Pewsey - Final round of the summer and its tight at Dodford

After a week of very cold nights the night sky produced another pathetic attempt at a frost. I barely had to scrape the windscreen, too much for the wipers, but not enough for de-icer.  Had to take my car "Kate" as the brake lights on the flyer had packed up. Whizzed up in comfort and style to Lynham and breakfast at the White Hart.  Passing Sabre lake in Calne, I looked right to see the ethereal wisps of moisture curling heavenwards off the lake surface.  I imagine them to be the ghosts of anglers passed, leaving us for that canal in the sky.

 We are back to full strength today, at least we thought so, till I got a message from Si Irwin "broken down in Devizes, waiting on the AA.  Did try to ring him back as we would have gone and collected him and his kit, and let the AA take his car home.  Sadly his phone was off.

So the boys in PMG 4 struggled on again one man down.  You have to admire them - reliable and regular they plod on - on a beating to nothing but still they are glad to support the club. Breakfast and draw done. I had drawn peg 1 and the scales for the lads in my team so I was popular. Still the laugh was on me as A1 was next to (and I mean very close) to the lake Chemical loo.  Being so close, down SMELLY wind, and surrounded in flies. It was all I could do, to stop the gagging developing into full blown vomiting.

My Peg was wade-able so I went out as far as I could to be comfortable.  Wanted to go that little bit further but for a little drop of which would have taken me over my waders.  Odd thing was this drop of was like a little trench - 3 feet wide it then shallowed up again.  Still at least I could get the nets under water.

After a week of cold nights I figured against meat and corn in favour of maggot.  Practice had suggested you didn't need to go to far out which was good.

 Dodford is too small to take all the anglers we had, and we were packed in.  In fact Daz the organsiser had made it a float only match so we could see where we were and not cross lines.  

Tight also in the league. We needed PMG 1 to win and Clanfield to come fourth or worse to take the league. PMG (my team) was also in with a chance.

The plan fish top six with maggot and a little ground bait. Feed 6 mill hard pellet long on the "Wag" banded 6 mill. Worm down the edge. The inform Clanfield anglers on peg 2 added a little spice.  The all in was shouted or at least we thought so. shout from other end of lake had actually said 5 mins till start and not all in, after one more false start the hooter left us in no doubt.  By that time, some had cupped in and were actually fishing anyhow.  Hey Ho. 

In practice it had been small fish after small fish with a sprinkling of two and three pounders in between.  Today though there was no bigger fish.  I actually had a plateau in front of me that was a couple of inches over two feet, and flat.  There were carp on the surface but despite dobbing for them they weren't having it.

Instead I alternated between pellet wag and pole trying to scratch out a bag.  I did have a couple of sharp tugs on the wag, but they were clearly liners as the fish milled around the free bait offerings in the shallow water.  They just weren't having it.  So trying not think about the vomit inducing smell from the 100 year old latrine behind me; I concentrated on the small stuff. 

One bright light was my fellow team 2 mate Leo had hooked into a lump with five minutes to go on his silvers rig, which he successfully landed after the whistle. I could here the Clanfield guy the other side of me fighting with clearly big Carp and I new I was being hammered.  So it was with some frustration that I weighed in exactly 50 beautiful Rudd. Started  the weigh in.

Amazingly the Clanfield guy had lost all for of the carp he had hooked and DNW.  Even better, I had won the section and Kev C and Lee Knight (1 and 4 respectively) had taken second and third. Good start to overhauling Clanfield.

A crowd gathered to see that Leos last gasp fish meant he had taken first in his section (2 for 2) ahead of Clanfield.

With Spanners taking third and Chas Short taking 4th it was incredibly tight but definitely do-able. That's two sections in a row where Pewsey have taken 3 of the top four places. On then to 'C' section.

Brian Shutler and Steve Dean take third and fourth. With my pairs partner Chris having a bit of a blow out. Shame PMG 4 had no angler in this section they were on for their best result of the season. Final Crunch section 'D' section.

Team 2's Danny Jones on holiday so super sub Paul Giddings slots in and he to has a mare.  PMG 2 hopes die with his net.

Its just down to Steve Trevett in PMG1 and how much distance he can put between him and the consistent Lee Pollard. Steve wins it with Lee third. Bloody hell its tight.  Well done to Steve Hiscock another PMG 4 4th in section!  I am sure Derick Hillier would have done better if he had landed the two carp I saw him lose.

So back to the pub for the results an end of competition buffet and a pint. Few photos for the record books.

