James Cartys Open Match - Test your talent

Test yourself against the best of the local talent in this Canal open.

Quick advert for my mate James Carty open this weekend.

 DRAW at Pewsey Wharf 0900 hrs Saturday 02 Nov 13.

Contact James for more detail  on +447976-617-287

Some of the local talent

Pewsey Vs Kintbury - One is un-fishable

A glorious morning followed a rough night. My wife was rough, so was I, and so was the weather.  It must have been something we ate.  It would be nice to go fishing and not have a bad stomach for a change.  It would also be nice not to draw next to Si Burden, our Pewsey President.  4 matches in a row now Si is a lovely bloke but it would be nice to look to my left and see someone different. Not Si bagging.

Today's match was a combination match of club championship as well as taking on local rivals Kintbury.

Will Kintbury be smiling at the end?  The draw gets underway and every body wanting to draw the bay where the Bream hole up.

 I held the hat and was left with two to pick from. I drew Peg 1 and Leo last had 15.  The Peg looked good on arrival although the leaves were being pushed in by the wind.  I fancied it.

Although some distance from the bay it wasn't to bad but as I tackled up, the wind was getting up and with a few boats dragging more detritus in front of me.  The match all in was called and we got under way.  The forecast pre hurricane stormy conditions have arrived, and the leaves are falling in thick blankets.

Started by ground baiting the far 4 foot line after dropping a nugget of bread on the inside four foot line. By the time I shipped back from the far line disconnected the cupping kit and put my bread rig on the leaves were literally swarming around me. The float was being dragged under in a quicksand of leaves and other twigs and to add to it branches were snapping in the stormy conditions. 

5 Minutes into the match and drawing Peg 1 was not a good thing.  In fact in the words of our glorious monarch the Queen " One is un-fishable"!!

If mate Yoda is reading, remember Burbage two years ago in Nigel Franks Winter League?  You and I could hardly fish we couldn't get our rigs through the crap on the surface.  Well it was same here mate .  Near bank to far bank and 16 meters each way the peg was un-fishable.

You can see the little gap in the leaves in the middle of the leaves.  Well the rest of my match was about lowering the rig through moving holes in the raft that swayed left to right.  Never thought I would say it but, I was glad when a boat came through, to make a gap.  The way forward was either wait for boat, cup in a bit of bait behind in its wake ship in change to rig and ship out again.  Get two fish before the raft closed in again.  It was ridiculous.  In the end it was so thick I needed a 1.5 gram rig just to get through the leaves.  If it didn't settle I new I had dragged leaves down on the hook.

A truly miserable day.  Was knowing they were catching in the bay.  Simon was now struggling on peg 2. We both agreed if we didn't have boards and scales, we would have gone home.  It was ridiculous, it truly was un-fishable.

There were 3 young Pewsey junior members to my right.  As the day went on I became a little irritated with them, they were gradually moving closer and closer to me. Continually jumping up and down and pulling their keep nets in then throwing the net in again.  I do want to encourage junior membership Pewsey club needs a future; but in the end I had to get up from my peg and go along to them.  I explained that a match was under way and that their noisy antics were not helping me in particular.  I also pointed out throwing the net in and dragging out, and throwing it out again was not the way they would catch fish.

After explaining a little river craft, like be quite, stay of the horizon sight line, and helping them a little with their rigs I went back to my peg.  They were fine for the last hour of the match, but it was all over for me.  It wasn't their fault but they did have some effect I am sure.  They really annoying thing was one of the lads lowered his rig in and the float shot away and he landed an 8 oz roach - that hurt.  Seriously though the look of joy on his face was a high point of the day for me.

The match ended thank god and Si and myself started weighing in.  Weights increased as soon as we got to the bay and the Bream started showing.

Scores on the doors.

Amazing I weighed in 1 lb 11 oz, hope its enough to close the gap on the superstars in the championship but I doubt it (6 Championship points only if I have worked it out properly).  Big PG (Golden bollocks - manages to draw a flyer every week) takes our section with 16 lb pound + of slabs.

