Sunday saw the second round of the summer series at Whinwhistle and after winning the first round I was looking forward to it- especially as it was on what is generally the best lake- Keepers. After a night out in Southampton on Saturday I eventually got to bed at around 5am so wasn't in the best shape when the alarm went off around 2 hours later. After loading up the car I arrived at the fishery just before 8 o'clock and hoped a breakfast would sort me out. With bloodshot eyes and a bad case of the shakes I wasn't exactly as prepared as I should have been! After buying four bottles of water it was time for the draw and I came out with peg 23. I was planning on almost solely targetting the silvers and it was not a great peg for what I wanted to do. Unfortunately I left my camera at home so there's no pic but the peg has an island at around 13m and would be regarded more as one of the 'carp pegs'. The only trouble with that is the carp have not been playing ball lately and in a league match it would be very risky to put all your eggs in one basket. I decided that I would spend the first 15 minute's fishing to the island in search of carp and would then get my head down and fish for roach. I thought 15lb would be worth decent points and hopefully top 3 in the 15 peg section.
I set up one rig for fishing to the island- a 4x10 Scone Jubleez on 0.18 to a size 3 Tubertini 175 and orange wilkie hollow. I then set up 3 rigs for the silvers at 4m. The first was for the deck- a 4x12 KC Porth on 0.12- 20 Gama Maggot. Although I had a good 5 and 1/2 foot of water I opted for a lightish float as there wasn't a breath of wind and I was looking to catch through the layers with a strung out shotting pattern. The other two rigs were for fishing shallow and were a 4x10 Chianti on 0.12- 18 Drennan eyed barbless. This rig was set at a foot deep. I also set up a drennan carp 4 on the same line and hook but set at 6 inches. All 3 rigs were matched to double 5 slip. For bait I had two pints of casters, a few pellets and a tin of corn.
The sun was absolutely blazing down and it was flat calm- far from ideal fishing conditions. The all in was called and I flicked a few casters at 4m and shipped out to the island with a cad pot of pellet. The first 15 minute's were unventful and apart from Andy Shanks on flyer peg 27 catching a foulhooked carp to the island there wasnt much happening. I dropped in with a single caster and soon had a few roach. I was feeding two or three casters every five seconds as I knew to do a weight I would have to catch shallow. A few fish on the foot deep rig including one or two 6oz samples had me thinking I would do OK but they weren't really coming fast enough. I lost a decent 8oz roach at the net which was frustrating but sometimes happens. After 1 hour I had 26 fish in the net. The next hour was a lot slower although I had a couple of 8-10 oz roach I found myself fishing on the deck and waiting for bite's. After two hours I had 35 in the net. It was clear how hard it was fishing as I could hear a lot of moaning as most people were staring at motionless floats. I knew I just had to keep putting whatever I could in the net as every ounce would be important on a day like this (I didn't realise just how important at the time). Over the next few hours I put a few more fish in the net,although I found myself fishing shallow caster at 13m to the island which was slow but it was the only place I could buy a bite. With an hour to go I had 51 fish in the net for around 7-8lb which was OK compared to most others. In the next 30 minute's I failed to put any fish in the net as the whole place had dried up and I didnt see anyone catch in this time. I heard that one or two people had caught a carp so with nothing happening on the silvers I put a small pot of pellet out at 13m and went straight over the top. After 5 minute's I lifted the rig and a few inches of elastic came out of the pole as I lifted into a snag. The 'snag' then tore off to my left as it was clearly a foul-hooked carp. After a few seconds the rig pinged back which was frustrating but expected when you foul hook a fish off the deck. The remainder of the match saw no signs and most people were relieved when the all-out was called at 3pm. A call of 'fish-on' went out and I looked up to the top end of the lake to see Phil James on peg 8 slip the net under a decent fish.
After packing up most of my gear the scales made their way around and Andy Shanks was winning with 7lb 13oz when the scales got to me. My net of silvers then went 7lb 15oz- talk about close! This proved to be top weight on my bank but Phil on peg 8 had two carp for 8lb dead- beating me by a single ounce! This was then beaten by Mike Smith on Peg 6 with two carp for 9lb- leaving me in 3rd place on the day. I would have taken that at the start but it was annoying knowing that I lost one or two roach that would have easily given me 2nd place and first place was only a pound ahead.
After taking the gear back to the car I picked up £30 and headed home. After two rounds I am still top of the league on 4 points, although Mike Smith also has 4 but with slightly less weight.
I'm off on holiday next week so wont be fishing for a while, although I'm secretly hoping I can squeeze in an evening match tomorrow night.
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Thursday 21 May 2009
Whinwhistle Evening matches
This weeks Blog is a 2-in-1 as I've been very busy with work lately. The first match was on Wednesday 13th May and was on Keepers Lake at Whinwhistle. With only 6 anglers fishing and plenty of room I decided to leave the caster out and simply fish paste as I felt sure the carp would feed. Over the 3 hours I had one carp and a couple of small skimmers for 5lb 8oz and third place. Andy Shanks was 2nd with a tench and a few skimmers for 5lb 10oz and the winner had two carp for 11lb odd. All in all a very disapointing match as if I had fished for the silvers I would have walked it but I made my decision and had to stick with it.
With no fishing on the weekend, as I was in Ireland visiting the girlfriends parents, the next match was again an evening affair, this time on the Rail. With 10 anglers fishing there were 5 spare pegs on the lake. I drew peg 3 and fished shallow caster at 15m for one carp of 3lb 6oz and yet again third place. For the second week running I was 2oz off 2nd as another angler had one carp for 3lb 8oz. The winning weight was off the end peg with 9lb odd. 3lb 1oz was fourth and everyone else dry-netted. All in all two very poor matches but particularly frustrating as 3oz extra each week would have won me another £50 odd. I suppose that's the way it goes some times. I apologise for the shortness of these blogs but as you can see I haven't had much to write about!
This weekend see's the 2nd round of the Whinwhistle summer league. I am currently in first place after one round so hoping for a good draw in order to stay near the top. Let's just hope I have a bit more to write about.....
With no fishing on the weekend, as I was in Ireland visiting the girlfriends parents, the next match was again an evening affair, this time on the Rail. With 10 anglers fishing there were 5 spare pegs on the lake. I drew peg 3 and fished shallow caster at 15m for one carp of 3lb 6oz and yet again third place. For the second week running I was 2oz off 2nd as another angler had one carp for 3lb 8oz. The winning weight was off the end peg with 9lb odd. 3lb 1oz was fourth and everyone else dry-netted. All in all two very poor matches but particularly frustrating as 3oz extra each week would have won me another £50 odd. I suppose that's the way it goes some times. I apologise for the shortness of these blogs but as you can see I haven't had much to write about!
