Alders Farm Ash Lake 22 07 14

With Summer finally arriving over the last few weeks it was nice to get onto the Match lake at Alders Farm, I had spent last Saturday catching well at Arrans Lake in a club match and today promised to match it. Both have plenty of fish in them and it becomes a race to keep fish feeding in your peg for the duration. Many times I have started well but half way in the wheels come off.
Today we had 9 anglers on the lake, which allowed plenty of room for the pleasure anglers on the far bank. With monies paid and everyone ready for the draw, I thought I would change my luck and go in first. Peg 1 stuck to my paw and a groan. I hate the peg. I reckon whoever pruned the trees and brambles on it must have had at least 20 MW floats over the years. I have lost count of the hook-lengths I have done on it. For those who do not know the peg, there is a pipe which runs into the lake to the right hand margin and the fish no exactly where it is. There is also a branch in the water which when a fish goes towards it comes up like Excalibur. And not to forget the brick wall of the café where the fish take you round the corner. You cannot see anyone to know how you are performing and measure your catch rate against anyone else. Oh and its only about 20 inches deep. Did I say I hate this peg.
Jim Willmott was on 2, Colin Spencer on 4, Charlie on 6, Steve Dorks on 8 before a gap to Terry on 13. Josh was on 16 with Ernie Waterfall on 20 and Henry Williams on end peg 23.
I decided to fish it nice and simple, top 2+2 straight out, coming closer or further as required. There was very little change in depth so set up duplicate rigs .20 Stroft straight through to a size 14 PR38 and a .2g MW diamond. I also set up a couple of shallow rigs to fish 8inches and 12 inches deep. Bait was simply 3 kilos of corn for feed with a small pot of Pineapple Gel and some stinky stuff grains. Around 2 pints of 4mm fishery pellet would top up the swim and help keep fish in the peg.
At the all in I tossed around a dozen grains at 2+2 and went straight over with the gelled corn, fish a chuck for the first 20 minutes all around a pound. I was dropping a few grains short and came in half a section and this seemed to pick up a better stamp of fish. Only two or three pounders but certainly improved the weight. I was getting into a rhythm and with every put in I would get an indication, A lot missed but still a sign of fish being present. I had a couple of fish on the shallow rigs but found I was getting quite a few foul hooked fish even in the shallow water. Mainly as soon as the corn hit the water, Perhaps the line was going over their backs. After a couple of hours I reckoned on 100lb in the net and felt it was getting stronger. I was now upping my feed to around 10 grains of corn every 20 seconds and the fish were responding well to it. With three hours gone I was in the zone and it seemed that every hooked fish came to the net. I was still on the Gel but every couple of fish I would put a stinky corn on the hook and this had no adverse effect.
However this was when my problems started, for half an hour every fish snagged me up or snapped .20 like cotton, I think I spent more time replacing hook-lengths and rigs than actually fishing. The branch to my right accounted for a lot of my terminal tackle and if I tightened up the red hydro I would pull out of the fish.
Persevering through this spell put around 20lb in the net but I was now off the pace. Back onto the shallow rigs seemed to sort it out though, instead of foul hookers I was getting proper bites and hooking fish in the mouth. A few fish around 6lb started to make up for the lost fish earlier and I was getting back on track. With 5 hours gone I estimated I had around 280lb and a couple more fish would see me break my own Personal Best on the lake of 298lb taken a while back.
In the last hour I managed another 25 fish and was happy with my days fishing. I had only trashed 7 rigs and done 6 hook-lengths.

Overall

1st Colin Spencer                   612-05

2nd Jim Willmott                   472-01

3rd Steve Dorks                     434-02

4th Josh Blavins                    407-02

5th Keith Ashby                    370-07

6th Charlie Lancaster            356-06

7th Henry Williams              251-10

8th Ernie Waterfall               248-10

9th Terry Lancaster              233-03

 Well done to Colin on the day, a superb feat of angling. Colin has performed well over the last couple of weeks and with a Charity match set for September 13th in aid of the fishforfreddie appeal https://www.facebook.com/fishforfreddie. coming up soon I am sure he will be invited to fish the event. If you cannot make make it on the day please kindly donate to this worthy cause on the facebook page. 

