Weight – 2lb 3oz
Catch – 48 Roach, 2 Skimmers, 2 Perch
Weather – Cold, mostly sunny. Cold breeze.
Water Temp – 5.3c – 5.4c
Match – Wests Tackle Christmas Open – 9th out of 20
This match was always going to be tough with heavy overnight frost, which covered ½ the lake with ice. With 20 booked in space would also be at a premium, so I was more than happy to draw the end peg at the top of the island on the right side, plus there was no ice to break.
As well as setting up 2 lead rods, 1x in case there was some carp about and another was a 10ft wand for scratching for bites, I was originally only going to set up 2 pole rigs, 1x 0.4g Jean François and a thin wire stem float shotted shirt button, both with 0.08 bottom and 22 hook. However, when plumbing around most of the swim was 4ft, except for a 6ft deep hole at 15m to my left towards the end bank, so a 3rd rig was required which was a 0.6g Jean Francois.
The first 15mins of the match was spent fishing the lead and bread in the “hole”, hoping for the rod to be pulled off the rest, but didn’t even have a liner. A switch to the 13m line didn’t produce, in fact my first fish came at 6m on punch bread after 45mins. For the next hour I had another 26, all be it very small, before that line dried up.
The remainder of the match was spent swapping between my 13m line and fishing in the hole, but I couldn’t get any decent fish. Of the anglers around me I thought I was doing OK, which actually gave me a false impression.
With approximately 20mins left the eventual winner caught 5 big skimmers to add to his handful of roach to steal the match with 13lb. 2nd place was only 5lb 4oz, with 4lb 9oz needed for 3rd. Most weights were made up of roach, with the odd better fish, so the frost had done its job.
A number of the anglers I was fishing against today fish a lot of canals and rivers which showed today. Some were using 0.06 bottoms to get fish. I don’t even own 0.06 and that experience probably counted against me. I should have spent more time fishing shorter, however on the flip side the fish I was catching short were very small and I was sure I would at some point pick up a better fish by fishing longer, which didn’t happen.
Showing posts with label Cuckoo's Rest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cuckoo's Rest. Show all posts
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Sunday, 4 September 2011
03/09/11 - Cuckoos Rest
Weight – 34lb 12oz
Catch – 10 Carp, 7 Roach, 3 Bream, 2 Perch, 1 Rudd, 1 Gudgeon
Weather – Mostly cloudy with sunny periods. Windy later.
Match – West’s Sponsored Open – 2nd out of 23
As mentioned in my last blog today’s match was organised by Andy Fox, with tackle vouchers available for the winners and the lake already paid for, meaning a 100% pay out, plus an additional superpool for those who wished to join in.
With so many here the draw would be crucial with end pegs or those with some space being favourite. I was more than happy to find myself on a noted flyer on the right bank opposite the willow tree and end peg before the bridge over to the island, meant I had some space.
Obviously the banner started about “you are going to win etc”, which I hate, because at the moment I could quite easily cock up a good draw, although deep down I would be disappointed if I didn’t at least frame.
My peg is a noted area for bream and settled on 3 swims. The far bank on the method feeder (.20 to 16 carp feeder), 13m feeding 3 & 4mm pellet, with soft green swim stim and 5m feeding caster for roach, which to be honest I had hoped I won’t need.
After feeding my pole lines, I started on the method and following my practice a few months ago I was hitting the mark casting tight to the far bank. The big advantage of the method is the hook is hidden so it was no problem if I clipped the far bank vegetation or over hanging branches, which was just as was well on occasion.
3 carp in the opening ½ hour on hair rigged white boilie, certainly settled the nerves. However other than 1 lost carp in submerged branches I didn’t have anything for the next 90mins. The grapevine suggested the lake was fishing very hard with only 2lb being the top weight, so I just kept the 13m line topped up, hopefully allowing the bream as long as possible to settle.
After 2 hours a switch to the 13m produced nothing on 4mm expander. I could have sat on the method, but since it isn’t my favourite method and I felt I need to keep putting fish in the net so switched to the 5m, however the fish were small and the bites were difficult to hit. I really wasn’t going anywhere fast, so focused back on the 13m, which did produce a 2lb skimmer and a few small fish, but it was very difficult.
By the ½ way stage I was aware the far end peg on the island had caught a couple of carp. With no further skimmers, despite the odd bubbles coming up, but the skimmers just weren’t taking the bait, regardless of what bait I tried (pellet, maggot, worm).
The next hour was spent chopping and changing, then a run of 5 carp proved really useful, which was just as well, since Dean on the far end peg had 2 carp both around 10lb and Nick on the other far end peg on the left hand side of the island had reportly caught 30lb. As it happened Nick had gone for a walk with an hour to go to rest his back and a quick chat revealed he had 9 carp, which was the same as me.
A further 2 lost carp in the submerged snags was frustrating and if I was to fish the peg again, I would probably go round and try to clear some of them out. The last hour was mostly spent on the method for 1 more carp. Brief looks over the pole line, still failed to produce.
