Pewsey Open - Playing second fiddle to the Fish

It was a very wet afternoon that preceded the last evening Pewsey Open matches run by Open secretary Kevin Chubb for this year.  What a great , professional job Kev has done, aside from his years of experience the smooth flustered delivery of the matches , results , payouts etc has been a pleasure to behold.

Its hard to please all, especially when you are coming from all points of the compass and have differing work end times.  To that end numbers have been low on occasion, but unlike me Kev has never moaned hes just got on with it.  Top bloke.

Last to arrive, complete with indigestion at eating a bag of takeaway sausage and chips bought on the way and washed down by necking a couple of tins of Rio.  Quickly paid my money, then realised my mistake as I looked around at the quality of anglers on the bank.  In the nicest possible way I didn't think there was room for me the standard of angler was high. Still fight the best to be the best.  Local legends James Carty and Gary the Fish Etheridge drew as did Spanners (becoming a legend) Paul MATRIX Talisman Giddings the ever excellent Devizes ace Mike Marsden I could go on, but it left Kev the Bread and myself to draw 16 and 12 left in the bag.  Fancied 16 James won of that peg in the last Open.

But I had 12 and Kev had 16.  So here we were the rain had stopped the banks were muddy but it was a pleasant evening.  After a testing day at work, the perfect remedy/ meditation of staring at a float, well, hopefully a disappearing float.  Soon lost in the world of fishing the worries of work washed out of my boots as the float dipped and the first of two lost hybrids disappeared into the brambly bush opposite.

No tantrums no bad language, just a smile and a re-tackle and as I accepted the joys of an evenings summer angling.  Gently, gently with the bait.  Didn't have much, didn't need much for the short 2 and half hour match.  Plus I had given Nic Worters some as he hadn't the time to get some during the day.

The float dipped again and this time I turned the hybrid away from the bush and successfully landed. Ten roach and 3 minuscule perch (what is it about a tiny Perch that will take a dendrobena longer than the fish itself then another tangle.  Swung the 4 meter whip out into the track whilst I untangled.  Engrossed in the puzzle that was a tangled rig I caught a glimpse of the whip sliding toward the water and realised fish on.

Great fun trying to lay down a almost untangled rig without tangling it up again, whilst grabbing the whip and playing another 10 oz fish on the flick tip.  Expert juggler that I am I got it in just as Chas my mate came along for a chat.  We shot the breeze about our loss at Gold Valley (last weekend) as he watched me bag a few more tiddlers.  Marc (Northern boy) Kay came along for a chat too and the two of them kept a low respectful profile rather than sky lining me.

Marc couldn't understand why I wasn't hitting every dip and as I was explaining it was tiny stuff pulling the worm around the float disappeared and another hybrid came to the net.  And so it was small fish after small fish interspersed with trying to stop bigger stuff heading for the brambles. I did have my obligatory fight with a Pike but for a change won it by dragging a bloody scarred and ripped roach from the jaws of death. See center top of pic below.

The all out was called at 8.45 pm as the light was making it difficult for me to see the bristle needle float, and the weigh in came down the bank.  Nearly every angler had lost a hybrid or two, testament to the quality fishing at Pewseys milk house stretch.  I had gone a pound with Spanners before he draw and he of course had drawn the end peg so I didn't hold out much hope. With Matrix PG on the other end peg - again - It would be tough to frame tonight, but who cares just enjoy.

My turn at the famous midsectioblues peg and a respectable net was pulled clear of the water.

Spanners realised he owed me a quid, but wasn't phased as he had taken one from JC so thanks James. The final pegs were weighed Nic thanked me for the bait and we both agreed it must have been the bait from Reids tackle that had made the difference; but neither of us had managed to beat the crafty old master Gary The Fish Etheridge.

I was pleased to play second fiddle to the legend that is Gary the fish. So long as I framed; and so it was.

Not going to crow, but inside I was happy.  After a run of bad luck maybe this is the turning point, at the very least I relaxed and enjoyed it and actually when its like that things rarely go wrong.  Push it and it will bite back.