Arrans Lake Marsh AC 19 07 14

Unfortunately I could not make the last club match at Sumners Ponds , where Mick did well coming second to Chairman Dave Collier. However I could attend this one at Arrans Lake near Chelmsford. So the MK Nugget was up for grabs.
I had arranged to pick up Mick at 0600 and having sorted my gear out earlier that morning, I was a little early and we were packed and on the road. Now I don't know where you live but we have an issue with pigeons sitting in the middle of the road playing chicken. Well there is one less now, I am sorry but they are a danger to motorists and themselves. But is it Lucky?
A good run down saw us pulling into Roses Café just outside Chelmsford around 0715,where Pete and Troy were already tucking into their full English breakfasts. We ordered and sat down to see Graham, Gino and Simon had joined us.
With the lake only 10 minutes away we were soon pulling into the car park and before I had the chance to unload the car and pay my pools, I was asked to peg it. We had 23 pegs to choose from and only 19 anglers, so it was a case of which 4 we left out. Tony and Troy accompanied me on the trip round the lake and agreement was reached trying to give everyone a bit of room and a bit of bank space.
Back at the draw Mick was in early but not showing anyone until we had all drawn. My hand went in and peg 24 was to be my home. Pete had drawn 36 with Troy on 37. Mick was on 26 with Clive in between us. Dave had drawn a short walk on 20 next to the car park, Danger man Simon was on an end peg on 17, Tony on 34 could get a weight up if they showed and Terry was on end peg 40.
My section of 5 consisted of Gino, Tony W, Myself, Clive and Mick. If I was to pick up any monies I needed to beat these guys. We do not pay out overall, just sections.
My plan was to fish at 5m trying to bring the fish closer as the match wore on. I have found that by having too many lines on the go spreads the fish. Just pick a line and tactic and make it work for you. You still have to work at it, but it is better than trying everything and getting nowhere. Have belief in what you are doing. I set up 3 rigs to cover this one line, one at depth, one at halfway 18inches the other around 10 inches deep. I also set up identical rigs and stored them on winders in case of trashing one. There was not a lot of difference at top 2+1 so would just adapt as the fish came in. Bait was 3 kilos of corn and 12 pints of GOT 4mm Sinking pellets. I had as hook-baits, some Pineapple Gelled Corn and also some Stinky Stuffed corn in separate tubs. I also had some 8mm Coarse pellets if I was desperate.
At the all in I started fishing on the deck, feeding 2 handfuls of pellet and a handful of corn. I started my feeding regime of  4 grains every 20 seconds and was getting Rudd after Rudd. I was getting worried that after 15 minutes I had not had a carp, I had around 20 Rudd though for about 3lb. I decided to start upping the corn to a dozen grains and this had the desired effect. Carp to around 6lb started coming on Gelled corn and I was catching the early pace setters. After an hour I had around 5lb of Rudd and 40lb of Carp. I started getting iffy bites, the float moving from side to side, burying and nothing there, so switched to the mid depth rig and resumed catching again, I could see Mick and Clive catching well. Tony was getting a few but a lot of foul hookers, Gino was plodding along getting odd fish.
My third hour was similar to the first two, but I had to keep swapping rigs to find a run of fish with the mid depth rig being more effective. I could see Carp swirling under my feed but hooking them was hard. I had more positive indications at 18 inches. With 10 minutes left of the first half of the match( we have to weigh in mid match fishery rules) I put 4 pints of pellet in and two good handfuls of corn in to try to hold any fish before weighing in.
I thought it would be close between Mick and I during this weigh in and that proved to be the case. I placed 148lb in my four nets on the board to Mick's 131lb. However Simon on the end peg had 200lb plus and I had a lot of work to do to catch up in the second half of the match. Terry had caught well from peg 40 but both Troy and Pete had struggled, although Pete was enjoying himself catching Rudd and Roach. I was second overall at this point and knowing that the fish come on stronger as the match wears on, I was still confident of getting a few. But would it be enough.
Mick was kind enough to give me his spare corn. I had used around 2 kilos during the first three hours and was concerned that I may have to start feeding pellet more during the second part of the match. I had gone through around 6 pints during this stage and had enough pellet if I had to but, I could not turn down Micks offer. Thanks mate.
At this point I made the decision to try closer, still using the 18 inch rig and as before I was into Rudd straight away, before the carp put in an appearance. Again the Gel was working but for some reason after around 3/4 hour mark it went off and I could not get a bite on it, fish were present I could see the swirls and fish under the water. I went onto the shallow rig set at 10 inches and had a few on Stinky corn to keep the fish coming to the net, but again the fish stopped taking the bait. Onto standard corn and with 1 hour 20 minutes gone I was back in and thinking of putting a fifth net in. Another few on corn before switching to 18inches again as the fish dropped down in the water again. With an hour left I was catching well. In fact everyone seemed to be landing fish every time I looked up, Simon, Mick and Dave were all still in with a shout. In goes net number 6. I had estimated that I had 220lb at this stage plus around 14lb of Rudd.
I was now feeding around 10 grains of corn every 15 seconds and getting a response immediately, if not, out it came and went back in. I was getting fish around the 4lb mark and knew 260lb was on the cards and a possible 400lb total weight. My Rudd net had to house a couple of late fish, as I did not want to fall foul of the 50lb net limit in place. All out.

