Pewsey end of year bash day 2

Man was it another brutally cold night.  I wont bore you with the bumper car icy road antics of the minus 3 drive; but glad to say I was relieved to sit down for breakfast.

Much banter and jest was abound as yesterdays fun continued as if we had never been away.  All got stuck into hearty breaky and tea and coffee.  Chris collected his quid of Marc Kay but declined a £10 side bet.

Above the finishing positions after day 1.  No surprise to see most of the Bowdens swing bridge section in the bottom third.  A little surprised though to see some of those who drew Milk house below me.  The draw had been bought forward to 8 am and the match itself from 10 til 3 so we didn't weigh in in the dark.

As you will be aware I am desperate not to end 2014 on another mid section draw.  Preferably an end peg and if I was to choose; I would have Milk house first followed by the boats (as long as I can get something other than peg 3 or 4) and last choice Wilcot Rd.  Fair play to James Carty he has organised it to give everyone a chance and a fair bit of variety.

It was with crossed fingers, toes and everything else that I dipped in the bucket saying "not Wilcot not Wilcot".

It was the boats - phew. Due to the wires running through the middle, there was a chance of 4 possible end pegs.  Brian Shutler was in my section so that was surely one of them gone. From the remaining 12 pegs I had a 4 to 1 chance. But I didn't get one. Nic Worters had 2 with no one on 1. Other end of section Nigel Russell had the far end on the edge of the turning bay.  Brian had indeed got the first peg on the end of the rushes past the wires.  Alan Brown had the Wharf side of the wires; and I wonders will never cease had got past 3 and 4 and up to 9.  Opposite a dilapidated craft that some joker had put a 10'k price tag on.

With Alan favourite on my left I decided just to enjoy.  Try a few things I wouldn't risk in a club match stay warm.  Zak Phillips was on my right fair play to the juniors I thought they wouldn't stick out the two days in the cold but they did.  Keen as mustard, with Morgan also in the section bragging rights were up for grabs.

Martin came along the boat in front of him so he was pissed off with nothing to fish to but that's the luck of the draw. To compound his problems he had pole sections stuck inside pole sections that just would not budge.  So he could only fish to the middle.  I could see he wasn't up for it and any enthusiasm was draining out of his wellies. Next to him he another junior from Devizes club a young Master Cranston. Man he had some kit. A Preston absolute box and literally all the trimming and a top of the range pole. Clearly his parents think a lot of him.  Confident lad to seemed to know what he was doing.

Then it was Buzzer Mike Bernstein still coughing his chest up and wrapped up against the still brutally raw day - below.

I called the all in and we were away I had a fish first drop and then another then another and again. 4 fish in a minute. Then a boat came through.  So across to the boats to let my track swim settle after the boat had churned it up.  It took ten minutes to settle before the churned silt disappeared.  So I potted in a bit more bait and hoped the fish were still there.  Sure enough 2 fish in the first minute 3 in the second , 1 in the third and then another boat came through.  Another 10 minutes across tight to the wreck parked opposite with only a bumble bee of a perch to reward.

15 minutes this time before it settled, and I decided against more bait except 20 grains of hemp.  Good job too, as the constant swirling detritus from the boats dragging the bottom had meant a compost heap of foliage had settled over my original baited area. Bugger it was the only area that had plumbed up 4 inches deeper than anywhere else.

Clearly the fish fancied this area as for the rest of the match the only bites I could get were near it. Also with so many snags now littering the bottom it was difficult to lay on or be dead depth.  Time for a re-think.  After much trial an error I hit in a steady little and often feeding regime. Had come four inches of bottom and on the now moving canal trot by right to left past the bonfire of crap in front of me. It was now half 12 and Martin was walking the bank. It was dire to my right with only peg 2 catching steady and Dave Kirk fishing blood worm on peg 3 also catching.

Alan Brown on the flier end peg to my left was not pulling away so I had hope.  That is till Martin came back from the end pegs past the wires.  Brian Shutler was catching just past the rushes and Nigel Russell on the edge of the bay had fish crawling up his pole.  He was admitting to about 5 lb, which when you have a pound in the net is soul destroying.

I wasn't going to give up and kept ringing the minute changes to my set up to try and buy as many fish as I could out of my swim.  Alan was now catching across at the boats, so I made my only mistake of the day by coming of feeding fish to chase a faster catch rate against the boats.  Big mistake 15 blank minutes and six more fish to Alan putting him I estimated 5 oz in front of me.  The last 20 minutes saw us fish for fish again but I needed a bonus fish to make up the lost ounces.

