Weight – 17lb 0ozCatch – 26 Bream, 2 Hybrid, 1 Common Carp.
Weather – Mostly sunny, but cool. Strong southerly wind.
Water Temp– 14.5c > 15.0c
At last the revision is over, the exam was yesterday and I’ll get my results in 6 weeks.
I organised a day off to go fishing with Mark on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes to hopefully catch the resident tench & bream. Unfortunately being a canal to get the most from it, an early start was required, so the alarm was set for 4.30 and the car was loaded up the night before.
To be honest I really didn’t want an early start, because I felt wiped out from the exam and revision. So when I was woken up by a text from Mark at 2am saying he was ill (some dodgy sushi the day before), I was disappointed because Devizes offers some great fishing. However on the other hand I welcomed the opportunity for a lie in, assuming I could get back to sleep, which I couldn’t!
So I thought sod it, might as well go fishing. Mark had some of my bait, so I only had pellet available and I didn’t fancy driving too far.
Decided to fish the duck pond again, because I wanted to see if the carp were still around. Tactics were similar to last time and my only concern was, would only fishing pellet effect my catch?
As the session progressed, I caught mostly on the waggler, but the fish weren’t really turned on to the pellet and I was fairly certain that if I had a few maggots I would have caught much more. So I finished a little disappointed, particularly after last weeks session.
As for those carp, the 1 I caught only weighed a pound. A walk around the pond tells its own story. Being only shallow, the water colour used to be is very coloured with the carp churning up the bottom, but now there is a certain clarity, which suggests the volume of carp in the pond isn't as it used to be.
The pair of Canadian Geese pictured have 7 very young chicks. I wondered whether they were on some sort of sucide mission, because they seemed to think the road was an extension of the pond, stopping traffic on a couple of occasion as they wandered around. At one point I had to get up and usher them back to the pond.
Weight – 35lb 9ozCatch – 59 Bream, 1 Roach, 1 Common Carp.
Weather – Cloudy, showery. Heavy rain to finish
The Duck Pond is situated on a road junction, has 3 small islands the depth ranged from 1ft to 3ft and you only fit a handful of people around it. So why would I fish here?
The pond is only 10 minutes from the office and during a lunch break a few weeks ago a chance meeting with Dave Tierney revealed the pond was now free fishing. The last time I fished here was 5 years ago, when the pond was looked after by my former club Frome Vale AC. However it appears that Winterbourne Parish Council were making more demands on the club in terms of looking after the pond, that Frome Vale decided to give up their rights.
I caught my first double figure carp here and it was where I learned about fishing for carp. My best weight from the pond was 70lb of mainly carp and since the pond was only 10 minutes from the office, I thought it could be an ideal venue for a summers early morning session. However, was it still worth fishing? As usual I had 2 different opinions. Dave said there was still loads of skimmers in the pond, as well as the carp. Whilst someone else suggested loads of carp had been removed.
I had the week off to revise for my exam next week and needed a break. So decided on an afternoon session. I set myself up on what I call the bus stop swim, because it’s next to a bus stop. Settled on 2 swims, the 1st was 10m along the wall, which runs parallel with the road and the 2nd was 16-18m towards the island, fishing the waggler.
Bait was either double red maggot or Tony Rixons jelly pellets. Feed was 4mm coarse pellet. I prefer to use the waggler here mainly because it less likely to get in the way of the general public and for that reason I tend not to fish the pole any longer than 10m. Also I use my less expensive J27, instead of my N47.
I started on the pole and soon started to catch skimmers up to 1¾lb on maggot. A switch to the waggler resulted in more skimmers, but they were on average smaller than on the pole. As the session progressed, I started to catch on pellet, but this didn’t improve the average size, either on the pole or waggler. As the session drew to a conclusion I concentrated more on the pellet hoping for a carp, but other than 1 weighing 12oz on the waggler I had no others. You usually see the carp moving round, but I didn’t see any signs, so perhaps they have been removed.
Today was an enjoyable distraction from my revision and I will back to see whether there are any carp left.
Weight – 97lb 11ozCatch – 10 Carp, 8 Bream, 2 Tench, 2 Rudd, 1 Golden Orfe, 1 Eel, 1 Roach.
Weather – Cloudy, showery. Breezy start.
Water Temp–
With an exam later this month, fishing has taken a back seat due to revision, but today’s decision to go was a little last minute. I was hoping to catch a few bream, as well as a few carp.
I settled on peg 11 with the wind blowing into my face. Decided on 3 swims, 8m in front of me in 8ft of water feeding with micro pellet, 4mm pellet and corn. Bottom of the left hand margin and next to the reeds in the right hand margin, both fed with mostly 4mm pellet, plus 6mm pellet & corn.
After an hour I was beginning to wonder whether the angling gods were trying to tell me I should have stayed at home. Losing 4 carp, thrashing 2 rigs and 1 only had a 1½lb skimmer to show for my efforts.
I managed to slowly get it together, mostly catching bream & few carp over my 8m line, using sweetcorn on the hook. I found it best to pot a full cup of feed, but the fish weren’t settled and I fouled a few, so I decided to put 2 full pots in and this definitely improved things, producing few liners and better bites.