This weekend see's the 2nd round of the Whinwhistle summer league. I am currently in first place after one round so hoping for a good draw in order to stay near the top. Let's just hope I have a bit more to write about.....
Monday 11 May 2009
Whinwhistle Summer League- Round 1: 10/5/09
Sunday saw the first round of the Summer League at Whinwhistle Fishery. After coming 3rd in last years series largely due to missing a round through holiday I was looking forward to this years. The format is 1 section of 15 anglers to be fished across the lakes between May and August. I arrived at the venue at around 7.30am and after having a breakfast, paying my entrance fee and pools I was ready for the draw. The two pegs I, and everyone else really fancied were peg 3 and the out and out flyer- peg 8. I really wanted to avoid pegs 9 & 10 as you had very limited options and a frame place would be very difficult. My drawing arm has completely deserted me in recent months so I decided a change was in order. I went in to the bag with my left hand, pulled out the first peg I touched, turned the coin over and saw......W8. That'll do! To be honest I fully expected to win from the peg as it always holds carp and with a target weight of just 20lb the peg is always worth atleast that. As you can see in the pictures there is a large bed of lilly pads at around 13m slightly to the right and an inlet at around 10m to the right.
Although it is an out-and-out carp peg I decided to cover my options as it was a league match where section points were important. Firstly I set up a rig for fishing at 13m to the edge of the lilly pads where I had around 4ft of water. This was a 4x12 Scone Jubleez on 0.18 to a size 3 Tubertini 175 matched to red j-range elastic. The 2nd rig was for the inside to my right where there was a round 2 and a half ft of water. This rig was a 4x10 Scone Jubleez- 0.18 to a size 3 Tubertini 175. This rig was set to orange wilkie hollow. I also set up a skimmer rig for 8m straight in front but hoped I wouldnt have to use it. Finally I set up a 4x10 Chianti on 0.12- doubled 5 slip set at 12 inches deep for fishing shallow maggot to the pads if it was a struggle. To my left on duff peg 9 was Andy Shanks and to his left on peg 10 was Phil James. Both anglers do well at the venue so in terms of the league I was glad to see them sat on pretty poor pegs. For bait I had two tins of corn, a tin of 8mm meat, a few pellets and half a pint of maggots.
The all-in was called at 10am and I fed a pinch of pellet and corn at 13m,a full pot of corn down the edge and a ball of micro's at 8m. I started off on 6mm expander to the pads and a few quick bite's resulted in a couple of 2oz skimmers,including one hooked up the backside- not what I was after. I cupped another decent pinch of bait in and went back over the top. At this point Andy to my left hooked a carp and as he was playing it I had a sail away bite and did exactly what I didn't want to do in this peg- foul-hooked a lump. The fish absolutely tore off to my left before coming back and tearing down to the right. I had no control over it and after completely bottoming out the elastic the rig was broke at the connector knot. Not only had I lost the fish I had also lost one of my treasured Scone Jubleez- leaving me with just three. I cupped in a bit more corn but no pellet as I felt this would reduce the chance of foulhooking fish. I went back on the long line and after 5 minute's had a tench of around 1.5lb. I went straight back out and after around 20 minute's the float disapeared and a lift was met with firm resistance. Fortunately the fish swam into the open water and after around 10 minute's I slipped the net under a decent fish that I estimated at around 10lb. I re-fed with a half a cup of corn and tried down the edge without success so re-fed with another pot of corn. Back on the long line and after 5 minute's or so another postive bite resulted in a small carp of around 2lb. I then went an hour without a sign so re-fed and picked up the shallow maggot rig and shipped out to the pads. A few 1/2oz rudd weren't what I was after and although I started to pick up a few dumpy 2-3oz roach I knew I wouldn't put any weight together at that sort of distance. I got out a shorter rig set at 4 inches with an over shotted drennan carp 4 float. I flicked out a few maggots,went over the top with the sunken rig and a second or two later the elastic was ripped out of the pole as a decent 10oz roach hooked itself. I then had a run of these better 6-10oz fish and as no-one was really catching I was happy to keep adding weight to the net. I put around 6lb in the net during this hour which was about equal to a carp so worth doing. With 90 minute's to go it was back on the long line where a bite on meat resulted in another carp,again small at around 2lb. After 10 biteless minute's I re-fed with half a pot of corn and a few minute's later hit a fish that tore through the middle of the pads before I could stop it and another rig, and another Scone Jubleez was lost. After much cursing I put some more feed in and set up another rig. I couldn't buy a bite but decided to stick with it and ignore the silvers even though I was winning the section. With 40 minute's to go I dropped in down the edge and after a few minute's the float flew under and I struck. The fish boiled on the surface and before I knew what was going on it had tore off around 20m to my right into one set of pads before tearing around into the other set. I have never had a fish run off like that and eventually the rig pinged back with a straightened Tubertini 175.
The last 30 minute's were biteless on both lines and although I was pretty sure I had won the section I was a bit disapointed as I felt the peg was worth more and I should have added more to the weight tally. My clicker told me I had 21lb although I couldn't be sure because of the silvers. When the scales got to me 18lb was top weight. My silvers net went 7lb dead before the big carp was weighed in at 10lb 12oz. The two smaller one's brought the overall totall to 22lb exactly. Andy on peg 9 fished an abosulte blinder to weigh 13lb odd for fourth overall. To be fair he fished a very good match and I wouldn't of expected a result like that from that peg. There were then a few more mid teen weights but nothing more than 13lb meaning as expected I had won the section.
It was quite strange as although I'd won and got the series off to a good start I felt quite deflated at the thought that I should have caught more. The league is often decided by weight countback so I just hope those lost fish don't come back to cost me overall. Still, with a pick-up of £65 and a 1-point score on the board it wasn't a bad day, the worst part was losing two Scone floats!