By the end of the match I was surprised to have caught 10 carp, since usually no more than a couple are caught, but the stockie’s introduced 18mths ago are starting to show. The other surprise was the lack of skimmers with 13lb being the best silvers weight.
As suspected Dean won with 39-14, which was a bit frustrating considering he only caught 6 carp compared to my 10. However happy to have framed and my weight was slightly better than expected and Nick’s 30lb turned out to be 24lb.
Thanks go to Craig Knight for paying for the lake and Andy Fox for organising the lake and supplying tackle vouchers for Wests Tackle of Trowbridge of which I collected £50 worth, plus £80 pools.
1st 39-14 – Dean Adams
2nd 34-12 – Ken Rayner
3rd 24- 0 – Nick Merry
4th 16- 2 – Steve Ince
5th 12-12 – P Sims
6th 11- 5 – Mick Stowford
Catch – 10 Carp, 7 Roach, 3 Bream, 2 Perch, 1 Rudd, 1 Gudgeon
Weather – Mostly cloudy with sunny periods. Windy later.
Match – West’s Sponsored Open – 2nd out of 23
As mentioned in my last blog today’s match was organised by Andy Fox, with tackle vouchers available for the winners and the lake already paid for, meaning a 100% pay out, plus an additional superpool for those who wished to join in.
With so many here the draw would be crucial with end pegs or those with some space being favourite. I was more than happy to find myself on a noted flyer on the right bank opposite the willow tree and end peg before the bridge over to the island, meant I had some space.
Obviously the banner started about “you are going to win etc”, which I hate, because at the moment I could quite easily cock up a good draw, although deep down I would be disappointed if I didn’t at least frame.
My peg is a noted area for bream and settled on 3 swims. The far bank on the method feeder (.20 to 16 carp feeder), 13m feeding 3 & 4mm pellet, with soft green swim stim and 5m feeding caster for roach, which to be honest I had hoped I won’t need.
After feeding my pole lines, I started on the method and following my practice a few months ago I was hitting the mark casting tight to the far bank. The big advantage of the method is the hook is hidden so it was no problem if I clipped the far bank vegetation or over hanging branches, which was just as was well on occasion.
3 carp in the opening ½ hour on hair rigged white boilie, certainly settled the nerves. However other than 1 lost carp in submerged branches I didn’t have anything for the next 90mins. The grapevine suggested the lake was fishing very hard with only 2lb being the top weight, so I just kept the 13m line topped up, hopefully allowing the bream as long as possible to settle.
After 2 hours a switch to the 13m produced nothing on 4mm expander. I could have sat on the method, but since it isn’t my favourite method and I felt I need to keep putting fish in the net so switched to the 5m, however the fish were small and the bites were difficult to hit. I really wasn’t going anywhere fast, so focused back on the 13m, which did produce a 2lb skimmer and a few small fish, but it was very difficult.
By the ½ way stage I was aware the far end peg on the island had caught a couple of carp. With no further skimmers, despite the odd bubbles coming up, but the skimmers just weren’t taking the bait, regardless of what bait I tried (pellet, maggot, worm).
The next hour was spent chopping and changing, then a run of 5 carp proved really useful, which was just as well, since Dean on the far end peg had 2 carp both around 10lb and Nick on the other far end peg on the left hand side of the island had reportly caught 30lb. As it happened Nick had gone for a walk with an hour to go to rest his back and a quick chat revealed he had 9 carp, which was the same as me.
A further 2 lost carp in the submerged snags was frustrating and if I was to fish the peg again, I would probably go round and try to clear some of them out. The last hour was mostly spent on the method for 1 more carp. Brief looks over the pole line, still failed to produce.
By the end of the match I was surprised to have caught 10 carp, since usually no more than a couple are caught, but the stockie’s introduced 18mths ago are starting to show. The other surprise was the lack of skimmers with 13lb being the best silvers weight.
As suspected Dean won with 39-14, which was a bit frustrating considering he only caught 6 carp compared to my 10. However happy to have framed and my weight was slightly better than expected and Nick’s 30lb turned out to be 24lb.
Thanks go to Craig Knight for paying for the lake and Andy Fox for organising the lake and supplying tackle vouchers for Wests Tackle of Trowbridge of which I collected £50 worth, plus £80 pools.
1st 39-14 – Dean Adams
2nd 34-12 – Ken Rayner
3rd 24- 0 – Nick Merry
4th 16- 2 – Steve Ince
5th 12-12 – P Sims
6th 11- 5 – Mick Stowford
Thursday, 1 September 2011
31/08/11 - Cuckoos Rest
Weight – 20lb 4oz
Catch – 62 Roach, 26 Bream, 4 Rudd, 1 Carp
Weather – Sunny with a slight breeze
Today Mark & I decided to put in a practice session in preparation for Saturdays match, run by local Andy Fox who had paid for the lake, which would mean a 100% pools payout. As a consequence the match is oversubscribed with 25 anglers and I really hope a few drop out, since the fishing will be hard with that number on the lake.
When we arrived there were a couple more who had the same idea and according to Mark the lake was very busy on Monday as well. Andy Fox also turned up later in the day for a practice and thanks Andy for your comments regarding my blog, glad you enjoy it.