I kept feeding my margins with pellet and periodically tried each margin whilst resting my 8m line. The left hand margin produced very little, although a 2lb eel provided some amusement trying to get it in the landing net. The right hand though produced 5 carp in 5 put ins for 40lb, including 2 double figure fish, all on triple hair rigged corn. The only other fish from the margin was a 4lb golden orfe late on, bring my total silvers net to 32lb 1oz.
Spring is definitely on its way and I need to start putting the heavier elastic in, because the carp are definitely starting to get a bit lively.
Those that regularly follow my blog will already know I was disappointed to finish the Lands End Winter League in 11th place, particularly since I thought a top 7 place and paying position was a realistic goal.
I then began to wonder whether I should have done better from the pegs drawn or had I been unlucky with my draws. The short answer is I know I should have done better in at least 2 rounds, which would have given me the points to break into the top 7, but what about the other rounds, did I make the most of them?
It’s easy to over analysis situations, but I thought it would be interesting to look over my results during the series. Many anglers have said you need a bit of luck to win an 8 matches series, but is luck really a factor? Or is it the angler who makes the most of the peg drawn? You are never going to win without some skill, which is why you always see the same names leading the league tables. There are of course other factors to consider, such as weather conditions, which can turn a good peg into an unfishable peg.
Since I produce the league tables for Mike, it allowed me to provide an accurate review of my series. For this purpose I calculated the average points gained from each peg, which highlighted the best and worse pegs. So could I find an excuse for my shortcomings? A little, but that’s not my intention, since I wanted to identify were I could improve.
During the series a section win attracted 6pts, whilst a section last was 1pt. The issue when calculating averages is if all the good anglers fish the same peg, then the average points gained will be higher than if the all the poor anglers fish the same peg. Whilst not scientific, it does provide a guide since even the poorer anglers will have their day on a good peg and a good angler can increase the average of a poor peg.
What I also did to help put the peg averages into context was rate them A to C. The top 4 pegs on the lake were rated A, the middle 4 were B and worse 4 pegs were rated C.
Round 1 – 12lb 7oz - Match Lake P24 – 5pts (peg average = 5pts – A rated)
A good initial start to the league which went to plan and I felt I got the most from the peg on a cold day.
Round 2 – 1lb 9oz – Johns Lake P41 – 2pts (peg average = 3.67pts – B rated)
This round was a nightmare and one were I should have done better, however there was a number of factors against me, not least my mental state. Around this time I was under a great deal of stress with work and my wife losing her job, so my mind really wasn’t were it was suppose to be. As a consequence I didn’t make the most of the peg.
The other factor was the weather. It was a really windy day, which was blowing straight into my end of the lake and bait presentation on the pole was very difficult. And now the luck bit, or lack of it. With 30 minutes to go I was 3rd in section (4pts), but 2 anglers managed late carp on maggot to beat me.
Definitely a day to forget and a below average performance form the peg.
Round 3 – 13lb 14oz – Sydney’s Lake P78 – 5pts (peg average = 3.5pts – C rated)
I was determined to make up for my last round, but this wasn’t a great draw. I kept working to keep the fish coming mainly small roach & skimmers, plus some small carp down the edge to claim 2nd in a very tight section. Over the series this was the best result form the peg, so in hindsight a really good result.
Round 4 – 7lb 15oz – Speci Lake P34 – 6pts (peg average = 5.17pts – A rated)
A section win, from what has been a good peg. So at least I fulfilled the pegs potential on what was a cold day.
Round 5 – 26lb 3oz – Match Lake P16 – 5pts (peg average = 5.25pts – A rated)
Interesting one here. Yes I got 2nd in section, but should I have won the section? Probably. A lost carp hooked on my silvers rig ruined the swim for at least an hour. Had I been patient and struck with the carp rig, I would have probably landed the carp, had a settled swim and caught a few more.
Round 6 – 29lb 14oz – Johns Lake P51 – 4pts (peg average = 3.67pts – B rated)
Despite a good start to the match I struggled until the last couple of hours. The weather was a major influence today due to very heavy winds. On reflection, I am not sure I could have beaten the pegs at either end of the lake, although another 30 mins I could have pushed peg 55 (end peg to my left) for 2nd in section. 4 pts was probably a fait and average result.
Round 7 – 14lb 2oz – Sydney’s Lake P84 – 2pts (peg average = 4.33pts – B rated)
This is 1 round that deep down I know I should have done better. Although the weather conditions were against me, being bright & flat, compared to the rest of the lake which was rippled by the wind, I cant place my finger on what I could have done better. Having an empty peg opposite didn’t help either, but I’m not convinced that could be used as an excuse. A very frustrating day.
Round 8 – 20lb 9oz – Speci Lake P36 – 3pts (peg average = 2.4pts – C rated)
I was defeated by the draw for this round and needed another 13lb to claim just another point, which on the day wouldn’t have meant much, since as it turned out, I needed at least a section win to get back into the leagues top 7.
