Pleasure Day Grendon Lakes Ellies 28.06.2019

One of the reasons I go fishing is to fish different venues, venues I would never normally fish. Sometimes they are large expanses of water like Meadowlands or Black Horse, other times smaller lakes like Tofts or the strip lakes at Linford. Mick chose today's venue, Ellie's Lake at Grendon Fishery in Northamptonshire. We had fished the complex of seven lakes about 5 years ago and we both suffered a blank in winter. Mick has been back a couple of times since and revealed a lake with a good head of Bream and Tench, and they grew big. Bream to 12lb and Tench 8lb plus.
Meeting Mick at his house we travelled in our own cars to the venue.Mick had already obtained the padlock number from the bailiff and we were there. Ellie's lake is the first lake you reach on the left hand side before the main gates. It is a dog legged lake which has approximately 6 or 7 pegs on it, a mixture of hard standing and natural pegs. Reed lined and with a good depth. Fishing is only from one bank.
We settled into the second and third pegs and parked behind them. unloading the car I could see how clear the water was. Looking out to top three, not only could you see the bottom, you could see where the drop off was.Although my main line of attack would be the pole I also set up a feeder rod, just to kick start the session.

At the start I went out on the feeder approximately 2/3rds of the way across the lake, A couple of small indications but nothing after 20 minutes. Mick had started on the pole and was in straight away after scattering his feed pellets in a rather large area, his first fish being a bream of 6.5lb.

I had fed 4 balls of groundbait onto a line line at 9m. I had a good depth, just under a top kit and with a light right to left breeze, I could hold it still quite easily by going 3 inches over depth. Arming the hook with a grain of corn, I got my first bite after 5 minutes. Unfortunately this came off, checked my hook and looked good. Back out and my float went again, a good solid bite, this time I made no mistake and my first Ellie's Bream was in the net. Another fish of 6.5lb to match Mick's earlier fish.

After an hour I had that single Bream and a Tench around 4lb and lost another couple of Bream.
Mick was catching odd fish and catching on an 8mm Robin Red pellet over his 4mm sinking feed pellet,  neither of us were in bagging mode, fishing of this type rarely is. We are talking big fish, gin clear conditions and foul hooked fish definitely spook any remaining fish in your peg.A couple of hours followed where all I could muster was a few Rudd.
I had all of my fish over my groundbait whereas Mick's fish were coming from a large area of his peg. I started another line at 11m and started feeding pellets, it was working for Mick and was worth a go.

The difference in depth was quite large so I added a length of line allowing for some to be spare and keeping the pole tip away from the float. Due to the clear water it was possible the fish could see the pole tip.
After 10 minutes of feeding and fishing I had my second Bream on a 6mm banded pellet. By chopping and changing baits I managed another couple of Bream, all of them between 6 and 7lb. Another Tench around 5lb finished my day.

As I said earlier bites were at a premium yet worth it as you always felt there was a proper fish on the end of it. My total of 5 Bream, Two Tench and a few Rudd, could have been more as I lost 5 Bream. Mick ended up with 8 Bream, a small Tench and a micro Perch.
I will definitely be going back, as apart from there being a little noise from strimming the grass and mowing the lawns on the caravan/campsite it was peaceful and no-one else around. Peace and Quiet Reign.

Marsh AC Alders Farm Ash Lake 22.06.2019

It has been a busy month for both Mick and I, travelling to Hartleylands Farm and Todber Manor for a week away with the lads, highly recommended, and a local match at Alders Farm.
Now I am first to admit I like Alders Farm and have over the years spent a lot of time there, fishing the midweek opens and guesting on various leagues if time allows. So a match on Ash should be right up my street, but looking back through the blog reports I have not been there since early April, a long time in the fishing world. Mick was in the same boat so the MK Nugget should be interesting. Mick was leading 7-3 going into today, but the sun was out and not a ripple to be seen. Could be good all round or the kiss of death.
Arriving at the fishery I was surprised by the amount of cars by the shop, everyone getting in early for breakfast. The Alders Farm breakfast is right up there with the best we have, good clean surroundings, smiling faces and plenty of scrag to get you through the day. I was asked to place the pegs into the tin and with 17 anglers, mostly members plus a few guests in worked out to leave a few of the lesser pegs out and give everyone a bit of room.