Mark & I resisted the temptation of fishing the flyers and settled on the left hand bank. I wanted to concentrate on the roach, because the last match I fished in July I felt I didn’t make the most of the short line.
Well, I had a nice days fishing. Starting on the deck, fishing over groundbait at 5m produced but the better roach definitely came shallow. I also fished pellet at 13m over 3 & 4mm pellet, catching mostly skimmers up to 1½lb.
Mark concentrated on fishing the pellet and although he had to leave an hour earlier still had about 18lb, thanks to a couple of better skimmers/bream. We both tried different feeding patterns and the practice was worthwhile, because more anglers arrived during the day, so it gave a more realistic view of how the lake will fish.
On Saturday at least there will be 3 sections along the 3 banks, so if you don’t draw the right hand side flyers, at least you still have a chance of picking up some coin, although I think any peg that provides you with some space will be crucial.
Catch – 62 Roach, 26 Bream, 4 Rudd, 1 Carp
Weather – Sunny with a slight breeze
Today Mark & I decided to put in a practice session in preparation for Saturdays match, run by local Andy Fox who had paid for the lake, which would mean a 100% pools payout. As a consequence the match is oversubscribed with 25 anglers and I really hope a few drop out, since the fishing will be hard with that number on the lake.
When we arrived there were a couple more who had the same idea and according to Mark the lake was very busy on Monday as well. Andy Fox also turned up later in the day for a practice and thanks Andy for your comments regarding my blog, glad you enjoy it.
Mark & I resisted the temptation of fishing the flyers and settled on the left hand bank. I wanted to concentrate on the roach, because the last match I fished in July I felt I didn’t make the most of the short line.
Well, I had a nice days fishing. Starting on the deck, fishing over groundbait at 5m produced but the better roach definitely came shallow. I also fished pellet at 13m over 3 & 4mm pellet, catching mostly skimmers up to 1½lb.
Mark concentrated on fishing the pellet and although he had to leave an hour earlier still had about 18lb, thanks to a couple of better skimmers/bream. We both tried different feeding patterns and the practice was worthwhile, because more anglers arrived during the day, so it gave a more realistic view of how the lake will fish.
On Saturday at least there will be 3 sections along the 3 banks, so if you don’t draw the right hand side flyers, at least you still have a chance of picking up some coin, although I think any peg that provides you with some space will be crucial.
Monday, 11 July 2011
10/07/11 - Cuckoos Rest
Weight – 19lb 10oz
Catch – 27 Bream, 14 Roach, 1 Carp
Weather – Mostly cloudy with sunny periods. Very little wind
Match – Club – 3rd out of 17
I reckon I must have run over a black cat or something, because I not getting the rub of the green at the moment. A poor draw and then my 3rd broken pole section in as many weeks, together with scrapping my car against a metal bollard the other week has left me wondering. The first pole section broke when I sat on my number 4, the 2nd was when I stepped on my number 5 and today my number 8 section just collapsed on the strike. Fortunately Mark knows someone who does reasonably priced repairs. Looks like I’m in the market for a new pole when I get some money together.
Back to today. 17 had booked in and the best draws are on the side right of the island, because you don’t have anyone opposite. The left side of the lake would have people pegged all round, although most had plenty of room either side. My peg saw me half way down the left side of the island and it was 1 of the few pegs I didn’t want, because there were no features to fish to.
Since I was on this side of the lake, both tip rods stayed in the bag, so I could concentrate on the pole, fishing 6m with caster/maggot, 13m feeding mostly 3mm’s and 13m to my right where I could fish towards a willow tree that extended 8/9m out into the lake. I also set up a rig for the margins, but without any cover close by I never had a bite, although bank walkers didn’t help.
The 13m line was fed with ½ a cup of 3mms with some Gimps gold, a few 4mms and corn. Whilst a bigger cup was dumped towards the willow tree. The intention was to feed little & often at 13m and dump feed to my right.
Started at 6m with maggot, feeding caster, but it was 10mins before I caught a small roach and by 50min I had 11 fish for about 1½lb, which was really slow going. I had already topped up my 13m line and started catching immediately on soft pellet. Mainly hand size skimmers, but a big bream was very welcome, this was followed by more skimmers, before I had 2 more proper bream.
Whenever I had a quiet spell I would switch to the RH swim, which only produced small fish – I had hoped to pull in a few better bream, tench or carp on this line, but it never happened. I had kept the 6m line topped up, but it simply didn’t happen so it was abandoned.
At the half way stage, it was obvious that Andy behind me would win as he continually caught skimmers from the “flyer”. The grapevine, also suggested Roger had caught a few carp again from the right side of the island. As for my part of the lake, Graham on the opposite bank was making use of his end peg, fishing long down his margin and Ian on the 1st peg over the bridge also had a few.
The fish now were getting finicky and I had to keep rotating baits, between pellet, double maggot & worm to keep the fish coming. The 13m line died completely, so I started toss potting 3mm’s at 13.5m, but fishing at 14.5m and this resulted in more hand size skimmers right to the final whistle.