So the all out was called and the weigh in done. Nigel had blown us all away from the end peg, with a smashing 8 lb 15 oz which included a Crucian of 1.5 lb.  Brian was full 3 lb behind him but surely up in the top 5 on the day.

Now back down toward the Wharf under the overhead cables and to the first past the rushes Alan on the next end peg. 2 lb 7 oz including a couple of 4 ounce Perch I think he had me.  I lifted out to see it would be close. Sure enough 2 lb 2 and half ounces the decision to try and catch fish faster had cost me the 4 and half ounces I needed to beat the end peg. Bugger.  I was also close to Dave "Bloodworm" Kirk at the other end. just off the money again by probably 4 fish.  Nice to have taken Buzzers scalp.  Morgan had the bragging rights over Zak by half an ounce. Young Andy Cranston had also pushed Buzzer hard.  There's a talent for the future.

The other sections now.

Milk house a blow out today after the great weights of nearly every peg yesterday. 

Chris Rushton didn't weigh don't know why. Gary Etheridge wins with a straight 3 lb. Mick Hale and Pete Collins on the end pegs again doing well.

Our host and organiser JC  winning with 5 lb 9.5 oz.  Liam Bradell taking another second in section in consecutive days. Well done Mike Marsden also with 2 x 4 th in section.

A lovely raffle arranged by James and his Wife Teresa after words , beer and choccies , biscuits and wine, didn't win there either - never mind.

The final sheet and the winners and the end of a good but bloody cold two days. Liam Bradell wins it with 24 points, 2nd Nigel Russell 23 points Paul Passmore, Nic Worters and Gary Etheridge tie for third but Paul takes it on weight.  I was pleased to redeem myself with another 7 points taking me to 12 ahead of many friends and mid table blues.

Paul Passmore Left, Liam Bradell center and Nigel Russell on the right

James's Pewsey end of year bash part 1

Bloody hell was I glad to be going fishing missed last weekend and was really ready to catch a few today.  Following a day of heavy cold rain, and a very, very cold night it wasn't going to be easy. In fact it was all about the draw.  James had chosen three different sections for day 1.  Bowdens swing bridge, Crab Apple and Milk house.  Clearly not many including me wanted the swing bridge.  But if it was to be then for once God, please let me draw an end peg.  97% of the pegs I have drawn in 2014 have been mid-section pegs.

Before the draw a lovely breakfast at the Golden Swan.  Then I was called outside for a presentation from the lads.  My failing eyesight meant that the lads (Chas Short) had made me a new pole float. The catch was that I had to retrieve it from a tree!!! Apparently I am the only angler ever -  to put a float in a tree!

Thanks to Marc Kay for taking the photo.  Its nice to end the year having a laugh with your mates.  Proof again if needed of the friendly nature of Pewsey fishing club.  Back to the fishing.  Couple of no shows still left us with an impressive 37. Credit to James drawing in 4 completely new members.

James did the draw and I was at the back of the scrum. By the time I got to the bucket, it was mostly the unwanted Bowdens Swing bridge section.  Still pegs 1,2,12 or 13 surely not a mid-section peg. Not to be though 2014 was determined to ensure the run of unlucky draws --- Peg 8.  Atilla managed peg 1 with Gary Williamson and Liam Bradell getting the other end. Mike Buzzer Bernstein had peg 5, a good looking peg boat tight left on near bank and a gapped peg on his right. Sods law boat owner had been in for a week so his stoves had warmed the water around the boat it was bound to have a few fish.

Freezing cold. I would be glad to have a hedge behind me keeping the wind off.  As it was I had drawn 8, and that is where the hedge breaks to allow an overflow to a drain. So the wind ripped through accompanied by the wafting smell of human waste where presumably a few boaters without a conscience had emptied their toilets amongst the leaf litter.  Trying not to gag I turned my back on it and faced probably one of the most stale and featureless mid section pegs that I have drawn.

The match got under way and it was a pleasure to have my mate Martin on my right and an up and coming junior from the Pewsey juniors Morgan Plank. Morgan and Zak Phillips both Juniors in with the rest of us. A nice way to finish the year, it shows the effort that's gone in is rejuvenating the club and it has a bright future.

