Pewsey Canal Championship. Wilcot or not that is the question.

I must open with a big thank you to Leo Pocock our Match Secretary and Chairman.  We know its not easy and you cant please them all; but here is a guy who doesn't shy from the decisions when they need to be made.  We were looking forward to fishing Wilcot good weights have returned in recent weeks to the section with the shortest walk.  However to peg Wilcot with the volume of moored boats there today would have left the pegging unfair.  So Leo had decided to peg from Swing bridge to Bowdens bridge.  A good turn out saw us trudging to the Swing bridge for the draw, and set tackle up. Thanks to Leo for the thankless task of organizing a fishing match.

My mate Atilla (Dino floats) Adam had met me at my house today and wasn't far from me two pegs up on peg 9. Steve Hiscock to my right on 8 and Martin Aris on 6  So it was lucky 7 for me.

My peg looked reasonably juicy and ripe for a bag of fish, but looks can be deceiving.  I like the look of the bush at 11 o'clock and at only 12 mtrs I hoped for a couple of feet of depth across.

  The match started and in the fist 5 minutes there were three boats through.  Word had filtered along that Spanners was on the end peg as Chas Short had changed his mind at the last minute and decided not to fish peg 1.  Don't know why.

Kev "the bread" Chubb was pleasure fishing on his own the other side of Bowdens bridge, must be a sure fire winner from there.  A few fish on the whip on the inside whilst I let the track swim settle after the boats.  Then in on the choppy , the float slid away and the first of 4 worm caught Crayfish.  More boats were killing my swim the narrowness of the canal leaving me know where to go but across under the bush.

At 12 inches deep and full of twigs brambles etc, it was a frustrating time.  The fish were tiny about five to an ounce, but at least I was catching others were struggling.  From the 12 inches it dropped of a cliff into the track at about 4 feet deep.  The dilemma was do I keep going with the tiny fish or do I come off feeding fish and drop into the deeper water and hope for a better stamp?

Bank side chat from those friends walking the tow path made my mind up.  Si Irwin and James Carty had confirmed Kev Chubb was running away with it those to my left Paul Giddings, Ian on the end and Si Burden were catching.  Most were struggling but Chris Rushton had started with a hybrid.  Good on Chris he has had a crap week. Only thing is I had gone a quid with both him and Spanners.

Still if I keep at it I might get a bonus fish, don't come of the feeding fish don't throw it now.  Steve Hiscock was catching slow, but he was catching bigger than me so I had my wok cut out.  The boats came and went the cyclists and tow path traffic was constant, the sun shone and before I knew it.  It was all out.  Rumour had it Kev had walked it and Chris was going to push him having had "another" hybrid! In the last ten minutes.

When asked I with my normal response, which infuriates some .  "What you got Gazzer"? "Tough day, says I,only about 5 ounces".  Martin was his normal diplomatic self, responding "5 ounces, my arse, you caught all day".  That wasn't actually true there were long periods with out a bite, and when I did catch they were small. My mate Atilla came along, not quite a s big a smile as the last match which he won at Ladies Bridge. I have 40 fish, you? 5 Ounces says I.  tough day.

So to my net maybe 2 lb:

Just too many tiny fish to make a difference.  The scores on the doors make interesting reading, Danny Jones could have won it he reckons if he could have weighed in the cray fish he had, seems the choppy line didn't work for any of us today.  

Chris had his late Hybrid on double red on a 22, against the rushes far side, and was bemoaning the fact he should have gone across earlier. Si Burden and Paul Giddings were as normal not giving anything away which meant they had done well; and Spanners was quietly confident.

Surprisingly Leo had done three sections, and my mid section had some quality anglers in it.  So I was glad to take it, ahead of Garbolino Atilla, and Colmics Dave Johnson.  In addition pipped my target for the day was Brian Shutler leading (1st) me (2nd) by 4 points in the Championship.  Although we will have to wait for Leo to do the Math, but Ian (Spanners) Spanswick 2nd and Chris's 3rd has brought them back into it.

Well done to Derek Hillier section winner by default to the match winner. Dead pleased for him hes a cracking bloke, and its nice to see someone different picking up. Well played mate.

Triple default section for Paul Giddings in the section with the fish, well played to him too. I think he was disappointed. Can't win em all PG.