Match 1 Top 6

Simon Watkins    Peg 17    204-00

Keith Ashby         Peg 24   148-08

Dave Collier        Peg 20    136-04

Mick Wright        Peg 26    131-04

Terry Goff            Peg 40    124-08

Jim Boase            Peg 29     113-00

Match 2 Top 6

Keith Ashby            Peg 24    318-08

Simon Watkins       Peg 17    227 -00

John Holdsworth     Peg 35   215-00

Troy Hillyer            Peg 37    206-08

Mick Wright           Peg 26    194-04

Dave Collier           Peg 20    190-00

Overall Result

                               1st Keith Ashby         466-12   New Club Record

2nd Simon Watkins   431-00

3rd Dave Collier        326-04

4th Mick Wright        325-04

5th John Holdsworth 308-00

6th Troy Hillyer         273-08





Section Winners were Simon, Keith, Zack and John. Well done.


I was pleased with how I had fished, changing throughout the day both feed and rigs at what I felt was the right time and making decisions based on how fish were reacting. I did lose a lot of fish, a lot of them foul hooked but this was to be expected and a lot of others had the same problem.
I had secured the MK Nugget from the lads and now lead Mick 11-6 so happy days.

Alders Farm Pines Lake 15 07 14

Having changed shifts at work, today was the first chance I have had to wet a line since coming back from Stafford Moor. And it was on my favourite lake on the Alders Farm complex, Pines.
Mick was going to be absent today due to family commitments, so no MK Nugget to fish for.
I had practically smashed my Tourny Pro to bits at SM, so thought it was time to dig out my carp poles, A Daiwa G8 for fishing longer than 8m and a Garbolino Margin Manager, probably the strongest margin pole I have ever used, for shorter distances.
After dipping nets and getting some fishery pellets for feed along with a tube of Pineapple Gel from the on site tackle shop, I was ready, at least for a cup of tea.
With a cuppa in my hand and monies paid, I drew peg 6, a decent peg fully capable of breaking the 200lb mark.
For bait I had 2 Kilo of corn and 8 tins if needed. Some of which I "stinkyed up" and another pot of "Gelled" corn. It would be interesting to see which worked better on the day. I also had a few 8mm coarse hookers as a change bait.
I have had reasonable results fishing corn at 2+2 recently and saw no reason to change what was working. I plumbed up a line at 2+2 straight out and also to my right where I had a large tree protruding from the bank. I also set up a line 3m to my right and left where I could find a foot of water. I would feed both these lines with fishery 4mm pellets and try a grain of corn over it if I saw signs. I did not set up to fish long but could use my short rigs to cover it if needed.
At the all in I threw a dozen grains of corn onto 2+2 and a handful of pellets into each edge, I deliberately did not feed the tree as I wanted the fish in the open water swim and thought the fish would stay under the tree if I fed there(no reason to come out). Going out with a single grain of gelled corn the float buried straight away and fish number 1 was in the net, only around a pound but over the next hour I managed to land around 25 of them between a pound and two pound. All taken on the Pineapple Gel Corn. I have found that when it is like this, you need to fish them out and get to the better fish, if they come early then a big weight is on the cards but if not, they will arrive at some point in the match, just depends when. Hour two saw me continuing catching on the Gel, although I felt it was dying a little towards the end. Hour three, and Stinky Corn was catching fish of a slightly better stamp, but I was waiting longer for a bite. I was feeding regularly corn at 20 second intervals and varying the amount each time. However the float was dipping, strangely, as if they were liners, I shallowed up with various depths but still could not connect with a run of fish. Back to the bottom and I would catch a few but miss loads and talking to Charlie Lancaster after the match, he said the same. Strange. However I had around 100lb in my four nets and was ticking over.
Carl"Noddy" Williams on peg 2 was catching very well on paste, Charlie was getting a good few on peg 4 whilst Steve Dorks on 8 was also catching well on maggot. Terry was also catching a few on 16 but was bemoaning that they were small fish. Same problem I was having. Colin Spencer, complete with flip flops was emptying it on 17 fishing down the edge and Trevor Price who had abandoned his edges to fish long and up in the water was also getting a few on the maggot.
I felt I was doing ok, but needed bigger fish to compete. I could hear splashing around me and was matching them fish for fish but could not get the larger fish. Hour four and five, I came closer and snared a few 4lb fish but then again the 2lbers came in and frustrated me. It seemed the peg was stuffed with these fish and no matter how I fed or what depth I fished I could not get the missed bites to connect regularly enough. Sticking at it knowing I was going nowhere fast, I fished through to the all out.