My mate Brian Shutler who joined a couple of weeks ago, wins the second section with 21 lb 14 oz of slabs.  With Spanners picking up section with 6.7 pound.  Looks like I have picked up a couple of points on Chris Rushton, who has my sympathies as the stormy condition brought down a tree branch smashing 2 of his top kits.  Another special mention to Martin Aris with his best Canal weight showing continuing improvement.

So on the day the top 7 weights from Kintbury amount to 25 lb 3 oz, and Pewsey top 7 weights amount to an excellent 70 lb 9 oz

Top three picking up pay out for top three and top three super-pools are :

1st Brian Shuttler 21+ (middle of pic below)
2 nd Paul Giddings PG with 16+ (right)
3 rd Steve Cross 11 lb + (left)

All in the Bay and all with Bream.  Well done lads. Particularly Brian, almost beat Kintbury on his own, peg 10 is a flyer as is PGs peg 7 but you still got to catch em.

Well done lads, Winter league next week at Radstock on the Thames.

Finally the Kintbury lads asked me to tell anyone reading the blog the following match in aid of Charity.

Wessex Winter League, Too many Trout.

Early start again. Our match secretary Leo is laid up with injured back. Get well soon mate.  Leo normally picks up WT, but obviously couldn't today.  I diverted through Everleigh, picked up Will T and whizzed on through the gloom of an autumnal morning to our meeting place at Chisledon Garage.

The rain which was steady after a horrendously stormy night , washed even more leaves into the drains causing floods everywhere.  Some of the floods I drove through were so deep I nearly stopped, got out, tackled up and fished em.

From the garage to the pub for the draw, was like whacky races, the flyer struggled to keep up the pace. She had been through it this morning was cold and wet, and like me wishing I'd stayed in bed.  Still things perked up as the pub opened the Barmaid/Manager was cracker - a truly traditional barmaid all the asset's' if you know what I mean.  The lads were dribbling, and it wasn't the £5 breakfast.  Couldn't manage the breakfast and settled for a sausage sandwich.  Good job to, it wasn't two minutes and I had to race through to the loo.

The Thames at Lechlade.  All the talk was about drawing sections A the Roundhouse or C / D either side of the bridge at Lechlade.  It was thought C was the section to be in.  Chris drew our pegs and for the third Winter league in a row we had peg 5!! I was the furthest away in F section down near St Johns Lock.

 I cursed my luck at being a long way from the fish again.  However, when I got to my peg I wasn't overly upset as it didn't look bad.  Peg below me looked slightly better it was just above the the lock and had a nice looking mooring dock; which looked very Perchy.

I had a bush immediately upstream and above that once again I had Simon Burden Pewsey 2. That's three weeks in a row I have pegged next to this excellent angler.  Maybe third time lucky to get ahead of him this week. Above Si, Paul Giddings - Pewsey Angler fishing for Isis.  The area in front of me was a bit of a slack, being in the lee of the bush it had silted badly and was around 18 inches deep.  On the edge of the flow about 12 meters, it dropped off to around 6 feet; where there was a bank of sub surface cabbages.  I would have liked to see it in its summer coat, I wouldn't have wasted so much time plumbing around in summer as the water would be clearer.  So I managed to find a fairly clean line at 14 meters, but there was very little flow.

1100 o'clock whistle came and the downstream wind was horrendous trying to hold the pole was not easy.  I put in three orange size balls of ground bait laced with caster and hemp; and dropped a rig over it.  Bang it had not travelled more than a foot before it dipped and the first of what was to be 50 gudgeon came to the bank.  Struggling to get anything other than gudgeon I upped the feed rate, which resulted in the first of seven trout on the day. The smallest pictured below at around 2 lb.

The trout were a real pain as they didn't count in the match and I had around 17 lb of em.  It was the crushing disappointment that each time the elastic shot out, I thought Chubb or Bream, but only to see the spotty come to the surface.  The Radcot guy below me was, catching skimmers I had seen him net at least three around 10 ounces, and he was amassing a bit bag of small roach and Gudgeon as well.  He to had two trout.  Simon above me was catching nice size fish the landing net was going out, despite his concern at a lack of bites.  The worm line for both Simon and myself had only resulted in signal Crays.

