I suppose its natural to re-evaluate where you stand in life and with your friends. But being a naive soul, I hope for good times not to change.But you cannot change or be surprised by those around you. Things inevitably change and people move on.
Talking of moving on - it could well be time for the new dog to go. He is pushing my patience. Bought a pair of Chubb Thinsulate boots at Christmas for fishing. Worn them once and decided to wear them today as it was unlikely I would be getting in the "Basey" Canal.
Chewed to bits and Jake looking like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, big brown eyes of innocence were the only thing that saved him.
So to the last of the Basingstoke Winter Canal teams of four. I have missed one of the 5 matches but paid for a replacement so as not to let the team down. It started badly and to be frank why wouldn't it, I am in the worst run of my fishing life. You cant turn up at a new rarely fished venue (at least by me) and expect to set it alight. But even those that now the venue were struggling.
But as its gone on I have got better and in regards to our team have fared well. Today though Brian couldn't make it (Car MOT) and we one down and on back foot from the start. Nevertheless see it through, we are after all fishing for the club Pewsey not ourselves. Doesn't matter where you finish just that you do Pewsey proud.
If I was honest though I would say that's the root of my sadness. Pewsey have tried to build a solid match team over the past three years; and although on our day we can beat or compete with all comers. Sure enough this last season has seen far too many anglers drift away. I suppose my hopes viewed through halcyon rose tinted glasses of seeing Pewsey being the force they were in my youth have died.
I don't think its RIP club fishing, just time to choose between ambition for the club, personal ambition or an acceptance that perhaps fishing clubs are a thing of the past. Certainly, despite a rise in the popularity of natural venues. Commercial venues, and matches with big money prizes and Kudos seem to be at the forefront.
Our team leader Kev did the draw and not only did I have a long walk I had the scales . My swim was much of a muchness , no features full of twigs and detritus and sod all else. I could of course sit it out for the big fish and hope or just enjoy the day. The thick, thick fog clung to every patch of uncovered skin, leaving a dewy drop of moisture joining with another to cause a rivulet to run between the goosebumps.
I had a bite straight away and another and another. All the fish were small but at least it was fish in the net. That was until they guy to my left had a skimmer, and to my right he had 3 Perch all over 2 lb in ten minutes. The guy to his right was also bagging with Bream big Perch and even a big Roach.
The match went reasonably quickly , tow path bikes and dog walkers causing there issues with the guy on my left breaking his 7 section (expensive) trying to appease a impatient dog walker. I caught steadily all day and probably had the beating of the guy on my left and a few others in the section. However, indicative of this past season, no bonus fish would cost me.
Weigh in, and a decent roach on the whistle from the guy to my left meant he he pipped my 50 fish (1 lb 14) with 2 lb 1 oz. The two to my right (1st one) 8 lb 4, 7 lb of which was 3 Perch. To his right the Bream, skimmer and big Perch accounted for 8 lb 9 oz and a section win. I ended up mid section and with that anglers tale said by all " If only............"
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Above Mark and Brian stare lovingly at the wallets held in their marsupial pouches. Mark is amazed by the size of Brian's packet
A pathetic gathering on the last day of the lake series saw us shivering in the morning fog waiting for the sun to burn it off. It meant only one section so for only the second time this year I got down the Carpy end.
The fog took a while to burn off and the cold easterly right to left wind made for an uncomfortable hand numbing morning. Simon the championship leader on the favoured 13 peg had one 11 lb Carp and a 5 pounder in the net in the first ten minutes. Me a couple of squat Roach. Mark Russ was doing his normal on 14 catch one , lose one; and Neil on the end had a 1.5 lb skimmer.
I plugged away trying to catch the elusive Carp and Chubb. Brian tried the mental stuff by asking how many times I would hook my float in the tree. Of course I did, but I got my float back. This led to complaints and much angst by all, as they apparently rely on me to decorate the trees.
Of course I took the bait. No fair says I, this entire season as much as sure as I have had the mother of all draw bags I have only lost 2 floats to the trees. To try and be clever I then offered to buy them all a complete set of floats boasting ( not true) that I was rolling in money and could afford it.
However, Brian did make me laugh and up staged my floored boasting; by saying " if you have that much money you should spend it on fishing lessons you need em"!!!
Sometimes a comment like that makes you laugh and realise fishing is more than big prize money, its about being with your club mates. Everybody was laughing loud and heartily and I didn't mind being the butt of the joke - fair play Brian.
Proving his skill even more Brian then lassoed a Perch, and after announcing Carp o'clock finally hooked a huge Common Carp. After dollying it in for a good 15 minutes he finally got it close and reached for his landing net. At which point the hook pulled and his terminal tackle flew behind him. A mixture of delight for me and sadness for him ( we have all experienced it).
Will Tapper has had 4 Carp but I don't know how big , but as it stands I was last for sure. I just kept plugging away but it was the staple diet of this past year plenty of fish but all tiny. I don't get it its not bait size some of these fish are taking bait bigger then them!
I then hooked my keep net and ended up with a mother of a tangle I mean it looked like a snakes wedding - knot on knot. I rigged up again and resumed the Gary can catch small roach routine. Before I knew it, it was all out and stared at last on the last day.
Simon weighed in a lovely 11.5 lb Carp.
and four other Carp. For 20 lb + and another win As for the rest of us, I expected to be last but as it was not so.
Neil first to weigh in and having chased Carp all day, breaking his feeder rod, his Bream was the only fish. Mark Russ (cant one lose one) 4 roach and four Carp for second and 10 lb 1 oz. Me 35 fish for 2 lb 7 oz. Brian next and a painful half an ounce behind me. Then Will , his four carp being "pups" not enough.
So amazingly I was third. As Simon never did super pools, I got cash for third , second in super pools and the silvers. Brian was not looking pleased.
Never mind Brian after beating you today " I will put the money towards fishing lessons!"
AGM tomorrow night we look back on what has been Simon's year. Next weekend I am under orders from the wife to put her first so no fishing blog next week.
Sorry in advance to Cliff Dutton and others who complain in a nice way when I don't go to print.
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