Pewsey Wilcot road. Bad day at the office

Its the penultimate canal match in this 2014 / 2015 season Brian Shutler is almost in-surpass able.  Its not impossible and I am going to make him and Simon Burden (who has been sneaking up the outside to nose in front of me  -just), work for it - it ain't over til its over.

There are two canal matches and two lake matches a lot can happen. Especially as the well attended Pewsey matches are going from strength to strength; many talented anglers can throw a spanner in the works.

A crystal clear night meant the van was frozen solid so much so that I had to poor a boiling kettle around the door to break the seal.  A 24 hour stomach bug had left me with a backside like a Japanese flag, so it was a dose of Imodium and a cork and I got under way.

Only fisherman know the joy of going fishing I find it hard to describe.  It can be an oxymoron, full of contradiction.  If it was a work day would we get out of bed so readily?  Yet we get up its cold, its dark, we are going to try and tempt the tiniest fish from the coldest of water. We are going to probably give money away to people who will take complete joy in rubbing it in for 7 days until the next match.

There will be both miserable and happy people on the tow path, runners, the dreaded self centred cyclists and Kayakers. Dogs and dog mess and finally the canal boats themselves. We don't mind them.  Without proper canal boats we wouldn't have a canal to fish and for that we are grateful.  Just need them to go down the middle and slow please.

Yet all this negativity is blown away when the float dips and the elastic stretches out, or the lightning Blue flash of a Kingfisher graces our vision. Welcome to the natural joy of being on the bank with your mates sharing a laugh.

Parking was tight and muddy for the Wilcot rd draw.  Stories from the Pewsey team who attended yesterdays team competition on the Basingstoke canal. Left us all with a feeling of dread.  Sections had been won with ounces by some of the best canal anglers around.  It was hoped the day would bring better weights on our home stretch.  I nipped behind the van for a quick pee before the start, and even with 15 layers of clothing on the cold temperatures had a negative effect on my parts. Still looking down it did make me think I might catch a bigger one on caster today.

After Chris had had his number 6 section broken by a fellow angler stepping over last week; I had brought along a spare from my Tourny pro.  Lets hope it fits his Diawa not sure it will. As it was he didn't need it.

The draw got underway and would you Adam and Eve it I drew a midway peg number nine. Yet again I miss out on the peg I wanted number 1,2 or 3. The canal was frozen and where I was to thick to break with a cupping kit. Loathed as I was , I had to use the ice breaker. Chris Glover was lucky on peg 8. His boat had kept the water free of ice in part.

The match got under way and Chris had 5 fish before my float moved and that was twenty minutes in.  Clearly my thought that punch would be the way forward in the clear water was not working. A change to pinkie saw the first fish of the day.

The ice was reforming around my float when the first boat came through.  Ice swirled around and adhered itself to my rig.  Another couple of fish then it died again. Thirty minutes later the float moved a smidgen to the right and I lifted into another snotty which grew wings and ripped away under the ice. Pike!!!!!! The first of three or was it the same one three times???

Chris had stopped catching and H Harris to my left was into a big hybrid. He then had a nice Perch and a nice roach to go with it.

I am not sure where it all went so badly wrong but disappointment enveloped me as I realised any possible chances of catching Brian in the championship or even Simon come to that was fading and it would take a miracle to get back in the hunt now.  I thought it was all over it is know. I slumped on my box and sulked like a three year old.  I did manage in between the Pike to scratch 13 fish, but I didn't even have enough weight to register one single point.  The only thing I can do is keep going and try and overhaul Simon and get second place.

The weigh in began and the lads gathered to exchange pound coins on the side bets; and although all were happy and banter was high.  I was too disappointed to really join in.  I was mad with myself not just with losing. That's life.  But I knew where I had gone wrong and I could have done should have done better; and that leaves a bitter taste.  I tried to chase it and I had overfed it and killed it.

School boy error.

As expected the first 4 pegs had done well. Well done to Spanners winning of peg 14. Second from last for me. Second Mike Marsden, third Simon Burden.  Several lads had bonus Perch etc but that's cold comfort.  I just wasn't good enough today and need to buck up.

Well done to H on my left some nice bonus fish and Chris on my right who was unlucky not to get weighty fish

To add insult to injury Spanners took a quid of me. The first one of them I have lost for a while as well.  In the wide scheme of things its not the end of the world, but right now as I type I am so disappointed, need to bounce back soonest. Or take up golf.

Army 3 Silver Lining maybe.

After Sundays lowest weight in the match and getting cold to the bone. The thought of turning out again on a cold dark winters morning was not appealing. Couple with promises of icy roads and the need for ice breakers at the venue was making it worse.  However the day dawned wet but milder and the drive was not as hairy as I expected.

