Summer League and Horcott horror for most

To the second round of the summer league.  BBQ first and Ali Foreshaw banged out some cracking nosh the sweet chilli sauce was excellent.  All of it though was putting off the inevitable, and that was the fishing.  Its a difficult game organizing a comp and Dazzer Edgell does so well.  But when you pick a venue you have no idea what its going to be fishing like.

As the day came nearer a last minute change was instigated to put two sections on another lake as the main lake was fishing so bad. lets hope it would pay off.

Daz explained all the local rules and the reason for the changes any moans about the pegging were rightly dismissed.  There is too much fishing by committee these days. Opinions are like ass holes everyone has one.  Funny though how those whingers back  away complete with their opinions when it comes to doing the leg work organising.

My view, not popular I know but, if someone is willing to peg out in all weathers do all the leg work in organising etc, then all we need to do is turn up and pay.  If you don't like the organisers style or the way he works, then don't fish or turn up. Fish somewhere else. You pay your pools and you take your chance

So to my shit peg. Ha ha just kidding.  My peg was in B section not favoured by most in the know but I was certain I could get something out of it.  The day was cold and cloudy with a threat of rain.  The water was about 10 degrees warmer than the air above and there was quite a ripple pushing into the lower numbers of B section and high number pegs of A section, would the fish go with it?

I set up a heavy and medium feeder, a heavy and light waggler plus two 4 mtr whips.  I had masses upon masses of weed in front of me where the water was around 7 to 8 feet deep.  But with only the two top feet of water weed free I plumped for a sloppy surface ground bait and loose feed to draw the lakes Rudd shoals up out of the weed.

That because I had no idea where the clear gravel bars were on this big venue. I also didn't want to sit it out for 5 hours in the hope of a 10 lb Bream , Carp or Tench.  Its a team event for points so get fish in the net.

Whilst I waited for the start i noted a million half inch fry in the bush to my left.  Thoughts. There must be a predator near by lets hope its a Perch.  On the hooter Dougie Foreshaw arrived to fish having already fished a match and winning at alt Medley and Foley this morning.  Thing was Nigel Russell had already set up in Dougies peg 6 to my left when he should have been on peg 8! Nige was on the verge of filling in with Hemp and ground bait so it was ten minutes into the match they swapped and set up in their right pegs.

Meanwhile a swirl by the bush at the first pouch of maggots confirmed fish around the fry so I flicked the whip out and watched the float settle. Promptly it slid away and I carefully netted a angry 5 oz Perch.no more bites for the next two hours despite constantly ringing the changes.

I did have two wheelbarrow loads of weed dragged in by both waggler and feeder rigs.

The lake was slate grey reflecting the now raining sky.  Leo came along to get more kit from his van as he had no bites.  It appeared from the bank side runners that I was winning the section.  The only person to have a bite and a fish.

Another hour and was that a tap on the tip. I reeled in peeled back the weed and sure enough a 4 oz Perch.  As no one else had even had a bite in my section I felt I was bagging up lol.

After nearly 4 hours a message came in that Martin Aris had a Rudd, Paul Rice in A section had around 15 lb of Rudd but no one else had anything in a or b sections. No idea at all what was happening in C and D.

Then the killer the peg hopper Nige Russell had , had a Tench. I re doubled my efforts for a big fish with no joy so as a last gasp I returned to the bush to my left and stuck on a pinkie maybe the Rudd had moved in.

No such luck.  However, i did scratch another Perch on the drop.  So 3 Perch for around 1 lb as the hooter went.  I was in a hurry to get away the wife was unwell when I left her, it was 8pm and I still had a hour plus to drive home.

I did have time to find out I had second in section . Nige Russells 1 bite was a Tench of nearly 3 pound. Leo had also had a bite which resulted in a half ounce fish and Martin Aris had 9 ounces for third.  Dougie Foreshaw and the rest had blanked although I imagine Dougie took some solace in his mornings match win on the Thames at Foley. My weight confirmed at 14 oz.

Sorry have no idea of the final results other than my fellow team members, Nic and Mark dry netted and Neil had mid section points.  I am sure Dazzer will publish results later this week and I will try and edit if I have the time.

See you next time.