The wife moaned at my getting home time of 10 pm, then went quiet as I passed over the winnings, odd that.

Not sure where to go this weekend, Ladies Bridge? Shearwater? or practice Horcott Lake for the next round of the summer league.  See you Sunday

A long weekend full of highs and lows

 First and foremost thanks to all who have sent kind messages re my watery trip into the cut last week.   I would like to maximise my blog readership as suggested by loads of you. its very kind of you all to say the nice things you do, fact is I don't know how to widen my audience. Need a bit of luck and somebody who knows somebody etc.

Thanks also to less concerned about me and more concerned about the waste of resources and the environment. I have sent a cheque to the Coast guard for turning out, to the Fire Brigade and local farmer for the use of heavy winch gear to drag me out.  To the Samaritans in recognition of their help to those who were mentally scarred by seeing me strip down to my skin; and yes to the residents of Milk House stretch who were badly affected by the Tsunami.

One of the kindest comments was as follows "seeing you naked reminded me of David Attenborough commenting on the Giant Walrus Beach master fights on some sandy beach in the arctic"  Charming, I have had a life long nic name of Big Dog for reasons I will let you guess at, but I have never been called a Beach master before.

Now to bring up to date.  Sorry for the delay but life has a habit of stamping on ones nuts when they are down.  And following the loss of my mobile and camera to a watery grave, the laptop died with a terrible case of sympathy.  So to that end, I have been unable to blog the latest news from past weekend.  Thanks to my wife , who through gritted teeth lent me her laptop on the promise I wouldn’t look at the correspondence from her various lovers ( poor bastards). 

So here we go.

Saturday 25th Bait Tech Semi Final Gold Valley

It was with some irony that from a squad of 20 names I could barely muster a team for what was probably Pewseys biggest match in years.  However the hardy and the stupid (me) were left and Leo, Brian, Chas, Chris, Steve D and yours truly rendezvoused at Popham services and then convoyed to Gold Valley.

Quick trip into on site tackle shop for a mooch around then next door for Cumberland sausage butty and a Tea.  The draw was next and Chas and Steve were on syndicate lake, Brian and Leo on Gold and Chris and I on middle.  Team plan was to fish pellet bomb at around 25 meters ping the pellet and then if they come up get the "wag" out and fish on top.  In meantime 11 mtrs ball in with micro pellet soaked in scopex with sprinkling of corn.
In practice it had worked well producing big bags of silvers and the occasional carp.  On the day not so good none of us had drawn the windward end of the lakes and that is were all the weights were to come from.  Out of the 90 or so anglers there; there were an awful lot of blanks and people with ounces and a few with very heavy bags of 100lb plus.  Brian was the best of our bunch with 40+ pound of fish which was 37 lb silvers and a carp on the whistle. Me next with mostly silvers for 17 lb, Chris with a zoo creature and few skimmers for 15 lb then Chas on 10 ounces, Leo on 8 ounces and Steve unfortunately blanking without a single bite all day.  Pewsey was joint last on the day.  No excuses about bad draw or whatever, all the anglers agreed Gold Valley fished poorly compared to its history.  With 5 of the 15 teams going through to the final we know realistically we fished poorly and our target of 6th and hope for better was a long way off.  It was a bad day at the office for most of us.  Nevertheless a day I wont forget.

Sunday 26th North Wx Summer League round 3 River Avon Chippenham.

What a day, ditched the commercial kit in the garage from yesterday got out the natural water stuff slammed it into van and drove north headlong into the wind , rain and copious puddles on the roads. By now I have a new phone but had not checked messages etc.  So it was some annoyance that I sat waiting in a garage in Devizes not realising everyone had gone straight to the draw. 

Eventually checked messages and drove like I had stole my van to Chippenham.  The draw venue seemed remarkably short of anglers.  At which those of us who do check messages realised the venue had been moved 4 miles north!!  The blind leading the blind convoy left; and after getting motion sickness from going around and around led to another call to the match organiser.  And an eventual late arrival at the draw.  What a farce.

