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.

Pewsey boys Spring Jolly

Having not expected to fish this weekend a miscalculation in my holiday allowance meant I had a day available to join the boys for a Friday session at Shearwater.  Whilst it was a spare day it wouldn't be a whole day as I was required for some heavy furniture lifting at home.

That said it would be a chance to relax and have a bit of fun.  Scratched together some bait and leave the pole at home and decided to tip fish.

After arriving and deliberating over wind direction rain and general comfort we plumped for the boathouse bank the 5 of us in a row.

Colin Weston far end, then Brian "I can catch in a puddle"Shutler. Spanners (newly sponsored don't you know) Leo "house wife's favourite" Pocock and me on the end.  We chose our tackle and fired to the deep water in hope of some Spring Bream.

I was the only one to ball it in with a light white breadcrumb based ground bait.  The others choosing to do little and often with very sweet fish meal mix.  I was in straight away a small perch taking 3 maggots on a 16 hook.  Then several 4 oz roach before the the bigger 8 to 12 oz pristine beautiful Roach came.

That however was not what was required.  We had a quid on for the bloke with most fish over a pound.  The boys were not successful straight off although Spanners had dropped a Roach first cast.  The gradual approach by the lads though was starting to have an effect; as the first of the skimmers began to come to the landing nets.

I was pleased to see a skimmer bite too.  Only to find it was a pound + Perch with a gorgeous but small orange tail.

 
Spanners and Brian were starting to pull away. As the shoal settled in front of them.  Leo and myself were getting a couple but nowhere near the rate of the dynamic duo.  Colin on the other end was like me getting Roach and Perch with the occasional skimmer.

The rain and wind increased and it became difficult to get the 30 gram block feeder on the same spot.  Adjusting to cast right  a few degrees into wind I was soon back on the spot. and still the Roach came . With the latest being really close to a pound.

Having just watched a similar fish from spanners being unanimously turned down as not big enough to count, I smiled inwardly and slipped it back.  The laughter and banter continued as we enjoyed the four seasons in one day weather.  My brolly was up and down like  a whores knickers and the coat on and off with equal repetition.

I decided to take a closer look at the lads rigs to try and understand why I couldn't get the skimmers.  Straight away I noted my hook tail length was too long and it was clear this was making the bait drop slower through the water and be intercepted by the Roach.  On return to the peg I changed from running feeder to fixed paternoster with a short "rotten bottom" to the feeder . Changed from 16 to wide gape 18 hook and a worm caster bait.

I fed the bread ground bait to the ducks and a few local springtime Robin red breasts.  Knocked up a fishmeal batch and was back in.  By this time Leo was getting some big Bream and Brian / Spanners still catching.

There was no change initially to the pea pod 12 oz Roach which kept coming, but then I had a skimmer and another and another.  Leo had a skimmer to keep his lady fans happy I went along to take a pic.

Down came the rain again and the water became positively choppy with white topping waves.  Perfect practise for those of to the Irish Loughs soon.

Spanners was putting on a right exhibition - some would say his fishing wasn't bad either. Just kidding mate.  Before long Leo and I had 6 Bream a piece but Brian and Spanners were pulling away in their own little battle.  Colin on the end was still catching but like me he was also plagued with Roach.

I do apologise, I am not complaining . For those like me who have struggled for bites on the canal, the regular bites were delightful. Cramp set in and I needed to walk it off.  So I went down to watch Spanners and get some action shots, not of his exhibition but his fishing lol.

On cue the Matrix Sponsored angler lands another skimmer amongst much abuse from us all.  Gotta say many of us were very disappointed to see him go from Pewsey to Matrix, but that's life he is still a Pewsey boy at heart.  He takes the masses of well natured banter about his departure very well.  After all lifes too short and we are all mates still.

This fish put him 2 ahead of Brian in their tussle.  Both looking good for a quid.  That said if it was on weight Leos fish were bigger.

Before long I had the dreaded call and had to head for home.  With Carp anglers queueing,  SPOD Rods in hand, behind me for my spot I departed with one more pic off the house wife's favourite , although the others were saying "more like readers wives" haha.

So and end to to a bonus trip, maybe 18 lb of Roach two 6 ounce Perch a bigger Perch and 6 good skimmers around 2 lb a piece. Lovely.........I wonder who did win the pound bet.  See you next week.

Pewsey - Chocolate Milk leaves bitter taste.

First Canal match of the new season and we gather at Milk house. Attendance is going to be low as sponsored anglers will be attending Ditchers spring league.

Atilla, Mike and Steve wait on the towpath , Simon and Leo are pegging out but others are arriving too.  Good mornings out of the way, I looked with dismay at the canal which was really chocolate brown.  Compared to the lovely water and day at Hungerford last week today was a real opposite.

The boat by peg 1 was holed and sinking and the canal was still suffering the churning , turning choppy effects of the Kayak race at Easter.  This year they have really smashed it up.

  I was last to draw and was left with peg 2.  which in fact was perm peg 12.  I set up reasonably quickly whilst the sun battled with the clouds and cold wind to try and make it a nice day.  The swim used to be a good one until recent slash and burn by the Canal River trust has left it a little barren.

Leo called it at 9.30 and it signalled two hours of nothing bite wise, and plenty more Kayaks and boats some of which were really motoring , their bow waves smashing the banks and stirring up the canal even more.  My enthusiasm was draining and I found myself devoid of ideas.  No use sulking fishing is for fun and I must get on with it.  

I decided to go across earlier than normal to try and get a bite.  4 Tangled rigs later I backed of a little and found the 2 foot line.  I had young Morgan Plank to my right on peg 1 

and Colin Weston to my left.  Chris Rushton had drawn the far end peg. Mike Marsden and Brian Shutler were walking the bank, and the news was grim.  Mike had decided to pack in.  Steve Dean was going home, and Brian was bemoaning only 1 bite.

The one bite was a skimmer that would in his opinion make a pound and a half.  And so the match dragged on the sun gave up and the wind increased.  With half the match gone I was sitting pretty it seemed.  I had a pound and 3 quarter Bream 3 tiny minnow size roach, 1 gudgeon a 3 oz Perch.  It seemed only Atilla Adam was going well he had a big hybrid, 2 skimmers and a Perch.

That was it till the end of the match.  I had three more little roach in the last hour , Colin to my left had a couple of tint fish near the end.  Brian was stuck on 1 bite one fish.  Chris on the end peg had 6 oz. Simon Burden won the section by default with 1 lb 8.  

Attila won the match with 3 lb 7 oz. Leo had a couple of oz,Colin 4 oz and Morgan 3 oz.  Brian was second with his one fish weighing in at 2 lb 7 oz - pound and half my arse.

Me, well not far behind Brian with 2 lb 4 oz, third place. 1 Bream and 8 little fish. 

As Leo payed top two, it meant I didn't pick up, but I did get a tenner for section win .So a free days fishing.  Areal shame to see it taking so long this year for the canal to get into fish bagging Spring condition.  But he ho never mind can't complain at third.

Top Three

Attila the winner in the middle - well done Dino man. Brian to the right me to the left.  Keep forgetting to photo score sheet but never mind.  Thanks to Leo for all the leg work.  Weekend off next week as its Hampshire and Broadlands show.  Kit needs some admin too.