Breakfast was great and it was good to see Christine Moody and the clan of Reids tackle. As per normal the the match was well organised by Kev East and the pegging by him and John Dewberry was fair.  Not their fault that 4 didn't show but it did cause a few blank pegs.

There were more anglers than the three smaller lakes could take if people were to have room and a fair chance.  It was decided there would four sections, and the team s would draw a golf ball to see which three of the four sections they would fish.  I wanted Barnmoor first Snake second Selwood 3rd but not cottage.  Only because cottage is very Carpy and not many bigger skimmers.

I drew Barnmoor for Mike, Snake for Dave and  Cottage for me  - bugger. Had Rocky and Ben Bentley behind me. But I did look back across the other lakes with envy.

It was a slow start to the match in fact 45 minutes on the tip with finicky bites that revealed nothing but sucked maggot and crushed pinkie. Another half an hour against the island with the waggler again brought zippo.  By 11.45 I was bite less. Dave Docs Docherty was in tears to my left having had to return two Carp one of which was easily double figures.

Chris Glover was catching slowly but the rest of the lake was quiet.  My ground bait line was fizzing so I dropped in and the float was away.  Three goldfish in a row went in the keep net that wouldn't count and I started to worry I might not catch any silvers. That line went quiet so I went of the bread punch line and had two quick Rudd about an ounce a piece. Six quick ounce roach followed before that line died.  Back over the ground bait and the first of the Crucians stretched the elastic. Lovely fish but didn't count in this silvers only game.

Quiet for an hour before the re baited ground bait and bread line started to fizz again. This heralded a sense of humour failure as I lost three skimmers about 8 oz a piece at the net as the kicked back against the size 8 elastic and the hook pulled from their soft mouths. Jumped of the box in a mini rage. Those lost fish would cost me later I am sure. Changed the top kit from 8 elastic to a 3 elastic and sulkily hunkered down to try and catch Chris Glover who was methodically building a weight.

More Goldfish and two more Crucians.  Tried my short whip line and was rewarded with an unstoppable carp.  I was desperate for a skimmer as Docs had just had one that would bring him close to me.  So from what I could see it was a three way race between Chris, me and Docs.

I was banging out the tiny fish one a chuck, but with Docs into another quality skimmer he was passing me and catching Chris.  Chris was getting a little stroppy as all he could catch was Crucians. Docs had another skimmer virtually on the whistle, so the weigh in would be interesting.

I had 48 fish for 1 kilo 400 ( 3 lb 2 oz) more than anyone else on the lake but they had the size; and as the ladies say size matters.

Pleasing to see the float dip so many times.  In fact that's a lie.  I was fishing 4 inches over depth and 95% of the bites were lift bites.  A silver lining really after Sunday, but Docs had won the section overhauling Chris and I in the last 45 minutes with quality skimmers.

Tipped back Crucians and Gold fish totalling around 8 lb. Still 3 points for the team that's what matters.

B Section and Brian Shutler on perm peg 11 had smashed it with an 8 kilo load of skimmers. Rocky, Ben Ivan and Pete fighting out the runner up slots.

C Section and Barnmoor my first choice. Griff was the man here, with my fellow Nomad Mike Poolman making the most of his good draw.  4 x DNW was a big surprise to me on this renowned silvers lake.  Must have been the ice of the past few days.

D Section and the Snake. Shame for Eddy he and Phil DNW. Pleased with Dave Burns Nomads B result, good show for us today.  The unstoppable skills of Kev East claiming the section win.

With Si Irwin on duty the remaining Pewsey Boys had done well, with Brian Shutler winning the match, Chris getting a section second and Danny and I section thirds. Think I sneaked through into the next round of the silvers cup as well.

To the team totals:

Well done to Arty B 2 section wins taking them to the top. Delighted with our Nomads B second place pipping our A team back to the third.  Unlucky Rocky and the REMEs , always going to be tough fishing man down. Still we (Mike and I) were a man down in the last match no how you feel.

Back on the canal Sunday to renew my Championship battle with the very amiable and skillful Brian Shutler.  Hope he left his skill at Selwood today.

Pewsey Blind Pairs, only the strong survive

Here we go again its Pewsey Blind Pairs competition . Open to members only 4 new joined so they can fish this fun competition.  Good news for the club coffers.  I pegged it last night and got there early to double check all was ok and no boats had moved in under the cover of darkness.