The match itself for most of us was a non event, a freezing wind meant the only pegs producing were the ones with a little cover.  Buzzers peg and the others with boats nearby had drawn a few fish to the warmer waters.  Me ten bites in first hour resulting in 10 fish. Then nothing bar an embryo of a fish in the last hour.

Morgan to my left was unlucky to lose a half pound fish at the net.  Martin and I chatted to keep the cold away, Robin strolled and drank tea to keep the cold away.  The end pegs and Buzzer caught small stuff steadily.  Buzzer sounded rough a real flu like hacking cough. Hope he gets better soon.

The weigh in.  Began and as expected the end pegs produced with Gary, pipping Liam by half an ounce. For top points.

My measly bag leaving me with 12 oz 5 points, need a miracle tomorrow.

The other sections then.  

 Crab Apple first, again end pegs have it but many, many more fish here. End pegs again showing with Devizes MG angler taking it with 10 lb 2 oz other good weights from Kev Chubb, Graham Godwin and Paul Giddings who had the favoured Crab Apple tree peg. Good show from the organiser James and my mate Spanners with 4 lb 10 oz. Special mention for my mate Chas Short improving nicely as is Zak Phillips our other Junior.

Lastly Milk house and peg one being by the bridge.  Bob Davis winning this of peg 1 (end peg). Dave Kirk next and closely followed by Nic Worters and a plethora of other 3 lb weights.  Unlucky to Steve Dean couldn't make the most of his end peg.

To tomorrow and day 2.  If it was as cold and windy as today I might just use my new float!

Facebook and Opinions Simply the BEST

Short post time.  I do love Facebook conversations on the Pewsey and District Facebook page.  My friend Mike Marsden below posed a good question on your favourite tackle or your hero.

In the end I had to pose the the question who is the best , the very best all round angler to come out of Wessex in the last 40 years.  As you can imagine strong opinions on all sides.  But soon the cream came to the top.

Captain Mic Maidment Based on the evidence of his CV (Multiple 100, 200 and 300 peg match wins, still winning Opens in 80's today, Pewsey Carnival cup, Winter League individual and team titles, Monster Championship wins on Middle Avon, Broadlands, Thames Rose Bowl, Stour etc etc).

Comments included the others are  "not fit to carry his kit".

Captain Mic Maidment
Rob Randall
Gary Etheridge
Kevin Rowles
Richard Chave
Dave Moody
James Knight
Lee Woodhouse
James Carty
Brian Webb

Sub : Chris Haines

I was surprised at the results (going to be controversial here) as some of the team are very strong in one discipline but as all rounders?

Opinions are like noses we all have one; but I felt there was room in the team for fellow bloggers like
http://silverfoxangling.blogspot.com/ surely with his CV he should have got votes, but the public can be fickle. Bathhampton are Wessex as far as I am concerned.

Pewsey Match 9 Jim and JC show the way, lovely Chubbly

A December icy morn greeted me. Scraped the windscreen with the van running to help the ice of the inside of the windscreen.  Loaded everything in including scoreboard, scales peg numbers and Uncle Tom Cobbly an all.  When I was underway I hit the tunes and Robert Plant explained "there's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold, and shes buying a Stairway to Heaven"

Well the Wiltshire Highways will be delighted because this morning the roads a sparkly and slippery.  Last nights Fonseca port and Cheese board has left my head muggy and as Mr Plant explains " your head is humming and wont go unless you don't know".  So I decide to whack the volume up and let Jimmy page blow away the cobwebs.

A quote from Dave Self came to mind when I crested the hill at Everleigh.  The road was more suited to Torvill and Dean.  As Dave said, " if its a white road its a bread punch day".

So as I slid down White Horse hill behind the morning Milk Tanker, I wondered if the day would bring Christmas cheer.

Jimmy Page gave way to The Levellers and " the girl from 15 years ago and the boys from the late night lock in" as I arrived at the lake.

The Lake had succumbed to the sub zero rural temperatures.  Cat Ice covered the bottom half of the lake forcing even more colour out of the lake.  A good turn out of 14 meant I only had to leave out peg 16 and 1.

Facing a little abuse over my handlebar moustache; and questioned as to if I was related too or indeed was I KFC Col Sanders.  I explained that I was Wing Commander Williams, and should be treated with some respect. You can imagine the uncouth response.

Rules briefed the draw began and I was almost trampled in the rush.  I recorded who was on what peg, which included Roly Phillips (below) again on peg 8 and again peg 8 was drawn as golden peg.