Very, very long story short, we drew peg 1 in each section. Me on A1 top end of Riverside drive by the bridge.  I wanted D section in town by the golf course for guaranteed action. It was with trepidation that I looked at my peg.  Have to say it looked like a flyer.  Its just that it was pissing down with rain I had a 1 in 2 drop of 7/8 feet to a precarious perch so small I had to stand no room for a box, then a further drop of 5 feet to the water and then 14 feet of water. I was well out of sight and shouting distance of peg 2.

Having fallen in last week you can understand my caution and wimpy response not wanting to fish such a precarious perch.  So having had a word with myself  "man up, you soft idiot" I looked around for a floatation device found one lowered it in in case I fell in tethered it and set about tackling up.

Waggler and feeder rod set up I got out the pole.  Pole would be difficult.  I would have to ship up hill at 40 degrees whilst standing it would be a long day but had to be worth it.  Only had two rigs long enough had left my long and lollipop rigs at home. Idiot 

I heard what I thought was a hooter from a long way off checked my phone which said 10.30 and so cupped in some ground bait and bait dropper'd the hemp line.  Straight away I realised although I had 14 feet the bottom six feet of it was ranunculus weed impossible to put stick or wag through but ok for feeder or a heavy olivette through in places. 

The day was frustrating I was sure there were bigger fish there; just couldn’t get through the billion Bleak.  The rain was persistent pinkie and maggot were crawling into every orifice, parts of the bank I was stood on was gradually crumbling as the river under cut it. Squeaky bum time.

I endeavoured to get a bonus fish and did catch a bonus 6 ounce Perch on worm, but I spent to long on bigger baits trying to bypass the Bleak and minnows.  One of the minnows took a whole dendrobena!!  Efforts to catch big were to no avail , and I had to get fish in the net.  So I ploughed on with treble maggot and caught Bleak after Bleak after minnow etc until the final hooter. Humped the kit back up the bank and retrieved the floatation device, placing it back on the lifebuoy stand.

140 Bleak 40 minnows a nice Perch for 3 lb 7 oz.  My shoulders were dead feeding the pole back and forth at head height stood up all day, but I felt I had done well enough. Peg 2 pipped me with 3 lb 10 oz peg 3 2 lb 15, peg 4 5lb plus well done Dougie Foreshaw plenty of little chubletts, Fred Parker next  daddy Chubb of around 3 and half pound and few ounces for 4 lb. Then a 2 lb 14 ounces , a 2lb 15 and half ounce and a 2lb 13 ounce.  So fourth in section not bad but not great points.

Lets hope the others did well need to catch Swindon.  As it happens we had two 5ths in section and my doubles partner Mr Steve Trevett won the match with 10 lb of bleak on the 4 meter whip, well done Steve.  Swindon Isis had a mare except for Fred Parkers second in section (Daddy chub) saving the whole team with 2 points.  The river men of Lechlade played a blinder and won the day.  

So we go into the final round we go into the final round 3rd as Lechlade pass us.  Swindon on 6 points Lechlade on 8 and Pewsey 1 on 9 points.  Steve and I maintain our lead in the parallel doubles competition.

Mid week open on the canal Wednesday night and then not sure for next weekend.  One thing is for sure I will be better prepared and hopefully have a laptop, and a new camera.  Of course I could use the camera on the new phone just need to read the instructions!!!.

Army 10 Viaduct swan song

Repeated apologies for the lack of pictures. Read the last blog and you will see I have no camera. So to the last match of the year with my work colleagues.  Again I drew well for the other two in the team, and for the third time this year I drew the golden peg for someone in our team.

For we I was on Lodge - bummer. On 60 I had John to my left and then a gap with Rocky on the prime corner peg.  The wind was blowing straight in there and he looked favourite for it at least on this lake.