Overall


1st Colin Spencer        441-12           Paste
2nd Carl Williams       399-04           Paste
3rd Trevor Price          374-03           Gelled Maggot
4th Steve Dorks          310-00            Maggot
5th Charlie Lancaster 303-05
6th Terry Lancaster    227-14
7th Keith Ashby         216-11


A frustrating day was had, I only lost two fish all day which was good news however those missed bites severely cost me. I had enough bites to compete, but that's fishing and not catching.
Also Colin was guilty of leaving his nets hanging on the platform. Only to return to find one in the water which he estimated had 100lb in. This net weighed 28lb. A lesson learnt. Luckily it did not cost him in the end.

Stafford Moor Friday Residents 04 07 14

With it all to play for in the league everyone was hoping for a decent draw. The match today was on Woodpecker and with 16 Anglers on it was expected to fish harder than usual, so the draw was important to those leading the league and those fighting for minor places.
However the weather may play a major part. Gone were the days of sitting in a T-shirt to be replaced with waterproofs and umbrellas for those that use them. It was raining and was planned to rain for the whole day.
My section would consist of the high numbers from 20 through to 36. Bob was on 20, Nobby 22, Fred 28, Myself on 30 (not a good draw), Cotty on 32 and Gongo on 36. We also had other residents on 26 and Joe on 34, so my work was cut out. Pegs 20,32 and 36 had been throwing up decent weights all week and the best I could achieve was probably a 4th in our league and maybe a section win by default.
I had learnt from the previous day to fish to the feed and to keep feeding and hope they turn up early as you need to keep fish coming throughout the match and not in fits and starts. I had set up a PW rod with a 4AAA Drake set 2ft deep to start off with, two bomb rods and also set the pole to fish into the corner and the pipe as a back up. Feed was 8mm coarse pellets for the bomb and PW and corn for fishing the edges.
At the all in I potted around a tin of corn over both edges and started pinging out some 8mm feed. Baiting up with a single 8mm coarse on the PW I was soon getting dips on the float but no positive takes, shallowing up saw a better reaction on the float with it burying but the wind was making it hard to keep a straight line between rod and float. Eventually I had a fish which promptly smashed me up on the take. A tale which has haunted me all week, hook a fish and get smashed. I was on the bomb sooner than I thought and after an hour I had 3 fish in the net, all about 3lb. Cotty was flying with 8 on the PW to rub salt into the wounds and Gongo was starting to nick a few on the bomb. I had a look on the pole into the corner and after 10 minutes a slight dip saw plenty of elastic coming out and a 7lb soon in the net. With no more bites I was back on the bomb. I was now fishing 10mm coarse on the hook and getting odd fish, nothing regular but managing to keep in touch with Fred on 28. Cotty was slowing down at the same time as Gongo was improving. Word was that Paul and Dave W were struggling over on there pegs in the decider to see who finishes League Champion, Danny in 3rd place prior to this match was catching as was Pedro on form peg 3. Vic was struggling for bites as was Bob on peg 20.
I decided to stick with the bomb until the last hour then have a look on the pole if the wind died down a bit. I was plugging away and with the last hour looming I reckoned on 12 fish, not enough to win but was hoping for decent section points. A look onto the pole saw a few bites on corn for 3 skimmers before I hooked another carp which decided to wrap my rig around the ropey weed in the lake and snagged me up. I ended up on the bomb for another couple of fish to end up on 15 fish.


Overall it had fished hard but it was still the form pegs coming out on top.

Woodies Section

Bob Peg 20 36-00

Nobby Peg 22 71-10

Fred Peg 28 49-13

Keith Peg 30 60-11

Cotty Peg 32 117-10

Gongo Peg 36 93-04

Pedro Peg 3 137-11

Vic Peg 6 35-04

Dave Peg 8 58-09

Paul Peg 10 63-09

Gazza Peg 12 35-09

Danny Peg 16 111-07

I managed 4th in my section and 7th overall with 60-11, Vic had a nightmare on Peg 6 ending up with 35-04 for last in section.