The Pewsey Boys

The results get under way with section wins for Leo and I.

Individual Angler and Summer league individual Champ for 2013 Steve Trevett.(middle)

Pairs competition next with Steve and Kev Chubb first and Chris and myself second.

The tension builds and the banter gets raucous as its announced in reverse order. Culminating in my team 3rd, couldn't hear the points but will publish it all when it comes through from the organiser. It must have been tight but PMG 1 picked up second place and their Trophies.

For the record last years summer league winners Swindon ISIS were fourth, and relinquished their Trophy to Worthy winners Clanfield

Not the win we wanted but Team 2nd, 3rds, individual 1st, and 1st and 2nd in the Pairs. Not to be sniffed at.

Roll on the end of September and the start of Pewsey's defence of the 

North Wessex Winter League.

Pewsey - Derricks Stretch and a sting on my end!!!

Gagging for it today, if a little grumpy at being in the first day of my fifth decade, but where better to spend it than with the friendly faces at Pewsey DAA. Slight hangover, thanks to my mate, Maj Chris Carling for an very old expensive bottle of fine port, it went well with my favourite meal a Ploughman's with big hunk of cheese, and mound of pickle.

I know I have said it before but what a great bunch of blokes.  No matter the difference in ability there is no hassle, no nastiness, its worth working all week for Sunday with the lads.

Had a nice card from the wife, " for the man who has everything, from the woman who has to find it for him!" 

Along with other presents including info on a Stannah Stairlift, the SAGA traveler's pack, pair of zip up tartan booty slippers, and a Michael Parkinson's Sun Life insurance pen for the over 50's. Walked into Reids Tackle shop to be told I smell like an old peoples home and not to expect senior rates. 

Had a lovely pressie comprising of a hand made card from Christine Moody, shes one special woman. Tin of grumpy old git mints , box of chocs and a book " things to do when you're fifty".  Biggest shock of all was leaving the shop without paying for my squat, and then when I went back in Dave Moody refusing to take the money; and saying happy birthday mate. Still pinching myself on that one.

 Anyhow that's all behind me now onto the fishing.............

As if to prove how long I have been on the planet I listened to the tracks of my years, as I whizzed by the early bird Farmers bringing in the harvest trying to stay ahead of the inevitable rain.  The damp smell of brittle but damp corn stubble; wafts through the window on an unseasonably cool breeze.  Exciting thoughts of autumn, falling leaves and getting on the river for the winter league, come to mind. A reminder the season is only half over and despite being currently top of the Championship cant rest on any laurels - as if I would - need to keep it tight not make mistakes. 

Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Two Tone Ska, AC/DC, Slade, Elvis Costello, REM, Abba and Kool and the Gang (hope DM is reading - Celebrate good times mate). Finally as I arrived Bon Jovi and Living on a Prayer.  Lets hope I am not praying and my weekend continues with a good draw.  Don't really care just glad to be at the waters edge, with me mates. To think Pewsey has been going twice as long as me someone said. 

The glory match days of the 60's70's and 80's may have gone with hundreds of anglers on the bank for a "cut" match, teams of twenty and great competitions like the Woodbine challenge, later to become the Embassy.  Eveshams SKOL lager which became the John Smiths and the Birmingham AA "Big Un" attracting thousands of anglers.  To think 50 years ago Leicester AS won the Angling Times Winter League; could Pewseys recent revival 50 years later go that far lets hope so.

Dished out the bait bought at Reids yesterday. Paid my pools and dipped the hand in the hat " living on a prayer, whizzing around my head" Prayers not answered I am afraid, Peg 8 looked and was featureless.  The hangover was thumping and and I was not really ready or concentrating.  My normal a,b,c procedures were out of sync. Still the all in was called and down came the rain, and boy didn't it belt down. 20 minutes in and it relented a little, no bites yet but Chris Glover who has been living on the canal for a week was going strong having going straight across.

Eventually something takes my little red worm and my happiness is dashed as a crayfish is swung in.  Dispatched over my shoulder I go back in for a repeat performance.  In fact 4 Crayfish later I gave up on the choppy.

Ground bait and pinkie results in a bite after the bread had produced nothing. A gasp from the next peg as the elastic pulls strongly. Chris says that's blown it.  An hour gone and he has a 1 lb in the net I reckon and this was my comeback fish.