Although it is an out-and-out carp peg I decided to cover my options as it was a league match where section points were important. Firstly I set up a rig for fishing at 13m to the edge of the lilly pads where I had around 4ft of water. This was a 4x12 Scone Jubleez on 0.18 to a size 3 Tubertini 175 matched to red j-range elastic. The 2nd rig was for the inside to my right where there was a round 2 and a half ft of water. This rig was a 4x10 Scone Jubleez- 0.18 to a size 3 Tubertini 175. This rig was set to orange wilkie hollow. I also set up a skimmer rig for 8m straight in front but hoped I wouldnt have to use it. Finally I set up a 4x10 Chianti on 0.12- doubled 5 slip set at 12 inches deep for fishing shallow maggot to the pads if it was a struggle. To my left on duff peg 9 was Andy Shanks and to his left on peg 10 was Phil James. Both anglers do well at the venue so in terms of the league I was glad to see them sat on pretty poor pegs. For bait I had two tins of corn, a tin of 8mm meat, a few pellets and half a pint of maggots.
The all-in was called at 10am and I fed a pinch of pellet and corn at 13m,a full pot of corn down the edge and a ball of micro's at 8m. I started off on 6mm expander to the pads and a few quick bite's resulted in a couple of 2oz skimmers,including one hooked up the backside- not what I was after. I cupped another decent pinch of bait in and went back over the top. At this point Andy to my left hooked a carp and as he was playing it I had a sail away bite and did exactly what I didn't want to do in this peg- foul-hooked a lump. The fish absolutely tore off to my left before coming back and tearing down to the right. I had no control over it and after completely bottoming out the elastic the rig was broke at the connector knot. Not only had I lost the fish I had also lost one of my treasured Scone Jubleez- leaving me with just three. I cupped in a bit more corn but no pellet as I felt this would reduce the chance of foulhooking fish. I went back on the long line and after 5 minute's had a tench of around 1.5lb. I went straight back out and after around 20 minute's the float disapeared and a lift was met with firm resistance. Fortunately the fish swam into the open water and after around 10 minute's I slipped the net under a decent fish that I estimated at around 10lb. I re-fed with a half a cup of corn and tried down the edge without success so re-fed with another pot of corn. Back on the long line and after 5 minute's or so another postive bite resulted in a small carp of around 2lb. I then went an hour without a sign so re-fed and picked up the shallow maggot rig and shipped out to the pads. A few 1/2oz rudd weren't what I was after and although I started to pick up a few dumpy 2-3oz roach I knew I wouldn't put any weight together at that sort of distance. I got out a shorter rig set at 4 inches with an over shotted drennan carp 4 float. I flicked out a few maggots,went over the top with the sunken rig and a second or two later the elastic was ripped out of the pole as a decent 10oz roach hooked itself. I then had a run of these better 6-10oz fish and as no-one was really catching I was happy to keep adding weight to the net. I put around 6lb in the net during this hour which was about equal to a carp so worth doing. With 90 minute's to go it was back on the long line where a bite on meat resulted in another carp,again small at around 2lb. After 10 biteless minute's I re-fed with half a pot of corn and a few minute's later hit a fish that tore through the middle of the pads before I could stop it and another rig, and another Scone Jubleez was lost. After much cursing I put some more feed in and set up another rig. I couldn't buy a bite but decided to stick with it and ignore the silvers even though I was winning the section. With 40 minute's to go I dropped in down the edge and after a few minute's the float flew under and I struck. The fish boiled on the surface and before I knew what was going on it had tore off around 20m to my right into one set of pads before tearing around into the other set. I have never had a fish run off like that and eventually the rig pinged back with a straightened Tubertini 175.
The last 30 minute's were biteless on both lines and although I was pretty sure I had won the section I was a bit disapointed as I felt the peg was worth more and I should have added more to the weight tally. My clicker told me I had 21lb although I couldn't be sure because of the silvers. When the scales got to me 18lb was top weight. My silvers net went 7lb dead before the big carp was weighed in at 10lb 12oz. The two smaller one's brought the overall totall to 22lb exactly. Andy on peg 9 fished an abosulte blinder to weigh 13lb odd for fourth overall. To be fair he fished a very good match and I wouldn't of expected a result like that from that peg. There were then a few more mid teen weights but nothing more than 13lb meaning as expected I had won the section.
It was quite strange as although I'd won and got the series off to a good start I felt quite deflated at the thought that I should have caught more. The league is often decided by weight countback so I just hope those lost fish don't come back to cost me overall. Still, with a pick-up of £65 and a 1-point score on the board it wasn't a bad day, the worst part was losing two Scone floats!
Witherington Farm Teams of 4- 9/5/09
This Saturday saw the final round of the Teams of 4 at Witherington Farm. The series began way back in September and although we have struggled for a team most rounds it has been enjoyable and a good way to get to know the venue. For the final round our team consisted of myself,Pete Bailey,Nicky-the-Bricky and Kevin. I was placed on Sellwood,with Nicky on Cottage and Pete and Kevin both fishing the Snake. Arriving at the venue at around 8 I had a quick walk around before meeting the other lads and awaiting the draw. Nicky came back with the pegs and much to Pete's amusement handed me Sellwood 1- not great. As you can see in the pictures peg 1 is in the corner,with an aerator to the left and an island at around 25m.
It is always a bad draw but when I found out that Peg 16 hadn't been drawn I was suddenly more optimistic as it meant I could fish to my left, to the aerator and also to the island. The only downside was peg 15 had been drawn by Jonny Gray (?) who's team was winning the league, and as he had a spare peg to his right and 3 to his left we were all effectively fishing for 2nd place. I had already made my mind up that I would fish very positively, so set up two pole rigs, one for the edge at 11m to my left and one at 14.5m to the aerator. Both rigs were Scone Jubleez on 0.18 to a size 3 Tubertini 175. The edge rig was on red J-Range hollow which I had put in the kit that morning. The aerator rig was matched to wilkie orange. I also set up a waggler and a straight lead for throwing to the island. For the first time ever on Sellwood I decided against setting up an open water rig for the skimmers. For bait I had six tins of corn, some 4,6 and 8mm pellets and one tin of 8mm meat.