So to the pay out, and I dig into my pot of side bet pound (s) won so far this year and hand out to Spanners and Chris. Nice to make Chris smile at the end of a horrible week for him.

So to the winners . Kev the bread (in the middle) a clonking pleasure fish bag from the Bridge, and Spanners from the other end peg.  Finally 3rd for Chris whose two hybrids brought him from obscurity to third, well played mate.

Intermediately as with all match finishes, thoughts turn to next weekend and where are we? Well no where actually, unfortunately the open canal match as been cancelled due to the organizers work commitments; so we decide to go and practice for the final round of the summer league in two weeks.

Disappointment melts away for some, and hopes rise for next week as we trudge of back to the car park, and the home trip. After recent downers and some considerable bad luck, happiness returns its fickle face to me and smiles; I am accompanied home by the music of Paul Weller, the Proclaimers, Mark Knopfler and Dr Feelgood.

See you next week.

Army Group 2 Insanity gets a grip at end of Season Bash

Well a day I thought I would note be part off arrived. Some fellow angles thought I had not been serious when I said at the last Todber match that , that was it. Match fishing could go and jump. July has seen some of my worst performances all grouped together.  Only tempered by a good second place on the river at the weekend, where I say with some pride I fished well and took the scalp of many a good angler.

So that and encouragement from Kev East, and an outright order from my mate John Dewberry TO GET MY ARSE to the match and stop being a sulky wuss, meant that at 07.15 saw me eating a hearty breakfast at the Globe pub in Somerton. Breakfast done we had the AGM, which is of course private business.

Venue (Viaduct) car park filled with expectant anglers unloading kit and slapping on the sun tan lotion. The draw, well I was pushed forward by my fellow Orphan team mates - for once we were a three man team. My peg was exactly the same as the last Viaduct match 115. I arrived at the peg, and decided to treat it as a pleasure day, and just catch a few Carp.

The Lake looked a little turbid, but fish were feeding.  John came along with words of encouragement, which was nice.  Just enjoy yourself and keep it simple was the summary.  So I started to unload the tackle determined to banish this past 6 weeks, sure the bad luck was behind me.  First the ready rod bag.  Now the point of a ready rod bag is rod set up already just click together and 10 seconds you done! So it was with some amazement that I found a birds nest of a tangle!!!  I muttered a little "oh well", and I tried nervously to laugh it off, sure that this had to be only a shadow of the bad luck recently.  A good 15 minutes later I had untangled it, and disentangled the hook trace which had weaved itself neatly amongst the bag zip.

I sat on my box brought the rod up and with majestic sweep fired the pellet waggler forth.  Only I didn't because I had hooked myself up in the tree above me.  You've got to laugh haven't you - no! 15 minutes later new float etc, set up clipped up and ready to go.  Rest of the kit sorted plumbed up, plan in my head and a sense of normality returning. Just cupping kit and bait to prepare.  Wrong cupping kit but no cup, cheers to Rocky on the next peg for the loan.

8 Mill meat cutter. Rising irritability meant I pulled to hard on the meat tin tab, snapping it.  Got the gerber out and cut my way into the tin.  Sweaty hands and greasy meat meant I juggled it before eventually the whole block of meat bounced off my foot and dropped down the side of the platform with a satisfyingly large plop into the lake.  No worries (hysteria rising) another tin in the bag don't let it get to you said the sane side of my brain.  Walk away and do it back on the bank. Meat in the cutter I slammed the punch drown to chop it and inexplicably the meat cutter -  metal I might add - BROKE. Hysteria really was close now, and even the promise of a comforting hug from Kev East wouldn't stop the nervous breakdown.

The match got underway, and after unhooking myself from the keep-net, I lowered in the pellet. Before it hit the bottom I was away and the black hydro ripped out. At last there is a god and I can catch Carp after all. But oh know don't get ahead of yourself its not in yet; and actually it never was, as the number 6 section crumpled under the pressure.  Thankfully it wasn't my Tourny it was my Milo, nevertheless I started to look heavenwards and couldn't stop the expletives from flowing touretes style.