The Heavens opened at about quarter past 2.  It was blowing a hooly, maggots were getting wet and crawling everywhere.  It was generally miserable and trying to hold the pole long, was hard work.  Out came the "Wagg" and I started pinging bait to try and get some Roach going.  Bleak obliged, as did a couple of 3 ounce Perch.  But no Roach.  The Radcot guy below me was fishing top 5 and getting one a chuck up in the water.  So I shallowed up and up the feed even more; but for every Roach he had I got a Bleak.  I cast about two thirds of the way down the swim thinking the bigger fish may be hanging of the back.  Three 3 ounce Roach in a row then nothing.  

God was trying all he could to up the River levels, by pouring even more Rain on us.  I expected to see the animals arriving two by two at the Lock below us and start getting on a big wooden boat, moored there.  Talking of the mooring area.  I mentioned it earlier.  The guy below me had chucked the waggler in there and had a dog Perch.

The Whistle went and we all weighed in; and went back to the pub for the results and a pint.  Oh and of course another chance to admire the Barmaids rack.

 The Scores are totted up, and the maths is completed.

 Chris has picked up third in A section. Steavy Dean struggled a little in a shallow swim

 Mike was inconsolable in his tight section, with only 6 ounces between the top three. Martin Aris continues his improvement, with his top weight of the comp so far. Just pipping his team Captain.

 C section, the section everyone wanted.  The weights around the bridge were as expected with Kev Chubb, leading the way with 10 lb 6 oz. Mr Hillier a creditable 6 lb 13 oz - a good weight in any other section.

 Our Super sub Si Irwin on the Day, had done Leo and the Team proud by storming his section.  Steve Hiscocks famous waggler struggled on the day.

 Spanners struggled for bites but managed a creditable weight and Will T struggled on the peg above him to get a bite.

As for me.  I was delighted to pip Si Burden but disappointed to be beaten into 4th by Paul Giddings and the Isis B guy who had those bonus Perch a that made all the difference.  Like Mike in B Section just a couple more fish!!

 Don't get me wrong 50 gudgeon is a lovely catch, loads of fish, but the guy below me has had skimmers and Perch to win the section; apart from the 7 Trout I just could not buy the bonus fish I wanted - how does PG manage it?  Thanks to him for lending me a black marker pen to colour the tip of the float for the shiny conditions.  Also to Si for the little piece of black float rubber.

Well done to Si for his section pick up. Only 1 oz of  fourth place!

And to Kev Chubb for winning the Match.

Pewsey 2 brought up the rear today, hard luck lads.  Pewsey 1 beat arch rivals Isis, and sneaked second place behind Radcot.  Radcot lead by 5 points going into the next round on their home water.

Next week Ladies Bridge, a championship match combined with a challenge match with Calne.

Army 1 the 13/14 Season kicks off. Who moved the goal posts?

Up at 5, and out the door at 6. Miserable and dark for the 30 minute drive to Bishops Cannings.  Accompanied by the sound of Marillion  "Script for a Jesters Tear", and The Levellers "Leveling the Land" even the great music like 15 Years and Battle of the Bean field, couldn't remove the discomfort from my still knackered gut.

Pulled up at the Bridge Inn and grabbed my torch.  Bugger as the torch lamp faded on cue - flat battery.  Opened the back of the van to grab the back up torch,and dropped it on the road smashed into many pieces. Great. Lets put the wellies on Carl is getting impatient.  Yes you have guessed left the wellies at home.So in the pitch black of autumn Wiltshire morning we started.  And so did the rain.

I really didn't want to be pegging , I was sweating like a fat lass in a chip shop, the stomach cramps worse than they have been for a while.  Stepped onto the tow path straight into what could have only been a big dog shit, either that or the boaters do it on the towpath here.  Out of that and into a puddle up to my ankle.  So with my trainers full of water we trudged into the gloom.

Pegging is a thankless task, whatever you do people will always moan.  Carl and I take the view can you do it better? then get up at 5 am and do it.  Three sections of 15. A section from the Bridge inn up to the turning bay.  B section over the Swing bridge (8 pegs right and 7 left on the dead stretch).  Fondly named the dead stretch as it has produced so many blanks for us over the past few years.  Finally C Section.  Down to Horton village and 8 and 7 either side of the Bridge on the Hill next to Hareworth House.  Both Carl and I fancied drawing this section.