The all-in was called at 10.15 and I pinged a few pellets to the island before feeding two full pots of corn down the edge and one pot to the aerator. The first 30 minute's were spent on the waggler for one missed bite that was probably silver fish. I then spent 30 minute's on the lead as the wind had got up and apart from one liner I had no signs in two casts. I wasn't too botered by this as I was pinning most of my faith in the edge line's. Jonny on Peg 15 was catching regularly at 19.5m to the island but was also losing a lot fish. There were one or two anglers on one carp each but no-one was running away with it. After 15 biteless minutes to the aerator I went down the edge and after 5 minute's the float shot under but a 2lb skimmer was the culprit and not the intended carp. I re-fed both line's and went back on the waggler but the wind was blowing towards me and slightly left-to right making presentation very difficult. Another biteless hour had me realising why no-one wanted to draw peg 1,but I kept topping up the edge line's as I was sure they would produce late on. After 3 hours I had a positive bite down the edge and lifted into solid resistance. After a few seconds the fish kited out of the peg and it was clear I had hooked a lump and it felt foulhooked. After tearing all over my peg I eventually got the fish in close and broke down to a topkit + short 4. When the fish made the first run I heard the bung move up the no:3 section-something that seemed trivial at the time but would prove to be costly. As I was applying pressure to net the fish I heard a loud crack as the powerkit snapped about 5 inches from the female end. I can only assume that as the bung shot up the pole a few inches it exerted too much pressure on the wall of the section causing the break. Luckily the section held together by a few shards and I was able to net the fish on the remaining section. At around 12lb it was a decent fish and as expected it was foulhooked. I re-fed the line and despite trying the aerator and the island I couldnt buy a bite. By now the lad on peg 15 was walking the lake,although he was still losing a lot of fish he was constantly catching while everyone else was struggling.
With two hours to go I made the decision to try a new line so plumbed up at 13m straight out in the open water. I cupped in a few pellets and a full pot of corn and after leaving it settle went over the top on 6mm expander. A few quick skimmers weren't exactly what I was after so I started to ping 6mm pellets out in the hope of drawing in a few carp. After 10 minute's I had a few liners so wuickly got a new topkit out and put a shallow rig on set at 12 inches. After a further 10 minute's of lifting,slapping and feeding I had a tiny dip on the float that I struck at and was pleasantly surprised to see yards of elastic leave the pole tip and a few minute's later I netted a fat mirror of around 8lb. I thought I had it sussed but after another half an hour I hadn't had another bite so went back on the deck rig and after 5 minute's a positive bite led to another carp of around 4lb. Unfortunately that was my last fish as despite trying shallow,on the deck and down the edge I didn't have another bite.
The all-out was called and it was clear that peg 15 had won the lake but I knew that 2nd place would be close. I was quietly confident as I guessed I had around 25lb and although Peg 6 had caught a few no-one else had really caught much. As I was on scales duty with peg 2 I was first to weigh and my silvers net went 3lb 8oz. My 3 carp then went 23lb dead giving me a 26lb 8oz total. Lee on peg 2 weighed 18lb,followed by a 19lb and peg 6 putting 24lb odd on the scales. There were then a few mid-teen weights before peg 15 put 52lb on the scales to comfortably win the lake, leaving me in 2nd.
Back to the lodge and we all tucked into the complimentary food and tea. Nicky had come 3rd on Cottage with 66lb odd and Pete had won his section and the match overall with 114lb off the Snake. That's 3 matches he's fished on there and won his section every time- a simply awesome performance against alot of good anglers and venue regulars. I'm not sure how Kevin did as he didn't come back to the lodge so I can't comment. After scoffing the free food it was time to head home and get theings ready for the first round of the Summer League at Whinwhistle Fishery.
Thursday 7 May 2009
Whinwhistle evening series- match 1
Wednesday saw the first evening match of the year at Whinwhistle fishery. I love evening matches as it breaks up the working week and you are generally fishing at the best time of day. The matches are alternated over 3 lakes,with 6 matches on each over the course of 18 weeks.
I managed to get away from work at around 4.30 and was at the fishery by 4.45 in time for a 5pm draw. It was decided that we would fish from 5.45-8.45pm as opposed to the usual 6-9 pm as we were unsure what the light levels would be like as it was the first match of the year. This week we were fishing 'Whinwhistle Islands', a lake I hadn't fished for a year or so and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. There were two pegs I really fancied- 3 and 8. Peg 8 is the out and out flier as you have a lilly bed at around 14m slightly to your right and a little inlet bay down the edge to your right that always holds fish. Into the bag i went and out came....peg 11. Not a bad peg and a few carp had been caught from the area on the bank holiday Monday open so I was hopefull of a few.
As you can see in the pictures I had two little islands at around 12-13m, one slightly to the left and one slightly to the right. When fishing three hour matches I always find it best to keep things as simple as possible,and I find you have to make a decision to either go all out for carp or all out for silvers,as chopping and changing means you don't do either effectively. I had already made my mind out that I was fishing for carp even though I felt that 20lb should be enough to do well. I chose to set up just two rigs but they would cover four swims. The first rig was a 4x10 Scone Jubleez on 0.16 to a size 2 Tubertini 175 and orange wilkie hollow. This rig was for fishing across,and I found two and a half feet of water tight to the left hand island and the same depth slightly away from the right hand island. My second rig was for down either side at 5m where there were tree's protruding into the water. I had around 3ft of water either side so set up a 4x12 Scone Jubleez on 0.18-size 3 Tubertini 175 and wilkie orange hollow set a bit tighter than the long line rig. Both rigs incorporated a small cad-pot on the pole.
For bait I had a large tin of corn,a tin of 6mm cubed meat,4mm pellets and some 6mm hookers.
I planned on fishing corn and pellet to the left hand island and meat to the right hand swim as I wasn't sure what bait would fish best and wanted to cover my options. With 5 minutes to spare I wandered over to peg 8 where Andy Franks had drawn. I fully expected him to do well off the peg and just hoped I could find a few fish down the edge late on. The all-in was called at 5.45pm and I fed a pinch of corn and pellet to the left hand swim,half a pot of meat to the right hand swim,a full pot of corn down the right edge and a full pot of meat to the left edge. I kicked off on the left hand line and had a couple of lightning fast bite's on single corn that I put down to small fish. After 5 minute's I cad-potted another 4 grains of corn in with no pellet and a few minute's later the float buried and a lift was met with firm resistance as the fish moved out of the peg. I was on 'proper gear' so had no trouble and a couple of minute's later I netted a carp of around 4lb-good start. I baited up with a 6mm expander,cad potted in some more corn on the left hand line and went over the right hand line. A few quick bite's resulted in a couple of small skimmers,not exactly what I was after but with a target weight of just 20lb I wasn't too fussed. I went out with double meat with a full cad-pot of meat and after 5 minute's or so the float buried and the fish tore off to my right. I immediately assumed it was foul-hooked and hung on praying that the hook would hold. Eventually the fish turned and started coming back to towards me. I managed to get it on the surface and soon realised it wasn;t foul-hooked but was a lump of around 10lb. The fish just wallowed there and before it knew what was going on I had it in the net. So I was 25 minute's into the match with 15lb in the net and bar the odd silver no-one else had caught a fish. I put another half pot of meat on the right hand line and went back to the left hand swim with single corn. After a bit of lifting and dropping the float dipped and I again lifted into firm resistance. Something wasn't right however as the pole tip hooped over and no elastic came out. After a few seconds the hook inevitably pulled and upon inspection I could see that the wind had caught the line around the groove in the cadpot-bad angling! I just hoped it wouldn't cost me.......
