Not the flier which was apparently Brian Shutler 2 pegs down, by the bridge and Brian Curtis 1 down from me.
Brian Curtis inlet opposite him and inlet to his right.
And Brian the flier draw bag specialist, sat on the wall keepnet dangling, inlet to his left Bridge with holding spots all around
There was a bench on the towpath behind me and that was going to come into play as the day went on. I set up shallow and dead depth whips , a stick float and a waggler as well as 6 meters to hand. I had 9 feet deep at my feet and deepening of to 11 feet.
The boat traffic was horrendous and not at all slow. The match started and I put in six balls laced with caster copped worm and a pint of hemp. Chose the six meter line to put in 10 bait droppers of hemp and drennan inky squid 4 and 6 mill soft hookers ( couldn't get any Tare so used the soft hookers instead).
First problem was getting through the bleak so changed to heavier rigs, and started catching after 15 minutes. Good thing too as Brian (s) plural were catching steadily below me.
The towpath traffic was most off putting as woman of all size and shape clad in lycra "bounced along" behind me. Some of them were outstanding others not so , both were distracting . Poor old Brian S was all of a lather and so was I.
Bradley Wiggings clones were belting along dinging there bells, not a care to slow or stop, so you had to keep the towpath clear. I wish I had invented lycra, the good the bad and ugly , all were wearing it. The boats were a mixture of merry teenage youths, to sedate rowers with sleeping passengers. The best I saw, as I was being treble boated, was one complete with silver service fresh cream cakes and Champers. When I shipped out my pole cup and asked a middle age buxom beauty for a cream slice she said, only at Pimms oclock darling only at Pimms oclock. I couldn't see the need for the repeat and I still didn't get my cake.
Three Polish lads of dubious nature now sat behind me and going by the sweet nature of the cloud puffing from them I gathered they were on Planet of where the Feck are are we. I was a little nervous that I might just be about to lose some kit to thieves , but I think they thought better of it as there were so many people around and planet Feck looked as if it was spinning at a different revolution to the Earth. I did get a small cheer as I landed my 3rd Crayfish in a row from the ground bait and worm line.
This was followed by three roach alternate with three pike , the pike being 1 lb ,
2 lb, and 5 lb. I decided to come of the ground bait and go deeper down the track over the hemp. The flurry of crayfish and pike had trashed several rigs and I was wasting too much time re tackling. This with the Forest Gump, bench behind me. Yes Forest Gump this bloody bench, was only missing Forest saying life is a box of chocolates , you never know what your gonna get.
It was true, I didn't know. As it happened it was a lovely lycra hour glass lady stopping for a breather, heaving chest and all. Oh MY God. What was less attractive was her spindly looking husband, whose lycra was so tight in the crutch area you could tell what religion he was!! Jewish I think. It prompted me to stick a lob worm on and try for a big Perch. Fifteen minutes later and no fish on any line, they had all switched off. Good job to because Planet Feck were back and asking too many questions about my kit behind me. Time to get up and tell them to F... GO AWAY.
The boats in front and the Oxford public behind me were not compatible to good fishing. Or at least concentration on good fishing. All of my longer 10 to 14 foot rigs were trashed, and I was left with deep bolo rigs , completely wrong for this venue.
Joy of joy an Irish traveler turned up behind me to sit on the bench and being sponsored by Strongbow diamond cider (mixed with white spirit) he proceeded to ask me for my wallet. Excuse me says I. Now I like travelers, they do after all do a good line in Lurchers. But this idiot was serious.
I decided to get of my stool and walk towards him. I said (slurry voice) give me your fecking wallet or I'll kill you! Time to get tough. Look here says I, piss off or I will spit roast you with my pole. With that he said ok and he walked away the seat of his trousers betraying a nappy full , and oh my god the stench.
Gagging I sat down sipped some lemonade and ate a banana whilst I considered my options. The only line I hadn't tried was the waggler across.. I began by pinging caster and fishing half depth. The bleak were an annoyance but at least I was catching again. More boats and a rhythm of ping, boat,cast, fish, ping, boat, cast, fish.
A change to the inky squid 6 mill resulted in a love pound and half Roach.
The barrage of loose caster and pellet was starting to work the first of three skimmers arrived.
Joining them on the bench behind me was Kevin. Who the bloody hell is Kevin? No idea, but he sat down next to me on the bench and proceeded as follows. Hello my name is Kevin, my girlfriend left me today but she keeps texting me to say she wants me back what should I do?? Get a dog says I, much more reliable.
Huge mistake we were best buds now. I like fishing says Kevin I used to fish when i was 9, 13 15 and 17. I am 31 now. What do you think I should do about my girlfriend, mum says I should forget her.
I tried to be polite, clearly Kevin was educationally challenged, but I was stuck. I needed to concentrate but I didn't want to be rude. Kevin finished his sandwiches , thanked me for the advice and asked what sort of dog would be best? Listen Kev, its Kevin says he. Sorry Kevin I was only joking about the dog, I am afraid I don't know what to say on your girlfriend.
Mum says shes after my money, but she wont get in my account only I know my password. Good says I concentrate on your job save your money and if she likes you she will come back. was my feeble response. Thanks said Kevin, thats good advice I am going now.
He turned and left just like that . Leaving me feeling a little cruel for trying to ignore him and fish. He was around 6 paces away when my phone rang..unknown number.
I answered it, "Dog Section, Jack Russell speaking. They rang off. But Kevin turned and come back, where would I get a dog? Best ask your mum Kevin. Its my birthday soon i will be 32, is that old enough for a dog.
Yes its fine says I, but ask your mum. Will do he says and walked off.
The waggler line was picking up now it was fish a chuck but I was running out of time, had I done enough to get good section points for the team? The all out was called and Steve came along. There is no one on peg 2 , so you got the boards.
WONDERFUL.
I asked Brian Curtis to watch my kit whilst we went south to the end of the section. It was patchy with Brian Shutler weighing in the best of 9 lb + by the time we got to weigh me in.
I had done Brian with a lovely 10 lb 2 oz. Section win and the hope of placing. Rumours and phone calls confirmed it would be tight, Dougy had had a 4 lb Bream and nearly 8 lb in the first hour. Paul Rice had bagged up with big Bream too.
So to the score sheets
A section first and Dougies quick start had slowed and he had ended up with 10 pound 11 oz for a section, fourth for Neil Pegrum fellow Team Member.
My section now and satisfying to pip Brian.
C section next and its good news for my mate and fellow team member Mark Russ, another section win for the cause.
And finally D section. The top weights came from here and the Pewsey lads didn't fair well which was a shame.
Well done to Paul Rice a near 5 lb Bream in his 12 lb 9 oz for first place.Mr Curtis a worthy runner up with 12 lb 2 oz leaving Dougie Foreshaw third and me 4th.
Not sure where this leaves us all with one round to go but, I am happy after second in section last match and a win today points are looking healthier.
Not sure where I'll be next week, Airsprung (Bradford on Avon) have an open, Saturday there is an open at Clanfield , we will have to see.