There was a vote to delay the start and fish 11 till 5.  BUGGER.  I was out tonight and that would not help I wouldn't be able to stay behind for the presentations of the end of season trophies.

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Still the match started and the rain began as the heavens opened.  I started on the lead, and pinging shop bought pellet.  I was really surprised at how small the roach were and yet still taking 8 mill pellet.and hour passed by and it whipped around and a double figure carp graced the net.  The fish were up in the water now and another come to the pellet wag this one around 16 lb a lovely common. Then that was it the pole line was nothing but canal size roach. Still the margins were rumbling.

It was bit early to come in.  Brian Shutler opposite was catching skimmers on the pellet wag, and Rocky down in the corner was bagging.

I decided to fish two margins one with choppy and caster over dead maggot and the other a paste line.  The paste line was a disaster small stuff all the way.  Fishing a whole dendro over the dead maggot was more successful as I bagged 8 tench in a row.  All recently stocked at 8 oz they were nice but no weight.

3 biggish Perch were next and several hybrids, two lovely Rudd and several lovely roach, but no carp. With an hour to go a carp took a lob worm and then wrapped itself around the platform until I lost it.

So to the weigh in.  Managed to pip John on my left as I had two Carp for 27 lb and 11 and a half pound of bits.

Well done to the season Champ ( was it Docs) I dont know.  Whoever the champ well done.

I have enjoyed fishing with the Army lads the last 5 years. But as my job changes and it gets more and more difficult to get away, I think today could have been my swan song.  I will try and find out were I finished over all and who the champ was . I aimed for top ten I will let you know

Bait tech semi finals at Gold Valley Saturday. Then Bristol Avon for the summer league on Sunday, its all go.

Pewsey - I will not bow down at Bowdens - Step away from the Canal

It was without much enthusiasm that I started out reasonably early for Bowdens stretch, or Derricks stretch as I know it as matches I have attended there Derricks always seem to pick up money.  Not seen Derrick for a while hope he is OK I miss him hes a nice bloke.

Don't know why I don't draw well but its a fact of life, I accept now.  I may not have the proclivity of some to draw the winning pegs, but one things for sure if there are fish there I will catch em, and if they ain't there well no one can catch em.  Another thing about Bowdens is its a funny stretch, what we would call pegs 1 to 3 ( by the swing bridge) normally catch then its scratching time till you get up to Bowdens bridge then the pegs close to the bridge always produce skimmers.  So as much as I lacked enthusiasm for fishing today. I hoped for luck and an end peg.   I would not bow down to Bowdens, not today or any other day. I don't like it and I am sure it don't like me.

The rain and murk gave way to a warm sunny one and I hoped for a good draw as I unloaded the van and started the walk to the swing bridge.  Its going to be a busy week for fishing this week, last match of the season with some mates on Wednesday, and next week end, Bait Tech semi finals Saturday and Summer League round three at Chippenham on Sunday.

Sometimes too much fishing at once takes the edge of the enjoyment. But having picked up money in the last few matches I hoped to continue the coinage.

On the tow path going under Wilcot Bridge Kev in front of me stopped to re adjust his kit and we were remarking on how much stuff we take when suddenly, my foot went in a hole or on brick or something and I fell turning my ankle.

Worse still my entire trolley went of the edge and I whacked my head on the edge of the brick work as every thing including plummeted into the canal.. Even worse I had got the trolley wrapped around my coat somehow I was submerged on my back at the bottom of the canal with all my kit trolley and everything on top of me.

Oops, this was serious.  My wader boots filled but an air bubble in both the feet meant my feet were more bouyant than me, but after a considerable effort I got my feet down pushed the trolley (to be fair much of the kit was starting to float anyhow) up.  The inflatable tyre on the barrow helping.

Talking of help. Kev was sliding down the bank to help me secure things.  Clearly too heavy to lift I had to get the bungies off and between Kev and me (still up to my chest in the canal) stuff was unceremoniously dragged to safety.

Including me as Alan Gibbs arrived.  Good job I was slightly concussed vomiting lungs full of canal water, and my ankle was blue murder.

