09/05/2024 - Over 55's at Bitterwell Lake - Silvers Only

With Hunstrete's Bridge Pool closed Dave Gillard has arranged for us to fish Bitterwell Lake for the rest of this year. Today's match was planned to be Carp and silvers however, the Carp were spawning which was a site to behold, didn't realise there were so many Carp in the lake.

At last some sunshine, been many months without it, giving us the feel good factor.

Drew peg 25 on the car park bank so would have sunshine all day. Found myself next to a first time acquaintance - "T-bone" which was interesting to say the least. I had a lot of reeds to my right which was a live with Carp thrashing away as they do. On two occasions felt the splashing.

Because of the numbers of Carp around me decided to just set up the waggler to fish maggot at 20 metres with a straight 7" Drake. The first hour went as planned catching Skimmers from 4 oz to 2 lb. Think I got carried away with the feed as the Carp arrived. So spent a couple of hours fishing all around the peg picking off the odd skimmer. The Carp were an absolute nightmare, being end peg on the match didn't help in this respect. The peg completely died and had cramp in legs so went for a walk around to Tim Ford who was catching some nice Roach short. The Carp had by now more or less stopped spawning and had a thought that perhaps the silvers had moved in for a spawn munch. So the last 45 minutes was spent on the short Ronnie rig. Did have a decent Ronnie and a good skimmer along with 4 more Carp taking my tally to 14 according to the empty hook racks.

Weighed 18 lb 4 oz for third in the match. As could be expected the weights were down due to the bright flat conditions and Carp spawning.

The match was won by Haydn Withers (pictured with his catch) from peg 23 which had won the last 3 matches with 21 lb 4 oz. Haydn caught on worm over mushy worm at 11.5 metres. Well done matey.

Runner up was matey Tim Ford (pictured) with 19 lb 7 oz. Tim caught short on maggot. His catch included some quality Roach and three small Tench. Well done matey.

John Smith's drawing arm again didn't fail him today, drawing the Carp peg!!

Back to the Ringer for a very welcome cold one, to finish a nice day all round.

This Jon Arthur issue for me is comparable to getting a red card and missing the angling equivalent to the FA cup. Simple.

Weigh Sheets:

29/04/24 - 02/05/2024 - Over 55's - Whiteacres Club Angler Festival

Fifteen of us this year. Me Geoff Francis and Chris Gay shared Lodge 4 on the side of Jenny's Lake. Nice position, clean but looking tired. No parking next to Lodge which was a pain in the ass.

First to arrive beating Jeff Grant by one minute. Was told by the management the cafe would be open for breakfast - NOT. So off to Morrisons for a decent breakfast with Chris Gay, Jeff and John Smith. Back to Whiteacres for a walk around. The Canal looked good with plenty of fish showing. Told they had transferred 1500 Carp from Trewaters, 1500 from Priory and a similar number of small Carp including F1's. Back to the club for a coffee!! We had early book in which was convenient. No one could be assed to go off site, so a Pizza in the club where you pay £6.20 for a pint sitting in the freezing cold - 11 degrees outside and the air conditioning was blowing more cold air!!

I had drawn Twin Oaks for the first match - as I'm not (yet) a Methodist it was the pellet waggler, which is wind condition dependant. So Geoff and me practiced it on the Sunday. We sat on pegs 7 and 9. Tony Pontin came down later and fished peg 2. We tried various things ending up we me showing Geoff the Ronnie rig. We had a great day catching Ronnie's to 1 lb and Perch to 12 oz on caster. Probably should had concentrated on the Carp but we wanted a day's fishing. We left Tony there - pictured just as he started to catch F1's short on pellet. Geoff and me walked down and back - going is OK but up hill on the way back.

We were joined by Glenn Bailey on Sunday night for a few days which was nice.