Dave started taking the pools money and I took the names and peg numbers, second or third name in and Mick is grinning like a Cheshire cat, peg 30, probably the most consistent peg on the lake. I do not know how he does it.
I was left with peg 20, which I was quite happy with, plenty of room, as no one on 19. Peg 18 was home to Tony Roberts, Clive was on 21 but was planning to fish around and in the fallen tree.
My highlight of the day was whilst talking to the Tony about life in general a Red Admiral butterfly settled onto my nose, strange and something that has never happened to me before.
I set up a margin rig to the right for maggot late on, a rig for fishing top three with corn on the deck, a shallow rig with a bulk to fish top two to hand with pellet, a deep 12m rig and another shallow rig for fishing long.
Fishery pellets would form the bulk of my feeding on the long lines both via a cup, toss pot or catapult. Corn by hand on top three and pots of maggots late on down the edge.
At the all in I cupped in around a quarter pot of 4mm fishery sinkers and went straight over with a 6mm banded pellet on the hook, float settles and within a minute I had my first fish around 3lb, another followed around 10 minutes later but nothing else after 30 minutes. I had started throwing a few grains of corn to top three line and went over it quite early, a couple of quick carp and after an hour I reckoned on 6 fish for around 15lb.  Clive was picking up odd fish from his open water lines rotating them to keep fish coming but they were smaller fish. I was impressed with his jungle skills today, complete with his "Tenko" hat

Tony was nicking odd fish on corn at 2 plus 2 whereas my line had dried up. I had a quick 10 minutes in the margin to my right but geese were climbing in and out disturbing it every time I had a look and no fish were forthcoming. A look shallow and pinging a few pellets I was able to slap my way to a few fish. All peas in a pod, 2.5lb to 3lb fish.
I could see Foxy catching on peg 4 and Madd was getting a few fish.

Nick Pringle had come off his long lines and was now concentrating on his short line towards peg 27. Chris T was suffering on peg 25 but soon worked out a method to eliminate foul hookers and was catching well. Both Mick on peg 30 and Pete Morton were catching well with both having over 40 fish each.

Gino had been exiled into peg 12, a good peg when the wind blows in, but even with no wind there seemed to be a lot of resident fish in the peg.

I was still getting regular bites on the shallow rig but missing a lot, regular changes to depth allowed me to keep in touch with a few fish. Each time I fed I would get a lot of fizzing in the peg, and I suspected they were skimmers up in the water, and this proved correct with a couple of fish around 12oz falling to the banded pellet.

At the all out I felt as if I had done as much as I could from the peg on the day. A ripple would have helped as I am sure fish were sometimes backing off, with a pole over their heads. I need to practice shallow fishing without the "slap" as I think this may have nicked a couple of extra fish. Clive had caught a few fish but it was hard for him down the edges. Lost fish had cost Tony and it was a case of pinch a fish from one line then move to another, rotation seemed to be the key.
Talking about Tony, He was heard to be cursing a lot during this match, missed bites, lost fish, treading on his top kits, heart going out of sync ( Beta blockers sorted it out) then losing his car keys. Jim come back soon as he needs his carer.
Overall
1st Mick Wright                153-08
2nd Pete Morton              144-00
3rd Nick Pringle               133-00
4th Phil Young                  103-04
5th Chris Thomas               93-08
6th Gino Exell                    88-08
My weight of 72-08 was nowhere near, I am getting close to where I want to be, but am thinking of going back to what I know. Decisions. We shall see. Well done to all the framers and section winners, Mark Fox, Phil Young, Chris T and Mick. Mick has now taken his lead to 8-3 and the sun had come out to play. Boy, can he draw.
All photos have been supplied by Pete Morton who took 30 minutes out of day to capture the moments possibly costing him the match win.

