should be considered, that is, unless Withy Pool is made available.  

Result:

1. Chris Ollis 21-07-0 peg 27

2. Martin McMahon 17-08-0 peg 28

3. Paul Barnfield 15-08-0 peg 30

4. Mike Nicholls 9-15-0 peg 29

5. Andy Greenham 9-05-0 peg 15

6. Paul Haines Peg 24 & Hughie Evans peg 13 9-0-0

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 19/02/2023 - Westerleigh Winter League - Round 4 - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

My turn on Taylor's (pictured from peg 25) looking towards the end where the fish are "balled" up at the moment so hoping for pegs 17, 19, 20, but definitely not pegs 14, and 15.

Was forced to draw first because of being the oldest, believe there is a law against this! The heart sunk when I pulled peg 15 for the second time. Definitely my bogey peg. So my drawing so far this series is peg 2, 2 Shipp's and 15, 15 Taylors. So a balanced set of draws one may think. Found myself next to Steve again, a broken man by the end, both calling each other a jinx.

Set up two short rigs, but the bottom was all over the place and just didn't fancy theses lines at all, a margin rig for the LH side it is a nice margin on this side of the Pool. Finally my banker a 8" small bodied Drake waggler.

The upshot was I had 1 lb 2 oz of tiny Perch in the margin and one lost 4 oz Roach. The short lines produced nothing but didn't fish them for long as no confidence it would produce. Spent most of the match on the waggler but with the sun and wind in our faces it was hard to find the waggler once you took your eyes of it. Had 6 small carp on the waggler with double LR's over loose fed the same. I didn't get the feeding right fed a bit too much and due to the varying wind did a bit of scattering!

I weighed 10 lb 4 oz for halfway in section. The sooner the fish spread out the better.

The match was won by Bela "Fish Magnet" Bakos (pictured with his catch of small carp) with 44 lb 4 oz from Taylors end peg 17. Bela caught at 14. 5 metres and a bit more when JC wasn't looking kindering 3.8 mm hard pellet with Mainline banded hook bait. Some say that when he doesn't have any 4's he writes 4 mm on 6 mm pellet", apparently it convinces the fish. Well done mate nice to watch.

The other framers pictured below. I do believe Martin McMahon is smiling!!

Back to the New Inn with the usual suspects. I'm beginning to like not picking up, once again had all my drinks paid for. It's debateable which if the most financially beneficial!

Next match 12 March 2023

Result:

Taylor's Pool:

1. Bela Bakos 44-04-0 peg 17 (hard banded pellet 14 .5 metres)

2. Brian Shanks 26-07-0 peg 26 (hard banded pellet 13 metres)

Silvers: Brian Shanks 4-12-0 peg 26 (hard banded Pellet)

Shipp's Canal:

1. Martin McMahon 31-09-0 peg 6 (hard banded pellet 14 metres)

2. Glenn Bailey 23-10-0 peg 10 (maggot/hard banded pellet 14 .5 metres)

Silvers: Steve Rogers 7-08-0 peg 4 (maggot short)

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 16/02/2023 - Bathampton AA Over 55's - Silvers Pairs - Round 4 - Withy Pool

Last week as we were planned to be on Shipp's Canal I was conscious that the bread punches would have to go in the box. As it happened ended up on Taylor's so no bread required so thought I would feed the birds - o'dear left the bread home - 8 and 6 mm bread punch was with me though. This week turned 3/4 pint of scrumptious home made casters and yes, left them home - bugger. Really needed on some pegs here. Get a grips I say.

Driving passed Bridge Pool which looked like yet another issue - thought to be a bottom Algae? Anyway it looked awful - fish gasping. Why issues with this pool so often?

All week I have been trying to fill pairs places managed to fill a couple. Come this morning a message from my partner that he couldn't make it due to sickness from Oysters on Valentines day - should have use Viagra it's safer. So a last in section before starting.

Into the draw bag and out comes peg 64 - point peg. The water was very clear which was a worry. For company on peg 65 Hayden Withers - one of the affable club Bailiffs. Can't remember fishing this peg before. Popular with the pleasure anglers because of it's proximity to the car park.

Set up a short rig and a 4x14 winter to fish 4 barrels and a 8" small bodied Drake waggler. Fed the long line with micro and some ground expander, and the short line down wind with GB laced with Pinkie. Started short with either a single LR or double Pinkie and had a decent run of small Skimmers and Ronnie's. Having pillaged this line went out long with 4 mm expander and couldn't get a bite - umm. Decided to abandon the pellet and switch around 10 degree's to the right and fed GB and Pinkie. I also opened another short line in front which would have been loose caster feed but instead it had to be LR's. Caught a few better Ronnie's and Skimmers to 8 oz on this line. So tried the long GB line with Pinkie and LR's resulting in some very small fish. I did foul hook three small Skimmers. A very short spell on the waggler at 25 metres produced nothing. It occurred to me that the fish out in the deeper water were sat dormant and the fish that wanted to feed had come into the shallower water. So spent the rest of the match switching between the loose fed short line and the GB line adding fish steady.

What turned out to be the last put-in of the match tried to swing a 3 oz Ronnie because of the eagerness to get back out for another which came off tangling the rig - so more haste less speed. I remember fishing next to Kim Milsom at Durleigh Reservoir, the thing then was to wade out to the knees and fish the 4 metre whip with hand fed GB and maggot for small Skimmers. I was swinging most of my fish of course if a fish falls off it goes straight back in the lake. Kim netted everyone one of his fish irrespective of size, he said he always netted his fish suggesting I should do the same. So a lesson I have never adopted - yet. From memory I weighed 22 lb and Kim 29 lb.

I weighed 11 lb 2 oz which was about was my estimate for second section.

The match was won once again by Tony Rixon with 20 lb 4 oz from point peg 46 (his quality catch pictured above). Tony fished caster short for quality Roach and Perch - see his blog for more details. Dave Wride was next door peg 45 fishing maggot and GB for 18 lb 15 oz. Well done to both (pictured).

Back to the Compton with the usual suspects - Two Gulps Gillard was living up to his name on the Doombar which was scrumptious.

Result:

1. Tony Rixon 20-04-0 peg 46

2. Dave Wride 18-15-0 peg 45

3. Kevin Winstone 16-09-0 peg 40

4. Mick Gale 13-0-0 peg 59

5. Andy Gard 12-04-0 peg 42

6. Mike Nicholls 11-02-0 peg 64

Weigh Sheets:

Pairs Result After Round 4: