The first match of the Marsh AC season coincided with the start of what I hope will be a glorious spring and summer. After weeks of rain, sleet, hail and temperatures not reaching double figures, the man upstairs decided we needed a bit of sun on our faces and duly delivered. Temperatures in the region of 17 degrees would see most of the anglers in T shirts.
Hartleylands Farm Nicks Lake in Kent was the venue, a lake I just cannot get on with, I think my best weight is 80lb but average must be closer to 35lb. I keep saying I am not going to take corn with me and just fish pellet or maggot but I always do and I think that's where the problem lies. The lake holds a good head of silvers and carp to double figures.
For company today, MK took five anglers, Mick, Vic, Troy and Pete, along with myself. A rather uneventful trip down saw us pull into the Knoxbridge café around 0730 for a hearty breakfast and teas. However we were not the only ones in there as most of the other Marsh AC lads where already tucking into their scoff.
A short trip to Hartleylands where club fees and pools were taken before the draw. A draw where I was hoping for a number in the 20s. However, my home was going to be peg 14. Damn!!!!. Definitely not where I wanted to be. A rather large area of water where no one seems to catch fish. Mick had drawn his usual flyer in the form of peg 18 where rushes protrude from the bank to around 4m and hold plenty of carp. In fact they were moving before he tackled up. Vic and Pete had drawn 4 and 2 respectively and could have a decent day if the fish were in the margins. Troy was on his own on the far bank but had a decent draw in peg 28. A MK Nugget was agreed by all with the winner taking all.
Arriving at Peg 14 I had John Holdsworth on 12 and Jim Boase on 16. I decided to fish at 13m in the open water with a .4g MW Power Diamond to .16 Stroft and a size 16 PR36 in 6ft of water. I also set another line at 2+2 where I had around 5ft but a shelving bottom. An identical rig was used. I also planned to fish two margins, one at 12m to the platform on 13, the other half way along the same bank. Bait was Stinky Corn, Hard pellets banded in both 6 and 8mm and a couple of bags of meat, lovingly prepared by Mick. For feed I had a couple of tins of corn, 3pts of 6mm hard coarse pellets and 3 pints of 6mm hard elite pellets.
At the all in I cupped two pots of pellets onto 13m and another half pot of corn. A pot of pellet onto the 12m margin line and fed by hand 2+2 with a few grains of corn and pellet. I decided to leave the closer margin area and would throw a pinch of pellet every 15 minutes on this line. Mick was already into his first fish before I had finished cupping in and the thought of last Tuesdays match at Alders flashed across my mind. Shipping out to 13m I was hoping the float would go under straight away, but after an hour all I had to show for my efforts was a solitary carp around 12oz and one other missed bite. A look at 2+2 saw no improvement, nor did the edges. I was going nowhere fast. Jim and John had resulted to catching small silvers which was not in my plan. Mick was still catching odd fish. I could not see Pete, Vic or Troy but it was clear the venue was fishing hard, except in the 20s where I could see Simon and Tony getting a few fish.
It was now a case of rotating my lines in the hope of a few fish, I picked a couple off 13m by fishing off my feed but the wind was picking up and I was struggling to hold the pole. A rather large lump decided to take a piece of meat on 2+2 but was soon off as the black hydro stretched and stretched until it finally bottomed out( probably a foul hooked fish) and a 3lb fish from down the edge close.
I could not get a run of fish together, I would have one then nothing for ages.
To cut a long story short, this was my match, rotate each line and hope.
John and Jim had snared a couple of carp each and had a few silvers to go with them but I was confident of beating them. Mick had fished another good match from a good peg and had beaten me before the scales had even turned up. So 6-2 it is and a bad week for me in the head to head MK Nugget stakes. Pete and Troy had both thrown back, whilst Vic was admitting to 12lb.
Overall
1st Jim Etherington 70-12 Peg 9
2nd Simon Watkins 58-08 Peg 22
3rd Al Loader 54-08 Peg 35 including a 9-08 Barbel
4th Mick Wright 51-08 Peg 18
5th Terry Goff 34 -04 Peg 37
6th Tony Watkins 34-00 Peg 6
My weight went 23-04 for nowhere, but always one to take a positive, I managed to beat both sides. Vic recorded 27-00.
Saturday, 29 March 2014
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Alders Farm Tuesday Affordable 25 03 14
After a couple of overnight frost's and plenty of showers during the days, it was nice to wake up to see the windscreen nice and clear. It was still raining though but was light and according to the local news would finish by 10am. Both Mick and I booked into the Tuesday Affordable Open, but numbers were expected to be on the low side this week, due partly to the weather and also work commitments.
I was leading Mick 6-0 going into this match and knew it was only a matter of time before the tables would turn, however I was hoping it was not going to be today.
By 9am and it still raining outside, 5 hardy souls had turned up for the draw. Charlie Lancaster, Ginger, Pete Archer, Mick and myself. We were going to the Silver lake and opted for pegs on the right hand bank and another on the dam wall. Pegs 1,3,5,7 and 26. This was mainly due to the back bank being slippery and boggy. No point struggling on a knock up is there?
I had drawn peg 1, Charlie 3 where I had won from a fortnight ago, Pete on 5 and Ginger on 7. Mick was on 26 and the pegged was deemed as a "pleasure peg" with no one close and would do well.
I decided to concentrate on what had been working for me recently. 2+2 and down both edges. I set up a MW .3 diamond on .16 Stroft to a size 16 PR36 for 2+2 and a NG Edger float for the right hand side in 18inches of water against the reeds and a NG Ghandi in a foot of water to my left against the brambles. The left hand swim would be fed with corn only whilst the right hand swim corn and fishery only 4mm pellet. The 2+2 line would be corn drip fed by hand and gauged according to bites. Bait was 3 tins of corn, a bag of fishery 4mm pellets, Stinky Corn for the hook and some 6mm GOT Expanders as a change bait.
At the all in I cupped a half pot of feed onto both margins and threw 6 grains of corn onto 2+2. Mick was already into fish, indeed he had had two fish before I had finished my baiting up. I slipped a grain of Stinky Corn on the hook and shipped out. It remained motionless. Charlie was fishing slightly longer and the result was the same, nothing. After an hour I had two small bites to show for my efforts whilst Mick was emptying it opposite. Pete had snared a couple of fish on the tip and Ginger had caught a couple of fish close in. But Charlie and I were blanking. A switch to the right hand edge saw me sae my blushes when a small pasty hooked itself. But then nothing. The left hand edge never produced a bite all day and was promptly dropped. The fish seemed happy to stay in the tree and not venture out and feed.