Sadly a Pike of a pound and half couldn't go in the net and didn't count. Big smile from Chris.  By the sound of things the second batch of cold rain and 6 boats in 25 minutes killed it for most of us.  Me I continued to scratch, down to a single squat and 24 hook tiny squat fish from the base of a tree opposite wont be enough for me.

Difficult day comes to an end and the points will be hard to come by today.  Just needed a few roach but couldn't get em going. As normal I say have 5 ounces and this time I think I am right.

The weigh in begins and I think Chris must have it, but there has been a few weights the other side of the bridge.

So the scores are totted up and the result announced and its been very tight.

Three way tie for third Leo, Derrick again (derrick picked up last time on this stretch) gonna have to rename it "Derricks" and Kev Chubb, Chris Glover second and Spanners the winner.  Brian Shutler sect by quadruple default and Steve Hiscock a worthy section also. The points will need sorting closely but I think its as follows but of course up to the match organiser

Spanners 15

Chris G   14

Leo 12

Derrick 12

Kev 12

Brian 9.5

Si Irwin 9.5

Mark Kay 8

Steve Hiscock 7

Si Burden 6

Me 5

Chris 4 

Martin 3

Dave George 2

Steve Dean 1

A selection of the money grabbers

Now you may have been wondering at the title of  the blog and a sting on my end.  Well busting for a pee when I got back to the van on Wilcot road.  Not being a brazen huzzy I slipped shyly between the van and the hedgerow and unzipped.  Looking nervously around I should have noticed the nettles in front of me, instead the wind got up and the nettles lashed my ... well you know what.

 I finished peeing quickly and turned  to cover myself and try and get rid of the pain. Derick was eyeing me suspiciously and Georger said water infection mate? as I held my parts gingerly.  No I said I have just stung the little fella and its bloody painful..

 As you can imagine I drove home with laughter ringing in my ears.

Roll on next week and the last of the summer leagues at Dodford, C'mon Pewsey

Pewsey Lake Match 5 - A Ruffe weekend turns out not bad

Zak with a Carp from Pewsey Lake

Well you know what its like you look forward to it all week.  The sun is shining the office is hot and all you can think about is getting to the waters edge.  Your mobile is constantly bleeping with messages on face book of your mates ( who are on leave) bagging on the canal or at other venues.  Even the evening sessions are inexplicably stopped by the vagaries of life. All set to go Monday when Martin text me to say he had the money to by my back up pole.  New one on the way end of the month.

So it was over to his place and cancel the fishing.  Tuesday then, a few hours pleasantly emptying Milk-house which is fishing its nuts off, oh no not to be wife a little poorly and needed some company.

Wednesday then, but work gets in the way with a late afternoon issue putting pay to that.  Food shopping Thursday leaving a dead cert Friday. You've guessed that failed too.  Unloading the shopping and the wife says don't forget its your sisters Wedding Anniversary tomorrow night and we are going out for a meal.

So to Friday, just going out when the mobile rings and its Leo, bad news mate your days as a club record holder are over. Young Zak Phillips has just caught a cracking Ruffe (at Ladies Bridge) and beaten your club record.  I think he thought I would be upset, but in fact I was delighted further proof the security of Pewsey club is getting there. Some good youngsters coming through Zak, Jack Teagle and Morgan Plank, as well as young Sophie Spanswick great stuff.

Sunday has arrived and boy is different to the balmy days of the week past, the tail end of a hurricane having its last rough fling over Wiltshire. as I came over Everleigh ridge I couldn't see the valley floor of Pewsey Vale it was peeing down and thick with mist. Rolling Stones  Mick Jagger was belting out "Give me Shelter", but I couldn't see shelter any where.  I was going to be glad of the gore-tex today.

 Despite the weather the enthusiasm to go fishing has returned and I look forward to a day on the Lake.  Its fully booked, we have a couple of new members booked in and we are graced by a special guest appearance from Pewsey "Royalty" James Carty.  Great to have James on the bank; a shame  some of the juniors are not here to watch, and learn.  I hope the torrential downpour has not put too much cold water in and put the fish down.

Trying to keep the paperwork dry doing the draw is a pain.  Half the lads I know secretly laugh at my paperwork and organisation.  I am a bit of an old woman but I like admin to be squared away.  I think some of the lads think "Admin" is a small town in China!

So to the draw a couple of late withdrawals knocks the numbers back a bit but there is a reasonable put into the Golden Peg of £11 which added to £38 rollover  makes peg 10 (£49) worth a shout today.  The GP goes to Gary Perryman and as he will go all out for Carp it stands a chance of going.