Unfortunately the complete lack of wind meant the lake was flat calm and as we know those skimmers do like a bit of ripple above their heads.
In the end was pleased with how I fished and it came as no surprise that 1 & 2nd came from the right side of the lake.
1st 40-4 – Andy (bream/skimmers - pole/pellet)
2nd 27-0 – Roger (carp/bream - method)
3rd 19-10 - Ken
Catch – 27 Bream, 14 Roach, 1 Carp
Weather – Mostly cloudy with sunny periods. Very little wind
Match – Club – 3rd out of 17
I reckon I must have run over a black cat or something, because I not getting the rub of the green at the moment. A poor draw and then my 3rd broken pole section in as many weeks, together with scrapping my car against a metal bollard the other week has left me wondering. The first pole section broke when I sat on my number 4, the 2nd was when I stepped on my number 5 and today my number 8 section just collapsed on the strike. Fortunately Mark knows someone who does reasonably priced repairs. Looks like I’m in the market for a new pole when I get some money together.
Back to today. 17 had booked in and the best draws are on the side right of the island, because you don’t have anyone opposite. The left side of the lake would have people pegged all round, although most had plenty of room either side. My peg saw me half way down the left side of the island and it was 1 of the few pegs I didn’t want, because there were no features to fish to.
Since I was on this side of the lake, both tip rods stayed in the bag, so I could concentrate on the pole, fishing 6m with caster/maggot, 13m feeding mostly 3mm’s and 13m to my right where I could fish towards a willow tree that extended 8/9m out into the lake. I also set up a rig for the margins, but without any cover close by I never had a bite, although bank walkers didn’t help.
The 13m line was fed with ½ a cup of 3mms with some Gimps gold, a few 4mms and corn. Whilst a bigger cup was dumped towards the willow tree. The intention was to feed little & often at 13m and dump feed to my right.
Started at 6m with maggot, feeding caster, but it was 10mins before I caught a small roach and by 50min I had 11 fish for about 1½lb, which was really slow going. I had already topped up my 13m line and started catching immediately on soft pellet. Mainly hand size skimmers, but a big bream was very welcome, this was followed by more skimmers, before I had 2 more proper bream.
Whenever I had a quiet spell I would switch to the RH swim, which only produced small fish – I had hoped to pull in a few better bream, tench or carp on this line, but it never happened. I had kept the 6m line topped up, but it simply didn’t happen so it was abandoned.
At the half way stage, it was obvious that Andy behind me would win as he continually caught skimmers from the “flyer”. The grapevine, also suggested Roger had caught a few carp again from the right side of the island. As for my part of the lake, Graham on the opposite bank was making use of his end peg, fishing long down his margin and Ian on the 1st peg over the bridge also had a few.
The fish now were getting finicky and I had to keep rotating baits, between pellet, double maggot & worm to keep the fish coming. The 13m line died completely, so I started toss potting 3mm’s at 13.5m, but fishing at 14.5m and this resulted in more hand size skimmers right to the final whistle.
Unfortunately the complete lack of wind meant the lake was flat calm and as we know those skimmers do like a bit of ripple above their heads.
In the end was pleased with how I fished and it came as no surprise that 1 & 2nd came from the right side of the lake.
1st 40-4 – Andy (bream/skimmers - pole/pellet)
2nd 27-0 – Roger (carp/bream - method)
3rd 19-10 - Ken
Saturday, 9 July 2011
07/07/11 - Cuckoos Rest
Weight – 38lb 4oz
Catch – 11 Bream, 6 Carp, 1 Rudd
Weather – Sunny, cloudy periods. Windy.
The eagle eyed amongst you (Mr Nichols) will notice this blog is a little late. Unfortunately a migraine meant I didn’t feel like writing a blog yesterday.
Today’s session was intended to be a practice for Sundays match, however road closures and diversions, meant it took me twice as long as expected to arrive. Combined with leaving home slightly later than intended meant todays sessions would be shorter than intended, before leaving for tonight’s match as Rood Ashton. Therefore decided to concentrate on the method and the long pole.
Settling on the right side of the island, with the strong wind blowing from behind, I spent the 1st 2½hrs on the method, fishing micro pellet and gimps gold around the feeder with a hair rigged 10mm white boilie. After 30mins I had 2 carp of 6 & 7lb, but after that I began to struggle, landing 2 small carp, as well as losing 3, 1 which broke me and the hook pulled out of the other 2 as I tried to pull the fish away from the various snags on the far bank.
I spent longer than I should on the method, but it was time well spent, improving my casting tight to the far bank and hitting the clip.
The next 2½hrs was spent fishing at 13m, feeding micros & 3mm pellet, with a few 4mm’s and corn. I caught bream up to 3¼lb, plus 2 more small carp, mostly coming to 4 or 6mm soft pellet. I did try worm and corn, but pellet seemed to be best.
My silvers net went 18-13, which I was more than happy about in only a couple of hours fishing, however it unlikely it will fish this well on Sunday. Fingers crossed for some cloud cover and a manageable breeze.