John fearing for my sanity (and he told me later fearing I was going to have a seizure) told me to take a deep breath, telescope and start again. So I did breath and start again, although the blood in my temples pulsed with the high pressure that would cause an erection in most of us. Two minutes later and I'm in again and got the fish to top kit before yes you guessed it, the top kit crumpled and I lost the fish.  Now I could go on but I guess by now you quite simply don't believe that one man could be so unlucky or incompetent.  So I will just summarize the next few hours.

Fish 11 (hooked played and lost), Gary nil, two broken top kits and a broken bomb rod!!! The rod a Shimano Beast master.  Beast master my arse it wasn't tested at the Viaduct.  Soothing words (we all have bad days mate) from Vinny Payne on the next peg couldn't allay my depression, especially when the bloke saying it is playing a carp and my bad day has lasted months.

An hour to go and Brian Shutler is bagging the carp on the pellet waggler. He is doing no different to me so technically I should catch as well.

Sure enough I manage again to hook a fish, would it be fish 12 Gary nil, or is this the one.  Foul hooked in the tail I dragged it inexorably to the net and shouted with joy of getting in the landing net. Safely in the keep net, I couldn't contain myself anymore and the manic laughter roared forth, leaving some I am sure questioning if I had finally lost it, and gone mad. 

The whistle came way to early as I started to get them going and had 4 more.  My fellow Orphans had struggled and I finished top of our team, but it was little consolation to what has been an horrendous season.  I believe a short break from match fishing would help, but a heavy calender means I am committed to the cut on Sunday. Lets hope the silvers treat me better than the commercial venues have in recent times.

To the presentations and well done to all who have done well this year, and do well at the festival. Sorry not to have photographed the score sheets or indeed noting who had won what it all happened so quickly.

Kev starts it off

and the winners are 

The Most enthusiastic Angler award 

Championship runner up

 BS

The main man and Champion again 

John Yoda Dewberry

Well done to all who entered, my depression does not reflect  your company.  You truly are a talented bunch of anglers and a credit to your profession.

Army - "Be the Best"

Pewsey summer league recognition at last

Green shoots of enthusiasm creeping over me as I woke this morning, an early start.  Steve Hiscock didn't know the way so over to Ludgershall first to meet him and then he followed me up through Marlborough, Calne and Lyneham as we headed north to Christian Malford.

First lets recognize my mate Ian "Spanners" Spanswick, his fantastic season last year included him winning the individual Trophy for the best angler only dropping 1 point through the whole competition outstanding, superb, incredible the superlatives go on.  However the organizers failed to recognize this achievement by providing an individual trophy.  That was put right this morning. Taking a leaf from the Tour De France, a yellow jersey was presented , nearly a year late but never mind.

Shielding his eyes from the fading light of fame time to get on with today's business.  He needs a bit of last 

years ability to show we need to beat Clanfield who are creeping away with it. Well done mate.

So after having a pleasure session on the match stretch last week getting 12 lb + of lovely Roach I had decided that the thoughts of giving up match fishing were suppressed for the moment.  Still there but suppressed.  Bad guts of the last few days meant I had nibbled a breakfast not even finishing my Bacon Brioche roll (didn't taste right), no tea last night and the stomach was starting to rumble.  Never mind lets get on with it. One of the issues with this venue is the field owner doesn't like anglers and had refused to open the gate. "Get of my land" comes to mind; but when the anglers in this crowd are not in the spring of youth its a pain.

So it was hand balling all the kit over the gate into 6 inches of recently rain filled cow slurry.  This achieved the objective of stirring not just the shit but a billion biting insects as well.  So I sprayed myself tip to toe in Jungle spray, which acted as a perfect fly strip and before I had gone 10 yards I was speckled head to toe in insects stuck all over me.  I had drawn A section not far to walk but unless you got the weir you were on a hiding to nothing, stuffed with Bream and Chubb. In fact Pewsey 4 on peg two, Pewsey 3 on peg 3, and yours truly well up from the weir on peg 4.  Dreaded Clanfield two up from me.  We were pegged very tight. I know its hard to please all but we really were on top of each other.

