Weight – 91lb 0ozCatch – 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. 
Weight – 45lb 1ozCatch – 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.
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.
Weight – 23lb 0ozCatch – 25 Carp, 10 (goldfish, brown goldfish, F1)
Weather – Sunny, but windy
Water Temp– 19.0c > 20.5c
Match – Glenfall – 1st overall
There were 14 for today’s match and it would be on the island part of the lake. I had my concerns, because the island doesn’t get fished that much, except in matches. Most who fish the lake prefer the parts where you can park behind your peg, so with not as much feed going in would there be the any fish?
Ideally I wanted to draw the bottom end of the island near the bridge (when I say bridge I mean a few wooden sleepers!), plus the wind was blowing strongly down that end. As it happened I drew the top end, which at least meant I was out of the worst of the wind, but it was still going to be troublesome.
I started on the far side hoping for the carp to show straight away, but nothing. I wasn’t expecting the sort of session I had yesterday but this was poor. After 20 minutes I switched to the paste rig down the left hand side and as I looked around to see how everyone else was doing, my pole was yanked down as a big carp (well big for this lake) tried to snag me in the bush. A few minutes later a 4lb carp was safely landed, which was an excellent start, considering the average size of fish.
Unfortunately that carp was a false dawn and I only managed 1 more carp from the far side during the 1st hour. This was ridicules, I couldn’t believe I was struggling so badly! I kept feeding the far bank with 4mm and eventually a few carp started to show, but I wasn’t hooking many.
Time for a quick rethink. I stopped feeding the 4mm and tried fishing paste tight across to provide a target bait. It worked and I started to catch, not quickly, but at least I was catching. However going into the 3rd hour the wind was becoming troublesome, buffeting the pole, pulling the hook out of the paste. In hindsight I persisted a bit too long trying to keep on the paste, although I couldn’t catch on corn or pellet either.
At the half way stage the grapevine suggested my 12 carp was leading the way, which I found hard to believe because I was struggling badly. I needed to start catching again, so I fed further along the far bank, hoping the fish had simply moved. The problem with Rushcombe Lake, other than the lack of depth was the far bank is covered with overhanging vegetation, so you have to fish a short line, which was difficult in the wind. So I decide to try double maggot, which the fish were more willing to accept when it’s blowing.
This worked and I started to catch again, admittedly the average size of fish had dropped, but at least I was catching. When the wind dropped I caught a few more fish on paste, but I had to keep rotating swims and baits to keep them coming. The near margin only produced a couple of fish, which was surprising.
During the weigh in it became obvious the fishing had been hard for most. The wind had made things difficult, but I’m convinced there wasn’t that many fish in this part of the lake. As it turned out I had won very convincingly, with Graham coming 2nd with 10lb 7oz and Ian was 3rd with 10lb 1oz.
In the individual league, I moved slightly further ahead
1st Ken Rayner 93pts
2nd Ian Pople 89
3rd Graham Beevor 87
4th Andy Lord 845th Chris Davidge 79
Weight – 62lb 7ozCatch – 76 Carp, 30 (goldfish, brown goldfish, F1)
Weather – Warm, muggy, mostly cloudy
Water Temp– 19.0c > 20.0c
Today was a practice session for tomorrows club match. On past experience I knew there was loads of small goldfish, as well as small carp and to put together a competitive weight you need to catch more carp. Being a snake lake it is only 10m wide and 1½ft deep down the middle, so it’s a classic hole in the ground!
1st hour – spent time trying to catch goldfish short on maggot, feeding sloppy groundbait & maggot. Initially struggled to catch, but eventually caught really shallow although I bumped a few, because the fish had come so shallow and I need a much shorter float for tomorrow. 29 fish caught.
2nd hour – had regularly fed 4mm pellets towards the far bank, as well as handful down the left hand margin every 15 minutes. I started on the paste down the left margin and caught 8 carp straight away, before the goldfish started nailing the paste on the way down. Unfortunately toss potting pellet with the paste brought too many small fish into the swim, so I abandoned that line switching to the far side. The far side was only 6 inches deep and I used the smallest dibber I could find, using corn or 6mm expander. Initially had trouble foul hooking fish, so I started to feed a 2nd swim against the far bank to help spread the shoal. 13 fish.
3rd hour – a further 15 carp followed from the far side, but it was frustrating with too many missed bites which where mostly liners.
4th hour – sussed it! Sorted my feeding and found it best to feed 1 swim then fish the other. 26 carp.
5th hour – time to try the paste again. I continued feeding the left hand margin every 15 minutes with a handful of 4mm, but stopped feeding when I started fishing, relying solely on the paste. 23 fish followed and the average size was slightly better than the far side.
I decided to cut the session short as I could see the skies getting greyer, however I wasn’t quick enough and I got drenched as I weighed in.
I was pleased with the weight, because it’s my best from the lake, but frustrated with the missed bites and lost fish. However, quite a bit learned, particularly regarding the best rigs and I it was the first time I used paste on the lake.
Weight – 250lb 7ozCatch – 34 Carp, 1 Bream.
Weather – Sunny & warm.