Over the next hour I only managed a few skimmers off the meat line and no more fish from the left line. At the half way stage I cupped another pinch of bait onto the two long line's and dropped in down the edge. A few quick bite's from small fish down each side was not what I was after so each side got another full pot of bait. Back on the meat line and a quick bite saw a carp tear off before the hook pulled. I could only assume it was foul-hooked but I was still disapointed. By now I could hear a bit of splashing down on peg 8 but I couldn't see Andy so couldn't see exactly what he was catching. Going into the last hour I had only added another couple of silvers leaving me with about 16lb. A look down each side again proved fruitless so with 15 minute's to go I decided to concentrate on the left hand island line. A full cad-pot of corn went out and after 10 minute's the float disappeared and another carp made a bid for freedom. I was a little disapointed as it was only around 3lb-smaller than average. By now the light levels had dropped dramatically and when the all-out was called I could hardly see the float.
I have recently started using a 'clicker' to help me keep track of my weight. It told me I had 19lb in the net,and I knew that no-one else bar peg 8 had caught as a couple of people had packed up early. I shouted down to Andy who said he'd had 3 carp but also lost 3. John came around with the scales and Andy's 3 carp went 20lb 4oz. This was going to be close....
My silvers net went 2lb 14oz and as I lifted the carp net out I knew it would be ounces in it. The needle eventually settled on 16lb 12oz giving me a total of 19lb 10oz-8 agonising ounces short. That lost fish had cost me dearly but I couldn't really complain as I felt I fished a tidy match and the evening matches are always enjoyable no matter what.
Tuesday 5 May 2009
The Steve Ramsey Memorial 2009
Every year a great bunch of blokes have a get-together to remember an old friend who sadly passed away to cancer. The 'Steve Ramsey Memorial' is held every year on the first weekend in May at Witherington Farm lakes in Salisbury. As you may know I moved to Salisbury around 18 months ago,and have fished Withy throughout the winter so signed up as first reserve for the event and luckily manage to get a place as one of last years competitors dropped out. There was plenty of banter flying about on matchfishing-scene in the weeks (and months) leading up to the event,and it was safe to say that everyone was really looking forward to it. The format for the event is a two-day competition with three sections of eleven anglers. We already knew what section we would be in,and I was to be on Sellwood on day 1 with the other two sections on Barnmoor and Cottage respectively. Day 2 saw all three sections on the snake,both inner and outer. In the weeks leading up to the event all of my spare time was spent tying hooklengths,assembling rigs,and I even managed to fish the lakes once or twice.
Well the Friday finally arrived and after working in the morning, (I say working,my time was spent watching the clock and thinking of Withy) I finally pulled into the carpark at around 12.30. Pete Bailey was sat on Cottage peg 2 and was emptying it wherever he fished. I eventually decided that a quick practice was in order so sat on Sellwood peg 3 and set up the waggler. I had a few skimmers on pellet before being told the peg wasn't in the match so I moved around to peg 2 and caught a few decent carp on the waggler and a few down the edge before packing up and moving around to watch Dave 'Pikey' Pearson catch a few on peg 10 on the paste. Eventually a few of the lads that had fished Rolfs during the day arrived and it was good to finally put a few faces to names. Myself, Pebs and Pete had a good look at Hillbilly's Tri-Cast pole that had doubled up powergum through the top. I held on for dear life as Hillbilly told me to pull harder and I can honestly say it's the strongest pole I've ever seen- indestructible comes to mind. Anyway, I headed back to into town for a shower and a change before meeting Pete for a quick Chinese and then heading to the local drinking establishment for a jar or two. One or two became seven or eight before the Jack Daniels came into play.....it seemed like such a good idea at the time! After a few games of pool and plenty of laughing it was time to stagger home and get a few hours sleep in readiness for Day 1
I woke up with a thumping head-ache picked Pete up at around 8am and was pleased to see he looked as rough as I felt! Fishing was the last thing I felt like doing and I just hoped a bacon roll and a coffee would sort me out. A quick look at the pegging revealed that there were two pegs on sellwood without a margin to fish,10 and 14. As all of the recent weights have been caught down the edge I was praying to avoid these,and was hopefull of drawing either pegs 13,11,9,6 or 2. Come 9 o'clock we all assembled for the draw and in I went and saw peg 14 staring back at me- typical! The other margin-less peg went to Ian 'Scone' Toplis who was as pleased as I was.
I got to my peg and found myself in a 'Pikey Sandwich' (oo-err) with Dave 'The Drawbag' Pearson to my left and his brother 'McPikey' on my right. At this stage I bet Pikey a pound that he would walk the lake from that peg,as he had loads of room to his left and the margins would no doubt hold a few fish,ideal for fishing the paste. I told myself that the best I could hope for would be third in section,as I expected Pikey on peg 13 and Gary Haisman on Peg 9 to catch a few as they had plenty of room down the edge. I decided that my best bet would be to fish the waggler in open water at around 25m where I had 3ft of water. I assembled a 13ft Carbonactive Sentient,Daiwa 2503CU reel with 3lb Maxima,a 2.5 AA waggler and an 0.16 trace with a bait band on the hair of a Fox Series 2 18 eyed hook. I planned to fish and feed this line exclusively with 6mm Coarse pellet. I then set up two pole lines at 14.5m where I had a similar depth. The first rig was a 4x10 Chimp on 0.16-16 B911 and doubled 8 slip. I also set up a lighter rig on 0.14-18B911 and doubled 6 slip in case it was a struggle. I also set up an line at 5m to my right on 0.18-4x10 Scone Jubleez and a size 3 Tubertini 175 and Wilkie orange. I didnt really expect to catch here with peg 15 in but I decided to set it up just in case. Finally I set up a tip-rod, 11ft Beastmaster,8lb Matchwinner to 0.16,Fox series 2 18 with a band on a hair. The board said I had the point of the island to fish but it was a good 35m away and with Gary Haisman fishing to the same point from peg 9 I was hoping I wouldn't have to fish here. For bait I had a pint of damp micro's,4mm & 6mm feed pellet,two tins of corn and some hook pellets.