Catch – 11 Bream, 6 Carp, 1 Rudd
Weather – Sunny, cloudy periods. Windy.
The eagle eyed amongst you (Mr Nichols) will notice this blog is a little late. Unfortunately a migraine meant I didn’t feel like writing a blog yesterday.
Today’s session was intended to be a practice for Sundays match, however road closures and diversions, meant it took me twice as long as expected to arrive. Combined with leaving home slightly later than intended meant todays sessions would be shorter than intended, before leaving for tonight’s match as Rood Ashton. Therefore decided to concentrate on the method and the long pole.
Settling on the right side of the island, with the strong wind blowing from behind, I spent the 1st 2½hrs on the method, fishing micro pellet and gimps gold around the feeder with a hair rigged 10mm white boilie. After 30mins I had 2 carp of 6 & 7lb, but after that I began to struggle, landing 2 small carp, as well as losing 3, 1 which broke me and the hook pulled out of the other 2 as I tried to pull the fish away from the various snags on the far bank.
I spent longer than I should on the method, but it was time well spent, improving my casting tight to the far bank and hitting the clip.
The next 2½hrs was spent fishing at 13m, feeding micros & 3mm pellet, with a few 4mm’s and corn. I caught bream up to 3¼lb, plus 2 more small carp, mostly coming to 4 or 6mm soft pellet. I did try worm and corn, but pellet seemed to be best.
My silvers net went 18-13, which I was more than happy about in only a couple of hours fishing, however it unlikely it will fish this well on Sunday. Fingers crossed for some cloud cover and a manageable breeze.
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
14/11/10 - Cuckoos Rest
Weight – 16lb 9oz
Catch – 65 Roach, 8 Skimmers, 3 Perch, 1 Tench, 1 Bream
Weather – Rain for most of the day
Match – Glenfall – 2nd overall
So my first blog for quite a while. Today was a club match with the added spice of being the semi final for the club knockout, with the eventual winner receiving free annual membership worth £75. There should have been 4 of us, however the 4th person dropped out leaving Andy Lord, Craig Davidge & myself to fight it out for the final on the Match Lake at Ivy House. Since there were only 3 of us, we decided the lowest weight drops out.
I had practiced on Tuesday, weighing 28lb (10-11lb of roach & hand sized skimmers, 6 bream, 1 tench, a big perch and a 1.5lb carp) and was feeling confident, however the lake was very coloured after the recent rain and it was chilly overnight, so it could be a bit of a struggle. According to last nights weather report there wouldn’t be any wind and the sun would make an appearance. At least they got the bit about the wind correct.
Cuckoos Rest is 1 of those venues run by a non-angler and it shows. It is a nice venue, out in the sticks, but it could just do with some tiding up, in terms of overhanging branches. Having said that it’s nice to fish a venue not dominated by carp.
With only 12 fishing today, it meant plenty of room and no really bad pegs. I found myself on the left hand side of the island, the 1st peg over the footbridge. I could see Craig on the opposite bank, but couldn’t see Andy who was further along at the top of the island. Since I could see Craig, so long as I stayed ahead for him I would qualify for the final.
Although there are carp at the venue and some very big ones at that, silvers need to be your target. I settled on 3 lines, 5-6m feeding maggot/caster, 13-14m feeding groundbait (black lake & green swim stim) & caster and the waggler further out, feeding small balls of groundbait. I also had a throwaway line to my left fishing back towards the "mainland", feeding pellet & corn. On Tuesday I only feed caster on the short line, but since the lake was more coloured I decided to feed more maggot.
Having cupped 2 balls of groundbait at 13m, I started at 5m, and it took 3-4 minutes to get my 1st bite, but after an hour I had 25 fish in the net, nothing bigger than 5-6oz, but at least I was catching regularly.
A switch to the 13m line only produced a few bites, so back to the 5m line after topping up at 13m. And this is how the rest of my match went. Catch a few short, before trying the 13m line and/or waggler. After the 3rd top-up at 13m, a 4½lb tench accepted my double red maggot. Now I was sure I was in front of Craig, who had managed to catch a crayfish! Andy had a little walk around to stretch his legs and was admitting to catching a few hand sized skimmers, so it was likely to be close.
Despite the very coloured water pike or big perch seemed to unsettling the fish, because bites would just stop, plus throughout the day small fish where scattering.
Further top ups at 13m yielded very little and the waggler only produced a few small roach. Going into the 5th & final hour, I decided to feed 2 balls of groundbait, with caster at 45 degrees right. After 30mins I didn’t have a response, but with 10 minutes left a switch back resulted in a 3½lb bream. Now I was confident of at least knocking out Craig.
Graham Millard won with 17lb 3oz from the favoured right side of the island, which included a small carp and 3 decent bream. As for the knockout, Andy weighted 10-4, whist Craig dipped out with 6-12. Whilst the skimmers didn’t feed, everyone seemed to get plenty of bites from roach.