Raced back to the Crown at Bishops Cannings for admin, sausage sandwich and a cup of tea.  First point of call the loo, and frantically tried to get several layers of clothing off before it was too late. I have no control over my gut and it was coming, and coming big style.

With relief and fully dressed again I went into the pub and tried to be sociable as I felt my body returning to normal.  It was with great pleasure that I turned around to see Ian, "Spanners" Spanswick my mate from Pewsey AC.  Ian was on leave and I had invited him to attend as guest of the Army to fish.

The pub filled and the long process of registering teams and individuals for the season to come, began.  Orphans have two teams this year.  Red and Blue.  Carl and I did the match brief talked people through the Car parks, and sections.  A little Health and safety warning from me, about undercut banks, overhead cables and slippery tow paths.  The draw begins.  Now I have asked a few people who draw well how to draw a good peg.  Apparently you close your eyes concentrate on the one you want and it comes out magically.  I wanted A or C section not B.  If I did get B please let it be near the swing bridge and not on the dead stretch.

So it was with unrestrained misery that I drew the dead stretch.  Not only that but as far from the swing bridge as I could be....  Really! Yes really, the day could get worse.  The wind was getting up and the rain heavier.  Perhaps god will smile and I will be in a section with anglers of equal ability! Voice from above comes down - " aint gonna happen fat boy stop bitchin".  So on the way to the peg, I passed Chris Perry Roy Rickets, Si Irwin and then to top it who's next to me but Yoda.  John Dewberry my friend and mentor.  Each though a nail in my match coffin.

All very good Anglers, so great no chance today.  Lets just enjoy the wildlife as there is no fish here.

  The dead stretch looking back at the people on fish and wishing.  

John did have the worst of starts by plonking down his trolley on arrival where upon it tipped sideways dropping his box into the canal.  I ran back down to help him, and his flooded box from the depths and back up the bank..

Yoda tackling up.

 He had that look that said someone is going to pay for that, he just lit a fag and got on with it with that robotic determination he has.  The man is a fishing machine.








I had the feeling he didn't want to talk.  So left him and crept away back to my peg.  The bank went straight down no ledge; so didn't get the platform in as it would have been well submerged.  Not good stuck high on the bank horizon like a sore thumb. Hedge behind was a solid thicket so no room to feed the pole back. Bugger just get on with it.  I shouted the all in and dropped in a nugget of crumb. Fish first drop and another and another and another.  No size but at least I haven't blanked as expected on the dead stretch.  Yoda is bagging in his metronomic fashion.  Small stuff like me but I am nearly fish for fish with him which is pleasing.  The first boat comes through and stirs the silt and the swim dies. So across into shallow 12 inch water and a I am catching 3 fish = 10 grams.  Frustratingly no bigger fish show.  I never thought I would long for a River Nadder minnow, but a minnow would be a big fish today.

Near side swim has settled and I drop in the punch and get a lovely proper 10 oz Roach.  Then nothing.  I try the choppy line hoping for a dog Perch to boost me; but get three gudgeon. I catch steadily with very small fish for 2 hours despite a couple of boats passing through. Then it dies and so does Johns swim.  John, starts catching again, after half an hour or so, but I don't; and its another 1 and a half hours before my next bite.  Wonder how Spanners is doing.  Is he flying the Pewsey Flag?

After going down to a size 24 hook and single squat I scratch a few more roach from the far side. Generally I am pleased, John has beaten me for sure, but I reckon I have a kilo, and a 2 kilos can win this match if history is anything to go by.  I shout the all out.  We pack quickly and wait for the scales to come.

Bugger it appears others in the section nearer the swing bridge have done well.  Hope I haven't let the team down.

The lads have a few drinks and fishy tales are exchanged whilst the scores are totted up.

"A" section from the Bridge Pub to the turning bay.  Danny Jones is the man blasting (ARTILLERY ) the section with 3 kilo + from peg 2.  Orphans Blue Dave Griffiths overcomes Dave C Orphans RED Dave G did have the benefit of being on the edge of the famous turning bay, but you still got a catch em.  Already we begin to note the good weights - remember historically a kilo has been a great weight.  Perhaps the continuing mild weather has helped.

