In support of the "Open" minded

Touch and go this week.  A good case of D and V meant I was in danger of failing my friend Si Irwin and not supporting the Open match he had arranged on Pewsey's Milk house water.  Despite Si's busy life at his job coupled with a new baby in his family.  He has done really well to continue to support the club through recent times in Winter leagues etc.  So it was Imodium time, plenty of fluid and a cork where the sun doesn't shine.

Talking of new born babies congrats to my pal Atilla Adam (Dino Floats) and the arrival of his new baby daughter bet she is DINO - mite. Get it DINO floats, funny yes, well perhaps not.

Her indoors protested vehemently at the madness of fisherman and there need to wet a hook.  Indeed she couldn't understand how last Sunday evening after a bad day on the "cut", I was ebaying my gear. Yet despite the advice of several well meaning friends (Cheers Chas Short, Mike Marsden, Spanners, Dave Moody and many others) to take a break from match fishing, and get some bagging pleasure sessions in.  I was again getting up at sparrows fart to sit on the edge of water in the hope that I could rekindle my enthusiasm for fishing.

I did explain that's the beauty of an 'Open' match there's nothing really on it (team or Championship points) and it gives you a chance to try a few new ideas and theories that you cant risk when there is points on it.  You can have fun and just enjoy.  She of course let rip at me saying I was miserable stubborn bastard (just like my terriers apparently) who didn't know when to quit; and I was too competitive just to enjoy it.   I responded with "when I want your opinion I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU".

Immediately regretting the words I stomped in a sulky way, out into the murky morn. The lovely weather of yesterday and the unseasonably warm 16 degree temps meant the morning drive was slow in the foggy conditions. Considering we are a day away from December its incredible.  I haven't even been out with the Pike gear yet.  Still considering the regularity in which I have been catching Pike with match gear I might sell the Pike specialist gear anyhow.

Rather apt the first tune on the Ipod today was Sparks and "this town is not big enough for both us". Sparks gave way to Dr Feelgood and "Milk and Alcohol" as the flyer dodged the pigeons, pheasant and partridge.  Who occupied the early morning road like lemmings, disoriented by the gloom.  I hoped for a repeat of yesterdays sunshine.  Didn't need it to be perfect fishing conditions just pleasant enough to catch a few Roach and enjoy the day without incident.  No tangles, no dropping my glasses in the canal, or breaking worm scissors. No tipping over bait containers, slipping and falling in stingers you get the picture.

  Parking is at a premium if you get a lot of anglers at "Milky".  I think Si said he was gonna cut bookings of at thirty; but there was a lot of interest. Not only from some of the local legends and best around, but from farther afield.  Some friends from Tisbury club (George Stainer and Graham Houghton) had expressed an interest.  In addition friends from the North Wessex booked in as well.  A right mixture but all good lads enjoying good old fashioned match fishing, as apposed to the multi ton commercial hauling.  So as I pulled up and Depeche Mode were belting out " I just cant get enough" again very apt I suppose; I hoped there would be room for a fat bloke and his van.

Gorgeous George and Graham never showed but our reliable friends from ISIS, Lechlade and Clanfield, Daz Edgell and the Garrett brothers with Rob (right) getting a very special welcome hello.

Martin shows that he really misses the winter league.

So we gather for the draw 6 down on the expected 30.  Its not a huge blow for Si, but I feel for any organiser who puts in the effort gets up and pegs it early doors and then people let you down.  Si takes control and sets the rules and timings, for the day and we dig into the bucket.

I manage to draw B 9, not normally that far along the bank so I am hopeful of a reasonable day.  Marc Kay has drawn the end peg and Daz Edgell the other A 1.  In between there are a stack of good anglers and I wonder how long the brilliant form of the Milk house stretch can go on its been fishing its head off.  Certainly you will need at least one decent skimmer or big Perch to get anywhere near a section win.  I reckon you need 4 lb to press for a section and probably 10 lb to win the match.