Me I draw peg 4 and despite the weather cant wait to get going.  Never been a lucky peg for me; I am also feeling the pressure with James Carty one side

and Brian Shutler the other. I shout the all in through the noise of the woodland being battered all around us and the rain smashing into the Lake.  James is in straight away but the Carp drags him into a snag and is gone. 10 Minutes later he's in again and its Carp 2 James Nil.  Brian is thrashing away on the waggler and has landed a nice Chubb.  All this activity leads me to make the fatal mistake of ignoring my own plans and start chasing the superstars either side of me.

With the addition of news coming along that Si Burden is catching Carp and Chris Rushton has had 5 2 lb skimmers I am really panicking. Why I don't know long way to go yet.  I suppose I just don't want to be embarrassed and put up a reasonable show.  I am struggling to get a bite.  Eventually having tried many permutations settle on two pinkie on a 20, and shot spread out shirt button style catching roach on the drop.

But its a funny old day though as fast as you think you have it sussed the fish switch off.  So its a case of  rotating through the methods and styles and baits.  The match moves on and its coat on, coat off as the weather changes.  Brian and I are fairly level but for his Chubb.

 James however is showing his class in hitting a purple patch with a clonking Perch and other fish that sees him shipping out the landing net regularly.  By two o'clock I am going nowhere and decide to emulate Brian fishing the waggler shallow against the far bank. Nothing.  So I try the feeder and the rod rips around as a Carp goes solid under a tree on the right of my swim.

 Yet another change, back to waggler.  Heavier line (4 lb) now a size 14 hook with 5 maggots.  Spraying bait, the float dips and I strike into a Chubb.  At last I get one in and I am back on terms with Brian. The match reaches its last 20 minutes and I am ahead of Brian but behind James.  Then there is a huge swirl and Brian is into a Carp.

The all out is called and the weigh in begins.

James scrutinizes the result but must be happy with his weight. 11 lb 4 oz of silvers.  Me next and I am knowhere and can only hope for good section points. I reckon around 5 lb for my net.

 Brian next and if not for the Carp at the end I would have beaten him.  All the better weights coming from the other end with Chris Rushton and Simon Burden leading the way.

Three lads did not weigh in, with Vinny going home after breaking his number 5 section.  Martin also broke his pole. Steve Dean pipped by half an ounce by Roly. However once again Simon Burden filled his net with 11 Carp for 31 lb + and 4 and half of silvers. CRs so called 5 x 2 lb skimmers were not that big after all but worthy of third place.

So some different faces this week, left to right Si, James and Chris.  Three generations of the same family me thinks , what do you think Grand dad, Dad and Son!!

 They all leave with a pocket full of money. Well done lads.

So van loaded I whack on the vibes and appropriately 'Fish' adds his vocals to the musicians of Marilion and the melodies of "Lavender's blue dilly dilly" fill my ears as I drive home under the blue Wiltshire skies, this mornings bad weather forgotten.

See you next week on the Cut.

Knocked up at Dodgy Dodford Farm

Van loaded I'm on the way

I enjoyed the drive up to the Venue Dodford Farm today.  A little practice knock up see if we can glean anything for the last summer league match in two weeks.  Through Tidworth, on to Marlborough and then across the rolling Wiltshire downs.  My heart bursting with pride at my Wessex Counties beauty.  Past Sidbury hill and Avebury; past the "gallops" of the horse racing fraternity, and on to Calne.  

My Sunday school teacher told me that God made Wiltshire on the last day of his mammoth task.  Having finished it he liked it so much he decided to stay.  Today I can see why and I believe, hallelujah .

Actually it does explain a lot.  Several of my mates (Wiltshire boys) think they are directly descended from Jesus Christ so there you go another proven connection!

So to the knock up.  Several of the pegs were already taken by pleasure anglers so we quickly picked 10 pegs and got stuck in. We all tried different methods to try and work out the best way forward in a fortnight.  It wasn't easy as many of the pegs were well overgrown.

However the Match organiser has been promised that they will all be fish-able on the day.  Even so it will be very snug and in some places you will be able to throw a blanket over 5 anglers floats with ease!!

The water was also down a couple of feet which meant some only had 18 inches to a couple of feet.  So Exciting stuff when your catching 2 oz Rudd and suddenly a 4 lb carp rips of through the three anglers to your right!!

 Still people were understanding, lets hope the match will be the same.

Steve "TERRIFIC" Trevett won the day with the help of purple hydro elastic with 40 lb. 

See you next week back on Pewsey water.