Saturday 29 August 2009

28/08/09 - Rood Ashton

Weight – 113lb 9oz
Catch – 36 Carp, 1 Roach.
Weather – Rainy start, later mostly sunny. Very Windy
Water Temp– 17.5c > 18.5c

Today’s trip to Rood Ashton was a practice for Mondays charity match organised by Mark (Slider). The last time I fished here was 3 years ago, so I needed some up to date info from Mark, who only lives a couple of miles away from the venue. Paste was apparently the bait, which I was more than happy about, however I did notice in the results page of the Angling Times that Rod Wootton won a Carps AC match using pellet.

I asked Mark about whether the waggler would work, the answer was nobody uses it there and he even suggested I had a problem, because I always want to get my wagglers out!

The weather forecast wasn’t great, with heavy winds and showers. I had considered not going, but I had booked the day off work and with other commitments over the weekend I forced myself to go.

On arrival the rain started and the next couple of hours it remained showery. With a strong westerly I didn’t wander too far from the car park and set up right of the first tree, which provided enough shelter to fish the pole up to 11m. Just to illustrate the strength of the wind, I had 13m of pole blown off the 3 flat pole rollers, hence the reason why fishing 11m seemed to be better.

I started at 11m fishing paste over 6mms, but there was a real strong tow which meant I couldn’t fish the paste as soft as I would like and the pellet rig was like fishing the stick!

After an hour I had a 4 fish, but wasn’t happy with my presentation and a few foul hooked fish suggested there was a few fish around. I had fed next to the tree and managed a few fish on paste, but I had to pull hard to get them out of the snags, which meant a few more lost fish.

When I started the session, I really didn’t fancy the waggler and left the rods in the ready made holdall, but decided to catapult 8mms out just in case conditions improved. After 2 hours it was obvious fishing the pole was difficult due to the wind, so it was time to get the wagglers out. 2nd cast I landed a foul hooker, a switch to a shorter hooklength I started to get a little run of fish.

Back on the pole I switched to a heavier 4x18 float in the 2.5ft swim, which helped with the presentation but the wind had switched around slightly, so my sheltered spot, wasn’t quite so sheltered.

The wind proved to be a real pain and I could have probably caught more. I was pleased to catch on the waggler, because it at least proved it can work, however the average size of fish was smaller at 3lb, whilst my paste fish averaged 4lb.

Needless to say Mark will be bring his waggler rod on Monday.

Monday 17 August 2009

16/08/09 - Fishponds

Weight – 218lb 4oz
Catch – 31 Carp, 1 Bream.
Weather – Cloudy, sunny periods. Windy.
Water Temp– 21.0c > 21.0c
Match – Glenfall – 1st Overall

Prospects for this match looked good. It was warm, not overly bright and there was a stiff breeze blowing. Prior to the draw, I suggested over 100lb would win and even the club match record of 155lb could be broken.
I drew peg 13, which I was little disappointed with. Although I caught my personal best weight from here, this area of the lake was sheltered from the wind, whilst the rest of the lake had a nice ripple on.

With 13 anglers fishing, meant everyone had plenty of space, so I set up 4 swims, 13m shallow and 3 paste swims (5m right, 11m left margin and 11.5m 45 degrees to my left at the bottom of the shelf)

It took 20 minutes before I got my first fish over my bottom of the shelf swim. Throughout the match this swim proved to be the most productive. A handful of 8mm where thrown in every time I hooked a fish and when ever I experienced a blank spell, I would try the margins or the shallow swim.

The margins only produced 2 fish, whilst the shallow swim also proved difficult. Initially I thought I could catch shallow on the pole, but the fish simply didn’t want to come in close, properly due the flat conditions. In fact most fish I saw topping were in the windy part of the lake, so I switched to the pellet waggler so I could fish further out and managed 4 carp, but its was sporadic.