Chris Rushton and a few others got there and after realising what had occurred.  Strenuously suggested I go straight home.  After exchanging a few expletives, I told him I would not be giving him the opportunity of championship points and would be staying.  So after piling everything back on the barrow it looked like a pile of washing and I hobbled 200 mtrs to the draw.

The banter was rife once everyone realised I was sort of ok.  Vomiting more canal water, the comments came thick and fast.  

Nice Tsunami mate!  Did you see any fish?   Is the water warm enough for the fish to feed?  As I stripped of and was offered a sweatshirt from Leo, a few of the lads started to gag and vomit as they realised I go Commando.  Comments about the size of my manhood were quickly explained away by the coldness of the water etc.

The subject of the Dive itself came up and the lads gave their scores.  Not quite Tom Daly but not bad for first effort of the day



So after peeling a sopping wet tenner out of the wallet, I did the draw and got peg 4.  Hobbling to the peg I set about pegging my washing out along the black thorn bushes were it was catching the full sun.

Dizziness was taking over somewhat as the shock set in.  I didn't have a clue what I was doing my normal routine was blown away.  To make things worse  I looked left and saw Spanners on 3, and right I had Kev Chubb (my Hero) both are two of the in form canal anglers. God MUST hate me.

After a while everything was laid out in an increasingly warm sun; and every insect for a hundred miles was homing in on this 20 stone 6 foot canal smelling object for a feast.

The peg itself quite deep and a question from someone as to whether I would be getting in with my platform was meant with a stony glare from me.

A kindly member of the public went by and said excuse me you have dropped your wallet etc.  Thanks I said I know its there.  I fell in and I am trying to dry out my phone wallet paper money camera etc. That was a silly thing to do wasn't it ( as if I meant to do it) she remarked and moved on.

The egg shape lump on my head was now throbbing like a beating heart, luckily no blood but a fair bit of light headiness and dizziness washed over me and I shut my eyes and stepped away from the bank whilst it cleared.

The last of the canal water ejected itself from me throat as I finished setting up.  Ground bait was a sloppy right off and the crawling bait was making a break for it from every container.

I had lost my bread during the watery trip , but Kev gave me a slice.  The match got under way and to be honest I had a good looking swim with plenty of snaggy features. So was hopeful.  My new special mix of crushed hemp and caster was added to some very wet choppy worm and I baited up different lines.

As it happens there was no rush. Spanners was straight in and then that was it and the same for Kev. Me well the first of some monster crayfish, I mean real Lobster size were being dispatched but no fish.  Guessing at 2 hours in watch is not water proof, neither is a mobile phone I had my first fish a little roach.  Followed by 5 more crays.

I then dropped a 3 oz Perch un-shipping my pole.  Boats in front were regular and cyclists behind were not helping in fact it was waiting for a cyclist that I dropped the perch. A solid bite came about an hour later. After so much stillness it was like an electric shock and I almost missed it.  It shot under the bush to my left and eventually I had to pull for a break. Bugger, what a day.

Spanners was now into the lobsters and even Kev was catching them.  Squat would catch small fish , worm the better stamp.  But there were so many crays it was ridiculous.  You need the worm to settle for the fish but if you let it settle bang "finding Nemos" mate the lobster had it.

So by the end the constant boat traffic and the crayfish meant a few were leaving and not weighing in.  Sorry there are no photos but cameras and phone cameras are not compatible with canal water.

So to the scores.

Peg 11 Brian Shutler 1 lb 6.5 oz          15 Points
Peg 13 Leo Pocock   1 lb 4 oz             14 Points
Peg 6   Alan Gibb      1 lb 2 oz            13 Points
Peg 7   Pete White     1 lb                    12 Points
Peg 1 Morgan Plank (Junior)  15.5 oz 11 Points
Peg 3 Ian Spanswick  15 oz                 10 Points
Peg 2 Mark Russ        12 oz                   9 Points
Peg 9 Colin Weston    11 oz                  8 Points
Peg 12 Simon Burden   7.5 oz               7 Points
Peg 4 Me                       6.5 oz               6 Points
Peg 5 Kev Chubb          6.5 oz               6 Points
Peg 8 Steve Dean                                   DNW
Peg 10 Chris Rushton                            DNW

As I type the egg on my head is throbbing, my foot is up with bags of frozen peas on it.  It swelled to gala melon size when i took me boot off.