Festival day one drew peg 17 Twin Oaks - a flyer I'm told if the wind was blowing up that way. The wind was to be a nightmare which was blowing into the middle pegs slightly off my right shoulder. Limited to fishing the pole short and the margin, had set up the pellet waggler but due to the conditions never got used - I began to feel like a change of religion and joining the Methodist. Might get some info on how to fish it!! Tried down the margin with paste over GB then worm foul hooking two decent

Carp. Weighed 18 lb 7 oz of Silvers for last and 1 point - so a good start - not. The lake was won from peg 15 mostly on the method. I got a bit emotional to find that Butch whom I fished next to last year on the first match on Twin Oaks had passed away. He had "Willed" that some flowers be put on peg 16. So felt as if we were fishing together again this year. RIP matey.

Day two Trelawney for me peg 24 just in the wide bay. Thought the margin to my left would be ok for a few, alas not just got hammered on the paste by small silvers. Fished long with pellet then paste had a couple of small F1's it was fishing hard along our straight whereas around the corner Craig on the section end peg was catching well short on the pellet and method. Decided to switch to caster and at least had a day's fishing weighing 22 lb 5 oz for 5 points so  slight improvement. Most were fishing the Method on and off so not sure that would have helped me. However. if it wasn't for the bloody wind fancied the pellet waggler. I was bloody freezing and shivering come the end. The lake was won by Craig with 80 lb, he fished an excellent match switching between method to short pole. Well done matey. Too cold and wet to take for pictures today.

Day three Python and Acorn had fingers crossed for Acorn and very happy to draw peg 16. Walked it again! What a nice looking Lake - manicured. Fished what is now peg 18 many years ago on a rover match, think when it was first stocked. Not fished the paste end to end for a long while, use to be my go to bait, but got lead astray with silvers. So just set up two paste rigs one at top set plus three barrels which took me to the deepest part. The other paste rig for down the margin up to a few reeds in 2 1/2 foot of water at top set plus one barrel. Having been advised that the margins were good, fed there first with 4mm pellet, then the long line with 4's and

micro. Started down the margin with paste and expected some nibblers, but no a proper bite and a F1. Had a few and refed with micro and 4's and went out on the long line and the same more instant F1's which were averaging about 2 lb. So kept swapping between each line throughout after feeding. The long line started to produce Carassio's of 1 lb to 1 1/2 lb one a bung and the margin F1's when I switched to kindering hard 4's. I did have two Carp on the long line. Reckoned my 65 fish would go 120 lb. Weighed 113 lb 12 oz and had left a F1 in the net!

A lovely day's fishing for most on this Lake. This won the Lake and a decent pick up that paid for the evening meals.

Day 4 Jenny's which looking forward to fishing paste back to back. Heart sank when drawn peg 10. I've walked past this area of Jenny's many times and never fancied it. It just before the narrows with the wind funnelling through it making it very cold. Paste rig for margin to my right on top set and out at three barrels. Fed the margin and the long line as yesterday. After 2 hours the long line produce one Skimmer and the margin nibblers. Ricky Lale on peg 9 was emptying it on the method over to the point of the island. Had a tooth out 2 days before coming down and the cold was getting to it so turned by back to the wind and set up the Ronnie rig for caster over GB and caster. Had a nice days catching quality Ronnie's and Skimmers which were in a terrible state. As it was the last match put a load of DR's down the margin and it was nice to soon see Carp tails flapping about, however, too many arrived leading to 4 lost foul hooked big Carp on the paste. Should have started on this feeding little and often. Finished with 28 lb 10 oz of silver. The Lake was won by Ricky with 101 lb 10 oz adding a few better Carp down his LH edge later on corn.

Unfortunately the fishery want you to keep skimmers in the same net as the Carp for ease of weighing in which isn't good for them.

Geoff, Chris and me had some nice meals in the usual Indians in Newquay and the best burger I've had in the two Clomes. How Geoff managed a double Berger followed by a Sticky Toffee pudding I don't know. A shout out to Jake who came down to the cafe and ran it for the rest of the week, excellent service.

Overall the fishing was poor which wasn't helped by terrible weather. Rain and wind for most of the week. Finished 61 st  with 16 points. Only 13 points away from the winner making it a tight festival all round. Near misses for Chris Gay and Gary Bowden.