With 2.5 hours to go, I knew I was very close to breaking the match record and thought 200lb was possible. However there was a little winding up going on, when I was told Ian had 20 carp from peg 16, which at the time was 1 more than me. I knew he was catching, but I could only see the top of his pole over the reeds when he was landing fish and to honest I don’t think I saw it 20 times.

The last 10 minutes was the worse part of my match. An 8lber leaped clean out of my net and I managed to lose my deep water rig when a carp bolted for the reeds.

At the all out I felt confident of 200lb. During the weigh in Andy was leading with 101lb, Craig beat Jim by 1oz, 97-6 to 97-5 and there was also a 70lb weight, so the lake had fished well. I already had 3 fish for 38lb on the board, the biggest going 14-9 and a further 5 weighs confirmed I had indeed smashed the club match record and caught my first 200lb match weight. Ian was the last to weigh with 133lb for 2nd.

It’s fair to say I was quite happy with the result and whilst I thought breaking the match record was possible, to get over 200lb is a real bonus.

At the moment I have really hit a purple patch and long may it continue!!

1st - Ken Rayner - 125pts
2nd - Ian Pople - 120
3rd - Andy Lord - 114
4th - Craig Davidge - 105 (170-4)
5th -Chris Davidge - 105 (168-6)

Sunday 9 August 2009

08/08/09 - Fishponds

Weight – 251lb 7oz
Catch – 34 Carp, 1 Golden Orfe, 1 Rudd.
Weather – Sunny & calm, breeze picked up later.
Water Temp– 20.5c > 21.5c

It was my turn on the grass cutting rota, so I didn’t need much of an excuse to go fishing afterwards. By the time I finished my chores I had 5 hours available and I really fancied fishing shallow on the pole.

I set up on peg 22 and with plenty of fish moving around prospects looked good, although I was initially concerned the fish wont appreciate a pole over their heads in the flat conditions, however as I started to fish a light breeze picked up.

After 2hrs I already had 100lb, feeding 8mm pellet at 13m, fishing a polyball. Unfortunately I had to take a 20 minute break when I smashed my top kit and promptly caught the shredded end in my index finger. After I got most of the carbon bits out, Ian was on hand with a 1st aid kit. Thanks.

I had also been feeding towards the right hand pallet and when I returned to my peg I immediately went over with paste catching my biggest fish of the day (11lb 15oz).

In total I had 151lb shallow, whilst the rest came to the paste down the right hand margin. In general the bigger fish came on the shallow rig and towards the end I also managed a Golden Orfe of 3lb 11oz.

06/08/09 - Plantations - Main Lake

Weight – 91lb 0oz
Catch – 23 Carp, 1 Fantail.
Weather – Bright start, becoming showery
Water Temp– 20.5c > 20.5c


Spent a day fishing with James & my godson Ross. It is nearly 10 months since we last got together, so we felt it was about time!

Decided on the main lake at Plantations, simply because Jim doesn’t do much pole fishing and Plantations offered plenty of open water for the waggler or lead. I set Ross up with 1 of my lead rods and told him he would catch soon. He gave me a disbelieving look, which soon changed to a big smile when he landed a 2lb carp after 5 minutes.

As for myself, I decided to keep things simple, purely because I knew I would periodically be required to help Jim & Ross, so I settled on the pellet waggler cast towards the island.
The challenge today was the very flat conditions with no ripple on the surface. Fishing was never hectic. I would catch a couple, then nothing, catch a couple more then nothing.

However I did have to contend with the old boy to my right casting a dirty great big method feeder, getting closer and closer to my swim. When he left, a couple of young lads started casting a 2oz lead towards the island from the corner of the lake! It amazes me the lack of respect some people have. As it happen he caught the island and lost his rig – oh well never mind. And finally there was the ducks! Need I say more?

The real issue today was the flat conditions, I am certain had there been a ripple the fish would have fed more confidently. I initially struggled on a 14 B960 to 0.19, but when I switched to 16 B960 to 0.17 I started to catch more regularly. I also lost a few fish some were foul hookers, but I think the majority were only lightly hooked, because of the carp I actually landed most were only nicked in the lips.