1st Graham Millard 17-3
2nd Ken Rayner 16-9
3rd Ian Pople 10-6
4th Andy Lord 10-4
Catch – 65 Roach, 8 Skimmers, 3 Perch, 1 Tench, 1 Bream
Weather – Rain for most of the day
Match – Glenfall – 2nd overall
So my first blog for quite a while. Today was a club match with the added spice of being the semi final for the club knockout, with the eventual winner receiving free annual membership worth £75. There should have been 4 of us, however the 4th person dropped out leaving Andy Lord, Craig Davidge & myself to fight it out for the final on the Match Lake at Ivy House. Since there were only 3 of us, we decided the lowest weight drops out.
I had practiced on Tuesday, weighing 28lb (10-11lb of roach & hand sized skimmers, 6 bream, 1 tench, a big perch and a 1.5lb carp) and was feeling confident, however the lake was very coloured after the recent rain and it was chilly overnight, so it could be a bit of a struggle. According to last nights weather report there wouldn’t be any wind and the sun would make an appearance. At least they got the bit about the wind correct.
Cuckoos Rest is 1 of those venues run by a non-angler and it shows. It is a nice venue, out in the sticks, but it could just do with some tiding up, in terms of overhanging branches. Having said that it’s nice to fish a venue not dominated by carp.
With only 12 fishing today, it meant plenty of room and no really bad pegs. I found myself on the left hand side of the island, the 1st peg over the footbridge. I could see Craig on the opposite bank, but couldn’t see Andy who was further along at the top of the island. Since I could see Craig, so long as I stayed ahead for him I would qualify for the final.
Although there are carp at the venue and some very big ones at that, silvers need to be your target. I settled on 3 lines, 5-6m feeding maggot/caster, 13-14m feeding groundbait (black lake & green swim stim) & caster and the waggler further out, feeding small balls of groundbait. I also had a throwaway line to my left fishing back towards the "mainland", feeding pellet & corn. On Tuesday I only feed caster on the short line, but since the lake was more coloured I decided to feed more maggot.
Having cupped 2 balls of groundbait at 13m, I started at 5m, and it took 3-4 minutes to get my 1st bite, but after an hour I had 25 fish in the net, nothing bigger than 5-6oz, but at least I was catching regularly.
A switch to the 13m line only produced a few bites, so back to the 5m line after topping up at 13m. And this is how the rest of my match went. Catch a few short, before trying the 13m line and/or waggler. After the 3rd top-up at 13m, a 4½lb tench accepted my double red maggot. Now I was sure I was in front of Craig, who had managed to catch a crayfish! Andy had a little walk around to stretch his legs and was admitting to catching a few hand sized skimmers, so it was likely to be close.
Despite the very coloured water pike or big perch seemed to unsettling the fish, because bites would just stop, plus throughout the day small fish where scattering.
Further top ups at 13m yielded very little and the waggler only produced a few small roach. Going into the 5th & final hour, I decided to feed 2 balls of groundbait, with caster at 45 degrees right. After 30mins I didn’t have a response, but with 10 minutes left a switch back resulted in a 3½lb bream. Now I was confident of at least knocking out Craig.
Graham Millard won with 17lb 3oz from the favoured right side of the island, which included a small carp and 3 decent bream. As for the knockout, Andy weighted 10-4, whist Craig dipped out with 6-12. Whilst the skimmers didn’t feed, everyone seemed to get plenty of bites from roach.
1st Graham Millard 17-3
2nd Ken Rayner 16-9
3rd Ian Pople 10-6
4th Andy Lord 10-4
Monday, 17 May 2010
16/05/10 - Cuckoo's Rest
Weight – 6lb 6oz
Catch – 33 Roach, 10 Perch, 8 Skimmers
Weather – Cold, cloudy, rainy start. Brighter later, but windy
Match – Open - 7th overall
16 turned up Mark’s match at Cuckoo’s Rest, with the expectation of plenty of skimmers and tench. However, the weather had a big hand in how the day turned out. After the warm day yesterday, it was back on with the fleece, because it was certainly a bit nippy and with the early start I expecting a slow start.
I drew the 1st peg over the bridge on the left side of the island. General consensus was, it wasn’t a great draw, however a few tench had been caught recently in the area by pleasure anglers. Being on the corner of the island, meant I was sitting at angle to the open water, but to my left there was an over hanging tree at 14.5m on the “mainland”, as well as the margin towards to the bridge, so at least I had a few options.
Green Swim Stim & micros were deposited at 13m and 4mm’s were catapulted towards the over hanging tree. Whilst I let that settle I started at 5m fishing caster and after 30mins I had 10 fish in the net, before bites dried up.
The 13m line produced very little on soft pellet with bites very hard to come by. In fact everyone seemed to be struggling, expect Hippy who was on the right bank, casting a small method feeder towards the far bank, catching proper bream and the odd carp.
I would have been happy to keep going with the roach at 5m but couldn’t keep them going, as they drifted in & out of the swim. Even adding another section didn’t help, so a bit oft head scratching.
My overhanging tree swim did produce a couple of small skimmers on corn, but again no more and I had to keep rotating swims just to keep a few fish going into the net. Even tried the waggler, which only produced 1 roach. Although Hippy was running away with it, a couple of decent skimmers or tench would soon put you back in the contention for the frame.