I was back onto 2+2 and decided to introduce a handful of pellet onto the line whilst continuing to feed corn. This seemed to have the desired effect as I started to get a few bites fishing small grains of Stinky Corn on the hook. Slowly I was starting to put a weight together. not fast but felt if I could get a few better stamp fish then I could compete. I was getting 2lb fish and although I was probably 50lb behind Mick, it seemed that I was catching on a par with him and if he stalled I could catch up. Positive thinking.
Charlie was fishing both edges and getting a few lumps but having to wait for them. However by alternating he kept putting odd fish in the sack. Pete was now fishing shallow and getting a few fish and building a weight to challenge Mick. Ginger had a few fish on the tip and was plugging away after leaving his no4 section at home limiting his options.
After 4 hours I was still just picking off odd fish from 2+2 and not getting anything from the margins, I was disappointed that they did not show down the sides as I felt I could have built a weight quicker from there. The best I could hope for was third, but Charlie was close. Mick and Pete were both catching well still with Pete gradually closing the gap. I attempted to up my feed to see if I could draw more fish into the swim but this seemed to have a detrimental effect and indeed bites slowed. I think there was not enough fish in the area to catch, quite simply and giving what fish were present more choice slowed things down.
At the all out I knew Mick had beat me but thought only Pete could push him close. It was tight between Charlie, Ginger and myself.
Overall
1st Pete Archer 181-13 Pellet shallow
2nd Mick Wright 159-00 Stinky Meat
3rd Keith Ashby 98-15 Stinky Corn
4th Charlie Lancaster 91-09 Stinky Maggot over GB and Corn otherside
5th Ginger 81-13 Unknown
Overall it was a frustrating day for me. I could not get a decent run of fish and I suspect they were just not there. As Charlie had felt the same from his long lines. Perhaps the fish were all up in the water but I must admit I had only a couple of missed bites all day. Well done to Mick 6-1 sounds better than 7-0 and with one of his favourite venues to come next in the shape of Nicks lake at Hartleylands Farm it bodes well for the future. I will be trying though.
I was leading Mick 6-0 going into this match and knew it was only a matter of time before the tables would turn, however I was hoping it was not going to be today.
By 9am and it still raining outside, 5 hardy souls had turned up for the draw. Charlie Lancaster, Ginger, Pete Archer, Mick and myself. We were going to the Silver lake and opted for pegs on the right hand bank and another on the dam wall. Pegs 1,3,5,7 and 26. This was mainly due to the back bank being slippery and boggy. No point struggling on a knock up is there?
I had drawn peg 1, Charlie 3 where I had won from a fortnight ago, Pete on 5 and Ginger on 7. Mick was on 26 and the pegged was deemed as a "pleasure peg" with no one close and would do well.
I decided to concentrate on what had been working for me recently. 2+2 and down both edges. I set up a MW .3 diamond on .16 Stroft to a size 16 PR36 for 2+2 and a NG Edger float for the right hand side in 18inches of water against the reeds and a NG Ghandi in a foot of water to my left against the brambles. The left hand swim would be fed with corn only whilst the right hand swim corn and fishery only 4mm pellet. The 2+2 line would be corn drip fed by hand and gauged according to bites. Bait was 3 tins of corn, a bag of fishery 4mm pellets, Stinky Corn for the hook and some 6mm GOT Expanders as a change bait.
At the all in I cupped a half pot of feed onto both margins and threw 6 grains of corn onto 2+2. Mick was already into fish, indeed he had had two fish before I had finished my baiting up. I slipped a grain of Stinky Corn on the hook and shipped out. It remained motionless. Charlie was fishing slightly longer and the result was the same, nothing. After an hour I had two small bites to show for my efforts whilst Mick was emptying it opposite. Pete had snared a couple of fish on the tip and Ginger had caught a couple of fish close in. But Charlie and I were blanking. A switch to the right hand edge saw me sae my blushes when a small pasty hooked itself. But then nothing. The left hand edge never produced a bite all day and was promptly dropped. The fish seemed happy to stay in the tree and not venture out and feed.
I was back onto 2+2 and decided to introduce a handful of pellet onto the line whilst continuing to feed corn. This seemed to have the desired effect as I started to get a few bites fishing small grains of Stinky Corn on the hook. Slowly I was starting to put a weight together. not fast but felt if I could get a few better stamp fish then I could compete. I was getting 2lb fish and although I was probably 50lb behind Mick, it seemed that I was catching on a par with him and if he stalled I could catch up. Positive thinking.
Charlie was fishing both edges and getting a few lumps but having to wait for them. However by alternating he kept putting odd fish in the sack. Pete was now fishing shallow and getting a few fish and building a weight to challenge Mick. Ginger had a few fish on the tip and was plugging away after leaving his no4 section at home limiting his options.
After 4 hours I was still just picking off odd fish from 2+2 and not getting anything from the margins, I was disappointed that they did not show down the sides as I felt I could have built a weight quicker from there. The best I could hope for was third, but Charlie was close. Mick and Pete were both catching well still with Pete gradually closing the gap. I attempted to up my feed to see if I could draw more fish into the swim but this seemed to have a detrimental effect and indeed bites slowed. I think there was not enough fish in the area to catch, quite simply and giving what fish were present more choice slowed things down.
At the all out I knew Mick had beat me but thought only Pete could push him close. It was tight between Charlie, Ginger and myself.
Overall
1st Pete Archer 181-13 Pellet shallow
2nd Mick Wright 159-00 Stinky Meat
3rd Keith Ashby 98-15 Stinky Corn
4th Charlie Lancaster 91-09 Stinky Maggot over GB and Corn otherside
5th Ginger 81-13 Unknown
Overall it was a frustrating day for me. I could not get a decent run of fish and I suspect they were just not there. As Charlie had felt the same from his long lines. Perhaps the fish were all up in the water but I must admit I had only a couple of missed bites all day. Well done to Mick 6-1 sounds better than 7-0 and with one of his favourite venues to come next in the shape of Nicks lake at Hartleylands Farm it bodes well for the future. I will be trying though.