So it was down a steep bank to and set up the rigger on a floating precarious bed of reeds and mud.  First thing I noticed was last week I had 10 feet deep here I had 6 feet at best. Last week the water was a lovely clean green and dead still.  This week, coloured and moving after spectacular thunderstorms of the last few days.  I had already had a text from the talented James Carty saying maggot day Gaz, leave the Caster in the bag.  James I agree bang on again.  In fact by the colour I may have to revert to pinkie to get a bite.

That sinking feeling that comes from a fat bloke sitting on his platform occurred; but stopped just short of paddling.  Providing I didn't move around too much I would be okay. So same tactics as last week find the drop off.  

Wrong , flat featureless and just a shallowing at the end of the peg to around 5 feet.  The out fall opposite was impossible to present a float a strong down stream breeze coming across my right and into my face.  A thick bed of silk weed meant the feeder was out .  The stick perhaps.  Not enough pace might as well use a body up float on the pole. Set up a whip for the inside.

The match got under way and it was baking hot, the sort of strength sapping heat you don't need. The midges whilst not biting, were going up my nose in my ears and drinking the tears from eyes.  

I had a slight crease in the water where the river couldn't decide whether to go right and out the out fall or go straight on.  I plumbed the entire length of the crease to ensure there were no other depressions or features I could use and there was nothing. Still the turbulence of the crease might offer something providing I could keep the bait on a tight line.  Decided on a bait dropper hemp and semi bronze maggot.

Inside line first, while the bait line settles.  25 Bleak later I thought it was time to get amongst the Roach.  Fish just slightly over depth and holding back the first bite was a beauty, and I slipped a the net under a 10 oz Roach, next was smaller.  But they kept coming for an hour. 

Then it died as the bloke in the peg above me started to catch.  He did apologize for catching in my swim, which I accepted grudgingly understanding that we were pegged to close to each other. He didn't do it again.

I decided to bait again fearing he was drawing my fish.  So in went the 50/50 mix of  Sensas Etang and leam with some dead pinkie mixed in.  10 minutes later I had them back and he had stopped catching.  The heat was unrelenting and whilst I was piling in the fluid, the lack of food over the last few days was taking its toll and I felt very lightheaded.  Concentration was difficult, the midges in my face and the heat making me irritable.  I couldn't think straight and reached for my worm to find they had fried in the sun I hadn't covered them - idiot.

Decided to drink half my last bottle of water and tip the rest on my head .  That was better. Started to think again and get my game face back.  In short I worked it really hard. Moving the float up and down , stringing out the shot shirt button , then bulking it back to bulk dropper dropper. 

I scraped every possible fish out of this unpromising swim, from Bleak to Gudgeon, Roach to angry proud 2 oz Perch  The all out was called and I feared the worst.  No where near my 12 lb pleasure session of last week.  I was sure A1 (ISIS) peg had got it with rumour's of two chubb, But I needed to beat Clanfield and not let the team down.

Ian was looking doubtful as his 1lb and half had been pipped by Dave Johnston by 2 ounces.  Clanfield weighed in an impressive bag of small fish for 4 lb 8oz. That's torn it I couldn't remember what I had, but it wasn't going to be enough.  Tugged the net out to be mildly impressed, not so bad after all the hard work chasing the fish may have paid off.

 Done it , 6 lb 5 oz.  Peg 1 did have two Chubb, and a few Perch but weighed in 4 lb 2 oz, so I had taken my section.  I should have felt delighted but I didn't feel anything but lightheaded.  We headed back across the fields to the gate.  One or two comments of concern as people said you alright mate you look like shit. 

Truth was I should have noted my sugar was crashing, but my head was somewhere else.  Next thing I know we are at the gate, Brian is telling me the good news that I may have won the match and he was second in his section, but been beaten by the Clanfield bloke. Still we had  his second and my first was a good three points. 

We started to reverse the process from the morning, but I was gone.  On my bum with people shoving Jelly Babies sugary sweets and energy drinks down me.  For around 15 minutes I was on a different planet, but thanks to everyone for helping me.

Back to the pub after a pause to gather my senses and again more fluid and sugar.  I really must remember to eat something before fishing, I am too busy fishing to eat during a match.  Clearly the lack of food combined with the blistering heat had made the sugar crash.  My clothes were soaked through and covered in sweat stains. I stunk and was not a pretty sight.