Midsectionblues for me 7th but 6 points for the team (2 Kilo 180 g or 4 and 3/4 pound).  Did manage to get past Roy Rickets in Orphans Blue so bonus there.  Pleasing to be so close to Chris Perry and Si Irwin (Army and Pewsey member) as well; not many grams in it.  Yoda of course has taken the section  ( 3 kilo+ or 6.5 lb).  Who else could drop their tackle box in and then win the section?  Gav Bolitho 2nd on the expected flyer against the end of the reeds.

C Section.  Go Spanners, great news the Pewsey flag flies high and proud.  I am delighted to say Ian bagged three kilo 820 g (8lb).  He picked up 3rd in Super pools and section by default.  Orphans Carl Amman and John Goddard struggled on the day unlucky lads

Well done to a group Chairman, (Kev East) winner with 4 kilo 440.  Unlucky Ivan Oakey 4 kg dead for second it was tight.

Got to be happy, I am top Orphan on the day and on the dead stretch!   Red pips Blue - just.
Orphans Red = 23
Orphans Blue = 26

Put that in perspective though Nomads the perennial Champs have total of just 6 points, its going to be a long season.

Mid section but happy.  Just need to know who moved the goal posts?  Just when I put in a reasonable show and get what historically could have been a winning weight - so does everyone else!!!

Look forward to Sunday myself Spanners and the Pewsey lads on the Thames at Lechlade.  Leo may not fish, but Si Irwin has said he will try and get there. Bonus Si knows the Thames well.

Pewsey Lake - New Fish, New members and New records.

Forgot my my camera today so sorry about the quality of the Camera photos.  For those of you that read a couple of weeks ago "Pewsey Pipe Dream" will know I fancied pipe swim 12 today.  Not to be though as I drew peg 7, another peg I have not fished before.  The club had completed the first stage of the stocking program mid week, so it was with great expectation that we drew hoping to catch some of the new fish.  All the fish had gone in at peg three, and the feeling was they wouldn't have traveled far.

My constant pushing of Pewsey club to my friends has resulted in Carl and Brian buying tickets to join.  Brian just but a canal ticket but has decided to upgrade to include the lake.  Carl on the other hand went for the full ticket and turned up today for his first Lake match.  Not that Carl needs telling how to fish, we took a walk down the lake and I pointed out a few facts , depth type of bait hook and line as well as elastic size etc.

Come and join Pewsey at http://www.pewseyfishingclub.co.uk/

The match today was nothing special, from the moment Jim called the all in, it started to rain and the cold rain kept coming all day.  Carl had drawn peg 10, Ian 12 Chris 9 and Paul Giddings 15 the flyer.  Will T was going to do his normal meat attack on 13.  Either side of me I had Simon left and Jim right.

I wasn't ready at the off, trying my new tackle box I had prepared badly and nothing was where it should be.  On the plus side the tackle box (Matrix Super box) was very solid and very comfortable.  Went to swing in my first rig, and hooked the top of the keep net.  Trying to get the hook out, I snapped it at the shank.  So tackle up again plump up again and I am already behind.  Never mind. Just enjoy.

The match is slow, there is the normal small 5 gram fish, but it is a grind.  Plugged away, with no real reward, but Simon and Jim are doing no better.  Simon seems to be changing tactics and going long to an over hanging bush (about the full 16 meters.), this results straight away in bites including a near double figure Carp.  This prompts me to try the waggler across, to long for the pole in my swim.  Nothing for 2 hours then the float dips and for a minute or two I try and pull a 3 lb Chubb into the landing net backwards. Its hooked lightly in the flank near the tail.

Each lunge away from the net sees the hook slide closer and closer to the tail until it comes off; and that sinking feeling you get when you feel it slipping away takes a grip.  I decide to give up on fishing for big stuff and just get as many silvers as I can.  Be confident there is still an hour to go and there is still 5 points on offer for second in the section after all.  The match draws to a close word is my mate Carl has done well on his debut at the lake. Jim has a had a nice Perch,and so have I. Simon has won our section with a 9 lb 4 oz Carp plus silvers

The boys walk by on their way to peg 2 to start weighing in.  Carl weighs in and sure enough hes got it. Good on him.