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Alders Farm Affordable Open 18 03 14
A week seems a long time between matches after recent successes but work tends to get in the way. A good win on last week's affordable on the Silver Lake and another MK Nugget to take the running total to 5-0. Happy days.
Todays match was on the Match Lake and as it had fished well during the weekend we were all hopeful of a few fish. Personally I liked the look of 38 and 1. Both had good form and there was plenty of fish topping whilst we supped our teas and coffee before the draw. With money paid I dipped into the bag and out came 13. With Mick on 1, however the pegs needed to be redrawn as a couple of pleasure anglers had set up on peg 27.
Another dip in and out came peg 3, a good peg but also one Mick struggled to from earlier this year. Mick again followed me into the bag and out came 4. Another peg to peg battle loomed. Roy had drawn 1. A peg he had never fished before. Paul was opposite on 38. Trevor Price was on 32 and Madd had drawn peg 13, so it would be interesting to see how he does.
The wind was gusting today and I thought the long pole would be too much like hard work, so only set up three lines. Both margins one at 3 sections to the end of the left hand tree, the other 4 sections to just before peg 2 platform. My other line was 2+2. Bait was "Stinky Corn" and a few expanders. I also had a couple of tubs of GOT Rippers as a back up. Feed was 4mm fishery pellets and 3 tins of corn.
At the all in I threw a handful of pellets down both sides and around 10 grains of corn. I would feed these lines regularly and just have the odd look now and again. I started off at 2+2 dropping a single grain of "Stinky Corn " and throwing 4 grains around the float. With only 30 seconds of the bait hitting the water I was into my first fish. A common around 3lb. In fact during the first hour I put 15 carp into the net. Mostly around 2lb but occasionally a 3lber would show.
I was struggling to throw bait the required distance due to the wind blowing it back towards me, so decided to kinder pot some bait in to see if this made any difference. I would get a run of 3 fish before it would go quiet for 10 minutes, then another 3 fish. I tried upping the feed but this just meant foul-hooking fish. I stopped feeding for 10 minutes and did not get a bite, so I opted for little and often approach. 3 grains of corn every put in.
Mick was catching well, as was Trevor on 32 fishing a top two. Roy was quiet so I thought he must be catching and I could see Paul netting a few fish on 38. I could not see many others, so did not have an idea of how they were doing.
At the half way stage I thought I had around 30 fish for 80lb and was going along steadily. I had a couple of quick looks down both sides and caught a few 1lb fish from the right hand swim but nothing from the left. Back out to 2+2 and a few more fish from this line before it died. I tried adding another section to see if the fish had backed off and also took a section off in case they had come closer but although I was getting odd bites I was having to wait too long in between.
I was now 5 hours in and with nothing happening at 2+2 I decided to ditch this had concentrate on the right hand edge. I had got bites earlier by fishing in tight to the brambles but they were small fish. I added another 6 inches to the rig and fished around a foot off them laying a bit of line on the deck to hold the float in position. This worked well for the last hour where I put around 20 fish in the net and another 50lb. All taken on Stinky Corn.
Overall
1st Trevor Price 201-08 Peg 32 Stinky Maggot
2nd Keith Ashby 179-13 Peg 3 Stinky Corn
3rd Carpet Roy 144-02 Peg 1 Expander
4th Pawel Samojlowicz 143-00 Peg 38 Corn
5th Brian Townley 135-11 Peg 23
6th Mick Wright 125-05 Peg 4 Expander, Meat and Corn
Madd had 98-14 from peg 13. Would I have done better? who knows. We will never find out.
So another MK Nugget was promptly received by yours truly and I now lead 6-0 this season. A match second and there is no disgrace in coming second to Trevor Price. He has his methods and I have mine. Its just having confidence in what you are doing and practising and honing it until you are happy.
Todays match was on the Match Lake and as it had fished well during the weekend we were all hopeful of a few fish. Personally I liked the look of 38 and 1. Both had good form and there was plenty of fish topping whilst we supped our teas and coffee before the draw. With money paid I dipped into the bag and out came 13. With Mick on 1, however the pegs needed to be redrawn as a couple of pleasure anglers had set up on peg 27.
Another dip in and out came peg 3, a good peg but also one Mick struggled to from earlier this year. Mick again followed me into the bag and out came 4. Another peg to peg battle loomed. Roy had drawn 1. A peg he had never fished before. Paul was opposite on 38. Trevor Price was on 32 and Madd had drawn peg 13, so it would be interesting to see how he does.
The wind was gusting today and I thought the long pole would be too much like hard work, so only set up three lines. Both margins one at 3 sections to the end of the left hand tree, the other 4 sections to just before peg 2 platform. My other line was 2+2. Bait was "Stinky Corn" and a few expanders. I also had a couple of tubs of GOT Rippers as a back up. Feed was 4mm fishery pellets and 3 tins of corn.
At the all in I threw a handful of pellets down both sides and around 10 grains of corn. I would feed these lines regularly and just have the odd look now and again. I started off at 2+2 dropping a single grain of "Stinky Corn " and throwing 4 grains around the float. With only 30 seconds of the bait hitting the water I was into my first fish. A common around 3lb. In fact during the first hour I put 15 carp into the net. Mostly around 2lb but occasionally a 3lber would show.
I was struggling to throw bait the required distance due to the wind blowing it back towards me, so decided to kinder pot some bait in to see if this made any difference. I would get a run of 3 fish before it would go quiet for 10 minutes, then another 3 fish. I tried upping the feed but this just meant foul-hooking fish. I stopped feeding for 10 minutes and did not get a bite, so I opted for little and often approach. 3 grains of corn every put in.
Mick was catching well, as was Trevor on 32 fishing a top two. Roy was quiet so I thought he must be catching and I could see Paul netting a few fish on 38. I could not see many others, so did not have an idea of how they were doing.
At the half way stage I thought I had around 30 fish for 80lb and was going along steadily. I had a couple of quick looks down both sides and caught a few 1lb fish from the right hand swim but nothing from the left. Back out to 2+2 and a few more fish from this line before it died. I tried adding another section to see if the fish had backed off and also took a section off in case they had come closer but although I was getting odd bites I was having to wait too long in between.
