Summer League. Made some new friends, Forest Gump.

After some deep discussions and conflicting stories about the venue of Folly in Oxford on the Thames.  Horror stories of assault on the tow path gear being stolen , poor boating attitude we put them aside as "one offs" and met at McDonalds for the draw.  Down to the industrial estate, for section B and peg 3.

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

The peg above me was empty as one team was one man short on the day leaving Steve Dean a nice long trot to me.  Still not complaining my peg for a change looked ok.

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.

Pewsey July and back on home water. If it can go wrong.................

Funny old day to day last to arrive , which is not like me.  Just in time to draw.  Which today was peg 9. Not my first choice, but when I got to the peg it looked great with fish rolling and bubbling up in a feeding frenzy it seemed.

Right in front of me a lily pad that could do with moving, or could be trouble today.

After a few weeks of good fishing today was a bloody night mare.  My admin was good but the crazy things were happening one after another.  First cast with tip rod the line wrapped around the tip and the method feeder cracked off. Retied and clipped up cast again., this time mainline loop came unravelled, never has that happened to me..  Third method feeder and that rod was set.

Wagglers next and after hooking nettles behind me breaking a hook length and losing a plumb bob they were ready.

The pole was set up too , but not without its issues of tangled rigs and broken elastic !!!!! What the bloody hell is going on.  All in was called and I had three quick pups on the method.  Before the water in front of me erupted in bubbles and and rolling fish over my ground bait line.

Several missed fish .  Check the hook.  Weirdly the maggot was just above the hook, or at least a tiny spiral of line as the hook had gone!

I couldn't resist the bubbling washing machine and I came off feeding fish to give it a go. Bang straight into a little tench of around 1 lb 10 oz.  Didn't land t though as lost it in the Lillie's in front of me.  I had to laugh either that or cry.  Nothing was going right.

Its been a while since i had this much bad luck..  Next swung out the rig and hooked the keep net. Wriggling the hook out it snapped on its shank! OMG.

And so the match went on total I lost 6 big fish , 2 whilst my mate Chas Short was watching. Nothing I could do elastic bottomed out.  So decided to come off solid 8 elastic, and replace with 15 hollo and stronger line from 12 to 018. 18 hook to 16 heavy gauge 911.

The clock seemed to be going at 100 mile an hour, and I couldn't make a decision that was right in fact be the the end I knew I had blown a bloody good peg. Fished like a tosser.

Even lost three roach around 12 ounces , add this to the tench and 6 carp nothing had gone right.

The Pups

It seems a day for lost fish as every one had lost at least one biggie as the Carp had fed well.  I just know next time I will beef up the kit and you can bet your bottom dollar the big ladies will not show.

Well done to Ian made the most of peg 3 fishing 16 meters and lowering the banded pellet on their noses for a bag of Carp.. He also pipped me for the silvers with a skimmer and big chubb.

Well done to Roly Phillips as well making the most of his peg although he lost more than me as well as a load of terminal tackle feeders etc.

Well done to to Mark Russ , breaking his landing net landing a double figured fish.  Which meant I have section by default.

The scores on the doors

Pissed off could have easily won the match if I had landed everything.But I suppose we could all say that.

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.

Pewsey June at the Lake

So we are already in June and second match of the month.  The miserable weather reflected the miserable England football result last night, the Russians getting an undeserved late equalizer.  We waited for Morgan but he didn't show so we drew .  I drew the two golden pegs.  First one capped at £50 was a flier peg 12 the other peg 6 so that was safe as it rarely produces.

Gary P drew peg 6 and tried out his new rain hat.

Brian Shutler drew the other £50 golden peg and looked absoloutley delighted to be on the flier!

The rest of us dug in I had peg 5 Spanners on four, With Colin Weston , Roly Phillips and Jim Broomham making up the rest of the first section.  Just leaving our excellant match organiser Mark Russ on peg 3 the end peg.

That left Simon, Neil Brian Will T making up the other section with Nic Worters on the end peg.  Thats three end pegs in the last three matches for Nic Worters and the carpy end of the lake was crawling with moving fish. Nic looked well pleased.

Will was a bit more contemplative deciding on Red Robin pellet or meat .

So that match got under way and I decided to go for the Carp from the off, as opposed to catching Roach etc, would I regret that later?  It was as normal a slow start for the lower number pegs.  That is until Mark on 3 was smashed up by a Carp.  Spanners was soon to follow only in his case his elastic snapped in a battle with a big un.  The rest of us were struggling to get in amongst the Carp and I was scratching small 2 oz Perch  5 one after another.

Mark was now dobbing for Carp and had landed a nice common.  So the rest of us would be chasing him for the section.  He had more as well so was looking good for framing.

The other end were catching and it was clear that as eggs are eggs you would have to be that end to win.  The match slowed and I scratched out a few pup carp and a beautiful coloured Crucian.  It all slowed to nothing and we turned to chatting to pass the day.

Every subject was covered , work, the football, the lads that were missing in Ireland.  How well others appeared to be drawing etc.  Even men's health came into it.  As the discussion went down the route of Prostrate examination and many other medical issues faced by men of our age.