I would have liked to have fished Morgan Port with the lads on Friday but had to be home. Fond memories of fishing this pool in the day's of Janet who has long sold up " All in". However, the drive home was awful there was a fatality on the A30 which closed the entire road, diverting us along A30 to Plymouth up to Exeter.😡

Geoff and me will be going again next year and heard a rumour it might be three weeks later!?

Results:

Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 4:

Overall Result:

Sunday 21/04/2024 - Westerleigh - The Shanks Match - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

I like this fishery for many reasons. Planned for a bit of Carp fishing on Shipp's Canal today. It wasn't to be as ended up on my usual peg 16 on Taylor's. As Glenn Bailey said to me - "silvers it will be then". I fished the peg enough now, so nothing new, same old, well nearly.

Sun cream on, making sure it's nowhere near my eyes today1

Set up the waggler only because of plenty of time which would also be useful whilst having a cuppa. The usual two rigs - 4x14 Winter and the short Ronnie rig, boring now.

Started at top set plus two barrels initially with 4 mm expander over GB laced with micro. I couldn't believe it every put in a tiny F1, tiny being less that 4 oz. Switched to LR on the hook and the same except did have a decent Skimmer and a 4 oz Tench. Gave up the line for the Ronnie rig with GB laced with Pinkie with single LP on the hook catching Ronnie's and the odd Skimmer. Hooked a big Skimmer which jumped out onto the bank and couldn't get to it without pulling the elastic out a lot so tried teasing it back in the water unfortunately the hook pulled.

Weighed 17 lb 5oz with the lost Skimmer getting me closer to 20 lb! The twat on the weigh sheet mixed my Carp and silvers weight mixed up - oh that was me!!

The match was won by Vince Shipp (pictured with the silvers winner - prefer the bottom picture to the one above) with 114 lb from peg 8. Vince caught on pellet and meat fishing 12 inches deep fished close around and off the island. Well done matey.

The venue fished very well with the canal throwing up 4 x 90 lb + weights of quality carp to 14 lb.

Back to the New Inn where we were Doomed, Bar a couple.

That's it for this week getting the kit ready for Whiteacres.

Weigh Sheets:

Saturday 20/04/2024 - Alcove Club - Whitehouse Farm - Margret's

Thought I would limber up for Whiteacres non-sponsored angling festival next week with a double header. The match was advertised as both lakes but with only 10 booked in Tony sensibly chose the one lake - Margret's. As it was a knock up decided to try a few things out.

Peg 7 for me not been on of this side of the lake before, so would be interesting. Sandwiched between Kev and Pete on peg 6 end peg today. Pete has won a few matches off the peg with Carp.

The Canadian Geese were making a right racket obviously didn't like the pair of Barnacle Geese - found their match. 

The pegs are a bit of a birdcage for the feeder chucker's as Pete found out breaking his feeder tip casting out. He was getting frustrated and was thinking of packing in but talked him round.

Set up various rigs and rods. The far far island is a very long cast and is where the Carp and Chub tend to hang out together. Tried casting a maggot feeder over but it wasn't man enough needs to be heavier - got some in the garage. My chose was the waggler and even though the light looked good couldn't see any colour tip tried, so binned it. Played about with a few pole rigs until the second half and sat on the long Ronnie rig with GB and LR's and caught 5 lb of tiny Perch which were really having a munch - guessing finished spawning. Added a couple of small Skimmers and a fan tail thing and 5 lb of Ronnie's which were either spawning or thinking about it and were reluctant feeders.

Finished with 11 lb 7 oz of silvers. Learnt a bit more about the lake.

The match was won by Pete Watkins (pictured with his catch) with 55 lb 8 oz from peg 6. Pete caught on the Hybrid feeder. Think I got the name right as Pete was showing me all the various method feeders he uses. It was white maggot hook bait with micro and maggot feed. Well done matey.