I finished the league with 32pts and 11th place. Based on the average points from each draw, I should have claimed 33pts for 9th place, so overall a slightly below average performance. However, I reckon I should have gained at least another 4 pts, which would have pushed me into 5th place, but how many times have you heard that from anglers? There are always hard luck stories after each match.
My main problem is patience. I don’t like sitting and waiting, whilst those anglers who have done the best in this league have on the whole adopted a single minded patient approach, waiting for the carp to arrive. My busier approach has been successful, but this season only in winning the silvers or picking up sections.
Adrian Clarke who won the league, only dropped 1 point over 8 matches, which is a fantastic performance, but did he have the luck of the draw? Well yes, but that shouldn’t distract from the fact he kept things simple and got the most from the pegs he drew. Just wish I could have drawn 5 A rated pegs, 3 B rated peg and no C rated pegs.
In conclusion, yes the draw bag didn’t do me any favours on occasion, but neither did my ability to get the most from my peg. There is always the next league, which will be Tony Rixons Float Only League and with any luck or skill I’ll get into the money winning positions.
1-Adrian Clarke 47
2-Nicky Collier 43
3-Anton Page 39
4-Andy France 37
5-Mike Duckett 35
6-Kev Molton 34 (197-5)
7-Rod Wootton 34 (180-10)
8-Larry Burns 34 (144-3)
9-Alan Oram 32 (216-14)
10-Martin Pettifer 32 (148-12)
11-Ken Rayner 32 (126-9)
12-Mike West 32 (126-1)
Weight – 20lb 9ozCatch – 21 Roach, 10 Perch, 8 Chub, 4 Rudd, 3 F1, 1 Bream, 1 Crucian.
Weather – Sunny, slight breeze.
Water Temp– 10.5c > 10.5c
Match – Lands End Winter League rd 8 – 16th overall, 4th in section, 1st in Silvers
After the last round, I needed to finish the series with a section win or 2nd to get back into the top 7.
I was on Speci Lake and I needed to draw either end of the lake, so I was distraught when I found myself on peg 36, smack in the middle of the lake and based on results so far in the series the worse performing peg.
Oh well, I had to give it a go, because you never know. For what it was worth Rod Wootton, Mike Duckett, Nicky Collier and Kev Molton were all in the same section between pegs 25 & 32, so at least they would be taking points of each other, but I knew deep down I needed a get out of jail free card!
Whilst setting up it became obvious that Nicky's peg was solid, when he foul hooked a double figure carp on a bare hook, in the top lip!
On the all in, I cupped in some micro pellet 13m at the bottom of the far shelf and caster at 6m. I started off fishing tight to the island hoping for an early carp, but after 15mins had no indications. A switch to the 13m the line and I started to get indications straight away, soon landing a F1. Over the next hour I added another 2 F1’s and a skimmer, all on pellet, however the bright flat conditions meant the fish weren’t biting confidently and more importantly no carp. In the meantime Chris Konieczwy on peg 34 landed a foul hooked 12lb grass carp and Mike West in peg 40 also landed a carp, so I was already behind.
With no signs of carp in my swim, I had a decision to make. I could have waited it out for the carp, but I would struggle to compete against the end of lake pegs. So I decided concentrate on the silvers, hopefully picking up some coin and with any luck a carp or 2 late on.
I had kept the caster going in at 6m, as well as down my left hand margin and finally I cupped some caster tight to the island next to a small bush. My 6m line only yielded small roach and it didn’t matter whether I put on maggot or caster, although I caught slightly bigger roach at half depth, but again the bright, flat conditions were having an effect. My margin didn’t produce a bite on caster, which was a surprise
The only place I could catch properly was tight to the island, which was shaded from the bright sun. Since I was beginning to run out of caster (had 1½pt) I decided to stop feeding my 6m line and swap my feed to micro pellet & 4mm down my left hand margin and 4mm pellet & corn down my right hand margin.
I kept drip feeding my 13m line with micros & 4mm pellet, hoping for the F1 & skimmers to return. In the meantime my island swim was getting stronger, by toss potting caster with some atomic worm. Although I had to occasionally wait for bites, it was usually a decent fish (chub up 1¾lb, roach & perch to over a pound), using mostly double caster and occasionally double maggot. If I put on a single caster or maggot it got nailed by tiny roach and 15m is a long way to go for a 1oz fish.
As the swim slowed I rotated my other swims, but could only catch a chub and a crucian over my pellet lines, but still no carp.
During the weigh in Nicky was doing his best to wind up Mike, who struggled on a flyer (peg 31) and started throwing his toys out of his pram, because he might drop out of the top 7 (know how he feels!). Anyway Mike managed to stay in the top 7, so he was much happier when the final results were calculated.
As for me, I ended up having an enjoyable day. In a funny sort way, knowing I had drawn so badly took the pressure off. Winning the silvers was some consolation, but I would have preferred to finish the league in the top 7. Instead I finished 11th overall, which if I am honest is disappointing, however I was a little unlucky with some draws, although there was 2 matches were I should have done better.
Well done to Adrian Clarke who only dropped 1 point over 8 matches to pick up £550.