The all-in was called and I pinged a few 6mm's at 25m before potting in half a cup of corn and pellet at 14.5m. I decided not to feed the edge at this stage,preferring to feed it about 20 minutes before I planned to fish it. The first half an hour saw two missed bite's on the waggler that I put down to skimmers,so I decided to change the feeding pattern from two pellets every 15 seconds or so to around 10 pellets every few minute's. By this stage Gary on peg 9 had caught a couple of carp on the waggler to the point of the island and Scone had caught one shallow on the pole at around 13m. I caught a few skimmers on the pole but wasn't catching fast enough to do any sort of weight so decided to put a full pot of corn with a pinch of pellet in and leave it for an hour or so while I fished the waggler. A couple of skimmers on the waggler weren't exactly what I was after so I picked up the tip rod,baited with a 6mm pellet and attached a small tea-bag of pellets to the hook. First cast landed about 2 feet short of the island and after about 5 minute's the tip slammed around. 'Errr,that'll be a bite then' said Pikey,and a minute or two later I panned a small carp of around 4lb. By this stage Pikey had caught a few down the edge and Gary had also had a few down to his left edge. With nothing to show but a few liners in the next 20 minute's I decided to cast a bit closer to the island,landing the lead within a few inches. Again it took around 5 minute's before the tip slammed round and another carp of around 3-4lb was in the net. The two fish I had were quite small for Sellwood,as they normally average aroun 6-8lb. At this point I decided to get off my box and head to the shop and get some 8mm pellets,as I felt it would be better to ping some bait across and I couldnt reach with 6mm's. Despite the odd liner I couldn't add any more fish so it was back on the waggler in the open water. I had been regularly pinging pellets on this line and after 5 minute's the float dipped and a strike was met with firm resistance. A few minute's later I netted another carp,again smaller than average at around 4lb. I re-cast with a 6mm banded pellet and after the fourth cast another bite saw a slightly better carp of around 6lb come to the net.
There was still around 2 hours to go and I was in with a shout,although usually you can rely on a few decent fish down the edge to move you up the section but I knew I didn't really have this option. Despite ringing the changes I couldn't buy another bite on the waggler,so it was back on the pole line where I caught a few more skimmers before hooking a proper carp that I played back to the net before the hook pulled. It didn't feel foul-hooked but it's not often you lose a fish hooked in the mouth so I can only assume it was. At this point I decided to put a bit of bait down the edge at 5m,and it was back on the tip where I eventually managed to find another carp,but at 3lb it wasn't exactly what I needed. A few looks down the edge saw a couple of small fish-a sure sign that there aren't any carp there. The last half an hour was spent on the tip to the island but I failed to find any fish as the match fizzled out. I guessed I had around 25lb,and I thought Pikey would have 40lb+ and Gary Haisman almost certainly had more than that as he had found a few fish down the edge.
The scales made their way around the lake and there were a few low 30's and mid twenty weights before Gary on peg 9 put 52lb odd on the scales. Scone only managed the one carp early on,and Rick in the corner managed a few fish for about 19lb. Pikey then plonked 39lb odd which was enough for second place. My five carp went 19lb odd,with 8lb something of silvers giving me a total of 27.12 and a disapointing 5th in section. I must admit I was gutted,as to stand a chance you needed a bit of room down the side,as most of the weights on Sellwood were caught this way. I effectively needed two decent fish to take 2nd in section,and I'm sure I would have caught a few if I'd had a margin to fish. The only other person without an edge was Scone and he had 1 carp (and a big scale) for a DNW. Knowing that I was out of contention for the title after the first day was hard to accept,and I couldnt even go out and get drunk on the Saturday night as I had to sort a few things out due to recently moving to a new house. To compound the feeling I found out that our section was to be on 'suicide straight' on the Sunday-the low numbers on outer snake. And to cap off my run of bad luck I didnt even come close to winning any of the fantastic prizes in the raffle. The only bit of luck I had was avoiding the boobie-prize of some floats that were 'not quite Wilkie's'
Day two dawned and I arrived at the fishery at around 8.30am as I needed to sort some bait out in readiness for the draw. The most obvious thing was the wind,it was howling from left to right down the straight and would make fishing across extremely difficult. The usual four best pegs in the section were at the top end (23,25,27 & 29) and as they were around the corner and out of the wind it is where we were all praying to draw. Into the bag I went and out came....peg 5. About as far away from the top end that I could get....just what I needed. As I was out of the running I contemplated driving straight out of the car park and going home but eventually decided to give it a go. The wind was absolutely howling and although I set two rigs up for fishing across I felt that a positive near line was needed so I plumbed up at 5m slightly to my right and would feed this line heavily with corn to hopefully catch a decent stamp of fish. At least I could get decent presentation here as I had around 5ft of water so set up a 4x14 chimp on 0.16-16 B911 and doubled 8 slip. For fishing across I set a rig for up the shelf at 15m (4x10 Chimp,0.16-16B911 and doubled 8 slip) and a rig for down the shelf on the same tackle but with a slightly heavier 4x12 Chimp. I also set up two shallow rigs at 6 inches and 18 inches but didn't really expect these two work as feeding shallow would be very difficult. My final pole rig was for the inside at 10m to my left and was a 4x12 Scone Jubleez on 0.18-Tubertini 175:3 and orange wilkie hollow. Finally,I also set up a 9ft tip rod in case the wind got any worse. To my left I had Gary Haisman and to my right on end peg 3 was Steve May.