I was now 5 hours in and with nothing happening at 2+2 I decided to ditch this had concentrate on the right hand edge. I had got bites earlier by fishing in tight to the brambles but they were small fish. I added another 6 inches to the rig and fished around a foot off them laying a bit of line on the deck to hold the float in position. This worked well for the last hour where I put around 20 fish in the net and another 50lb. All taken on Stinky Corn.
Overall
1st Trevor Price 201-08 Peg 32 Stinky Maggot
2nd Keith Ashby 179-13 Peg 3 Stinky Corn
3rd Carpet Roy 144-02 Peg 1 Expander
4th Pawel Samojlowicz 143-00 Peg 38 Corn
5th Brian Townley 135-11 Peg 23
6th Mick Wright 125-05 Peg 4 Expander, Meat and Corn
Madd had 98-14 from peg 13. Would I have done better? who knows. We will never find out.
So another MK Nugget was promptly received by yours truly and I now lead 6-0 this season. A match second and there is no disgrace in coming second to Trevor Price. He has his methods and I have mine. Its just having confidence in what you are doing and practising and honing it until you are happy.
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Alders Farm Tuesday Open 11 03 14
With a week off from fishing due to having to work in Newcastle last week. I was really looking forward to this match. The wind and rain had all stopped and driving to the fishery it was a pleasant 5 degrees rising to about 11 during the day. And to make things even better it was going to be on the Silver Lake.
For company we had 10 other willing anglers including Mick who being 4-0 down was determined to start putting the record straight. After stocking up on some fishery 6mm pellets it was down to the café and the all important draw. Mick had decided to go into the bucket after me, hoping to change his luck. This tactic seemed to work as I pulled out peg 3 and Mick drew 15. The same peg he had his personal best weight of 279lb from last year.
I had Lee Cox on peg 1, Charlie Lancaster on 5 and Warren Downing on peg 31 in our corner of the lake. Polish Paul was on 26 with Gary Page on 21 and Vic Nugent on 19. Del Smith had pulled out peg 16 and was hoping the fish would come down the kerb. Trevor Price was peg 13 with Carpet Roy on 9. Madd was on peg 8 with John Price on 6 finishing off the pegging.
I opted to fish 4 lines today. One at 10m with corn over pellet. one at 2+2 with corn over corn. A line to my right in a 18inches of water and a line to my left in a foot of water. These were really just lines to have 10 minutes on if I was struggling. Feed was either 6mm pellet or corn dependant on the swim. Hook-baits were 6mm Expanders, stinky corn or glugged corn.
Starting off at 10m I cupped in a pot of 6mm fishery pellets followed by my rig. A MW.3g diamond dotted down to .16 Stroft and a size 16 PR36. I set this up onto black hydro. In the first 10minutes I had one bite which was a common around 4lb. A nice start. A couple of missed bites and an inch off the depth. Another 4lber in the net followed. I had been feeding 3 or 4 grains of corn every minute and decided to have a look half hour in. First put in a carp around 6lb but nothing followed. I re-fed the line at 10m and had a look down both edges. I was now back out to 10m and another couple of carp. With an hour gone I reckoned on 5 fish for 20lb.
I decided to have another look at 2+2 and a run of fish put another 20lb in the net before going quiet. I persevered on this line for an hour and was getting fish but had to wait and move the bait around. I would catch a couple of fish on glugged corn before it would die. A switch to the stinky corn and another couple of fish. Expanders caught me one fish all day.
I was now three hours in and reckoned on around 80lb. Word was that a few people were catching. Warren was getting a few down the edge but they were small, Lee was getting a couple of fish before having to switch lines to keep his fish coming. Charlie had been fishing long but was doing ok but I thought I was just in front due to the size of my fish. Paul had a few fish on the method before moving onto the pole. I could not see anyone else doing well on my bank so thought it best to just get my head down.
Hours four and five were probably my best in regard to catch rate however the fish were getting smaller at around 2-3lb. I was still building weight but getting more bites so one off set the other. Going into the last hour Lee and Charlie were catching well and I thought it was going to be close. Vic and Gary opposite were getting a few as was Del. My fish were getting smaller and by the end I was on pound fish and the bites were drying up.
I was happy with how I fished today, my tactics had worked and for once got the feeding right on the day. I only lost one hooklength and never trashed a rig. I also managed to take another MK Nugget off Mick to make it 5-0.
Overall
1st Keith Ashby 187-14
2nd Trevor Price 166-12
3rd Phil Young 139-06
4th Vic Nugent 123-12
5th Charlie Lancaster 123-06
6th Del Smith 118-13
My next match is next Tuesday again at Alders Farm before starting to venture further afield with Marsh AC and the start of our club season.
For company we had 10 other willing anglers including Mick who being 4-0 down was determined to start putting the record straight. After stocking up on some fishery 6mm pellets it was down to the café and the all important draw. Mick had decided to go into the bucket after me, hoping to change his luck. This tactic seemed to work as I pulled out peg 3 and Mick drew 15. The same peg he had his personal best weight of 279lb from last year.
I had Lee Cox on peg 1, Charlie Lancaster on 5 and Warren Downing on peg 31 in our corner of the lake. Polish Paul was on 26 with Gary Page on 21 and Vic Nugent on 19. Del Smith had pulled out peg 16 and was hoping the fish would come down the kerb. Trevor Price was peg 13 with Carpet Roy on 9. Madd was on peg 8 with John Price on 6 finishing off the pegging.
I opted to fish 4 lines today. One at 10m with corn over pellet. one at 2+2 with corn over corn. A line to my right in a 18inches of water and a line to my left in a foot of water. These were really just lines to have 10 minutes on if I was struggling. Feed was either 6mm pellet or corn dependant on the swim. Hook-baits were 6mm Expanders, stinky corn or glugged corn.
Starting off at 10m I cupped in a pot of 6mm fishery pellets followed by my rig. A MW.3g diamond dotted down to .16 Stroft and a size 16 PR36. I set this up onto black hydro. In the first 10minutes I had one bite which was a common around 4lb. A nice start. A couple of missed bites and an inch off the depth. Another 4lber in the net followed. I had been feeding 3 or 4 grains of corn every minute and decided to have a look half hour in. First put in a carp around 6lb but nothing followed. I re-fed the line at 10m and had a look down both edges. I was now back out to 10m and another couple of carp. With an hour gone I reckoned on 5 fish for 20lb.