Apparently it was best to avoid a Doctor with long fingers.  Lol. I must admit I was a little confused on the Prostrate front and explained my confusion to the boys.  How come then when my Doctor examined me he had both hands on my shoulders.  We all fell about laughing and as with all Pewsey matches the banter and fun was to the fore.

The match despite the lack of bites went quickly just as the rain came and went, and before we knew it the purgatory was all over. 

So to the weigh in. Nic, Brian and Simon had bagged at the Carpy end and it was clear Mark had taken our section.  I hoped for the silvers pool but Roly had a Chubb it seemed. We would have to see.

Sure enough the weights came from the other end; and Roly did have a 2.5 lb Chubb.  Me I had Silvers but not enough to crack Rolys Chubb, perhaps I should have gone for them first after all , wasted a lot of time on the feeder and down the edge going for big stuff.

My few pup Carp didn't amount to much either.  But I did get section by default and 7 points so can't complain.

  Well done to Nic winning of the end peg, Brian didn't do enough to get the Golden peg on the flier but never mind.  Marks dobbing paid of and he got third.

Well done to Roly , his Chubb and couple of snotties was enough for the silvers pool.

The score sheet was marked up as wrong showing Marks Carp weight against Spanners name, who ended up with 1 lb 4 and a half.  Shame I didn't go a pound with Spanners I would have levelled us up!!!!

So to the winning Trio.  So regular the facial recognition is kicking in on the camera.  Mark left Nic in the middle and once again Brian Shutler.

Pewsey and Ladies Bridge in the June Sunshine

Its been a funny week of ups and downs. New family member Flint arrived on Sunday a beauty black with a little white round the edges hence his name . 8 Weeks old and into everything

That was the up and then came the downs of a family funeral mid week. Followed by the shocking news my brother in law Gordon had a heart attack on Friday. Gordon has been more of a brother to me than either of my actual brothers , it was he who took me fishing for the first time and installed in me a love of the game , the wildlife that surrounds the water the competition element etc.

In his day he was one of the best and considered by many a top angler.  I was and am still proud of him and his achievements. In a time before poles he would be the one catching on the waggler on the canal, on the stick on the river and on the feeder in the big matches at Longleat. Some of which you can read at:

http://grfishingmemories.blogspot.co.uk/

Memories of Honey street and Ladies bridge balling in and catching over 100 lb on bread flake.  So it was with some what of a lump in my throat I drove to the very place he first took me on the canal Ladies Bridge.  I was going to cancel and drive to Devon to visit him in hospital , but my sister said it wouldn't help.  So I went fishing knowing in my heart Gordon wouldn't want me to miss such a beautiful day in the sun and you never know I might even draw in the bay.

Attila met me at my house and followed me there, and we parked up and unloaded.

So to the draw , showed Leo the new membership book paid my pools and drew peg 4 - in the bay not quite prime but close enough. Your man Brian Shuttler drew dead centre of the bay again!!!

I felt like the filling in a sandwich of good anglers , to my right Simon B, Spanners and left Brian and Kev Chubb.  I was going to get spit roasted here.  Spanners offered a quid on. Grudgingly I accepted he is 2 quid up on me after taking one of me at Kintbury.

The all in was called and the expected rush of stacks of Bream one after the other never happened.  In fact it was 2 hours plus before any of us caught.  James was walking the bank with news that those up the narrows were struggling also , but Nic on the end peg had a couple of skimmers from a shady spot under the bush.

I was beginning to get a few small roach and perch and a little Tommy Ruffe, and was level with Brian who had a small skimmer.  Maybe on 12 oz.

3 Hours in and a few boats were coming though kayaks and double boating was not helping. Suddenly Brian had three Bream in ten minutes.  I put away the track rig and went across to the no turning poles.

I had one straight away a nice Bream.  Then a rip roaring run as what must have been a Carp ripped away straightening the hook.  This was followed by two more trashed rigs, and a change to 0.12 straight through to a size 16.  Two more Bream came in before I was snapped up again.  The long pole was killing my back anyhow so I swapped to the waggler on the same line.

Several small roach one Rudd and a two tiny skimmers but no more Bream.  Brian on the other hand was still bringing them in in between being snapped up himself. After 35 frantic minutes it went very quite again.  I tried the whip line.  A ripping bite and the whip was bent double, I just waited for the snap.  Then from the depths it surfaced , was it a pike, a tench, no it was my first ever pair of Boxers caught on line and hook.

Brian asked if I was going to keep em, and I replied they belonged to Ralph Lauren.  Simon was sure he had never seen Ralph at Ladies bridge and was fairly certain he wasn't a member!

Back to and no more bites as the clock ticked down, the sun beat down on a  very hot and dehydrated angler.

So to the weigh in and the lads came down the bank and Brian in his lovely cool peg. Fair play to him he made the most of his flier. A worthy winner his six Bream giving him 20 lb +

I took a pound of Spanners, leaves him one up in the battle of the quids.  I was second on the day but knowing my luck Leo would be paying top 1 only.