 Twenty six turned out and chewed the fat at the Milk house bridge draw. Came from far and wide and all the talk was of the cold nights over the past week the ice that had been on the canal , and how surprising it was it still had some colour.  Peg 1 was at the bridge  and 26 was up by the nature reserve.  I fancied any peg in the twenties and or peg 1.  Not be though Steve Dean drew 26 second time in recent matches he has drawn end pegs at Milky lucky sod.

Dave Self drew peg one and I was in the middle on 15.  Not a bad peg should do well. We all started along the tow path and then got under way at 9.45.  Chas on my right, and Leo on my left we were looking forward to it.

Leo,

Chas

Another very cold day joined us bank side as we all cupped in our  expectantly. I had lowered my bait in and had  fish straight away. Almost immediately the first of 15 Kayaks came through, three a breast at one point completely disregarding our requests to go steadily down the middle.  Some did say thanks but most clearly thought they owned the canal.

It was 20 minutes before the maelstrom they had churned up settled; and it was another hour before I got a bite.  It was a Perch so tiny and followed by another equally tiny Roach I was starting to worry I would let down who ever was to be my partner today.

Chris 2 to my right and James 2 to my left were picking up a few. But the match was really going slowly for most of us due to an arctic cold wind and some more boat traffic.  At one point I was double boated Kayaks going one way and canal boats the other.  You have to laugh.

I sat and shivered as did Leo and Chas and we tried to grind it out, but the only thing I could catch was leaves twigs and more leaves.  Even fishing of the bottom I couldn't buy a bite.  I really did try.  I went down to a 26 with single squat and or blood worm. Still no joy.  Go the other way scale up try maggot and worm on heavier rigs laying on over 6 inches. In short it was shaping up to be a bad day at the office.

The end was called by a shaking shivering me and most were glad.  I knew this would be the worst performance of this 2014 / 2015 season.  I have caught less this year but I feel I would have only beaten those who blank today.

Danny came along as did a few others and I don't think they believed me when I told them I had 3 ounces. Danny had dropped his mobile in the canal and all of us were cold and looking forward to getting back to the pub for the redraw.

 The scales came along and Kev the Bread Chubb put the scores on the doors.  The occasional £1 bet was settled and news came along that poor Mick Gayle had stood up at the end of the match and pitched headlong into the canal - right under as his platform had tipped forward. I really felt for him it was cold enough without getting soaked to the skin. Bob Davis did the Baywatch duties and dragged him out but he had lost his phone amongst other things as he salvaged his tackle box etc.

As I thought I was rank last with 10 fish for 4.5 ounces.  I pity the poor sod who draws me on the redraw.  I apologise up front.

So it was back to the warmth of the Golden Swan pub in Wilcott to re-draw to see whom as been fishing with whom.  The individuals who shared the super pool and the Mystery weight winner.  Once the cash had been divided into envelopes I started the announcements First the mystery weight and a bottle of 2006 Port.  I had asked my wife to choose the weight.  I gave her several options based on recent weights in matches on Milk House.  So I called out her choice it was Marc Kay with 2 lb 9 oz.  Marc was on peg 2.

Then the Super pools.  First Alan Brown, second Kev the Bread, and third Paul Giddings. Sharing £125.

 Now to the main event and thanks to Spanners and Leo for doing the maths whilst I re-drew the names to finalise the pairs.  First out of the bucket the top weight of the day Alan Brown.  Twenty five other anglers waited with baited breath hoping they could piggy back Alan's weight to victory.  

The lucky man was Ian Spanners Spanswick.  They share £100 and get the club trophy for a year and individual trophies for keeps.  Second young Andrew Cranston partnering the not so young Paul Giddings (£80).  Third Dave Self and Dave Johnston(£60).  Fourth Kev Chubb and Les Thirlaway get their money back(£20). The rest were called and the sheet completed.

They say only the strong survive. Lets hope strong today bottom of the pile and holding every one else up.

Home for a warm up and chicken dinner.  Well done to all - but me!! Ian left and Alan with the Pairs Trophy

Pewsey Its Lakeside lets play Darts

Its that time of year when you wish you were staying in and playing or watching the Darts at the Lakeside.  The past week has seen temperatures range from near zero mornings to yesterdays incredible 14 / 15 degrees of mildness.The strong winds and squally showers of yesterday morning had given way to a cold morning and it was with some happiness(after scraping the ice of the windscreen) that I headed to the Lake.

Not because of the miraculous hope that it would produce fish as it is fickle this time of year; but more in the knowledge that after a frustrating week at work.  Dawn this Sunday morning had reminded me that despite its own frustrations fishing is one of the best things in my life.  I had all the gear with me just in case last weeks miracle would be repeated and I drew a good peg.  So much of fishing is won and lost at the draw bag, and if a good angler draws well there is little you can do about it.  However when the rest of us draw well it does give you hope that luck might be on your side today.