Water Temp– 20.5c > 21.0c
It’s been a mixed and interesting week. Still no news regarding the 3rd party that wants to buy us, yet its been 1 of the most boring and quietest weeks I have experience at work. Regardless of what happens I’ll either receive a decent redundancy package or still have a job, even if that job isn’t what I want to do (trying to keep positive!).
On a more positive note Suzanne may actually be working soon. Admittedly it may be self employed which has its risks, but the opportunity does mean working from home. For the 1st time in a while, Sue has her sparkle back and there has been a sense of optimism in the Rayner household. Fingers crossed, because if Sue does gets the job, its mean I can get back to proper fishing.
As for today, I was back at my club water, thinking of breaking the 300lb barrier. I settled on corner peg 16, with the intention of fishing pole & paste. Decided on 3 swims. The 1st was 8m to my left along the margin, because that has been a reliable area in the past. The 2nd swim was 10m in front, because I’ve noticed the bigger fish tend to be caught in the open water. The 3rd swim was to be in the shallow corner to my right, but there was loads of small rudd on the surface, so 8 or 11mm pellet would be the bait.
As I started there was a few carp cruising the surface, in fact I swear 1 of the carp was chasing the rudd. 1st put in on the left hand swim I had a 6lb carp 1st cast, then nothing for another 45mins. This wasn’t in the script and I knew straight away 300lb wasn’t going to be possible. Perhaps I would have been better choosing an open water swim and fishing shallow?
Moving into the 2nd hour I started to get more indications, concentrating on the 10m line and a 17lb 1oz common was very welcome. You know when you have a proper munter when you have to shake the fish into the net!
As the session progressed, I didn’t bother with the right had swim, simply because I felt I would be spending more time pulling fish out of the reeds than actually fishing. The 10m line was definitely the best, whilst the left hand swim was a struggle, which was a surprise.
On the whole I felt the carp weren’t feeding properly, I had a few fish hooked around the mouth and I lost a few fish where the hook pulled for no particular reason. The issue today was high pressure had taken over from low pressure yesterday, where there was some heavy rain. Also I had brought 6mm pellet, instead of the usual 8mm. Normally I would throw a handful of pellet, but today I found it best to mould a fistful of pellet in to ball, so it sank quicker.
As expected the session improved as it moved into what was a beautiful evening. As well as the 17lber, I also had 4 more doubles, including a mirror of 14lb 2oz.
Just reading Tim Ford’s blog, I am glad to say I avoided killing the reed warbler, which was in attendance for most of the day.
I wont fishing next week, instead I will be preparing for a car boot sale on Sunday to get some much needed cash. Unless I fancy a mid week session, my next fishing trip will on Rushcombe Lake at Bullocks Farm practising for a club match.
Yesterday (Sunday) Suzanne & I went for a drive to take advantage of the good weather and we ended up at Lacock. As I looked over the road bridge there were 5 chub sitting in the flow, 1 of which can’t have been far away from 5lb. Have to say I started to feel nostalgic for the days when I used to regularly fish the river, but I never managed a river barbel (except for 1 of 3oz which doesn’t count) and I keep meaning to get back to the river and give it go.
Weight – 284lb 3ozCatch – 39 Carp, 2 Bream.
Weather – Cloudy, sunny period. Breezy.
Water Temp– 19.5c > 19.5c
When I arrived I was hopeful the fish had stopped spawning and would be hungry. Generally, I don’t enjoy pleasure fishing, as much as I do match fishing, so when I do go, I set myself targets and todays target was to compare the pellet waggler, against the pole & paste.
I settled on peg 13 and started on the pellet waggler, fishing & feeding 8mm pellet. The intention was to spend the 1st 3 hours on the waggler and then fish the pole for the last 3 hours.
1st hour – 35lb. As soon as I started feeding, there were fish swirling and after 5 minutes I hooked what was obviously a big fish. 10 minutes later a cracking common of 12lb 4oz was safely landed. I had set up to 2 waggler rigs, 1 with a 12" hooklength and the other with a 6" hooklength. 4 more carp followed during the next hour on the shorter hooklength.
2nd hour – 14lb. I struggled to hook any fish, despite them swirling. I began to fiddle with my feeding and swapping rigs, but I couldn’t catch.
3rd hour – 72lb. Decided to switch to the pole early. I had fed 2 swims. The 1st was to my left on top of the shelf, next to the reeds and the 2nd was 10m to my right at the bottom of the shelf. I swapped between the 2 swims, hooking a fish almost every put in. A handful of 6mms after every fish kept the fish interested.
4th hour – 58lb. Another productive hour on the pole, with most fish coming from the deeper right hand swim.
5th hour – 53lb. With 2 hours to go I was on target to beat my PB weight of 258lb and wanted another go on the waggler. I had been feeding the swim whilst fishing the pole, but initially things were a little slow, however with more regular feed the fish showed in greater numbers.
6th hour – 52lb. Was 300lb possible? Well I wasn’t sure, but my PB certainly was. Unfortunately, I managed to break 2 rigs whilst trying to land fish, there was only so much abuse they could take. Both those lost fish and the time needed to set up new rigs, probably cost me 300lb, but I’m absolutely delighted to a get a PB weight.
As for the comparison between the waggler and pole, the pole was certainly better, particularly during the 3rd hour, but 100lb on the waggler in 3 hours is not to be sniffed at.