Todber Manor 07.06.19 - 13.06.19

Sometime last year, I was asked to plan a week away for the lads I work with and some friends I have known for over 20 years. It all started doing the trips to Ireland, fishing the Whiteacres matches when it first opened and the progressing to a week away in various parts of the country. Over that time the main core of people attending has been the same.
Obviously throughout such a long period of time things have changed, but the sense of camaraderie exists for us all. This year we had friends coming from as far away as Holland, Tiverton, Hemel Hempstead as well as Milton Keynes. Unfortunately planning so far in advance we could not all agree on the exact date as it needed to coincide with other things going on in our lives. But a date was set and this was the 7th June. Venue was to be Todber Manor fisheries near Shaftsbury, North Dorset. A mix of specimen fishing with big carp and catfish, as well as three prolific match lakes. Todber Manor has received some great reviews via social media with regular big weights from the matches and lots of good sized carp from the Specimen lakes. There are, in total around 9 lakes. 4 5 on site including a 6 peg snatch pond, ideal for beginners. A lake over the road from the complex with fish to 26lb, a couple of specimen lakes and the original Whitepost Lakes a couple of miles away.
The bonus is the accommodation is on site and this helps when planning the fishing between us. We had booked the Barn, capable of sleeping twelve people we settled on having only eight anglers as that way no one would be sharing a bed.We are friends but not that close.
Friday 7th June
My day started with an alarm clock set for 0430, I was going to travel down on my own as only three of us would make the agreed breakfast stop at Solstice Park Harvester near Amesbury, I was planning to leave around 0600 but after having a couple of cups of tea, putting the rubbish out for the bin men, loading the car with food for the week, too much fishing tackle just in case and the excitement of a week away. By 0530 I was off and making good strides past Buckingham, Bicester, Oxford and Andover. I was soon pulling into the Harvester, to be met by Derek, A good friend from Hemel who had the same idea of missing the traffic. By now it was raining and this was to be the scene for the rest of the week, rain, rain and a bit more rain. Flood warnings were issued for the local area around Todber and puddles never seemed to disappear. Pete had arrived from Tiverton for breakfast, driving past Todber Manor to get fed and watered.
With food out of the way, we drove the 40 minute journey to Todber Manor. First impressions always count and I was impressed with the layout of the buildings, with cottages of different sizes to accommodate different group sizes, a large tackle shop catering for all the well known brands and styles of fishing. Everything you needed in one place. A large car park with external toilet block with showers and washing machine facilities. The lakes on site were up a slight hill but a road takes you there, and with ample parking behind most pegs.

We booked in at the tackle shop and was asked to come back later as the Barn was not ready, we expected this so had a days pleasure fishing on Hillview Lake, each of us doing something different. Pete fishing expanders and bits of paste, Derek fishing the tip and pellet waggler to the island in front of him whilst I had a go shallow and down the margins. We all caught well, with the average carp going 2.5lb on pellets being the main catch. Good skimmers and roach were intercepting baits on the drop and it was easy to see why such large weights of silvers were to be had.