Fishing who needs it.................................I do.

Pewsey Lake - Keeping it Simple Simon

Another frantic week at work.  Yes fellow anglers, even civil servants have to work for a living these days.  I hate my job but the thought of the weekend and the wage packet to pay for my fishing needs must.  Number one dilemma this week has been a stand off.  A silent call my bluff type of stand off between a few of us.

The poker game was started last week when I received a letter from Angling times stating the Angling Times Bait Tech Semi final would be on Saturday 25th July!!  Oh shit that gives us no time to practice.  With two Club Championship matches between now and then, one on the lake and one on the canal.  I know the wife will be loathe to wear me going Saturdays as well as Sundays and time of work is difficult at the mo, slightly down on staff.  I will get a match in at viaduct just before gold valley and the fishing is similar just have to hope that's enough unless something crops up.

Anyway the stand off, it was really about ditching the chance of Championship points and practicing.  Leo was going to gold and Brian was fishing to see if I was going.  I knew both Brian and Simon and many of the others would take advantage to gain points on me if I went to Gold.  So do I put team angling first or myself.  It was tough but I do lots for the team and on this occasion I decided unusually to put myself first - and fish for points.

 Hope it pays off. We will see at the draw.  If I don't get a double figure peg I will immediately wish I had gone to Gold.   Haven't heard from Brian well see if hes here today. If so I hope he doesn't repeat last week and do this.

So it was apt that the accompanying vibes for this weeks trip were Pink Floyd and "Wish you were here" the question being asked "did they get you to trade your heroes for Ghosts, hot ashes for trees, hot air for a cool breeze, cold comfort for change, did you exchange a walk on part in the war for the lead role in a cage".. Whatever my decision I knew others would say wish you were there and not here.

Brian its seems had gone with Leo and Steve D to Gold.  Surprisingly Chris Rushton hadn't joined them and was waiting to draw,.  Still plenty of talent to beat, Simon, Nic, Mark Russ, the ever framing Will at Lake matches.   It ain't gonna be easy, any one of these guys could win here it just means catching carp.


The all important draw and would I get nine again?  Well I hope so, as this week 9 is the golden peg, and knowing where the Carp are now in this peg it would be good to draw it.  It would also be good to draw the other end.

Once again neither occurred I got peg 7 and Will got the golden 9.  If Will gets even a few Carp its curtains for the Golden Peg.

First mistake that I made was cleaning my kit up yesterday and forgetting to put the cup from my cupping kit in.  Damn it.  No precise baiting today.  Have to throw it or catapult it in , no good trickling its too deep and it would be intercepted on the way down.

So to the match Chris end peg on my left Simon on my right then Will and Martin for our section.  The happy people walked on by to the end of the lake and Carp Heaven.

All in saw me ball in  two lines and then go across on the wag to fish far edge in the hope of mugging a Carp or Chubb.  30 minutes and 3 roach I came back over the baited lines and started to grind it out.  Chris and I were fish for fish for quite a while until he had two big skimmers. Simon on the meantime was bouncing the method  feeder of the far bank and getting two smallish Carp.  Will in the meantime had lost a huge fish ( possibly the fish that jumped out of my net a month ago) and three others.

I wasn't liking it all, small fish were the staple run of fish.  Needed a break and got it a lovely Perch.

About a pound and a bit, need a few more.  Simon in the meantime was keeping it simple and banging the method in and it resulted in a gorgeous Common Carp, possibly big enough to threaten the club record Common which is 9 lb 2 oz. Will had landed a couple of pups, and lost a few more.