With the wind increasing strength, I was beginning to regret not packing a feeder rod to fish beyond 14.5m, but with the wind cutting across me, fishing longer as I had intended was no longer an option.
I set up a new swim at 11.5m, just feeding 4mm and caster via a toss pot, reasoning the roach at 5m were worth having , perhaps they would feed more confidentially further out and hopefully a few skimmers would show. Unfortunately the roach got smaller and there were very few skimmers.
As the match drew to a conclusion, I stuck with the pellet and corn hoping for a better fish, but it just didn't happen. Those that framed all had at least 1 decent fish, but overall a very disappointing match. Those skimmers never feed and not 1 of the 2500 small carp stocked last month showed.
Hippy won with 64lb, but 2nd was only 16lb, which was 2 carp, 1 proper bream and a skimmer.
Catch – 33 Roach, 10 Perch, 8 Skimmers
Weather – Cold, cloudy, rainy start. Brighter later, but windy
Match – Open - 7th overall
16 turned up Mark’s match at Cuckoo’s Rest, with the expectation of plenty of skimmers and tench. However, the weather had a big hand in how the day turned out. After the warm day yesterday, it was back on with the fleece, because it was certainly a bit nippy and with the early start I expecting a slow start.
I drew the 1st peg over the bridge on the left side of the island. General consensus was, it wasn’t a great draw, however a few tench had been caught recently in the area by pleasure anglers. Being on the corner of the island, meant I was sitting at angle to the open water, but to my left there was an over hanging tree at 14.5m on the “mainland”, as well as the margin towards to the bridge, so at least I had a few options.
Green Swim Stim & micros were deposited at 13m and 4mm’s were catapulted towards the over hanging tree. Whilst I let that settle I started at 5m fishing caster and after 30mins I had 10 fish in the net, before bites dried up.
The 13m line produced very little on soft pellet with bites very hard to come by. In fact everyone seemed to be struggling, expect Hippy who was on the right bank, casting a small method feeder towards the far bank, catching proper bream and the odd carp.
I would have been happy to keep going with the roach at 5m but couldn’t keep them going, as they drifted in & out of the swim. Even adding another section didn’t help, so a bit oft head scratching.
My overhanging tree swim did produce a couple of small skimmers on corn, but again no more and I had to keep rotating swims just to keep a few fish going into the net. Even tried the waggler, which only produced 1 roach. Although Hippy was running away with it, a couple of decent skimmers or tench would soon put you back in the contention for the frame.
With the wind increasing strength, I was beginning to regret not packing a feeder rod to fish beyond 14.5m, but with the wind cutting across me, fishing longer as I had intended was no longer an option.
I set up a new swim at 11.5m, just feeding 4mm and caster via a toss pot, reasoning the roach at 5m were worth having , perhaps they would feed more confidentially further out and hopefully a few skimmers would show. Unfortunately the roach got smaller and there were very few skimmers.
As the match drew to a conclusion, I stuck with the pellet and corn hoping for a better fish, but it just didn't happen. Those that framed all had at least 1 decent fish, but overall a very disappointing match. Those skimmers never feed and not 1 of the 2500 small carp stocked last month showed.
Hippy won with 64lb, but 2nd was only 16lb, which was 2 carp, 1 proper bream and a skimmer.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
02/04/10 - Cuckoo's Rest
Weight – 11lb 12oz
Catch – 70 Roach, 8 Skimmers, 1 Rudd, 1 Perch, 1 Gudgeon
Weather – Rain & wind. Rain later cleared, but still windy
Match – Knock up - 4th overall
Mark asked if I wanted to fish a knock up at Cuckoos Rest today where they expected 10-12 anglers. However come the morning it transpired that no pegs had been booked, there was only 8 of us and we would have a rover match. Not impressed, because there was already 3 pleasure anglers of the lake, 2 of which were on the better pegs.
Personally don't like to rover match, because you tend find everyone crams into the best areas of the lake, which is often counter productive. The main lake at Cuckoos Rest has a centrally island, from which you fish. The best pegs tend to be on the right side of the island, where you cast to the far bank, whilst on the left side the bank opposite is pegged.
I drew 7 from 8, so effectively I had to wait and see were everyone else would go. As expected all the pegs on the right side of the island were taken, I had considered fishing the left side of the island, but the wind was likely to make life difficult. The left bank was sheltered, but options were restricted, because wooded posts meant you couldn't cast beyond halfway. In the end I decided to fish the right hand bank, 2 pegs pegs before the bridge. I would have the wind off my back and I could cast towards the far bank towards a large overhanging tree, which I felt would give me more options, plus it effectively gave me an end peg, although I was closer to the narrower bottom end of the lake.
No one had fished here for a while and some reckoned that 50-60lb would win, whilst others thought 20lb would be enough due the the cold week, so no-one really knew. 6 of us would be targeting the silvers, whilst 2 anglers would target the carp all match on the method feeder cast to the far bank.
At the start I cupped some micro pellet, green swim stim & caster at 13m at 11 o'clock and started feeding caster at 5m. Whilst I let that settle a 20min look on the lead & double corn, produced 1 liner, but nothing else. In fact despite feeding 4mms all match to the far side I never had a bite.