Darren had arrived from Holland via Harwich and after meeting up was getting used to fishing English style and getting the odd fish on the tip. Kris was the last to arrive and after a chat with cousin Darren and the rest of us decided on not fishing. Instead getting the key to the Barn and sorting out the sleeping arrangements.
I must admit the accommodation lived up to expectation, clean, tidy and well decorated with all mod cons and plenty of room.
So now we were up to five, kit all sorted and with a pub a few miles away it would be rude not to go out for a meal and a couple of pints. Troy and Mick would arrive on the Saturday, with Vic coming down on the Monday for a few days.
Saturday 8th June 
Saturday saw Derek, Pete and myself fish the open on Hillview and Ash Lake, whilst Darren and Kris went off to see Whitepost lakes off site. The draw was held opposite the Barn so we were able to pay our monies and then have a cup of tea in our own "home".. The pegs we drew in all honesty meant nothing to us, it was a case of see how it goes. The wind had got up and it was blowing a gale into the pegs 40 to 43 on Hillview, where we practised the day before. I had drawn peg 44 with the wind coming from right to left and it was strong. It was also raining. I did not have an island chuck either. It would be a case of short pole and the edges. Derek had drawn 61 on the same lake but could fish the pellet feeder to the island and had a couple of decent looking edges. Pete was on a different lake, Ash and was in the middle of the lake peg 67. This was a snake type lake approximately 25m across.
I set up to fish top two plus two and had a .75g rig and a 1g rig set up. Both seemed under-gunned for what I need as the wind and tow was just blowing it through the peg, holding them back and going over-depth allowed a modicum of presentation. I also set up a couple of edge rigs but felt I could not reach the area I wanted to fish and had to fish shorter than I wanted.
The guy next to me stated it was not a good area to be in when the wind was so strong, he expected 43 to do well but not mine. I started off fishing the .75g rig 3 inches over-depth with a strung out shot in the last 2ft of water, Pellet on the hook and feeding 4mm sinkers, first mistake, I had approximately 4ft of water in front of me and the rig was still pushing through, I foul hooked my first two fish after 20 minutes, a skimmer around a pound meant I had my first match fish at Todber and this was soon followed by a couple of stamp carp around 2.5lb each. These had come from the bottom of the peg and I soon realised I was feeding some 8ft away and the wind was dragging the feed away from where I thought it was going. I switched to feeding 6mms instead of 4mms and the bites were coming further up the peg.  However due to the wind I was struggling, Fishing the 1g rig helped a lot as the wind got even stronger, with a run of stamp fish and the odd silver showing. All fish taken on 6mm or 8mm pellet. I had nothing in the edges. At the weigh in I had 44lb for nowhere but I learnt a lot and although wet the Halkon Hunt clothing I bought stood up to the test well and I was completely dry inside.
Pete had enjoyed himself on Ash catching carp across on the tip and a few silvers on shorter pole lines for 69lb. Derek fished the tip to the island nearly all day with just odd looks down the edge for 110lb, again for nowhere in the match. Peg 75 on Ash won the match with 215lb and there were plenty of  100lb weights across both lakes.

Darren and Kris had fished Whitepost lakes and caught well, although they did say it was only shallow and it took a while for the fish to arrive. Troy had met up with them and now our numbers were up to 6. We went out for a meal at a different pub and a few pints before Mick arrived in the evening.
Sunday 9th June
Seven anglers and a knock up on Homeground Lake was arranged between us. The staff at Todber had agreed we could use keepnets and let us have the back bank. When we arrived there was a slight breeze blowing out of the pegs and over our shoulders, there was still a hint of rain in the air but whilst tackling up it managed to hold off. For company I had Pete on one side and Derek the other, Kris was in the middle with Troy, Mick and Darren furthest away.

Homeground has a good mix of carp and silvers with bream to 10lb plus. I set up to fish 11m allowing to go further if they backed off a bit. A line at 2+2 where there was a slight depression to the right hand side of the peg. a line at the end of my keepnet and a left hand margin swim. Bait would be pellet or corn but this time I would fish groundbait on my long pole lines. I started off fishing long at 11m with a 8mm pellet and a couple of quick stamp fish were soon in the onion sack. I started pinging a few 4mms over the top of the groundbait and tried my margin rig over the top and had another couple of fish on a 6mm pellet but the 8mm bottom attack seemed to be better.A look on the 2+2 line saw a few silvers coming but I would catch a few then carp would show up, Apparently Mick was catching one a chuck (no surprise there) but there was a separate silver pool to have a go at. I was now fishing at the end of my keepnets with an expander on the hook. I started catching a few small skimmers and then had a couple of 3lb bream, again the carp showed up and spoilt things. I could see both Pete fishing the edges and Derek switching between bomb and waggler catching well, but felt I was just in front of Pete but behind Derek Troy was catching well on the pellet waggler.
I had a go in the margins for a double figure carp but could not get into a rhythm of catching. It was always a couple of fish, move, couple of fish etc. At the end I had 76lb overall and shared the silver fish pool with Derek. Both of us having 20lb exactly of silver, whilst Pete missed out with 19lb 8oz. Mick won the knock up with 135lb and take another nugget off me. Both Troy and Derek had broken the 100lb mark for the day.
We had booked into the Crown pub for a carvery and a few pints, excellent food and company. Oh and it rained but the wind was a lot less.
Monday 10th June
Another knock up, this time on Hillview Lake. We were able to get onto the spit, this was where a lot of good weights came from on the open, the previous Saturday. Pete drew 43, Darren 44,Kris 46, Me 48, Troy 49 behind me, Mick 51 and Derek 53. All good pegs with a gap between them. Vic was arriving at some point and could fish wherever he wished between us. The weather was set for some heavy showers and little wind so would not be too bad. The HH clothing was standing up well to the constant deluges. My peg consisted of a bank of reeds stretching out to 11m before turning round the end of the spit. I planned to fish open water to start with before fishing two parts of the edge at 11m and 5m, corn on the short line with pellet long. The open water was again 11m and 5m with pellet and corn but the depth was quite different. I had 5ft at 11m and only 3ft at 5m. Kris next door got off to a flyer and I felt completely out of it, disorganised and not ready. I decided to take 5 minutes out and sort out my gear without fishing. Correctly placing rollers, keepnets and other items of tackle left me feeling in the correct frame of mind. Once this was done I was ready, it was early in the match and Kris was 10-1 up at one point, slowly I started pulling him back, fishing the long pellet line for the first three hours, I was soon back in it. Vic had arrived and had settled in between Derek and Mick who were both catching well, although as they were behind me I could not see the size of fish and likewise. I only fed these edge lines when bites slowed, but managed better fish to 8lb on the short 5m edge line on corn, but again as on previous days, you would only get a couple of fish and then need to move. At the all out I managed 160lb for the win, with Mick, Derek and Kris all having over a ton.