The all-in was called and I put a full pot of corn in at 5m,and a full pot at 10m to my left. I went straight across on the top-shelf rig with a single grain of corn and cad potted in a few grains and a couple of pellets. After a minute or so the float dipped and I hooked into a carp. I'm not sure if it was foul-hooked but as I got it towards the net the hook pulled and I knew it was going to be one of those days. Gary to my left foulhooked a 10lber that he got in and Steve to my right also landed an early carp. The wind was making things difficult across and what few carp that were there seemed more interested in spawning. All I could catch on the 5m line were skimmers and I couldn't buy a bit down the edge. I was starting to realise why they call the area 'suicide straight' as the only person I could see catching atall was Gary and they were almost all foul-hooked. I never leave my peg during a match unless nature calls or I need to get an extra topkit but by now I was so despondent I decided to put another pot of corn at 5m and down the edge and went to the lodge for an ice-cream. I got back with around 2 hours to go and had a chat with Scone who was suffering exactly the same problems. I made the decision to give it one more hour and if things didn't improve I would call it a day as I had to be in work at 6 so would have had to make a sharp exit at the end anyway. I started to catch a few skimmers and small fantails at 5m before hooking a lump that tore off and pulled out after 5 minute's or so. I'm convinced it was foulhooked which seemed to be a common occurence in our section. A quick look down the edge produced nothing so with just under an hour to go I did something I've never done in a match before-decided to call it a day before the end. I lifted my net and had about 13lb of silvers and as I packed away Gary was still foul-hooking fish across but managed to get a few in. To combat the problem Steve on peg 3 was fishing hair-rigged corn 3 inches deep under a bubble float and managed to catch one or two as it was the only way to avoid the foulhookers.
By this point I had completely had a gutsfull and was happy to pack up and after saying a few goodbyes head home. It was a very disapointing end to the weekend but one thing's for sure in match fishing,sometimes you can't beat the drawbag. I later found out that the title was won by Tim 'firstpeg' with a perfect 2 point score over the 2 days. Well done mate,awesome performance and a thoroughly deserved victory. All in all it was a superb weekend in the best possible company and I'm already counting down the days to next year when hopefully the drawbag will be a bit kinder. One thing I did learn about the weekend is that it's not all about the fishing. It's about meeting up with your mates,having a good laugh and raising plenty of money for a very worthy cause.
Well the Friday finally arrived and after working in the morning, (I say working,my time was spent watching the clock and thinking of Withy) I finally pulled into the carpark at around 12.30. Pete Bailey was sat on Cottage peg 2 and was emptying it wherever he fished. I eventually decided that a quick practice was in order so sat on Sellwood peg 3 and set up the waggler. I had a few skimmers on pellet before being told the peg wasn't in the match so I moved around to peg 2 and caught a few decent carp on the waggler and a few down the edge before packing up and moving around to watch Dave 'Pikey' Pearson catch a few on peg 10 on the paste. Eventually a few of the lads that had fished Rolfs during the day arrived and it was good to finally put a few faces to names. Myself, Pebs and Pete had a good look at Hillbilly's Tri-Cast pole that had doubled up powergum through the top. I held on for dear life as Hillbilly told me to pull harder and I can honestly say it's the strongest pole I've ever seen- indestructible comes to mind. Anyway, I headed back to into town for a shower and a change before meeting Pete for a quick Chinese and then heading to the local drinking establishment for a jar or two. One or two became seven or eight before the Jack Daniels came into play.....it seemed like such a good idea at the time! After a few games of pool and plenty of laughing it was time to stagger home and get a few hours sleep in readiness for Day 1
I woke up with a thumping head-ache picked Pete up at around 8am and was pleased to see he looked as rough as I felt! Fishing was the last thing I felt like doing and I just hoped a bacon roll and a coffee would sort me out. A quick look at the pegging revealed that there were two pegs on sellwood without a margin to fish,10 and 14. As all of the recent weights have been caught down the edge I was praying to avoid these,and was hopefull of drawing either pegs 13,11,9,6 or 2. Come 9 o'clock we all assembled for the draw and in I went and saw peg 14 staring back at me- typical! The other margin-less peg went to Ian 'Scone' Toplis who was as pleased as I was.
I got to my peg and found myself in a 'Pikey Sandwich' (oo-err) with Dave 'The Drawbag' Pearson to my left and his brother 'McPikey' on my right. At this stage I bet Pikey a pound that he would walk the lake from that peg,as he had loads of room to his left and the margins would no doubt hold a few fish,ideal for fishing the paste. I told myself that the best I could hope for would be third in section,as I expected Pikey on peg 13 and Gary Haisman on Peg 9 to catch a few as they had plenty of room down the edge. I decided that my best bet would be to fish the waggler in open water at around 25m where I had 3ft of water. I assembled a 13ft Carbonactive Sentient,Daiwa 2503CU reel with 3lb Maxima,a 2.5 AA waggler and an 0.16 trace with a bait band on the hair of a Fox Series 2 18 eyed hook. I planned to fish and feed this line exclusively with 6mm Coarse pellet. I then set up two pole lines at 14.5m where I had a similar depth. The first rig was a 4x10 Chimp on 0.16-16 B911 and doubled 8 slip. I also set up a lighter rig on 0.14-18B911 and doubled 6 slip in case it was a struggle. I also set up an line at 5m to my right on 0.18-4x10 Scone Jubleez and a size 3 Tubertini 175 and Wilkie orange. I didnt really expect to catch here with peg 15 in but I decided to set it up just in case. Finally I set up a tip-rod, 11ft Beastmaster,8lb Matchwinner to 0.16,Fox series 2 18 with a band on a hair. The board said I had the point of the island to fish but it was a good 35m away and with Gary Haisman fishing to the same point from peg 9 I was hoping I wouldn't have to fish here. For bait I had a pint of damp micro's,4mm & 6mm feed pellet,two tins of corn and some hook pellets.
The all-in was called and I pinged a few 6mm's at 25m before potting in half a cup of corn and pellet at 14.5m. I decided not to feed the edge at this stage,preferring to feed it about 20 minutes before I planned to fish it. The first half an hour saw two missed bite's on the waggler that I put down to skimmers,so I decided to change the feeding pattern from two pellets every 15 seconds or so to around 10 pellets every few minute's. By this stage Gary on peg 9 had caught a couple of carp on the waggler to the point of the island and Scone had caught one shallow on the pole at around 13m. I caught a few skimmers on the pole but wasn't catching fast enough to do any sort of weight so decided to put a full pot of corn with a pinch of pellet in and leave it for an hour or so while I fished the waggler. A couple of skimmers on the waggler weren't exactly what I was after so I picked up the tip rod,baited with a 6mm pellet and attached a small tea-bag of pellets to the hook. First cast landed about 2 feet short of the island and after about 5 minute's the tip slammed around. 'Errr,that'll be a bite then' said Pikey,and a minute or two later I panned a small carp of around 4lb. By this stage Pikey had caught a few down the edge and Gary had also had a few down to his left edge. With nothing to show but a few liners in the next 20 minute's I decided to cast a bit closer to the island,landing the lead within a few inches. Again it took around 5 minute's before the tip slammed round and another carp of around 3-4lb was in the net. The two fish I had were quite small for Sellwood,as they normally average aroun 6-8lb. At this point I decided to get off my box and head to the shop and get some 8mm pellets,as I felt it would be better to ping some bait across and I couldnt reach with 6mm's. Despite the odd liner I couldn't add any more fish so it was back on the waggler in the open water. I had been regularly pinging pellets on this line and after 5 minute's the float dipped and a strike was met with firm resistance. A few minute's later I netted another carp,again smaller than average at around 4lb. I re-cast with a 6mm banded pellet and after the fourth cast another bite saw a slightly better carp of around 6lb come to the net.