It seems that the normally low match weights  of ounces, or 2 lb to win the section was not gonna be enough today.  I wasn't gonna catch Simon and Will was Prime for second in section, so I had to get another decent fish to catch Chris.  I couldn't see Martin but he seemed quite.

The float dipped and wiggled then lifted a clear 3 inches out of the water and I lifted into a solid fish,  The elastic was tested as a nice Bream kited left and right. Thank fully the hook held and only popped out as the net slid under it.

Huge sigh of relief as I felt I was now tied tied for third in section.  Chris redoubled his efforts and Simon had another.  Ding dong battle this one.  I had run out of ground bait so had returned to my trolley for some micro feed pellet.. The fish were having it so I thought why not. With half an hour to go I pinged the method out and threw in three orange size balls of pellet on the main line.

It started fizz within 15 minutes , but with only 15 mins to go, I was running out of time.  I could feel it in my gut the fish were having it and possibly a shoal of skimmers was on the feed.  Needed another hours but as the clock ticked down I couldn't get through the roach at mid depth.  Even switching to a heaver olivette rig and trying to smash through to the bottom, I still caught roach.

And on the whistle the swim erupted like a jacuzzi , oh how frustrating.

So to the weigh in.

Steve H had a few tiddlers but was Carp free on 15, Roly had a pound of bits topped up with 9 lb of Carp.  Well there was no chance for me.  Especially when Nic pulled out 17 and half pounds plus his pound of bits. Jimmy Broomham couldn't Match it neither could the inform Mark Russ.

Martin next and the kerfuffle with Will losing Carp had affected his swim.

Now to section 1. Will first and his lost fish costing him leaving him 8 lb 2 oz.  Simon next and his common came so close to the 9 lb 2 oz as it weighed in at 8 lb 15 oz. Close but no Cigar , but add to his other Carp and he had an impressive 26 lb 13 oz, and 8 points. Now for Chris and I and its tight but I pip him on silvers and baby Carp.  I tie with Will and pick up 7 points - not bad.  More good news in that Simon and Roly didn't go in Super pools, so I picked up silvers pay packet and second by default shared with Will in super pools. Result.

To the winning photograph, well done to all see you next week back on the cut.

PS wonder how Gold Valley was???

Opened up by JC

Short blog for this short evening open.  It was a lovely pleasant summer evening the sort that come September you would look back and think why didn't I fish the summer evening Opens Pewsey's Kevin Chubb organises.

So it was with surprise that I noted a small but hardy turnout.  Looking at the opposition I decided to hope for a good draw and treat it as a pleasant evening on the canal. Which indeed it was.  Except for the biting horseflies and the horrendous cloud of thunder bugs.  It was one of Gods best days.

Gary Etheridge scrounged maggots from me and I scrounged a few squat from Spanners.  I said hello to Pete White, it was good to see him on the towpath again. Martin as always was bouncing and announced he wasn't going to kick our combined ass's .

Kev announced the draw and James was in drawing the far end peg. Worse was I drew next to him, and Kev the bread drew the other end. Having gone a quid with spanners I was regretting it already; I passed him on the peg I drew in the bait tech, knowing it was 3 lb peg and had resident bigger fish. Next Gary the fish Etheridge also in a reasonable slot.

Peg 14 Martin and me on 15.  14 and 15 aren't bad pegs just they are baron and featureless and when you have James next to you directly in front of overhanging tree.  Still no use bitchin, as I say lovely day and lets enjoy.

A faint call from Kev on the end got us underway and both JC and I were within 30 minutes talking about lack of fish. both of us had squat fish for around 6 to 8 ounces, and so I ground it out. Picking of the small stuff.  Worm or bigger baits meant a fruitless 3 minute wait, before a change back to pinkie instantly received the attention of a gudgeon or two.

Surprisingly 2 hours in the float dipped and although dotted down didn't go under, I hit anyway and after a 5 minute fight on 3 elastic i got it back to the net.  It was foul hooked on the outside of his mouth and in a final flick of the tail the 2 lb hybrid was gone taking any chance of pools.