I decided to have another look at 2+2 and a run of fish put another 20lb in the net before going quiet. I persevered on this line for an hour and was getting fish but had to wait and move the bait around. I would catch a couple of fish on glugged corn before it would die. A switch to the stinky corn and another couple of fish. Expanders caught me one fish all day.
I was now three hours in and reckoned on around 80lb. Word was that a few people were catching. Warren was getting a few down the edge but they were small, Lee was getting a couple of fish before having to switch lines to keep his fish coming. Charlie had been fishing long but was doing ok but I thought I was just in front due to the size of my fish. Paul had a few fish on the method before moving onto the pole. I could not see anyone else doing well on my bank so thought it best to just get my head down.
Hours four and five were probably my best in regard to catch rate however the fish were getting smaller at around 2-3lb. I was still building weight but getting more bites so one off set the other. Going into the last hour Lee and Charlie were catching well and I thought it was going to be close. Vic and Gary opposite were getting a few as was Del. My fish were getting smaller and by the end I was on pound fish and the bites were drying up.
I was happy with how I fished today, my tactics had worked and for once got the feeding right on the day. I only lost one hooklength and never trashed a rig. I also managed to take another MK Nugget off Mick to make it 5-0.
Overall
1st Keith Ashby 187-14
2nd Trevor Price 166-12
3rd Phil Young 139-06
4th Vic Nugent 123-12
5th Charlie Lancaster 123-06
6th Del Smith 118-13
My next match is next Tuesday again at Alders Farm before starting to venture further afield with Marsh AC and the start of our club season.
Monday, 3 March 2014
Alders Farm Match Lake 02 03 14
The weather seems to be playing havoc with a lot of fisheries up and down the country of late. One minute venues are fishing well, then the next below par. I suppose when the weather is consistent we have consistent fishing but because its it is changing one day to the next, so does the fishing.
I had booked into the Sunday Open at Alders Farm and with a healthy turnout expected I was looking forward to it. Mick had decided to fish a rare weekend match so at least the MK Nugget was back on. I was leading 3-0 so far, and Mick was saying he has never gone 4-0 behind. Time would tell.
After dipping my nets and grabbing a bag of fishery micro pellets I loaded the barrow and strolled down to the café for the draw. With monies paid and a cup of tea in hand I followed Mick into the draw bag. He had drawn peg 5 a good peg and one that he could do well from. My hand stuck to peg 4, another good peg which had a bit of form and on its day could win the match. I had for company Warren Downing on peg 3 and Josh Blavins on 2, both could do some damage. Matt Grant was on 38, a peg which has not been fished for a while, whilst Steve Potter was on 32 another of the form pegs. Terry Lancaster was getting his mail directed to peg 28, he seems to have been on this pegs for as long as he has had grey hair. Others worth noting were Martin Greene on peg 19, Richard Brain on 21 and Carpet Roy on 16.
I set up three pole rigs today, 1 for fishing 12.5m with corn in 3ft of water, a MW.4g diamond to .17 Colmic Stream, .15 hook-length to a size 16PR36. The second swim was at 7m with a similar set up to 12.5. I also set up a margin rig with a NG Ghandi to fish in a foot of water, but did not expect to use it as the water was relatively clear, but if I saw a sign would have a look.
Bait was corn treated with stinky stuff original, some standard corn for feed, a bag of fishery micros and some pumped expanders for the hook and occasional feed. I also had a tub of GOT Rippers and some glugged corn as a change bait.
At the all in, I cupped in a pot of micros with around 20 grains of corn onto 12.5 and another pot at 7m. I threw some corn down the edge.
Starting off at 12.5m I would like to say it was a bite every put in, but alas it was not. It took 45 minutes to get my first bite on expander. A small Rudd around 2oz. Another 30 minutes passed before bite number two and his brother must have taken the long way round to find him. I was switching baits in the attempt to find one that would give me more bites and it seemed that glugged corn was doing the trick. I started getting a few carp and by 12.30 I had put 4 in the net. Mick was struggling as was Josh and Warren, although the latter had snared a double figure carp on the tip. Matt Grant was getting a few on 38, along with lads on the far bank over to the island, elsewhere it was very quiet.
The wind was now increasing and I found that by laying on around 6inches I was able to hold the float relatively steady, however it was gusting and every now and again blew the pole round to the right.
Unfortunately as I was laying on, I was also getting a few foul hookers and the disturbance would kill the swim for around 10 minutes afterwards. I was still getting a few positive bites and landing a few fish but was going nowhere fast. I had a look on the 7m line for around 10 minutes but without a bite was soon back out to 12.5. Josh and Warren were now catching a few carp, having fed heavier. I started to up the feed but I was still having to wait for a bite. Some of the bites were minute. I had to have a bite of bristle showing and could not dimple it down due to the wind, and maybe I was missing a few bites because of this.
I had changed my focus, instead of thinking of a section win or even the match win, I focused on beating Mick and sticking another nugget in my back pocket. We were quite close, and although I thought I would sneak it was still not 100% sure going into the last hour. I had reverted back to fishing dead depth despite the wind, to try to cut out the foul hookers, this seemed to work as I managed another 4 fish in this last hour to Mick's two.
At the all out I felt like I had been beaten up by the conditions, my arms felt like Popeye's and my back was aching. But It was all worth it as my 40lb beat Mick's 26lb and another MK Nugget was heading my way. Elsewhere there were plenty of 50lb weights and everyone seemed to be of the same opinion that it had fished below par. I think the wind had played a major role with not being able to present the bait correctly. I also think I should have fished more positively from the off.
Overall
1st Matt Grant 92-74 Peg 38
2nd Martin Greene 81-65 Peg 19
3rd Josh Blavins 66-26 Peg 2
4th Steve Potter 65-12 Peg 32
5th Del Smith 64-24 Peg 34
6th Warren Downing 63-75 Peg 3
Apologies for what seems strange weights but the ounces column is a percentage of a pound, due to the scales used on the day. .50 is half a pound so 8oz. .25 is a quarter of a pound hence 4oz etc.
I had booked into the Sunday Open at Alders Farm and with a healthy turnout expected I was looking forward to it. Mick had decided to fish a rare weekend match so at least the MK Nugget was back on. I was leading 3-0 so far, and Mick was saying he has never gone 4-0 behind. Time would tell.