Sorry I haven't photographed the score sheets, but my mind is not on it.  Clanfield did well with their Lee Pollard beating me into second place for the match.  His 7 lb two monster Perch and a Chubb two much for my Roach. Still nice to pick up 70 quid for second.

Well done to Steve Trevet winning his section third in the match I think. Sadness that Leo struggled to get ounces.  Danny scraped 5 points in a very close section.  Not sure about everyone else.  A little controversy at the results as Mr Rushton reminded all he had 1 lb 6.5 ounces not 6.5 ounces as the score sheet suggested.  This meant a recount but I think on the day our total of 17 points has probably gifted the summer league to Clanfield.  We wait with baited breath for the official result.

Will let you know later.

Pewsey Lake Match 4 - End Peg Rush

Still not wanting to go match fishing, duty won the day.  I was voted in as Lake match secretary , so really had no choice but to suck it up princess and get on with it.Not the biggest turn out, as various members were having to balance a busy match schedule with a happy family life.

So to the draw and finally everyone arrives and the golden peg is drawn first.  Number 5. £38.00 on that peg today.  Then to the draw itself.  Everyone drew, leaving Si Burden and me last. Si drew both and put one in each fist. I said left hand to Si and he unraveled his palm to reveal peg 7 for me and the Golden peg 5 for himself.

I settled in on my peg.  Couldn't fish long as the number 8 section was in for repair.  So did a swim at 10 o'clock 7 meters with ground bait and pinkie; and one at 2 o'clock 7 meters, with chop worm caster no ground bait. Caster on far bank with waggler and a feeder swim.  Inside right under a tree I had a whip line to hand.

On my left Steve Dean.  Steve has this unusual habit of vocalizing his thoughts throughout the match, so much so that I was beginning to think he was schizophrenic.  He chuntered away all day holding full blown conversations with himself , most entertaining.

The wonderful Steve Dean

On my right my mate Martin Aris, Martin like me is in a little bit of a slump at the moment.  So as the day progressed and he got hooked up in trees , twigs, and tangles.  The language just spiralled down in fact I was wondering if he was suffering from that neurological condition Tourette syndrome

He was getting his head down though and really trying.  Martin is a novice and new to the sport, so his gear is begged and borrowed and I am sure if he could get a little coaching and smarten up his kit hes really gonna fly, because nobody has more enthusiasm or want to do well as Martin. 

The match progressed and some of the fish I was catching must have been born yesterday they were so small.  My heart wasn't really in it and I wasn't really trying to hard; but the fish kept coming. Steady but not spectacular.  Steve Hiscock had, had a Carp first chuck so was leading, and the inevitable Brian Shutler was catching a few skimmers.  But that was in the other section, that end of the lake is much more Carpy than ours.  The best we can hope for is a Chubb or a small 4 to 5 pound Carp.

Chris Rushton ( I never draw the end peg!!!) had drawn end peg 14 end peg opposite the bull rushes.  For the record I have checked back and oddly enough 3 times last year Chris yes three times you drew end peg.  Next to him Will Tapper, winner quite often of the Lake match.  Will doesn't muck around its shit or bust with him and all out feeder for the Carp. Rumour has it Jimmy has a couple of small Carp and Chris has a lump.

In our section Roly has a nice skimmer and perch, but no one else is catching. SD is scratching away and catching a few then hooking the trees and losing his waggler.  Si and a few others are starting to pile in the bait.  So much so that the levels have gone up and I am fishing of the bottom!!  They day slips by and although not really in to it, I may be in front in my section. That is till Simon on the Golden peg hooks and lands a Carp.  Once again my inability to hook a decent fish plagues me and my despair deepens.

Brian has continued to bag and Chris apparently another Carp.  The best I can hope for is good section championship points. A rash of tiny fish in the last 10 minutes with a five ounce roach on the "all out".  The whistle fish was like a bar of soap and in dropping it into the net it flipped onto the edge of the keep net; tipped back and forth like a playground see-saw and then fell back into the lake and not the net.  That sums up my fishing at the moment.

Chris and Will walk by, scales and boards in hand as they make there way to peg 3 to start the weigh in.  So its our section first.  Chris tries to feign disappointment knowing full well hes in a strong position.  Well, who wouldn't be from the end peg flier.

