The first club match of the season was set for Arrans Lake in Essex, A prolific summer venue where massive weights could be caught. However, with our club unable to manage such large weights without placing serious risks of injury, we fish the lake in the cooler month's where manageable weights are common.
I have been suffering with my eyesight over the last few months, and despite changing my glasses, nothing seems to be improving. Probably something to do with the diabetes but trying to get an appointment at the hospital is a nightmare.
I arranged to collect Mick at 0545 and with a relatively early start we made good headway to Rose's cafe on the outskirts of Chelmsford, pulling in around 0710. Gino, Simon and Kyle were already tucking into there full English Breakfasts and it was if we had only seen them last week. Pulling into the venue, we were greeted by a mix of Marsh members and a selection of guests, many of whom looking to join.
Chris and I had the honour of pegging out the lake, allowing the first four pegs for short walks, along the back bank, a couple on the opposite bank and a couple on the car park bank where we needed to peg around a few pleasure anglers.
With pools and membership monies paid for the match and year, it was onto the draw. I managed the second last block in the bag with a number 7 on it. Mick had already drawn and was a couple of pegs away on 9. A good peg where the bank sits a little further out into the lake. My peg was possibly another metre further back. I had a couple of guests either side of me, Mark on 6 with Josh on 8 and along with Tony and Mick on 5 and 9 would form the section.
 |
| Mark, a long way from the midlands |
Experience has shown me that fishing 3 to 4 sections of pole, with either corn of pellet hook-baits has worked for me. With this in mind I set my stall out to do this. I set up 5 rigs , 2 identical to fish on top three and two identical for top four. the last rig was a slapping rig. My main issue was I could not see the float bristle, I could see a blur on the end of the float but nothing else. I did not have any reading glasses with me, I have never needed them for fishing, so everything was a bit hazy. I would only see a bite if it disappeared completely, there was no way I could fish my normal lifting and dropping style properly.
I started off on the short line expecting the fish to move out as the match wore on, first couple of put in's resulted in a couple of roach followed by the first carp of the day around 2lb. By this time I was already a couple of carp behind everyone around me, I just could not see the float properly, it was just a blur.
Still plugging away, I was striking at any movement. This was not good news, but every now and again the blind squirrel will find a nut, but it never going to be enough.
I could see around the lake and both Tony and Dave in the disabled pegs, sorry short walk pegs, were catching well, Mick and Josh were nicking a few with Mick having the upper hand. Malc and Chris were also catching well. Terry was also nicking a few fish from the the left hand bank.
 |
| The disabled, short walk, bagging pegs |
I could not catch but kept putting the blurred vision into the water and throwing some pellets towards it, in the hope it disappeared.
At the all out it was a relief, I would be last or certainly close to last in the match. But lessons will have been learnt. Next match I will certainly be taking them with me.
Overall
1st Chris Guest 200.00
2nd Mick Wright 143.12
3rd Malc Doyle Guest 138.00
4th Tony Roberts 129.04
5th Terry Goff 120.08
6th Simon Watkins 105.08
 |
| The lengths some people will go to to get their face on the internet. |
My next match will be on Tuesday where I will need to try to see the float better, so reading glasses will be at the ready. Maybe then I can get back on track.