My peg is okay but it doesn't exactly blow my skirt up, but never mind just settle in and enjoy.  This new relaxed me sets up in time and with no drama. So on the whistle I flick out the 3 meter flick tip whip with punch on the hook over the crumb.  Fifteen fish one after the other to give me probably 8 oz.  Fish roll over my track line so I drop the whip and drop the choppy worm rig in. It settles and is away.  Inexplicably the clip connection has wrapped around the tip of my pole and the elastic is not coming out.  Manage to play the fish for a couple of minutes just by moving the pole around un-shipping and adding pole sections.  It doesn't know its hooked its just sullenly hugging bottom. There is a boat coming its a way off but I am not taking chances and I heave a little. Wincing as the pole tip bends downward like an inverted banana.  The fish has now clicked its hooked and just moves of with a purpose until we part company.  He ho plenty more fish in the canal.  Not to worry.

The big fella Shaun Brian to my left is bagging across with small fish, but has started to catch some semi nice Perch as well.  Nigel Russell (ISIS) has hooked a lump of a Perch and netted it with joy.  So I am in a quandary.  In a normal points championship match I would just keep going on the small stuff better to have a bag full of little uns.  But this is an open . Si was paying top three and section winners, no defaults etc. So do I go for the big ones.  Roach explode on the surface as a 5 lb plus Pike smashes through my baited area.  Rumour has that Paul Giddings has had a big Pike and Kevin Chubb to his right is bagging nicely.

Kev and I had talked before the match and Kev had found midweek they wanted worm not bread.  That made my mind up and I spent the next 2 hours fishing for a big Perch or Hybrid, maybe even one of the Tench that had been showing.  Boats and Kayaks come and go and it gets longer and longer between any sort of movement on the float. With an hour to go I try again across at 2 feet deep. Two quick Gudgeon and another little Perch before the Tsunami that was followed by a big Pike ploughed through.  (must come back here with the Pike gear)

Its too late now ISIS on the right has had another clunking Perch and the local Junior lads tell me Kev has a bag on bread!!  Guess they wanted bread and not worm today Kev. Decided enough was enough.  The temperature had dropped and I was getting gold looking at a still float.  Even cutting a pinkie in half and trying squat had no effect. The float had not moved in any of my swims for over an hour. Shaun to my left has me on bits and to my right  Nige has two big Perch.  Stories of Hybrids on the end peg and KC still catching.  I packed up.  Having packed up and thrown back my rough 1 lb 12 oz, I walk along to Spanners to say cheerio.

Hindsight says I should have stayed on the punch, it seems apart from one definite big fish lost they weren't there today for me, never mind I have had a good enjoyable day.

Spanners gives the new Sensas 874 a run out - shiny!!

Maybe just maybe I may have misjudged.  It seems big Shaun to my left thinks I have done better than him and shouldn't have thrown back.  Lee Knight next and he thinks hes on about 8 oz. Bugger. Spanners next thinks hes got around a pound and half. Oh dear what have I done?

Still Marc Kay on the end has at least two hybrids, and with the Nige to my right having to big Perch I wouldn't have come anywhere but its a lesson to learn. Walking back KC says he has around 4 lb all on bread, didn't want worm Gaz he says with a wink.

Stories of woe and cold feet greet me as I walk by; and maybe my 1 and 3 quarters wasn't too bad after all.  Not enough but respectable.  Si agrees to facebook me the results so I can get away and I look back on the lads packing up.

I see may mate Chas Short puffing away behind me. Great bloke Chas, funny, to the point my sides ache at his stories.  One of life's true gentlemen - terrific fella.  I shout down to him, "how did you get on?"  The response :

Don't know if the one digit means one fish or one ounce, but he is, as always seems happy to have been fishing with his mates. So I pick up the pace as I have decided to by the wife some chocolates and flowers as an apology for being a prat this morning.  Well done to Si Irwin well organised and a good turn out on the day when Milk house fish decided they weren't going to play today. They need a rest after filling our nets for a while.

Top ten below. I was right as Nige Russell (on my right) two Perch taking him to a win, Shaun on my left was wrong he did have me beat with nearly a pound more than me.  As for Marcs Hybrids they get him second and Kev was only a couple of ounces out on his guessed 4lb.  Now Spanners - time to go back to school mate. Two weeks in a row well underestimated his weight by at least half. He said roughly a pound and a half ............ my Arse!!!

Bit out with my guess of 10 lb to win it.