After dipping my nets and grabbing a bag of fishery micro pellets I loaded the barrow and strolled down to the café for the draw. With monies paid and a cup of tea in hand I followed Mick into the draw bag. He had drawn peg 5 a good peg and one that he could do well from. My hand stuck to peg 4, another good peg which had a bit of form and on its day could win the match. I had for company Warren Downing on peg 3 and Josh Blavins on 2, both could do some damage. Matt Grant was on 38, a peg which has not been fished for a while, whilst Steve Potter was on 32 another of the form pegs. Terry Lancaster was getting his mail directed to peg 28, he seems to have been on this pegs for as long as he has had grey hair. Others worth noting were Martin Greene on peg 19, Richard Brain on 21 and Carpet Roy on 16.
I set up three pole rigs today, 1 for fishing 12.5m with corn in 3ft of water, a MW.4g diamond to .17 Colmic Stream, .15 hook-length to a size 16PR36. The second swim was at 7m with a similar set up to 12.5. I also set up a margin rig with a NG Ghandi to fish in a foot of water, but did not expect to use it as the water was relatively clear, but if I saw a sign would have a look.
Bait was corn treated with stinky stuff original, some standard corn for feed, a bag of fishery micros and some pumped expanders for the hook and occasional feed. I also had a tub of GOT Rippers and some glugged corn as a change bait.
At the all in, I cupped in a pot of micros with around 20 grains of corn onto 12.5 and another pot at 7m. I threw some corn down the edge.
Starting off at 12.5m I would like to say it was a bite every put in, but alas it was not. It took 45 minutes to get my first bite on expander. A small Rudd around 2oz. Another 30 minutes passed before bite number two and his brother must have taken the long way round to find him. I was switching baits in the attempt to find one that would give me more bites and it seemed that glugged corn was doing the trick. I started getting a few carp and by 12.30 I had put 4 in the net. Mick was struggling as was Josh and Warren, although the latter had snared a double figure carp on the tip. Matt Grant was getting a few on 38, along with lads on the far bank over to the island, elsewhere it was very quiet.
The wind was now increasing and I found that by laying on around 6inches I was able to hold the float relatively steady, however it was gusting and every now and again blew the pole round to the right.
Unfortunately as I was laying on, I was also getting a few foul hookers and the disturbance would kill the swim for around 10 minutes afterwards. I was still getting a few positive bites and landing a few fish but was going nowhere fast. I had a look on the 7m line for around 10 minutes but without a bite was soon back out to 12.5. Josh and Warren were now catching a few carp, having fed heavier. I started to up the feed but I was still having to wait for a bite. Some of the bites were minute. I had to have a bite of bristle showing and could not dimple it down due to the wind, and maybe I was missing a few bites because of this.
I had changed my focus, instead of thinking of a section win or even the match win, I focused on beating Mick and sticking another nugget in my back pocket. We were quite close, and although I thought I would sneak it was still not 100% sure going into the last hour. I had reverted back to fishing dead depth despite the wind, to try to cut out the foul hookers, this seemed to work as I managed another 4 fish in this last hour to Mick's two.
At the all out I felt like I had been beaten up by the conditions, my arms felt like Popeye's and my back was aching. But It was all worth it as my 40lb beat Mick's 26lb and another MK Nugget was heading my way. Elsewhere there were plenty of 50lb weights and everyone seemed to be of the same opinion that it had fished below par. I think the wind had played a major role with not being able to present the bait correctly. I also think I should have fished more positively from the off.
Overall
1st Matt Grant 92-74 Peg 38
2nd Martin Greene 81-65 Peg 19
3rd Josh Blavins 66-26 Peg 2
4th Steve Potter 65-12 Peg 32
5th Del Smith 64-24 Peg 34
6th Warren Downing 63-75 Peg 3
Apologies for what seems strange weights but the ounces column is a percentage of a pound, due to the scales used on the day. .50 is half a pound so 8oz. .25 is a quarter of a pound hence 4oz etc.
Sunday, 23 February 2014
Alders Farm Specimen Lake Open 22/2/14
With a rare weekend off from work I decided to book into the Open at Alders Farm. The match was restricted to 15 anglers as it was planned to be on the Specimen Lake. This lake is a strange one, full of small pastie sized carp and a good head of carp to high 30s although they rarely show in matches. Plenty of bream and proper skimmers means plenty of bites throughout.
We were greeted by another frost free morning with a slight breeze and a temperature of 2 degrees. It would get warmer as the day wore on but so would the wind speed increase.
I was looking for a peg on the house side. Anything from 1-5 with 1 and 2 being the better pegs. However with monies paid, I dipped my hand in and out came peg 14. This was not where I wanted to be. This end of the lake narrows to a point, Peg 15 is a good peg where a gentle lob to the far bank trees gets a few fish as well as fishing down the bank. My peg has a hole in the trees opposite and would need to be fish with a method or bomb. You have a steep bank behind you making shipping the pole back harder. I opted for a line at 11m due to this bank and although I felt this was too short a line was hopeful of catching a few fish if I could keep things tidy.I also set up a margin line at 11m to my left to have an odd look at throughout the day, although really did not expect to catch from it due to it being very shallow.
I started off potting in a large pot of 4mm fishery pellets topped off with around 20 grains of corn and about the same of 6mm expanders at 11m with another pot at 11m to my left. My rigs were a MW .4g diamond on .15 Colmic stream to a size 16 PR36. A NG Ghandi for down the edge dotted right down to .17 Colmic Stream to a size 14 PR36.
I started off on the bomb not wanting to spook any fish already in the vicinity, but with no bites or liners after half an hour I switched to a tiny method feeder with soaked pellets around the feeder. Still no bites or liners. A look on the pole line brought no fish and the sun's reflection on the water was starting to play havoc. I had a quick look down the edge with no bites. Back to the method and nothing so switched back to the bomb and nothing again. Back to the pole and after 2 hours I had my first bite, a skimmer around the 1lb mark on a 6mm expander. Then nothing, I tried toss-potting feed in regularly to try to induce bites, lifting and dropping, I had another 1lb + skimmer on stinky corn but I was not getting bites regularly. I had had two bites and two skimmers.
Elsewhere, it was strange, Andy on 15 was getting odd fish, not regularly but odd fish on the method into the trees. Charlie Lancaster seemed to be getting a few fish on 12 fishing the method to the island, John Beesley was getting odd small carp again to the island whereas Colin Fosdyke and Martin Greene were struggling for bites on both method and pole lines, Vic Nugent was getting a few small carp across to the small island but was a long chuck from peg 6, the pegs on the house bank were all catching small carp regularly.