James immediately topped up the worm line and bagged a Bream and 2 hybrids.  Me, well Gary the fish had also lost a hybrid at the net, Spanners lost one under his feature bush, and Pete White and Kev were catching slightly bigger fish on worm.

Despite my efforts the big stuff wasn't there and I was making basic mistakes like dropping fish swinging in and in one case missing my keep net with a 3 ounce Perch. You have to laugh don't you - no!

So all out and along to James, his Bream and 2 hybrids making him favourite for the win. see below.

Me next, busy night of squat fish but probably no where in the match.  Not a loss though more lessons learnt and starting to know the Milk House pegs now.

on down the line and its close between me and Spanners 3 oz, I know I'm an idiot for swing in fish and or missing the keep net with fish.

So quid to Spanners and the final board. Well done to JC and Kev for taking the spoils , see you at the next one.

My pleasure sleepy head

Slightly gutted this weekend as there was no match.  There was a teams of four on Basingstoke canal yesterday but couldn't get in on it.  Never mind.  Some of the lads had kindly invited me to Heron Lake but I am not a member of Marlborough so had to pass on the Crucian fishing.

So it was Rod Stewart and Maggie May in my ears as I halfheartedly drove to our lake for a couple of hours alone. Rod was telling me " he was going steal his Daddies cue and make a living out of  playing pool" when I pulled up.

As it was, Will was already ensconced on peg 13 (been there since dawn) and had already had a carp or two.  So I sat next to him on 12 and set up.  I decided to try a different ground bait mix than normal if it didn't work no worries better to try outside match conditions and make the mistakes there.

As it was I was off to a flier as typical of the lake outside of match days the place was alive with feeding fish.  The float settled and then lifted 3 inches clear of the water. Some of the stockie pups are getting bigger by the day it seems.

The water was fizzing like a cauldron when Brian Shutler turned up for a little practise.  He stood behind me and said "I'll just watch you lose that one and then I'll Move on" Cheeky git.  As it was I didn't lose it and it was the second fish of a manic hour.

It slowed then so I piled in more bait and away we went again.  Will was catching on the tip as usual and Brian had settled on the rarely fished peg 17 and was catching one losing three with metronomic regularity.

My session was going from good to very good as I tried to plough through the 8 oz to a pound fish in search of the bigger boys and girls.  The elastic stretched and the float dipped with pleasurable speed; and it was delight to see some of the 3 oz Crucians we stocked 18 months ago now getting bigger.  Some are getting on for 10 oz.  The future is bright the future is Crucian Gold.  Fat little buggers.

And so it was the sun shone on my back and the lake.  The easy fishing was a delight, the ducks came and went and the king fisher squealed by on its frantic business; and a week of hot nights and thunderstorm disturbed sleep was catching me rapidly. The god of sleep rested his lead weight hands on my eyelids.

 The peace and tranquility of it all meant I literally fell to sleep on my box!!

Now I have fallen asleep fishing before , but its normal from the comfort of a carpers chair or bedchair.  Do it on a match box and its different kettle of fish.  If any have you have had that feeling that your falling and suddenly you wake and you lying in bed.  Well its almost the same.

Except you really do fall.  Luckily I fell backwards, my pole shot in the air and the rig rapped itself neatly into a birds nest around the end.

What woke me, well it was Brian of course landing another. Red Hydro straining against another superfit Carp.

Thoughts of the grass needing cutting at home, the Silverstone Grand Prix coupled with the continued yawning and sleepiness.  I decided to call it a day.  I was pleasantly surprised to haul out the net and find near 15 lb.  Lovely, several nice Crucians, and the stockie Carp are really growing up.  As always the Roach glistened in the sun and it still amazes me how a 4 oz roach will take 3 maggots on a 16!

Open Match on Thursday night at Milky.  Then its Championship duty at this very lake.  Bet it don't fish like that next week, we'll see!