I  had said I would give Chas a pound if either of us drew in section 2 at the Carp end.  It was safe.  Yet again I drew 7 and Chas 4.  Once again Brian was on my left and also in the same section James Carty, Si Burden Neil Pegrum.  So tough section if we can catch.  

As I walked past James I commented at least he still had the remains of the big lily pad to hold a few fish.  He didn't seem pleased with his draw.

The match begins and first cast Will has snagged a big Chubb on the method with a big lump of luncheon meat.  The rest of us hold pleasant conversation as James is the only one catching and they are small fish.  The match enters its 40th  minute before I decide to change from fishing the far bank on the waggler.  I haven't had a bite, so come back over the inside bread punch line. 

The sun has struggled close to its zenith on this mid winters day; and it reveals a gin clarity in the water.  I can see the bottom ring on my net and the 8 inch circle of licky bread on the bottom.  There is a lovely 6 inch Gold fish right at my feet.  

The Goldfish held station just of the bottom pectoral fins gently fanning the surrounding water. Gift Horse me thinks.  I lowered punch so slowly it slid down the forehead of the fish.  It remained motionless less its pecs, and seemed oblivious to the food on offer.  Pinkie, Squat, worm and caster.  The Goldfish zoned out the offerings and remained implacable to all laid before it.

I went back to the waggler and as last time on this peg, hung the first of the Christmas wagglers in the tree opposite. Mirth and merriment followed from Brian and all around.  But I didn't bite.  This the new me it don't matter its just fishing.  Tackled up again and aimed north to the far bank. Beautiful ideal perfect.  It amazes me that you can cast 20 or thirty times and land it on a tea plate then from nowhere you are in a tree.

Metronomically I landed the still water blue float and the size 22 in the same place; and the pinkie fluttered to the detritus covering the far side shelf.  

Worryingly though despite this expert display of waggler fishing, no fish were there to reward me. I tried the whip again but no fish had moved over the licky.  Change and out to the 7 meter line. 15 minutes on bottom, with nothing meant I slid the pole in and out moving the bait a few inches up of bottom at a time. In the hope I would be able to find the thermal layer the fish were responding in.  

Nothing.

Brian has just had a tiny fish, and Jim Broomham down in section 2, has had a Carp.  The cat ice has long gone and rain spattered the surface.  The first of the blank net fears are settling in on my left shoulder and whispering in my ear. "loser, you cant fish, loser. All the gear no idea, loser."  

Thoughts return to the Goldie at my feet. Orientation  had changed slightly as it took in its surroundings. Torpid and immovable it once again ignored the gold, frankincense and Muir I laid at his Christmas dinner table. Then with an imperceptible flick of its tail it glided out and away from me.

Brian's had enough and even fishing 17.5 meters to the far side with his pole he has nothing.  He mentions the word embarrassment once again, wondering where he was going wrong.  Back on the waggler and the float dips a little on the drop so like a cobra I strike into a tiny squat fish.  One each Brian.  

Chas has had a couple as well and Neil, a bonus Perch. JC is still scratching out the tiny stuff as is Si Burden.  Brian and I are distinctly worried, we just cant buy a bite; and whilst the others are only catching tiny, tiny fish we are being roundly beaten.

Brian gets out the prayer mat. But it does no good.

The main voice in my head (Mr Poison) is again whispering in my ear, and as I twitch at the word "loser" float number two adorns the decorated tree opposite.  Laugh it off, you can catch fish you are not a loser.  As if to prove the point another tiny fish comes to a mid water up in the water rig.

But that was it really.  Visitors came and went, I hooked and lost a Mallard duck, who took my 24 hook and a squat bait as it swam by.  Hooked in the bum meant even Duck a' l'Orange was not on the Christmas menu.  Chas caught a couple more small fish but even those who managed to draw where the fish were glad when I shouted "all out" 

The lake is a weird. When it switches off it does so big style.

The weigh in begins and it doesn't look good with only Jimmy catching anything of note.  Even Spanners, and Pete White capable anglers had struggled.  Leo showing a little class but having to fish a 6 ounce bottom and a tiny bait to scratch a few small ones.  Section one and the first three pegs by the inlet produce a little but it gets worse the further away from the inlet you get.

So what can I take from today.  Well good anglers around me struggled so its not me.  Its the lake, the Ice.  Had a nice day waggler fishing, nice to get away from the pole for a bit. 