It seemed that the fish had turned off, I could only get a bite whilst there was a ripple on the water and was having to wait for that bite. By 1400 I had 4 skimmers for around 5lb and needed a few carp. Andy was catching small carp but his fish were bigger than my skimmers. I kept plugging away on the pole line and this single minded approach started to pay off. I managed a carp around 2lb on my next put in and this was followed 15mins later by another around 6lb. I was only getting bites on 6mm expanders but could not get a bite on stinky corn. I had 6 bites and 6 fish so was happy with my hook to bite ratio. By the end of the match I still maintained this 100% record with 9 from 9. Andy had sneaked a carp with 5 minutes to go and I thought he would just pip me, but I was still happy with how I fished, could I have done anything different? perhaps I went a bit too gung ho at the start and killed the swim before I could gauge a response. Lesson learned.
Overall the house bank fished better.
1st Andy W 39-08 peg 1
2nd Trevor Price 39-03 peg 2
3rd Richard Brain 36-03 peg 4
4th Charlie Lancaster 24-12 peg 7
5th Andy T 24-10 peg 5
6th Andy Blackwell 23-13 peg 15
My weight of 22-05 placed me in 7th place, for which I was happy. I learnt a lesson from a difficult peg.
We were greeted by another frost free morning with a slight breeze and a temperature of 2 degrees. It would get warmer as the day wore on but so would the wind speed increase.
I was looking for a peg on the house side. Anything from 1-5 with 1 and 2 being the better pegs. However with monies paid, I dipped my hand in and out came peg 14. This was not where I wanted to be. This end of the lake narrows to a point, Peg 15 is a good peg where a gentle lob to the far bank trees gets a few fish as well as fishing down the bank. My peg has a hole in the trees opposite and would need to be fish with a method or bomb. You have a steep bank behind you making shipping the pole back harder. I opted for a line at 11m due to this bank and although I felt this was too short a line was hopeful of catching a few fish if I could keep things tidy.I also set up a margin line at 11m to my left to have an odd look at throughout the day, although really did not expect to catch from it due to it being very shallow.
I started off potting in a large pot of 4mm fishery pellets topped off with around 20 grains of corn and about the same of 6mm expanders at 11m with another pot at 11m to my left. My rigs were a MW .4g diamond on .15 Colmic stream to a size 16 PR36. A NG Ghandi for down the edge dotted right down to .17 Colmic Stream to a size 14 PR36.
I started off on the bomb not wanting to spook any fish already in the vicinity, but with no bites or liners after half an hour I switched to a tiny method feeder with soaked pellets around the feeder. Still no bites or liners. A look on the pole line brought no fish and the sun's reflection on the water was starting to play havoc. I had a quick look down the edge with no bites. Back to the method and nothing so switched back to the bomb and nothing again. Back to the pole and after 2 hours I had my first bite, a skimmer around the 1lb mark on a 6mm expander. Then nothing, I tried toss-potting feed in regularly to try to induce bites, lifting and dropping, I had another 1lb + skimmer on stinky corn but I was not getting bites regularly. I had had two bites and two skimmers.
Elsewhere, it was strange, Andy on 15 was getting odd fish, not regularly but odd fish on the method into the trees. Charlie Lancaster seemed to be getting a few fish on 12 fishing the method to the island, John Beesley was getting odd small carp again to the island whereas Colin Fosdyke and Martin Greene were struggling for bites on both method and pole lines, Vic Nugent was getting a few small carp across to the small island but was a long chuck from peg 6, the pegs on the house bank were all catching small carp regularly.
It seemed that the fish had turned off, I could only get a bite whilst there was a ripple on the water and was having to wait for that bite. By 1400 I had 4 skimmers for around 5lb and needed a few carp. Andy was catching small carp but his fish were bigger than my skimmers. I kept plugging away on the pole line and this single minded approach started to pay off. I managed a carp around 2lb on my next put in and this was followed 15mins later by another around 6lb. I was only getting bites on 6mm expanders but could not get a bite on stinky corn. I had 6 bites and 6 fish so was happy with my hook to bite ratio. By the end of the match I still maintained this 100% record with 9 from 9. Andy had sneaked a carp with 5 minutes to go and I thought he would just pip me, but I was still happy with how I fished, could I have done anything different? perhaps I went a bit too gung ho at the start and killed the swim before I could gauge a response. Lesson learned.
Overall the house bank fished better.
1st Andy W 39-08 peg 1
2nd Trevor Price 39-03 peg 2
3rd Richard Brain 36-03 peg 4
4th Charlie Lancaster 24-12 peg 7
5th Andy T 24-10 peg 5
6th Andy Blackwell 23-13 peg 15
My weight of 22-05 placed me in 7th place, for which I was happy. I learnt a lesson from a difficult peg.
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Alders Farm Affordable Open 05/02/14
Today's match should have been on Tuesday, however with a low turnout expected it was switched to the Wednesday to allow both Mick Wright (who suggested it) and myself the chance to fish.
Tuesday was a glorious winter's day, the sun was in the sky and although it was patchy you could see it. Temperatures were around 6 degrees and everything was rosy. What a difference 24 hours makes. Rain, rain and even more rain getting progressively heavier. Temperatures had plummeted to around 3 degrees although the combination of wind and rain meant it felt like -1.
I do not know whether the day change affected the turnout but we had a healthy 12 anglers turn up today and I hope this continues. This meant that giving people an option to fish an island was important, so with this in mind it was pegged giving most the choice. However the draw gods were not kind to me and peg 16 stuck to my mitt. The corner of death. Mick had drawn peg 3 and would be hard to beat from there. Nick Wooding had for the third match on the trot drawn 32 and won each time, so was on a hat-trick. Terry Lancaster on 28 where he had a ton from a couple of weeks ago. However with Charlie Lancaster on 5, Pete Archer on 6, Steve Wroe on 7, Trevor Price on 21 and Steve Potter on 23 he would not have it all his own way.