Paul on the flyer has second with some Carp and a 1 lb of Silvers.  Special mention for Will T.  Will fishes for Carp and nothing else so fair play to him he had two today and to top a Lake record Bream (2.5 lbs).  He was not quite sure how the Bream got the huge lump of meat in its mouth but it did.

Other notable mentions, Martin Aris , no longer "Mr 3 oz", keep improving mate your getting better , another day closer to the brown envelope.  It goes without saying that Ian bagged his normal 140+ tiddlers (5 lb 12.5 oz) for his weight as he marches relentlessly toward the Championship title.

Personally, I am delighted Carl won, as I had paid his super pools, on condition we split it if either of us won, so a days fishing for effectively a fiver and five points for second in section.  Happy result after all.

Left to right 1,2 and 3 Carl Paul and Will T. Money makes it easier to smile on a miserable day.

Next week.  Wednesday Army 1st match of 2013/14 Season on the Canal, Spanners joining me as a guest angler.  Then on to Sunday and back to Lechlade - Thames - Winter League.

Tight lines and full nets to you all.

Apologies P2..........Whats in a name.

Several comments from the ladies in Pewsey 2 team.  I must apologise for not mentioning in Sundays blog that Pewsey 2 finished above Pewsey 1.  Clearly a good effort well done, sorry for not mentioning it.  Main thing is Pewsey members whoever they are do well.  Go Pewsey

Picture from round one.

5 GRAND

It is with gobsmaking amazement that as I turn on the blog today, to note I have surpassed 5000 views!  Really, thanks to all who take the time to follow an ordinary anglers adventures.

Started in January, what a year its been to record. Eastliegh kindly invited me to join the Toyota League comp, thanks to Gary Naylor the organiser for those memories. The upside a cash pick up and top match weight for me this year 124lb, the down - on the next match at Stonehams, freezing cold and 10 ounces to come nowhere.

 I have been warmly welcomed by a terrific bunch of guys at Pewsey and District AC truly the epitome of the traditional friendly fishing club, who somehow manage to balance the needs of all their members and what they want out of fishing - at a budget price.

 My fellow Anglers at Group 2 Army gave me the honour of being Captain and choosing the team for the Bait Tech Angling times competition at Revels.  My "Orphans " team mates, we faded toward the end but we had the other teams sweating for the first half of the season.

Being part of the Army Team to beat Andover, with me winning my own individual match within this match, against James Hillier a Browning sponsored angler.


The superb Mark Blake (yellow shirt) for organising the "alternative spring festival" at Withy. Happy memories of a friendly competition

My mate Steve, for asking me to fish with him in a Eastleigh pairs competition, when nobody else would.  We almost won it and were very glad to pick big cash for second place.
  

None of this would be possible without thanking certain individuals new and old friends who have continued to support me through the worst of tantrums.  When I have broken kit or thrown it into nearby fields through sheer temper and red mist; they have been there to say no worries mate your getting better, why don't you try this tip..................

I don't think many of us enjoy Monday to Friday at Work, but I really hate my job with a vengeance.  My fishing is genuinely the thing that keeps me going, and its due to in a big part to the people I have met.

So thanks to my long time friends Dave Moody, John Dewberry;

 and to all the others who have advised me and been kind enough to offer top advice Mark Blake, Ben Bentley, Mayo. My new friends at Pewsey - Spanners and Leo, + the other members of the Pewsey teams truly wonderful Canal anglers.

Finally those on the edge who have made the whole all round experience of fishing worthwhile, Christine and James Moody.  Frank, gummy Gumbledon, Colin and Lin Selwood (Lins cakes still the best in the world).  Graham Tappy Tappenden and Mike Buzzer Bernstein Challis Tackle.

We'll forget about the lost Carp, the broken top kits, the straightened hooks and being severely infected with Carpus non Bitus.  Mike Marsden said it at the weekend, fishing is about confidence; and looking back over the year he is bang on - when I am confident I fish well and get results.  Time for Moody and Dewberry to teach me some mind games me thinks.

Fish of the year a Rudd. Gods glory made real for me.

See you on Sunday. Gagging for it.