The 13m line produced a few small roach on maggot to start with, but they were small, so a change to caster resulted in fewer bites, but at least on the whole I stopped those tiny roach nipping the bait and if I did manage to hook one, they would drop off when I shipped in.
The problem today was how to top up, I tried using a tosspot and cupping bait, but regardless the fish would disappear for while. Speaking to couple of others after the match this seemed to be problem, which is just as well I had my 5m line to fall back on, because this produced most of my roach up to 12oz.
A decent skimmer from the 13m line was useful, but I could see Mark & Nick at the other end of the lake regularly catching skimmers, plus a couple of proper bream, but no one had a carp yet.
After a couple of hours the rain was really coming down and the wind was getting stronger, so changed from 0.4g jean francios to a 4x18 polar ice which sat better in the tow and I could now see the thicker tip.
A couple of small skimmers followed and I did manage to hook a proper bream, but the hook pulled at the net and at the time I thought it would cost me.
2 new swims at 14.5m in front, fed with 4mms & caster and 13m at 1o'clock dumped a full big pot, but neither really worked. As the match progressed I began to rely more and more on the 5m line. Although I enjoyed catching so many roach, I needed those skimmers to compete.
Mark won the match with 23-14 of mostly skimmers and proper bream on pellet. 2nd was 23-2 from the sheltered left hand bank, again skimmers, roach and a big perch on caster. 3rd was Nick pegged next to Mark with 19-14 skimmers, proper bream and a tench on pellet.
As for those carp, except for 1 which was lost after playing for 45min on the silvers rig, they never showed.
Catch – 70 Roach, 8 Skimmers, 1 Rudd, 1 Perch, 1 Gudgeon
Weather – Rain & wind. Rain later cleared, but still windy
Match – Knock up - 4th overall
Mark asked if I wanted to fish a knock up at Cuckoos Rest today where they expected 10-12 anglers. However come the morning it transpired that no pegs had been booked, there was only 8 of us and we would have a rover match. Not impressed, because there was already 3 pleasure anglers of the lake, 2 of which were on the better pegs.
Personally don't like to rover match, because you tend find everyone crams into the best areas of the lake, which is often counter productive. The main lake at Cuckoos Rest has a centrally island, from which you fish. The best pegs tend to be on the right side of the island, where you cast to the far bank, whilst on the left side the bank opposite is pegged.
I drew 7 from 8, so effectively I had to wait and see were everyone else would go. As expected all the pegs on the right side of the island were taken, I had considered fishing the left side of the island, but the wind was likely to make life difficult. The left bank was sheltered, but options were restricted, because wooded posts meant you couldn't cast beyond halfway. In the end I decided to fish the right hand bank, 2 pegs pegs before the bridge. I would have the wind off my back and I could cast towards the far bank towards a large overhanging tree, which I felt would give me more options, plus it effectively gave me an end peg, although I was closer to the narrower bottom end of the lake.
No one had fished here for a while and some reckoned that 50-60lb would win, whilst others thought 20lb would be enough due the the cold week, so no-one really knew. 6 of us would be targeting the silvers, whilst 2 anglers would target the carp all match on the method feeder cast to the far bank.
At the start I cupped some micro pellet, green swim stim & caster at 13m at 11 o'clock and started feeding caster at 5m. Whilst I let that settle a 20min look on the lead & double corn, produced 1 liner, but nothing else. In fact despite feeding 4mms all match to the far side I never had a bite.
The 13m line produced a few small roach on maggot to start with, but they were small, so a change to caster resulted in fewer bites, but at least on the whole I stopped those tiny roach nipping the bait and if I did manage to hook one, they would drop off when I shipped in.
The problem today was how to top up, I tried using a tosspot and cupping bait, but regardless the fish would disappear for while. Speaking to couple of others after the match this seemed to be problem, which is just as well I had my 5m line to fall back on, because this produced most of my roach up to 12oz.
A decent skimmer from the 13m line was useful, but I could see Mark & Nick at the other end of the lake regularly catching skimmers, plus a couple of proper bream, but no one had a carp yet.
After a couple of hours the rain was really coming down and the wind was getting stronger, so changed from 0.4g jean francios to a 4x18 polar ice which sat better in the tow and I could now see the thicker tip.
A couple of small skimmers followed and I did manage to hook a proper bream, but the hook pulled at the net and at the time I thought it would cost me.
2 new swims at 14.5m in front, fed with 4mms & caster and 13m at 1o'clock dumped a full big pot, but neither really worked. As the match progressed I began to rely more and more on the 5m line. Although I enjoyed catching so many roach, I needed those skimmers to compete.
Mark won the match with 23-14 of mostly skimmers and proper bream on pellet. 2nd was 23-2 from the sheltered left hand bank, again skimmers, roach and a big perch on caster. 3rd was Nick pegged next to Mark with 19-14 skimmers, proper bream and a tench on pellet.
As for those carp, except for 1 which was lost after playing for 45min on the silvers rig, they never showed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)