Darren won the Silvers pool. I also managed to win back the MK Nugget from Mick

.
With another person on board we decided on a meal out at the Crown and a few pints to celebrate the win.
Tuesday 11th June
Tuesday was a bit of a pleasure day, nothing planned but we were hoping for a session on Homeground again, chasing the double figure bream. However it was not to be, a match was booked on it and this left us with Ash or travel off site. Darren, Troy and Kris were having a family day on one of the specimen lakes. This left Mick, Derek, Pete, Vic and I on Ash lake. To be honest I just parked the car along the strip pond and settled into the nearest peg, 66. It was blowing a gale down the lake towards the end pegs where Vic and Derek had settled into. Mick had gone to the extreme other end and the sheltered flat calm water of peg 75.Pete had settled into peg 69 and whilst tackling up, his umbrella blew inside out, the heavens opened and he knew it was not meant to be, packed up and went back to the Barn and called it a day.
My peg would allow me to only fish 7m and it was deep, a good 5ft. I also could fish a 4m line and this is where I started, catching a few skimmers to start with on pellets or expanders. Carp soon moved in and with fish to around 5lb, they were good weight builders. I was feeding around 8 to 12 pellets every put in and this seemed to be working. I fed 3 balls of groundbait to 7m and fish corn over the top for a lot of small tench to a pound, strangely enough no carp.
Vic had had enough and decided on calling it a day after a few hours, not before reversing his car into Derek's when it was probably easier to drive forward. Mick was catching well on the end peg trying out different things. Derek was also in fine form fishing corn regularly and catching skimmers and tench up in the water and carp on the deck.
After a couple of hours and 60lb plus on the clicker I was done and cut short the session. A John Wayne cowboy fest was beckoning on the telly. And this left two on the lake, Mick was not far behind me, but Derek stayed on for a few more hours, still catching on the corn. Troy had managed to catch a 15lb carp from the Specimen lake, but there day was about catching up and reminiscing about times gone past.
Two steaks for £12 beckoned in the pub along with a couple of pints rounded off a good day where everything got soaked or blown around the peg.
Wednesday 12th June
Four of us were booked onto the open on the Wednesday, we were pools fodder for the locals,we knew that, but every day is different and if you can draw well, you have a chance. We all managed good pegs at the draw. Pete end peg on Ash 75, which won the previous Saturday match, Me 43, section winner on the same match, Derek 46 a 100lb weight from it during the same match and Vic 48 where I had 160lb from a couple of days earlier. The other four went off to Whitepost lakes again.