The league was won by Paul with 9 points from 5 matches, an excellent performance by last year's champion. Well done.

1st Paul             9pts                733-09

2nd Dave W     10pts              782-13

3rd Danny        13pts              741-11

4th Cotty          14pts              542-10

5th Pedro          15pts              533-12

6th Gongo         17pts             455-08

7th Keith           19pts             365-13

8th Bob             20pts             535-13

9th Vic             21pts              417-14

10th Nobby      22 pts             390-08

11th Fred          23pts              368-13

12th Gazza       27pts              322-08

Another excellent performance with over 6000lb caught over the week. On a personal note I think my results were fair considering I never drew a flyer all week. It shows that if you work hard for the section points then results can follow. I caught on the bomb again and learnt some more about PW fishing from some cracking anglers only to willing to teach and show you. I would like to thank all the lads for making us feel welcome and cannot wait until next year.


All I need now is a holiday to get over it.



Stafford Moor 28 06 14

The last Saturday in June was here and our holiday with the Yam Yams started with me travelling over to Vic's house to make the 4hr trip to Stafford Moor Fishery for a week of fishing, drinking, eating, fishing and even more drinking. I admit that my results at the more are not brilliant but with each time I go I tend to learn and improve, picking up new skills and tips that hopefully will stand me in good stead in the future. I had collected enough pellets for the week ahead from the lads at www.gotbaits.com and from www.bulkfishingbaits.com and would like to thank them for the speed and quality of the baits supplied. Excellent service.
With a brief breakfast stop at Taunton Deane services out of the way we were soon rolling into the car park at the Moor where we met up with a few of the other lads intent on having a practice before settling into the lodges. We had three lodges and with another group booked into Hollywood from MK and Luton area, we soon were making friends and discussing new things to think about. In fact Joe from Hollywood lodge actually works with my sister and we have met a few times at the Moor.
Vic and I settled into pegs 9 and 11 on Tanners respectively and wanted to fish the bomb. It was whilst setting up that Vic caught his leg in a gap on the platform and was lucky not to break his ankle after losing his balance, ending up with just a nasty graze on his shin. A few of the others spread themselves out around the fishery and were trying out different things.
I wanted to see if different hair lengths made a difference. I had been told that longer than normal hairs were catching on the bomb so tied a few up in readiness for the session. PR36s with a two finger hair and band set at 14inch in length. I had a selection of 1 finger hairs and some that were tied tight to the shank, I also had a few with double bands on to fish with multiple baits.
I started off on the bomb and fished to the island pinging 8mm coarse pellets regularly. I set up two bomb rods one with a longer hair whilst the other had a standard 1 finger hair. It was slow to start but eventually I started getting a few fish to 7lb on a standard hair. The longer hair produced only 2 fish during the session with more little plucks on the line rather than proper pulls. I had around 14 fish before having a look on the pole down the edge.
The pole line was set to fish down the edge towards 12 where you have an undercut bank and plenty of tree roots for the fish to escape to. Fishing corn over corn saw me catch around 6 fish before number 7 destroyed my long number 4. A quick change to a stiffer short 4 and I was still catching at the end of the session.
Vic's day was a similar story, fishing the bomb to the larger island of the two he had in front of him, he would catch a few fish before it went quiet and then another burst of fish. For those who read my Viaduct blog post you will know that he lost his £500 rod and reel when a fish pull his rod in. Guess what happened again. This time he was lucky and managed to catch it with his landing net. He is not meant to have this rod and reel.
The key was to keep feeding during these quiet spells and not slacken off. Vic also had a go on the pole at around 5m with corn where he had a few skimmers and odd carp.
After meeting up with the rest of the lads who by now had nearly all turned up, we were placed in Cedar Lodge for the next week with Gazza and Pedro. It was good to catch up and to be honest it seemed as if we were never away from the place. The craic was still there and with the Yam Yams in "holiday " mode the drinking soon started.