Jim & Ross had an enjoyable day, catching 51lb. Jim spent most of his time on the tip, whilst Ross was well pleased to catch 3½lb of silvers on the whip.

Wednesday 5 August 2009

03/08/09 - Winterbourne Duck Pond

Weight – 45lb 1oz
Catch – 52 Bream, 3 Carp, 1 Hybrid, 1 Roach
Weather – Mostly cloudy and windy.
Water Temp– 18.0c > 18.5c

This week I was suppose to be at Stafford Moor, however I still decided to take this week off as holiday, particularly since I’m waiting for decision about who my future employer will be.

Despite being my day off, I still attended the last consultation meeting and when it finished I set off the short distance for the duck pond.

On arrival the water looked a lot clearer than expected, which was a concern. Instead of setting up on the usual bus stop swim with the wind off my back, I decided to try the swim opposite where the water appeared to be a little more coloured.

The intention was to fish the waggler down the left hand side of the island and the pole at 11m down the left hand margin. Starting on the waggler, I had to skimmer straight away on maggot, but I wasn’t happy with my presentation. The gusting wind meant accurate casting was difficult and I knew I would hook on the islands willow tree sooner or later. Also the strong wind was pushing the waggler towards me, despite fishing overdepth.

Therefore decided to fish the pole instead at 11.5m, loose feeding 4mm pellet. The first hour was a little slow, fishing double red maggot and it wasn’t look before I switched to 6mm expander. After an initial run of fish decent skimmer, the average stamp began to reduce, so I switched to corn, which doesn’t normally work that well here, but today I started regularly getting better skimmers again. Whether it was due to the clarity of the water or the fact the corn sat better in the tow I’m not sure.

Based on my 3 previous visits, I have only managed to catch 1 small carp, so today, due to the strong wind and the usual lack of carp, I decided to use a soft 6 elastic to avoid bumping too many skimmers. So I shouldn’t have been surprised when I landed a 3lb carp. A 5 pounder hooked an hour later however took a little longer to land, it just wont give up!

The left hand margin only produced a handful of skimmers, but with the weather closing in I decide to pack early. This was in fact my 2nd best weight from the pond, which for free fishing isn’t bad at all. Once I put my i-pod on, you tend to forget about the traffic.

Sunday 2 August 2009

What no fishing?

You may have noticed a lack of activity on my blog. Unfortunately circumstance has meant fishing has taken a back seat. I was suppose to be spending this week down at Stafford Moor but finances simply won’t allow, which I absolutely gutted about, because I really enjoy my trips to Andy’s fishery.

Suzanne is still amongst the ranks of the unemployed, despite continually applying for positions without success. There is however light at the end of the tunnel. Suzanne has always wanted to leave the motor industry and a few opportunities have come to light for her to go self employed. This obviously provides its own challenge, but Sue is really excited to be control of her destiny. However it is taking a little longer than expected to finalise a deal, which was originally mid July, then mid August, now its likely to be the start of September.

As for myself, I now know who is buying my department. Now whilst I expect the new company to be a good employer, the opportunities for professional development and increased income is likely to be limited. However I am currently in negotiation with my existing employer about staying with them, which could an exciting opportunity, if not more risky then going to the new company.

In the meantime I have been helping Sue set up her business, which has meant less time for fishing (as well as a lack of money). It is therefore with regret I have to stop running the South West Winter League, passing control to Dave Downton. I sincerely hoped I didn’t have to and waited as long as I could before making a decision, hoping my personal circumstances would improve.

I’m confident Suzanne will be successful, but the next 2-3 months are still likely to be very tough. I will still be fishing, but simply not as often as I would like. I am hoping come the New Year I will be back on an even keel and will be able to fish Mikes Lands End Winter League.