I was a little fortunate that on the Saturday open I was able to see how the section was won from my peg, the guy started off 2+2, probably due to the wind on the day. Coming closer as the day wore on and fishing the edges. So in the spirit of copying him, I set up the same. My only slight change was to start off at 3 sections for a couple of quick fish before they drifted out. a few more at 2+2 before it went quiet. The guy on peg 42 was chucking a pellet feeder to the island (I did not have that option). The young lad on peg 44, my peg from the Saturday was getting a fish a chuck fishing long into the corner. I had a few fish fishing the edge before I started foul hooking a lot of carp. I tried the edges short but could only get a bite at 11m on corn.
I was well and truly battered and my weight of 110lb was one of numerous "must try harder" weights on the lake. Peg 42 weighed 223lb to win the match, 50 fish on the pellet feeder before coming down his edge for a few fish late on. Peg 44 was second with 197lb all caught down the edge long. Vic had 153lb to win the section with Derek close by with 148lb. Pete had struggled on Ash lake for 60lb.

Troy Darren and Mick had all caught well at Whitepost and if we go back to Todber again it is definitely worth a visit. Kris needed to get home so fished a couple of hours and returned in the afternoon.
A take away and a few pints in the Barn was the general order of the day.
Thursday 13th June
Last days fishing for me, a long drive after fishing is alright if you have someone sat next to you, but when you are on your own anything can happen. Tiredness can kill. Derek Pete and I planned a silvers knock up on Homeground. The fishing was that enjoyable on the previous match that we decided carp do not count.
It was a rover on one bank and Derek and Pete both selected the end pegs 76 and 82. I went into 77 as it was near the car. Mick had decided to fish Firs lake, a small 6 peg lake rumoured to hold some good perch. Vic had driven home as he was having windows installed on the Friday and he needed to get everything ready. Darren and Troy needed to buy presents for family members and again spend some bonding time.
I set up to fish 2 plus 2 with corn over groundbait, Pellet at the end of my nets and my right hand edge where I fed heavily with groundbait. Starting off I had a couple of small 5oz skimmers fishing a size 18 hook to .13 hook length before a carp smashed me up. A new hook length .15 and another carp landed this time. Out to 2+2 and a few small tench on corn before I saw a tail in the margin.
A few minutes later a 4lb bream was in the net from the right hand edge. Another followed after another 10 minutes before it went quiet. Back to the short keepnet line and the same thing happened, a couple of small silvers then carp. Out to 2+2 again and small tench. By rotating each line i was able to keep fish coming. Carp were most definitely an issue though, I would catch a couple of silvers then carp would be caught. I was not clicking fish or weight but both Pete and Derek were. Pete ending up with 62 carp and 28lb of silvers.

Me 28lb of silvers and lots of carp but the star on the day was Derek with 235lb of carp and 49lb of silvers. We all missed out on the 10lb plus bream but hopefully it will be there when we go back.

Mick had a really enjoyable day culminating in him catching a small kitten on the pole.

Again like us he missed out on the big perch but tomorrow's another day..
Overall impressions of the holiday
I must say a big thank you to all the staff at Todber Manor Fisheries, nothing was too much trouble. The accommodation was superb for our needs and excellent in every manner. The fishing is spot on, a perfect mixture from beginners to the more serious match angler or specimen hunter, it caters for everyone.The only downside is the wind but they are planting trees to combat that for the future, so it goes to show this is a long term venture. Great vision and a lot of thought has gone into the layout of the lakes and surrounding lands.
Our friendships have been forged for many a year and these holidays cement them even further, we all have different stresses in life and its important every now and again to take time out from them.
Me and Mick have won a match each so the tally is 7-3 to Mick.
As I write this, my gear is drying out in the garden and I have been informed I am a Grandad again. Welcome to the world Emily Grace weighing in at 8lb 1oz. Mother, Son and Granddaughter all doing well.