The weigh in begins and Rolys fish are not as big as I thought. On the other hand Simon's Carp is bigger than I want it to be. Coupled with his few 'blades' for 9 oz, I am sure its tight between us.  My net is lifted and my busy day of scratching comes into view.

Its not enough 3 ounces short of a section win.  That"bar of soap 5 oz roach " flipping"  left and outwards into the lake had cost me. Such is my continuing bad luck at the moment.  Fourth in match and one of the money.  Many more fish than anyone else in my section just no weight.  So frustrating.  To the scores on the doors:

Fair play to the winner Chris, made the most of the end peg with 2 Carp for 9 lb.  Never out of the money the skillful Brian Shutler; and well done to our club President Simon Burden pipping me for 3rd.  I suppose my net was pretty creditable when you consider I pipped a few people who even weighed in Carp.  Still its not enough to lift the spirits and I still think a break from fishing is required.

So to the usual suspects and good luck to Chris in the middle on the River Huntspill next week.  As Pewsey couldn't muster a ten man team, he will be fishing for Swindon ISIS.

Lost the Match but won the Javelin

For once I sit in front of the laptop wondering what to write.  Today at Todber was quite possibly my most worst ever fishing trip. I really must give the game up. I don't know whats wrong, but when you draw a noted peg and a noted venue and don,t get a bite for 3 hours there is something wrong with my approach.

I did a little research before the match as to methods and hot pegs etc.  Journey down was good the sun shone the music was upbeat.  Breakfast was quick , hot and plentiful; and once again Kev East had done a magic job in admin and organisation.

Left the cafe no traffic and straight to the venue tackle shop. Went straight to what I wanted (6 mill pellet), no queue to pay , had the exact money.  The place I wanted in the car was empty, and the first two venue nets I picked up were perfect.  Short walk to good peg. Set up squared away with time to spare.

Got the scales again but what could go wrong. All in shouted and across for the obvious munter fish. Oops a rudd, then another oh well not gonna blank.  Then nothing for 3 hours!!!!! I tried up in the water, laying on, dead depth. Nothing.  I had been feeding both edges and thought I would give them a go.  Nothing.  Dave Wallace to my left on 20 was catching on "top kit"  and Paste literally down the side of his platform.

So I tried paste long, paste two plus two, paste down the edge nothing. Ok sweetcorn. No joy there. Ok meat yes a bite - 12 oz skimmer. Then another 12 oz skimmer, then a rudd then a roach.  This is no good , must get Carp to make an impact. Back on the banded pellet, and yes a Carp.

Then 5 yes five lost carp one after the other , what am I doing wrong. Then a decent one.  Double figures maybe. Slide the net toward it and as its head breeches the rim of the net the shop bout hook unravels at the spade end and he winks at me as he leaves with my hook in his scissors. 

That's it ballistic time, teddy in the corner tantrum of the most abusive expletive full, full blown red mist descending.  I jump to my feet kick the tackle box and launch my top kit Javelin style over the 12 foot fir hedge behind me in the direction of the Carp water Wadmill lake.  The EA turn up and ask to see my rod licence, produced it and sunk into a sulk. I sat there sweating like a fat lass in a chip shop, getting burnt by the sun.

The match finishes early for me, whats the point.  My team members never showed again, presume Critch is still too poorly. Get well soon mate.  I have bugger all in the net and decide to throw it back.. Then perversely decide to weigh in just to see how low I have sunk and how crap I am at angling.  Retrieved my top kit from a disgruntled boilie Queen who did say, I was gonna bring it back and give you a gob full.  But then though If you were that angry to launch it in the first place ---better not!

A Section first so many talented egos on the bank here I am surprised it didn;t collapse; but the first 11 or the top guys all struggled as well.  Not as much as me of course but Todber did not fish well today. Well done to Rocky cracking weight

B section my bit and me last

C Section White posts.

Seriously, think I will pack it in for a while.

Bugger I wish I hadn't committed to the things I have with Pewsey etc.  Cant really chin them off (good bunch of blokes), its not their fault I am in a slump.  Suppose I better see out my commitments, cant let other people down.  Still don't have to do the next Army match, been on my own most of the season whose gonna miss me.  Well everyone I suppose their match winning takings will be less.