It was the lowest turnout of the Lake Championship this year only ten.  Perhaps the cold or the poor weights of the last match putting people off.  We also had a team of four in the Basingstoke canal comp yesterday and those guys had traded Saturday for Sunday with their spouses.  Couple of medical issues and one hangover meant we were down. After a discussion I decided to leave out the first 5 pegs.  Section 1 would be 6 to 10 and Sec 2 would be 11 to 15.  Surely my luck would change and after last weeks end peg I would draw section 2 and the Carp.

No don't be daft.  Drew 10 higher than normal but still not down the Carp end.  I had Chris Rushton to my left (above) and the inevitable Brian Shutler to my right.

I decided to try and get a "mug" carp straight off by pinging the tip rod to the far side.  I did have a ripper as the tip and the rod headed lake-wards in the first half an hour but it must have been a foul hooker as it was on for a second then off.  Leo had already had a carp before I baited up. Jim had hooked and lost one and Chris to my left was already catching silvers.  

I couldn't waste too much time letting Chris get ahead. So came back over my ground bait and started catching the small stuff.  After 1 and half ounces in the last match, It was nice to see the float dipping regularly and after 10 small fish the elastic tugged back a bit and a skimmer put up a spirited fight before I slid the net under it that's a relief a decent fish for a change. I looked left at Chris and he was not impressed and even more irritated when I said that hurts mate don't it!

Looking right Brian was beginning to get irritated as well.  His normal one a chuck style deserting him for the moment.  Chris and I kept going fish for fish, whilst the others to his left struggled to get any bites at all.  Then Chris hit a skimmer and managed after a tense fight to get it in.  With a beaming smile he returned the compliment - That hurts mate don't it? I did laugh

I wasn't laughing a couple of minutes later when he snagged a goldfish of around 6 ounces.  Then a roach of around 8 ounces.  This put him around a pound ahead of me I thought.  It seemed to irritate Brian too as he struggled to get a bite and was cussing the ducks taking his free catapulted offerings before the fish were.  He could see himself slipping back as Leo had another couple of Carp and Chris and I kept catching.  

Chris and I remained fish for fish till 12.15 when my bites stopped abruptly, and his slowed.  Brian started to catch a few nice roach on the waggler, certainly bigger than the ounce fish we were catching.  Then his rod hooped over into a Carp which he quickly lost.  Phew.  He wasn't pleased and I saw him lash out at his kit nearby.  Wanted to take the mickey, but thought I better not, just leave him be.

To be honest both Chris and I were getting twitchy as the stamp of his fish was much bigger than ours and he was catching us quickly.  After 45 minutes on the tip and the waggler I went back over over the pole line and started catching again.  Chris also started to catch again on maggot.  I couldn't get a touch on maggot, but the pinkie was producing.  It was painfully slow building a weight with such tiny fish.  Inevitably Chris edged in front and Brian caught a skimmer.

Brian and I were now level and Chris catching some slightly bigger fish was probably one good roach and goldfish in front of me.  As we entered the last hour Chris and I scratched tiny fish but Brian was going from strength to strength. Two more hybrids saw him leave me behind and challenge Chris.

Despite the last 20 minutes on the waggler and tip rod, I couldn't buy a bite and Brian had one more nice Roach.  Gone the grumpy sulk of two hours ago he was back on form.

I called the all out and in my heart new Chris had me by a pound and half, and Brian also had passed me I was sure.  So it was dependent on where the others were if I was to pick up.

Considering the 1.5 ounces last time when I was here.  I was pleased with my net.

The weigh in began and Jimmy had struggled and lost out in his battle with Carp.  Leo had three Carp for 10 lb - well done Mr Chairman despite being away from the bank far too much this year, you have not lost your touch.  Martin had fished his new waggler rod all day and struggled in the wind but had a lovely fan tail goldfish

Sure enough Brian's 3 hybrids in the last hour had made the difference and he surpassed my weight, but missed out by an ounce to Chris in the silvers only.  So when Chris added his goldfish he took second in the match.

Scores on the doors. Whilst I didn't gain any ground points wise on Brian, with him being in the other section I didn't lose any either as we both had 7 points for second in section.  I did pick up 3 points on Simon Burden welcome for our tussle for second place in the Championship.

The golden peg rolled over. Leo took 1st and 1st in the super pools. Chris second and second in the super pools plus the silvers by 1 ounce over Brian. Plus his 6 oz gold fish a creditable well deserved 5 lb.  I had guessed it right and Chris had a pound more silvers than me a couple of good roach had done that; and I also guessed Brian's bag as well with his late 3 hybrids making the difference between him and I.