Stafford Moor 03 07 14 Yam Yam League Day 4

After an enjoyable days fishing yesterday on Peg 18 Tanners, I was looking forward to a day on Woodies and the draw bag was kind to me with Peg 24. It had been fairly consistent throughout the week, not winning much but everyone having 80lb plus from it.
Vic had drawn a good peg on peg 3, with Nobby on 4, Gongo on 8 with joint leader Dave on 16. Danny was on 20 where he had 200+ from during the week. Joe from Hollywood was pleasure fishing peg 28 with a few others in the bay.
Tanners saw Cotty and Fred on 9 and 11, whilst  Gazza and Pedro were on 25 and 27 respectively, leaving pegs 34 and 36 to Bob and Paul (does he ever draw a bag peg).
It was another nice sunny day, although the wind was blowing into my face again, making feeding pellet impossible tight across, so I settled on a line 2/3rds across to the island. I could reach it with a 4AAA Drake waggler and the bomb so started off on the waggler feeding 6 pellets everyone 15 seconds. However the wind was making it hard work to control the bow in the line. A switch to the bomb after 45 minutes saw my first fish come to double 8mm elites. A few more fish averaging 6lb apiece followed in the next two hours. I could see Dave catching well fishing across to the island point. Danny was getting a few on 20 as was Gongo and Vic. I was a few fish off the pace but after 3 hours and a switch to a single 10mm coarse on the hook I was getting a couple of decent stamp fish. Not regular but every 15 minutes the tip would go round. The wind was getting stronger and my feed was getting closer to me and by adjusting to the feed I was able to keep in touch with fish.
After 6 hours I reckoned on over a ton in the net and was happy with my days work. I had adjusted to conditions and swapped baits consistently to keep fish coming.

Tanners Section

Cotty  Peg 9 98-12

Fred Peg 11 95-12

Pedro Peg 27 13-06

Gazza Peg 25 88-15

Bob Peg 34 150-04

Paul Peg 36 209-09

Woodies Section

Vic Peg 3 164-11

Nobby Peg 4 91-05

Gongo Peg 8 113-05

Dave Peg 16 196-13

Danny Peg 20 110-07

Keith Peg 24 120-11

I was happy with another 3rd in section. Dave and Paul were dominating the league with only weight being a decider going into the final day. Vic had overtaken me in the league on weight as we were tied on points, having had another good day on both bomb and waggler.



Stafford Moor 02 07 14 Yam Yam League Day 3

Day 3 of the Yam Yam League saw us all fish the Open and as luck would have it we had 6 anglers on each lake so Yam Yam sections were easily sorted. I was on Tanners again on 18. Great peg with the wind blowing in. Chuck to the aerator and to the island and pole down the edges. However the wind was going in to start but turned around mid-match and was blowing out towards the end of the match.
Dave was on peg 3 again and bemoaning his luck, Danny had drawn my peg 9 with Fred on 11, Gazza was on peg 30 with Nobby having another go on peg 36. Surely he would catch a ton off it this time. Joe from the Hollywood lodge was on peg 27 and was hopeful of a few on the waggler.
Woodies saw Bob on 20, Gongo on 32 Paul on 26 and Vic in the middle of the bay on 34. Cotty had drawn peg 10 with Pedro on 28.
Again two bomb rods and a PW rod to fish the point of the island and aerator swims and two pole rigs to fish the edges both at 5m to my left and right. The right hand edge being awkward in the fact you cannot get close to the bank, but had plenty of cover in the shape of a large Jurassic plant. These plants have huge stalks with spikes on them making them ideal cutting tools for a hooked fish.
Bait was again pellets in various sizes and colours and corn for both edges.
At the all in I potted a full pot of corn to my right and half a cup to my left. Started pinging a few 8mm coarse pellets over to the aerator and island. Starting off on the PW I had my fish fish around 3lb from the aerator. Happy days, my first SM fish on the waggler, however it was short lived and I resorted to the bomb in an attempt to get a few bites, although I was suffering a lot of liners and no proper takes. A move to the island saw a couple of 2lb fish.
I noticed a swirl down the right hand edge and decided to have a look. After 5 minutes the float dipped and fish number 4 was in the net. A good fish at 5lb, although it was struggle to get away from the plant. A couple more followed although smaller but regardless of size where still smashing me up. I decided to try the left hand edge and again after 5 minutes the float buried and another fish was in. I was slowly building a weight and although knew I would not win the match was confident of having a days fishing. I was just happy getting a few fish on the pole.
I knew I did not have many fish present but it was important to keep the feed going in and getting a fish before trying the PW or bomb again for 1/2 hour at a time. I kept to this strategy and although I was only picking up odd small carp on the bomb, I was getting a 7lb fish in the left hand margin after a rest.
I could see Danny and Joe catching on the waggler, as they are quite distinct in their style of playing a fish, standing up as they think they get a better angle on the fish. Another tip gained and another lesson. In fact the floats I was using on the PW were obtained from Joe who kindly gave me one to use the previous day. I liked them so much I bought another 3 from Keith Needham whilst I was there. Word was that Dave was catching on peg 3 despite his moans and groans beforehand.
At the all out I reckoned on around 70lb and was quite pleased that they tipped the scales over to 74-12. With probably around 45lb coming from the margins and near 30lb of 2lbers from the island.
Word was filtering through that Vic was doing well on the waggler, a method neither of us are proficient in but still learning. I was really pleased for him after two poor days.