The Silvers was won by retiring Match Secretary Tony Welsby (pictured with the match winner) with 17 lb 12 oz from peg 13. Tony had a decent Chub and some F1's on the feeder the rest coming on the pole.

Have to mention John Treasure's Carp of 19 lb 7 oz helping him to second over all.

And finally can anyone remember that stuff we use to put on our faces to stop sun burn - used some today - but still it not that warm for the time of year.

Weigh Sheet:

Tuesday 17/04/2024 - Bitterwell Silvers Open

Another visit to Bitterwell Lake for various reasons - Plenty of quality silvers, no pot holes, nice and clean, no mud. Would to say it was local, well it is, but South Gloucestershire Council which is liberal lead has totally bollocks all the traffic in our area. Their recent contribution is temporary traffic lights in Pucklechurch whilst they extend the cycle track which isn't use by cyclist preferring instead to still use the road!!

Planned to give expenders a go over small tight balls of GB laced with micro and expanders. However, luckily had pre-erected the waggler in case.

Peg 5 for me along the road side reasonably happy with it except for the wind which is driving me to madness. Plumbed around with a 4x14 rig and found the same depth at top set plus one, two and four barrels. I now wished I had plumbed in a bit

closer. Tried three lines with the expander approach which accounted for about 5 lb and 2 foul hooked Carp, whilst Marcus next door was catching steady on the wag and mag. The second half picked up the waggler with double LR's over loose fed LR's fished at 20 metres. It took a while to build the the line, mainly to the wind effecting accuracy which gradually got better and better adding 10 lb of quality 2 bream some Skimmers and 2 small Tench to 3 lb. Two more Carp hooked landed an 8 lb Common.

I weighed 15 lb 10 oz, didn't quiet catch Marcus up. Will still try and get the expander sorted here though.Thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the match and can't wait to get back for some more learning which wont be before I'm back from Whiteacres festival.

Shane Turner fished a brilliant match short on the pole (no option left a pole section home 😂) to take the win with 34 lb 11 oz from peg 24. Shane caught quality Skimmers and Tench on caster. Well done matey well deserved.

Lots of quality Skimmers and Tench to 5 lb caught. However, no sign of the Roach as of yet.

Result:

1st Shane Turner 34lb 11oz peg 24 

2nd John Fuidge 34lb 1 oz peg 12

3rd Mat Taynton 31lb 1oz peg 15

4th Paul Isaacs 29lb 12oz peg 19

5th Keith Turner 19lb 12oz peg 3

6th Martin Mcmahon 17lb peg 21

7th Marcus Murley 16lb 7oz peg 7

8th Mike Nichols 15lb 10oz peg 5

9th Les Harper 15lb 7oz peg 13

10th Ali Gibbs 9lb 7oz peg 20

11th Gary Morris 4lb 14oz peg 1

12th T-bone 4lb 12oz peg 25

13th Geoff Smith 4lb 4oz peg 23

John Macey dnw peg 18

Tuesday 09/04/2024 - Bitterwell - Silvers Open

It was a shock to hear Glynn Sage had passed away suddenly. We were only talking a few weeks ago. During our conversation we discovered we had claim to fame in common. Both had shaken the hand of the actor who's hand fondled Marilyn Munro. RIP matey.

Even though the whether looked awful again still went to Bitterwell lake to have a go at the good head of silvers. I did expect some protection from the wind though - not.

It was good to meet up with matey Dave Lewis, we go back a long, long way, a good all round angler, and proof that you don't need the best tackle to catch😎 - pictured less his smile he's waiting to have his set of £7,000 teeth screwed in shortly.😁

Drew peg 12 which all but once has been a bit of a bogey for me. So wasn't that happy especially with the wind hacking in to it. But good company with Geoff Smith whom we not only had a fishing match we also has a pissing match, Geoff won 5 -4, Me winning the fishing match though - good laugh.