So the happy bunch (Leo, Chris and Brian right to left) took their money. No financial reward for me in 4th, and we all look forward to next week and the blind pairs on the canal.

New Year miracle on Freezing Foggy day

The normal Pewsey club calender looks thin for January, and back in December it was decided to address the long overdue promise to those juniors and seniors (who want to improve) to have an educational morning followed by a short knock up match to apply whatever had been learnt.

Bit of a blow for me personally as the chosen date fell today; when I would much rather have been fishing my original fishing stomping ground.  That of the River Nadder and Avon in Salisbury, in an open match.  There are times though when we (Pewsey) need to think of the future of the club and put something back - and encourage the youngsters.

The day was not a huge success and a bit of a damp squib the fog was thick, cold and immovable both on the journey there and at the canal itself.  The thick ice of recent days had gone and left a pretty good colour considering.  Many of those that had asked for some "education" never showed.  Some of those that did book in with some enthusiasm to help educate the up and comers had also found preferable or unavoidable places or family commitments to be.

Thanks however to Chas Short who did turn out, couldn't fish due to bad back, but nevertheless listened and learnt and found it useful.  Thanks to too Si Irwin, Marc Kay and Kev "the bread" Chubb for the hints and tips to Chas and Morgan Plank.

Also to Si Burden, Leo, Bri Shutler and Danny Jones who put an appearance as well and sat with those who wanted help and past on years of experience.  Whilst Many had to go and not fish the match or at least stay to the end. I can assure you the look on Morgans face (at the end) when he was telling me about his near pound of fish on this tough day.  Made it all worth it.  Morgan went away with a little bundle of goodies as well including elastics, spools of line and rigs.  If I was honest I would have liked Kev "the Bread" to divulge some of his mystical knowledge of mothers pride in my hairy ears.  Not to be though.

Martin Aris drew end peg 7 and Si Burden sat with him, and wonders will never cease.  After a year (2014) when I drew no end pegs I start this year with Peg bloody one.  I nearly fell over, couldn't believe it!  I called the all in for the start and we tried to forget about the invasive zero temperatures that clouded us all in an attempt to get to your very bones.

Thick clothing and hoodies shrouded the anglers as they hunkered down to what was a hope of a good 4 hours or more likely a grind to scratch out the squat small embryo fish.  Canal boats spouted the carbon monoxide laden smoke from their chimney spouts, and the fog pressed it down on the surrounding anglers allowing no ventilation to a blue sunlit sky, which we knew was above our blanket for the day.  

Families, boaters and cyclists made the most of what was the last day of the holiday period for most by filling the tow path; and whilst the Kayaks were few, the back and forth of the floating canal "shop" boat.  Came back and forth ringing its bloody school bell and selling coal, diesel and timber to the canal community.  Shame it insisted on cutting along the most productive fishy line of the day. The far shelf surface water bulged wildly and fish took to the air as a large pike moved between Paul Giddings - peg 2- and I.  The inside whip line would produce a couple of fish before they backed off into the deeper track.

So it was day of rotating through the swims building slowly on the small fish total.  I was a little disappointed that I couldn't tempt a big fish up to my peg from the open space to my right.  But it seemed that only small fish would grace my keep net today. Chat was coming down the bank as those "educators" that stayed to see their imparted knowledge put in place, slowly left us to it.  It appeared Martin had busted his cupping kit so was baiting by hand; and those who were near by griped at the tsunamis ( exaggeration I am sure) that came from him throwing in balls of ground bait.  By the end of the day he had inevitably received his new nick name Martin "Bomber" Aris.

I called an end at quarter past 2 and most were glad to get up and get the blood circulating.  Chris was convinced we should have had another hour, and if we had he would have gone on to win.  Tales of big Pike abound and confusion from some that their particular swim had done well for half the match then died.  It wasn't a surprise to me the up and down temps, the thick ice and cold night of only a few days ago were bound to stop us all bagging.  Even on Milk house which has fished its head of through October, November and December.

The weigh in:

The inevitable Lucky Bri Shutler again disproving he can catch fish anywhere, and surely he should be known as skillful Bri and not Lucky Bri.  That said luck does play a part and whilst he didn't draw and end peg today he does get more than his share, some think.  I take second place ahead of Chris and the other weights are of the 2 lb bracket.  Young Morgan was cold but delighted with his catch and very grateful to all who had offered advice etc.  Like I say his happy face made my day.

My net and I look forward to next Sunday on what hopefully will be a defrosted lake and another good or brilliant draw.