Tanners Section

Dave Peg 3 202-03

Danny Peg 9 105-12

Fred Peg 11 62-02

Keith Peg 18 74-12

Gazza Peg 30 26-12

Nobby Peg 36 74-11

Woodies Section

Bob Peg 20 56-09

Gongo Peg 32 56-11

Paul Peg 26 72-10

Vic Peg 34 152-08

Cotty Peg 10 62-02

Pedro Peg 28 76-03

Dave managed a good match finishing 2nd in the match overall behind a weight of 216 from 34 Tanners. Vic secured the lake win on Woodies and his confidence was high.

In the league Dave was now tied on 5points with Paul with Danny just a point behind. I was now on 12 points with Vic on 13 to lie mid table.



Stafford Moor 01 07 14 Yam Yam League Day 2

Having achieved the best result I thought I could on Monday, Tuesday came with renewed vigour. I had drawn peg 9 on Tanners with Gongo next door on 11. League leader Dave had drawn Peg 3. Cotty on 25, Pedro 35 and Nobby on 36. I was hopeful of a few fish, as Vic had around 70lb from it on our practice day. I was only going to fish the bomb and set up the mandatory two with different hair lengths. One long, one short.
I targeted an area around 10ft from the island allowing me the option of going tight if needed, although I would need to feed elites to get the distance if I needed the extra distance. The wind had got up and was blowing towards me and left to right causing a few problems with feeding but as long as I could keep it relatively tight I was hoping for a few fish.
Indeed, after 10 minutes the tip goes round and a nice fish around 5lb comes to the waiting landing net. Then nothing, a few liners followed so I tried to come a little shorter with no response. Gongo was foul hooking a few fish and was managing to land them, I even suggested that he keep a net solely for foul hookers, he was getting that many. I was down 4-1 to Gongo before a run of fish on the line tight to the island brought me back into it. I could see all those on the far bank catching and Dave on peg 3 was netting a few on the waggler.
Paul had drawn peg 20 on Woodies and was catching on the waggler over to the stumps as he had the wind now behind him, Danny was doing well from 28 again on the waggler tight across. The bay pegs on Woodies were catching with Bob and Fred fighting it out. Vic was struggling though on peg 32, with the wind blowing away from him.
I kept plugging away on the bomb, catching odd fish with no regularity, in hindsight I think I fished too far out to start and should have fished a more comfortable half distance. Gongo was only fishing around 25m into open water and was getting bites and plenty of liners indicating a fish presence, whilst I would only get a bite from tight across after ignoring the small plucks on the tip.
I ended the match with 12 fish and not a good day expecting to end up last in section. Gongo had 14 fish, 4 of which were foul hooked. At least mine were hooked in the mouth.

Tanners Section

Dave Peg 3 93-04

Keith Peg 9 61-09

Gongo Peg 11 71-4

Cotty Peg 25 131-06

Pedro Peg 35 174-04

Nobby Peg 36 61-00

Woodies Section

Paul Peg 20 214-01

Gazza Peg 24 90-12

Danny Peg 28 191-01

Vic Peg 32 28-04

Bob Peg 34 128-03

Fred Peg 36 119-08

Woodies Has definitely fished better over the last few days, especially to those fishing the waggler, although certain pegs have been consistent. Peg 3 on Tanners caught today where it struggled on Monday. Perhaps it was because you had more room. The surprise was that Nobby struggled on peg 36 Tanners. However Paul was now leading the League with a maximum 2 points. I was on 9pts after a fourth and fifth in section. Vic unfortunately was last with two sixth place section results.