The scores on the doors were as follows. Well done to those who stuck it out scratching for bits on a very hot and sultry day. Nic got third from end peg and that meant Mark had the section. With Leo taking our section from the other end peg.

 So to the winners photograph and it was nice to pick up second and second in the super pools.

Not quite a winner , but as Gordon used to say, just do your best and most of all enjoy it.  You don't want to look back and wish you had done this or that. Go when you want to go and make the most of it whilst you are there.

Sorry for the rude gesture it was in response to some unfair comment, and my Phil Lynott T shirt , Brian in the middle and Nic left.

See you next week private life allowing.

Summer League begins and its the hateful 8

The summer league began today and how good it was to see all the lads from the north end of Wiltshire .  As is traditional in this friendly league every one was on good form with loads of banter and good humour.  First mistake was taking a camera without a sim card so no photos.

Venue was Kintbury and with the silvers spawning it was going to be tough.  I drew B8 which is locally known as the dead stretch but with my team mate Nic Worters on an 8 as well he had an end peg at least .  Whilst mine was an end peg I had Colin, 15 paces right and Chris Rushton 15 paces left of me.

The expected weights were to come from A1 through to B3.  So I had to aim for good section points for the team.  Well I am sorry to the readers but nothing worth reporting happened in the match apart from stacks of towpath use including the beautiful sight of a Heavy Horse drawn boat.  I was surprised how quick it was , like I say a wonderful site quite a throw back.

So straight to the end of the match I was first to weigh in and 8 fish for 2.5 oz.  Next Colin 4 drams then Nigel with a couple of Perch and a skimmer Then a 8 drams then into the lower numbers which were expected to catch.

Sure enough, a 1 lb 12 oz. Then 5 Billy Perch for 6lb 13 and then Leo with Red raw spawning Bream for 6lb 7 oz.

Over the bridge and into the first set of pegs A1 to A8.  As expected weights much higher.  Good news Nic won his section off his end pegs down in the 30's with 9lb +.

With Spanners winning section 1 and Neil doing 4th in his we are in the Running.  Looking forward to the next one

8 bites from B8 fot  me I call that the hateful 8.  Because of a lack of parking I left the proper result gathering to the team Captains who did go back .  see you next time Hopefully I will have a camera and a bit more to say.

Sun shines an a frustrating day.

I was a little surprised to hear the rain on the conservatory roof this morning especially as it was supposed to be scorchio today.  The dogs were keen to go before I was and although it looks staged the pic below is genuine.

Dogs fed and walked I was on my way to lake and arrived to find only Neil Pegrum there.  Gradually others arrived and with them a down pour that was definitely not on the cards.  Fish were topping everywhere on the lake. And as we sat amongst the bluebells waiting the draw I was looking forward to catching a few.

Once again I drew the golden peg that's two in a row.  This time though peg 7 so it was safe everyone thought.  Jim on 3 Nic on 5 Neil on 9 Gary on 10 then Marc was the first of the Carpy end. It looked great down there Carp topping and rolling and bubbling fish everywhere.  Simon on 12 Brian on 13 in front of the rushes then Roly on the end peg.

The match began and almost immediately I thought in my gut it would be a struggle.  I certainly couldn't win from 7 , so got for the section and maybe the silvers pool.

An hour in and 1 bite for me and Neil was asking if anyone had, had a bite.

  worked my socks of trying to catch .  But it was tough going .  Bites were there tight across against the bank but it was getting there.  I was able to get in but a strong right to left wind eventually would pull me away.

Jiggling around with shotting patterns to hold bottom etc , I managed to catch a few.  No good as the other section was going well with all catching.

Nic has just had a Bream and doubled my weight in one fell swoop.  So I was in a dilemma.  Tried going on the tip as Jimmy was catching small carp as well.  Then Nic had a Carp and a few others.

Time slipped by and I tried hard to find the bigger fish.   Nic had another Carp and was winning the section best I could hope for was silvers pool and second in section.  I needed a bit of luck.

On the whistle and Neil shouts Fish on - I couldn't believe it.  I wasn't even gonna get section by default.  In fact the way JB was finishing I could be in danger of last!!!

So to the weigh in .  As thought the Carp end had it. With Brian Shutler 30lb + of Carp from the favoured peg 13.

My net was a busy 53 fish but the lack of even a small carp was gonna cost me I was sure.  There are some matches when you fool yourself and say I was so close and oh for that lost fish or something similar.  Today though I can genuinely say, I fished really well, I dragged and scratched my fish from the lake and I thoroughly deserved more on the day..  I am not being bitter and twisted, I enjoyed the day sitting in warm sun and watching the float dip.  I suppose over time things even out.  But if hard work and graft count for anything I should have least won my section.

That said I should take nothing away from Nic.  A gentlemen and quality angler.  He fished down the edge for the big fish and it came off - fair play Nic well done.  Even his silvers beat me with the two bream and bits.  So to the score sheet

Jimmys fat little pup Carp had pushed me back one place as well.  Not going to die in a ditch over it, fishing in the sun as opposed to working, cant be bad.

Ps 6 more points in the bag.