There was still around 2 hours to go and I was in with a shout,although usually you can rely on a few decent fish down the edge to move you up the section but I knew I didn't really have this option. Despite ringing the changes I couldn't buy another bite on the waggler,so it was back on the pole line where I caught a few more skimmers before hooking a proper carp that I played back to the net before the hook pulled. It didn't feel foul-hooked but it's not often you lose a fish hooked in the mouth so I can only assume it was. At this point I decided to put a bit of bait down the edge at 5m,and it was back on the tip where I eventually managed to find another carp,but at 3lb it wasn't exactly what I needed. A few looks down the edge saw a couple of small fish-a sure sign that there aren't any carp there. The last half an hour was spent on the tip to the island but I failed to find any fish as the match fizzled out. I guessed I had around 25lb,and I thought Pikey would have 40lb+ and Gary Haisman almost certainly had more than that as he had found a few fish down the edge.
The scales made their way around the lake and there were a few low 30's and mid twenty weights before Gary on peg 9 put 52lb odd on the scales. Scone only managed the one carp early on,and Rick in the corner managed a few fish for about 19lb. Pikey then plonked 39lb odd which was enough for second place. My five carp went 19lb odd,with 8lb something of silvers giving me a total of 27.12 and a disapointing 5th in section. I must admit I was gutted,as to stand a chance you needed a bit of room down the side,as most of the weights on Sellwood were caught this way. I effectively needed two decent fish to take 2nd in section,and I'm sure I would have caught a few if I'd had a margin to fish. The only other person without an edge was Scone and he had 1 carp (and a big scale) for a DNW. Knowing that I was out of contention for the title after the first day was hard to accept,and I couldnt even go out and get drunk on the Saturday night as I had to sort a few things out due to recently moving to a new house. To compound the feeling I found out that our section was to be on 'suicide straight' on the Sunday-the low numbers on outer snake. And to cap off my run of bad luck I didnt even come close to winning any of the fantastic prizes in the raffle. The only bit of luck I had was avoiding the boobie-prize of some floats that were 'not quite Wilkie's'
Day two dawned and I arrived at the fishery at around 8.30am as I needed to sort some bait out in readiness for the draw. The most obvious thing was the wind,it was howling from left to right down the straight and would make fishing across extremely difficult. The usual four best pegs in the section were at the top end (23,25,27 & 29) and as they were around the corner and out of the wind it is where we were all praying to draw. Into the bag I went and out came....peg 5. About as far away from the top end that I could get....just what I needed. As I was out of the running I contemplated driving straight out of the car park and going home but eventually decided to give it a go. The wind was absolutely howling and although I set two rigs up for fishing across I felt that a positive near line was needed so I plumbed up at 5m slightly to my right and would feed this line heavily with corn to hopefully catch a decent stamp of fish. At least I could get decent presentation here as I had around 5ft of water so set up a 4x14 chimp on 0.16-16 B911 and doubled 8 slip. For fishing across I set a rig for up the shelf at 15m (4x10 Chimp,0.16-16B911 and doubled 8 slip) and a rig for down the shelf on the same tackle but with a slightly heavier 4x12 Chimp. I also set up two shallow rigs at 6 inches and 18 inches but didn't really expect these two work as feeding shallow would be very difficult. My final pole rig was for the inside at 10m to my left and was a 4x12 Scone Jubleez on 0.18-Tubertini 175:3 and orange wilkie hollow. Finally,I also set up a 9ft tip rod in case the wind got any worse. To my left I had Gary Haisman and to my right on end peg 3 was Steve May.
The all-in was called and I put a full pot of corn in at 5m,and a full pot at 10m to my left. I went straight across on the top-shelf rig with a single grain of corn and cad potted in a few grains and a couple of pellets. After a minute or so the float dipped and I hooked into a carp. I'm not sure if it was foul-hooked but as I got it towards the net the hook pulled and I knew it was going to be one of those days. Gary to my left foulhooked a 10lber that he got in and Steve to my right also landed an early carp. The wind was making things difficult across and what few carp that were there seemed more interested in spawning. All I could catch on the 5m line were skimmers and I couldn't buy a bit down the edge. I was starting to realise why they call the area 'suicide straight' as the only person I could see catching atall was Gary and they were almost all foul-hooked. I never leave my peg during a match unless nature calls or I need to get an extra topkit but by now I was so despondent I decided to put another pot of corn at 5m and down the edge and went to the lodge for an ice-cream. I got back with around 2 hours to go and had a chat with Scone who was suffering exactly the same problems. I made the decision to give it one more hour and if things didn't improve I would call it a day as I had to be in work at 6 so would have had to make a sharp exit at the end anyway. I started to catch a few skimmers and small fantails at 5m before hooking a lump that tore off and pulled out after 5 minute's or so. I'm convinced it was foulhooked which seemed to be a common occurence in our section. A quick look down the edge produced nothing so with just under an hour to go I did something I've never done in a match before-decided to call it a day before the end. I lifted my net and had about 13lb of silvers and as I packed away Gary was still foul-hooking fish across but managed to get a few in. To combat the problem Steve on peg 3 was fishing hair-rigged corn 3 inches deep under a bubble float and managed to catch one or two as it was the only way to avoid the foulhookers.
By this point I had completely had a gutsfull and was happy to pack up and after saying a few goodbyes head home. It was a very disapointing end to the weekend but one thing's for sure in match fishing,sometimes you can't beat the drawbag. I later found out that the title was won by Tim 'firstpeg' with a perfect 2 point score over the 2 days. Well done mate,awesome performance and a thoroughly deserved victory. All in all it was a superb weekend in the best possible company and I'm already counting down the days to next year when hopefully the drawbag will be a bit kinder. One thing I did learn about the weekend is that it's not all about the fishing. It's about meeting up with your mates,having a good laugh and raising plenty of money for a very worthy cause.
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