Stafford Moor 30 06 14 Yam Yam League Day 1

The Yam Yam League gets underway today and everybody was looking forward to a good days fishing. We had 6 pegs on Tanners and 6 on Woodies to fish and after yesterdays Open hopes were high. I had drawn peg 1 on Tanners with Vic on 3, Fred on 5. Nobby on 25, Gongo on 35 and Paul on 36. Realistically I was hoping for 4th in section considering the far bank pegs are a lot better than the lawns. Peg 5 could throw up a weight but our pegs are not the best.
My peg looks great but is awkward to fish as you are boxed in a little and restricted on where you can get to. Also there is a steep slope to contend with leading upto the bank. Again I set up the standard two bomb rods and a PW rod this time on 6lb line, to see if it would stop the breakages I was getting.
Bait was the same as yesterday, 8mm and 10mm coarse pellet, 8mm elites and 8 and 10mm Jupiters.
Starting off on the waggler across towards the Jurassic plant on the spit between Tanners and Beatties, I was getting odd bites but missing them, this continues for around 45 minutes before I connected with a fish and slowly managed to play the fish to the area under the rod tip before the line broke again above the float. I was not happy and threw the rod up the bank. I would now fish the bomb for the remainder of the match.
I managed a couple of fish before it went quiet and with Vic still biteless, and Fred losing a few fish I was just leading the lawns. Changing hook lengths to a longer hair definitely worked as I was getting a couple of fish on an 8mm elite but was having to ignore the small indications and wait for it to wrap round.
Fred was now landing a few fish on the bomb and Vic was getting a couple fishing tight to the island on 3. Paul on 36 was emptying it and Gongo was getting his fair share. Nobby was getting a few fish but was also losing a few on 25. However, our lawns mini section was fishing hard. None of us were getting many bites and it was a case of sit, keep pinging and wait. At the all out I thought it would be close between the 3 of us, but it was all about section points and finishing in the best position possible.
I was first to weigh and tipped 42-08 on the scales, Vic followed with 37-03 and I managed to pip Fred with 42-04 to secure my target finish of 4th minimum. As expected the far bank pegs produced well with Nobby weighing in 91-14, Gongo 118-14 and Paul winning the lake with 173-12 and maximum section points.
Woodies had fished well with Dave winning the lake with 230-00 on peg 36, Danny pushing him all the way with 223-00 on my peg from yesterday 20, Bob had 164-13 to secure 3rd Cotty having 132-12 to pip Pedro 132-09 with Gazza bringing up the rear with 80-08 from 28.

Stafford Moor 29 06 14 Open

After our practice session, we were thrown in at the deep end and straight into the open on the Sunday. This match does not count towards the League. We had found that a 10mm GOT Jupiter worked over 8mm feed with a 1 finger hair. But the 2 finger hair could not be discounted especially with 8mm single or double hook-baits. So again I would set up two bomb rods, one with a short hair the other, a longer version. I would also set up a PW rod set to 2ft to start with.
As the Open anglers slowly gathered around the lodge all expectations were on who would get the 36 pegs on both Tanners and Woodpecker. Both flyers and pegs that you can get a decent weight from on both waggler and bomb. After paying my pools I drew peg 20 on Woodies, I had never fished it before but was told it was a good peg. However on arriving at my peg, the wind was blowing into me, and I could not get across to the island with a waggler, I would cast it out and it would always fall short. So decided to fish it three quarters across, where I could feed comfortably. I also set a pole up to fish down the side at 5m and 12m into peg 19.
Bait was 8mm and 10mm coarse pellet, 8 and 10mm GOT Jupiters, some 8mm Elites and a couple of tins of corn for the pole. I also had a pot of GOT Gel to try.
Vic had drawn Tanners peg 30 and would also be fishing a similar match. For company on Woodies I had Danny on peg 16, moaning about a poor draw, Nobby had drawn the swivel peg 10 on Woodies and would fish the pole. Paul had secured peg 36 on Tanners and was beaming like a Cheshire cat. Fred drew next to Vic.
As the match started I fed my pole lines and started pinging 3/4 across to the island, slinging the PW across trying to make a double plop of the float and pellet. My technique is not good I am still learning but occasionally it would work and after a twitch the float would go under. However after five hooked fish and five lost fish I thought I need to beef up my tackle to stand a chance. Something I would need to chat with the lads after the match. I went out on the bomb over the same line and started getting a few fish, albeit only small fish around 3lb but it was not prolific. Danny on 16 was catching well on the tree that sticks out.
I had a look on the pole at 5m and caught a couple of skimmers and odd carp, but again they were only small carp. Back onto the bomb and another couple of fish followed but I knew I was not doing the peg justice. I was swapping hooklengths around and none worked any better than the next. It was a case of just plugging away until the end of the match.
At the all out I reckoned on 60lb in the net 19 small carp and a few silvers. Danny had bagged all match and would win the match with 213lb of PW caught fish. Paul had also won his lake on Tanners 36 with 173lb. Vic had thrown back around 35lb of fish as had Fred. Nobby weighed in 59lb from the swivel peg 10.