Marsh AC Hartleylands Peartree 01.06.2019

The next instalment in the Marsh AC Calendar saw us face our longest trek for a club match, Hartleylands Farm is situated in Cranbrook, Kent. A lot of changes have taken place over the last couple of years and slowly I think the new owners are getting it right.
I arranged to pick Mick up at 5am and after reaching junction 12 of the M1 we were at a stop, slowly crawling along as Junction 11a was closed. On arrival the emergency services were busy clearing up the debris and spilt liquids across the motorway. A simple off and on the other side saw us back on track but with 20 minutes lost. The remainder of the trip was uneventful and by 7am we were pulling into the Knoxbridge cafe for a deserved full English breakfast. Simon and Gino were already there, along with a lot of other anglers fishing a charity match at Monks Lake.With our stomach's full and our throats watered we took the short trip to Hartleylands.
On arrival the biggest decision was how to peg it, odds or evens, small groups, etc. Why is this difficult?
Finally Josh," its all your fault" Donovan made the call and odds it was. Peg 15 we were told was the place to be, apparently, so Mick promptly pulls it out of the bag.A short walk and an island directly in front of him within pole range. I must admit I would have jogged to it. Don't do running!! My hand went in and peg 29, the longest walk but at least I would not be able to see Mick. I had the end of the island directly in front of me but a lot of fluff on the water which would cling to the line and clog up my rod rings eventually.

 I set up a pellet waggler to fish the island, A couple of shallow rigs, Drennan crystal dibbers to .17 size 16 banded to fish to yellow KND elastics, trying these out since snapping a couple of white hydros on my last outing. A couple of margin rigs one for 3ft to the right and another 2ft to the left. Both were MW Hi Viz Margins to .17 with a .15 Hooklength size 16 KKM.
Baitwise I had 3 pints 4mm pellets for feed, 6mm pellets for the hook fishing long. Corn to the right margin and meat to the left edge.

For company I had Reverand Tony Roberts on peg 27, 25 was empty with Mark Fox on 23, a good peg between the islands. Gino, Chris T and Simon were on the left hand side.

My match started with a couple of pouches of pellets to the edge of the island, followed by my pellet waggler, a couple of quick dips on the float which I suspected were small silvers and the fluff clinging to the line and rings saw this go up the bank after around 20 minutes. Gino next door had a couple of good fish fishing the tip, Tony had snared one on the waggler, whilst Chris T was trying to mug any of the cruising carp in his peg. Foxy further up the lake had a couple of fish shallow.

A look shallow, again, saw small dips from silvers, a look down the left meat edge saw my first carp, a ghostie around 2lb, before the silvers moved in again. A look down the right hand corn edge saw a couple of skimmers. I had to make a decision. I decided to fish slapping a shallow rig feeding a few pellets after every bite. A few good sized roach took the 6mm pellet with odd carp coming to the net. Tony had snared a carp weighing 10lb. Chris T was still mugging and slapping for odd fish., Gino's early fish had subsided with only odd fish gracing his net. Simon had managed to snap his 13m section but was still catching. John had packed up early as he had a family event to see to but had set the stall with 71lb 12oz on the scales. I was still nicking odd fish, none of which were over 2lb. A look down the margins in the last hour saw only silvers. 

At the all out Mark Fox had caught well throughout and snapping his waggler rod before the start seemed to be divine intervention, catching most of his fish slapping an 8mm pellet.

John's weight was good enough for 2nd on the day despite him finishing 2 hours early. He certainly knows how to fish floaters. Chris T took 3rd place to maintain his good form since joining the club.

Overall

1st Mark Fox                         94-08    Section

2nd John Holdsworth             71-12    Section

3rd Chris Thomas                  71-00

4th Simon Watkins                 58-00

5th Clive Pritchard                 52-12   Section

6th Josh Donovan                  48-00

7th Mick Wright                     45-08

8th Keith Ashby                     44-00

9th Tony Roberrts                  42-04

10th Terry Goff                      35-08

11th Gino Exell                      29-12

12th Jim Boase                      10-04

13th Chris Withall                    7-00

14th Rod Turner                    DNW

Another close match all around but to be honest not the weights we would have expected from the venue. I think the fish had other plans with the warm weather kicking in their hormones. Well done to all the framers and section winners. On a personal note I lost another MK Nugget by a single fish, Mick leading 6-2 now.

I have a few more days at work before we go for a week at Todber Manor, another learning curve but it is always nice to get out and about. Next match in the Marsh Calendar is Alders Farm on the 22nd of June.