My tackle box admin is in a mess.  I need to restock the wagglers and other sundry items.  The kit needs a  bloody good clean.  But best of all as you can see below, I beat Brian by half an ounce and clawed back a point on him.  Have a feeling I may be down to 3rd in Champs as Si Burden passes me.

Just like to note the great 5 points for Chas Short well done for sticking at it mate.

Well done to all the winners. 

Jim and James occasional fishers this year on the lake, come in and walk away with some funds - bloody nerve.  

Well done to Will Tapper cracking Chubb, 3 lb 7 oz - shame you weren't in the silvers pool. Bit of head scratching as not all were in the super pools and silvers pool.  Which meant JC whilst third still filled his pocket with top super pools, and the silvers as well.

  

2014 Blogscars or Fishing Oscars

It was year ago at the end of my first year of Blogging, that I listed those people and things that deserved my awards for the year.  Some tongue in cheek others very serious, and all it seems controversial as the comments flowed in for and against.

So in no particular order I will do the same.  Try and cram what was a busy angling year full of memories, happy and sad into this blog.  In a year when one kind reader put me forward as a columnist to match fishing magazine. It still amazes me the volume of readers of my drivel, and from so many places around the world.  I have had letters from America, Australia and a worryingly stalker type from Taiwan - you know who you are stop it, Big Dog is my nickname. I am not sending a photo.

Top three Tackle buys

1. Drennan Match Pro Ultralite 11 ft 2 piece waggler.  Brilliant Canal waggler soft enough to strike without breaking 6 ounce hook length (Reids Tackle)

2. Diawa Connoisseur G20 13 mtr option (extra top 5's) great back up for my tourny interchangeable sections and a great river pole. (Reids Tackle)

3. Garbolino Rocket 3 mtr whip (Challis Tackle Andover) £25 unbelievable for the price.

Top 6 blokes.

Martin Aris. Boundless enthusiasm and always improving. Photos Below include Leo Pocock Chairman Pewsey does so much for club. Si Irwin comeback kid blew the doubters away.  Kev East Army Group 2 like Leo so much work for the cause. Chas Short, when times are bad Chas is your man, such a good human being. Attila Adam (Dino floats) and all around nice bloke.

Top 3 /4 Match men.  These are the guys that are have been hard to beat over the past 12 months. Or you would rather not be in your section.  Mr Trevett sneaks in ahead of Mike Marsden just. Brilliant Summer League but faded a little in the winter.

1. John Dewberry Mentor and Friend did beat him once this year.

2. Brian Shutler. Hates the CAMERA.  Always in the frame hard to beat have done so but not enough. Winter League individual champ. Just beaten by John in the Army individuals.
3. Steve Trevett. Summer League individual winner .

4. Mike Marsden.  I thought he was daft leaving Pewsey for Devizes Match Group.  Hes proved me wrong he has established himself in DMG and besides being a nice bloke is a force you don't want pegged next to you.

Top three Idiots.

Pics say it all.

So glad you joined Pewsey Top 3.  This list could be really long, so sorry if your not in.

Lee Knight (below), Marc Kay and Chris Glover 

Team of the Year.  Has to be a squad really.  Pewsey Match Group so close in so many events including Bait Tech against Devizes, and although not winners of the Wessex Summer and Winter leagues. So many teams of four and six , in top 3's and individual winners in matches and whole competitions.  A good inaugural year to build off.

Top three venues and matches for me.

Christain Malford. Do I love the river.

Roundhouse Lechlade Thames. What a lovely day and a netful

Stillwater this time and winner on Pewsey Lake.

Three favourite fish.  

Not big (around a pound a piece) but beautiful and the rudd and roach on the stick with bread punch lovely.

  Finally the disappointments.  Missing out by an ounce on so many occasions most notably for good points in competitions. Fading as the season goes on and allowing Brian to stretch 10 points ahead of me - could still catch him.  Horrendous Army season 2013/2014.  Not picking myself for the Bait tech match against Devizes, so wanted to be involved, had to put the team first.  Breaking my Normark Mk1 Microlite rod, beyond repair crushed in the garage.

Happy moment winning the Pairs with Chris Rushton in the summer; and seeing the Juniors coming through and realising "bloody hell" they are really good.  Below two of many coming through Sophie Spanswick and Morgan Plank.

So will end with my favourite photos taken over the last 12 months.

James Carty at work

The fish that won me a section by an ounce, saved from a Pikes jaws.

And finally putting fishing in perspective.