I decided to keep it simple today, one line at 11m and another towards 15 but about a metre from the bank. Bait would be Stinky Corn and 6mm GOT expanders over fishery 4mm sinkers. I was fortunate that I had the wind and rain off my back so could fish comfortably. I opted for a .4g MW Diamond at 11m in case the wind picked up and to combat any tow. Down the side I fished a NG Edger float in .2g as it was well sheltered.
I started off potting in half a cup of 4mm sinkers with around a dozen grains of standard corn and half a dozen expanders onto both lines and started at 11m with a grain of stinky corn on the hook. After around 10 minutes I had my first bite which was promptly missed, another go and another 10 minutes and a small common around 2lb was in the net. I was having to wait for bites and even lifting and dropping made little difference. A change to expander saw a couple of 1lb and after an hour I had around 5lb. A look down to the side produced nothing after 5 minutes so I was back fishing 11m. I re-fed the line and had a couple of decent 3lb fish on stinky corn before again the line went quiet. It was now decision time and after toss potting the 11m line every put in with no difference to the catch/bite rate I decided to re-feed again this time leaving out the corn. Another look down the side produced no indications so back out. It was now 3 hours in and I was starting to get a few fish, 2lb to 3lb fish but during this spell put another 8 fish in the net before again going quiet. I had another look down the side, as margin fish are normally a better stamp, this time it bobbed and a healthy 5lb fish was in the net. Another look and again I was into another fish, only to lose it at the net. I persevered on this line until the last half hour and managed 4 from this line, losing 3 more. A final look at 11m got me another 2 fish around 2lb each before the all out was called.
It had fished well considering the conditions. I could see people catching well in bursts and thought 130lb would be required to win. The café bank had suffered the worst of the weather with no respite from the wind and rain.
Mick was first to weigh in, 23-3 to start the ball rolling. A MK Nugget was on its way to me, as I knew I had that beat. And to make matters worse he managed to break his no4 section when his brolly went for a walk. Keith R had 50-10, only to be beaten by Charlie Lancaster's 87-0 who in turn got done by Pete Archer on 6 with 92-14. Steve Wroe had 80-3 from 7 before I had 54-0.
Trevor Price on 21 did not weigh in, but estimated he tipped back 40lb. Steve Potter took the overall lead with 125-9 from in form peg 23, whilst Lee Cox (27) had 78-0 fishing long towards 26. Terry Lancaster had 58-11 of tip caught fish before Nick Wooding on 32 placed 154-5 to secure the win. His third win on the trot from 32, however this time he had 60lb from his left hand edge and the rest on the tip.
1st Nick Wooding 154-5
2nd Steve Potter 125-9
3rd Pete Archer 92-14
4th Charlie Lancaster 87-0
5th Steve Wroe 80-3
6th Lee Cox 78-0
Tuesday was a glorious winter's day, the sun was in the sky and although it was patchy you could see it. Temperatures were around 6 degrees and everything was rosy. What a difference 24 hours makes. Rain, rain and even more rain getting progressively heavier. Temperatures had plummeted to around 3 degrees although the combination of wind and rain meant it felt like -1.
I do not know whether the day change affected the turnout but we had a healthy 12 anglers turn up today and I hope this continues. This meant that giving people an option to fish an island was important, so with this in mind it was pegged giving most the choice. However the draw gods were not kind to me and peg 16 stuck to my mitt. The corner of death. Mick had drawn peg 3 and would be hard to beat from there. Nick Wooding had for the third match on the trot drawn 32 and won each time, so was on a hat-trick. Terry Lancaster on 28 where he had a ton from a couple of weeks ago. However with Charlie Lancaster on 5, Pete Archer on 6, Steve Wroe on 7, Trevor Price on 21 and Steve Potter on 23 he would not have it all his own way.
I decided to keep it simple today, one line at 11m and another towards 15 but about a metre from the bank. Bait would be Stinky Corn and 6mm GOT expanders over fishery 4mm sinkers. I was fortunate that I had the wind and rain off my back so could fish comfortably. I opted for a .4g MW Diamond at 11m in case the wind picked up and to combat any tow. Down the side I fished a NG Edger float in .2g as it was well sheltered.
I started off potting in half a cup of 4mm sinkers with around a dozen grains of standard corn and half a dozen expanders onto both lines and started at 11m with a grain of stinky corn on the hook. After around 10 minutes I had my first bite which was promptly missed, another go and another 10 minutes and a small common around 2lb was in the net. I was having to wait for bites and even lifting and dropping made little difference. A change to expander saw a couple of 1lb and after an hour I had around 5lb. A look down to the side produced nothing after 5 minutes so I was back fishing 11m. I re-fed the line and had a couple of decent 3lb fish on stinky corn before again the line went quiet. It was now decision time and after toss potting the 11m line every put in with no difference to the catch/bite rate I decided to re-feed again this time leaving out the corn. Another look down the side produced no indications so back out. It was now 3 hours in and I was starting to get a few fish, 2lb to 3lb fish but during this spell put another 8 fish in the net before again going quiet. I had another look down the side, as margin fish are normally a better stamp, this time it bobbed and a healthy 5lb fish was in the net. Another look and again I was into another fish, only to lose it at the net. I persevered on this line until the last half hour and managed 4 from this line, losing 3 more. A final look at 11m got me another 2 fish around 2lb each before the all out was called.
It had fished well considering the conditions. I could see people catching well in bursts and thought 130lb would be required to win. The café bank had suffered the worst of the weather with no respite from the wind and rain.
Mick was first to weigh in, 23-3 to start the ball rolling. A MK Nugget was on its way to me, as I knew I had that beat. And to make matters worse he managed to break his no4 section when his brolly went for a walk. Keith R had 50-10, only to be beaten by Charlie Lancaster's 87-0 who in turn got done by Pete Archer on 6 with 92-14. Steve Wroe had 80-3 from 7 before I had 54-0.
Trevor Price on 21 did not weigh in, but estimated he tipped back 40lb. Steve Potter took the overall lead with 125-9 from in form peg 23, whilst Lee Cox (27) had 78-0 fishing long towards 26. Terry Lancaster had 58-11 of tip caught fish before Nick Wooding on 32 placed 154-5 to secure the win. His third win on the trot from 32, however this time he had 60lb from his left hand edge and the rest on the tip.
1st Nick Wooding 154-5
2nd Steve Potter 125-9
3rd Pete Archer 92-14
4th Charlie Lancaster 87-0
5th Steve Wroe 80-3
6th Lee Cox 78-0
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