Waggler or feeder, feeder won out due to the wind as wouldn't be able to feed the wag properly. Didn't expect the Ronnie's to feed, so just set up a 4x16 rig to fish top set plus two barrels then three barrels if the wind subsided. The wind was awful gusting in all directions with the tow all over the place - direction and pace. It wasn't about presentation today but hanging on. Had a really good start catching some decent Skimmers. Not sure what happen whether it was the wind effect but I started to tow into skimmers foul hooking them with none reaching the net. Very frustrating. However, because I was foul hooking it doesn't mean if the conditions were perfect they would have picked up the baited hook anyway - who knows? I under armed the feeder accurately over the pole line and for a second thought I had it sorted catching a skimmer first try, alas not only had one more over the longer pole line last but one cast. All caught on small hard balls of GB laced with LR's.

Weighed 12 lb 7 oz for halfway. Left with sever wind burns on the forehead. Decided not to fish again in high winds if avoidable. Don't be the next person to mention global warming to me.

The match was won by Paul Issac's (pictured with his catch - quality Skimmers and Tench) with 38 lb 15 oz from end peg 25. With the wind off his back he used the waggler throughout catching on either corn or maggot. Well done matey and to your lad Charlie for the under 15's England selection.

Runner up was Des Shipp (pictured) with 25 lb 10 oz from another wind effected peg 18. I got the feeling from expletives that he's not fond of the wind either . Well done in that wind.

Result:

1st Paul Isaacs 38lb 15oz peg 25

2nd Des Shipp 25lb 10oz peg 18

3rd Martin McMahon 18lb 13oz peg 4

4th Charlie Isaacs 18lb 7oz peg 20 

5th Keith Turner 16lb 10oz peg 19

6th Les Harper 16lb 9oz peg 6

7th Bagger 14lb 4oz peg 8

8th Dave Lewis 12lb 10oz peg 21

9th Mike Nicholls 12lb 7oz peg 12

10th Ali Gibbs 9lb 12oz peg 5

11th Marcus Murley 8lb peg 15

12th Gary Morris 7lb 11oz peg 1

13th Kai Hurley 5lb 12oz peg 7

14th Geoff Smith 3lb 4oz peg 10

Ricky Mills 🏆🏆 dnw peg 24

Shane Turner dnw peg 3

Simon Haydn dnw peg 13

Sunday 07/04/2024 - The Shanks Float Only - Westerleigh - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

Was looking forward to the match until seen the forecast - 50 mph winds and rain. luckily little to no rain. Before all that Geoff and me got a Spoons breaky in us.

I was praying for a peg with the wind off the back. Prayers answered Peg 20 it was. The wind was off my right shoulder, blasting into peg 17. Felt for those on pegs 15 to 17, especially Glenn who was probably on the worse form peg 15. It was bad enough with the wind off the back. Good company with John on peg 19 who appeared to be twitching to get up the pub, but was on the scales 😒 - pictured.

I had planned to have a go with paste, two things prevented this, the wind plus left the paste in the fridge 😢! However, had the expanders so set up a 4x14 to fish them over micro and loose fed 4's over the top down the shelf to the right with tow. Foul hooked two lost carp on this so was abandoned. The short Ronnie rig was set up but without any Ronnie's feeding was a waste of time only catching a few tiny Rudd. So the most of the match was spent on the 4x14 Winter initially at top set plus one barrel for 5 lb of Skimmers then adding another barrel for another 5 lb of Skimmers, all caught on double DR's over GB laced with Pinkie. The fish were up in the water and caught the majority of the silvers 6 inches off. Out on the bar Carp were topping so set up the waggler and had a few chucks on it, however, because of the wind felt the feeding wasn't accurate enough - presentation wasn't too back though.

Weighed 10 lb 2 oz of all Skimmers for the silvers win.

Seen Glenn disappearing out the carp park for a FOE surprised he lasted as long as he did.

The match was won by Steve S (pictured with the silvers winner) from peg 1 on Shipp's with 56 lb. Steve caught at 12 metres fishing meat over meat. Well done Matey.

Back to the Inn with most of the usual suspects. I'm not sure picking up at this venue is financially wise.

Thanks to Bri Shanks for running the match in his usual efficient way 👍

Weigh Sheets: