Tuesday 17/04/2024 - Bitterwell Silvers Open

Another visit to Bitterwell Lake for various reasons - Plenty of quality silvers, no pot holes, nice and clean, no mud. Would to say it was local, well it is, but South Gloucestershire Council which is liberal lead has totally bollocks all the traffic in our area. Their recent contribution is temporary traffic lights in Pucklechurch whilst they extend the cycle track which isn't use by cyclist preferring instead to still use the road!!

Planned to give expenders a go over small tight balls of GB laced with micro and expanders. However, luckily had pre-erected the waggler in case.

Peg 5 for me along the road side reasonably happy with it except for the wind which is driving me to madness. Plumbed around with a 4x14 rig and found the same depth at top set plus one, two and four barrels. I now wished I had plumbed in a bit

closer. Tried three lines with the expander approach which accounted for about 5 lb and 2 foul hooked Carp, whilst Marcus next door was catching steady on the wag and mag. The second half picked up the waggler with double LR's over loose fed LR's fished at 20 metres. It took a while to build the the line, mainly to the wind effecting accuracy which gradually got better and better adding 10 lb of quality 2 bream some Skimmers and 2 small Tench to 3 lb. Two more Carp hooked landed an 8 lb Common.

I weighed 15 lb 10 oz, didn't quiet catch Marcus up. Will still try and get the expander sorted here though.Thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the match and can't wait to get back for some more learning which wont be before I'm back from Whiteacres festival.

Shane Turner fished a brilliant match short on the pole (no option left a pole section home 😂) to take the win with 34 lb 11 oz from peg 24. Shane caught quality Skimmers and Tench on caster. Well done matey well deserved.

Lots of quality Skimmers and Tench to 5 lb caught. However, no sign of the Roach as of yet.

Result:

1st Shane Turner 34lb 11oz peg 24 

2nd John Fuidge 34lb 1 oz peg 12

3rd Mat Taynton 31lb 1oz peg 15

4th Paul Isaacs 29lb 12oz peg 19

5th Keith Turner 19lb 12oz peg 3

6th Martin Mcmahon 17lb peg 21

7th Marcus Murley 16lb 7oz peg 7

8th Mike Nichols 15lb 10oz peg 5

9th Les Harper 15lb 7oz peg 13

10th Ali Gibbs 9lb 7oz peg 20

11th Gary Morris 4lb 14oz peg 1

12th T-bone 4lb 12oz peg 25

13th Geoff Smith 4lb 4oz peg 23

John Macey dnw peg 18

Tuesday 09/04/2024 - Bitterwell - Silvers Open

It was a shock to hear Glynn Sage had passed away suddenly. We were only talking a few weeks ago. During our conversation we discovered we had claim to fame in common. Both had shaken the hand of the actor who's hand fondled Marilyn Munro. RIP matey.

Even though the whether looked awful again still went to Bitterwell lake to have a go at the good head of silvers. I did expect some protection from the wind though - not.

It was good to meet up with matey Dave Lewis, we go back a long, long way, a good all round angler, and proof that you don't need the best tackle to catch😎 - pictured less his smile he's waiting to have his set of £7,000 teeth screwed in shortly.😁

Drew peg 12 which all but once has been a bit of a bogey for me. So wasn't that happy especially with the wind hacking in to it. But good company with Geoff Smith whom we not only had a fishing match we also has a pissing match, Geoff won 5 -4, Me winning the fishing match though - good laugh.

Waggler or feeder, feeder won out due to the wind as wouldn't be able to feed the wag properly. Didn't expect the Ronnie's to feed, so just set up a 4x16 rig to fish top set plus two barrels then three barrels if the wind subsided. The wind was awful gusting in all directions with the tow all over the place - direction and pace. It wasn't about presentation today but hanging on. Had a really good start catching some decent Skimmers. Not sure what happen whether it was the wind effect but I started to tow into skimmers foul hooking them with none reaching the net. Very frustrating. However, because I was foul hooking it doesn't mean if the conditions were perfect they would have picked up the baited hook anyway - who knows? I under armed the feeder accurately over the pole line and for a second thought I had it sorted catching a skimmer first try, alas not only had one more over the longer pole line last but one cast. All caught on small hard balls of GB laced with LR's.

Weighed 12 lb 7 oz for halfway. Left with sever wind burns on the forehead. Decided not to fish again in high winds if avoidable. Don't be the next person to mention global warming to me.

The match was won by Paul Issac's (pictured with his catch - quality Skimmers and Tench) with 38 lb 15 oz from end peg 25. With the wind off his back he used the waggler throughout catching on either corn or maggot. Well done matey and to your lad Charlie for the under 15's England selection.

Runner up was Des Shipp (pictured) with 25 lb 10 oz from another wind effected peg 18. I got the feeling from expletives that he's not fond of the wind either . Well done in that wind.

Result:

1st Paul Isaacs 38lb 15oz peg 25

2nd Des Shipp 25lb 10oz peg 18

3rd Martin McMahon 18lb 13oz peg 4

4th Charlie Isaacs 18lb 7oz peg 20 

5th Keith Turner 16lb 10oz peg 19

6th Les Harper 16lb 9oz peg 6

7th Bagger 14lb 4oz peg 8

8th Dave Lewis 12lb 10oz peg 21

9th Mike Nicholls 12lb 7oz peg 12

10th Ali Gibbs 9lb 12oz peg 5

11th Marcus Murley 8lb peg 15

12th Gary Morris 7lb 11oz peg 1

13th Kai Hurley 5lb 12oz peg 7

14th Geoff Smith 3lb 4oz peg 10

Ricky Mills 🏆🏆 dnw peg 24

Shane Turner dnw peg 3

Simon Haydn dnw peg 13

Sunday 07/04/2024 - The Shanks Float Only - Westerleigh - Taylor's Pool and Shipp's Canal

Was looking forward to the match until seen the forecast - 50 mph winds and rain. luckily little to no rain. Before all that Geoff and me got a Spoons breaky in us.

I was praying for a peg with the wind off the back. Prayers answered Peg 20 it was. The wind was off my right shoulder, blasting into peg 17. Felt for those on pegs 15 to 17, especially Glenn who was probably on the worse form peg 15. It was bad enough with the wind off the back. Good company with John on peg 19 who appeared to be twitching to get up the pub, but was on the scales 😒 - pictured.

I had planned to have a go with paste, two things prevented this, the wind plus left the paste in the fridge 😢! However, had the expanders so set up a 4x14 to fish them over micro and loose fed 4's over the top down the shelf to the right with tow. Foul hooked two lost carp on this so was abandoned. The short Ronnie rig was set up but without any Ronnie's feeding was a waste of time only catching a few tiny Rudd. So the most of the match was spent on the 4x14 Winter initially at top set plus one barrel for 5 lb of Skimmers then adding another barrel for another 5 lb of Skimmers, all caught on double DR's over GB laced with Pinkie. The fish were up in the water and caught the majority of the silvers 6 inches off. Out on the bar Carp were topping so set up the waggler and had a few chucks on it, however, because of the wind felt the feeding wasn't accurate enough - presentation wasn't too back though.

Weighed 10 lb 2 oz of all Skimmers for the silvers win.

Seen Glenn disappearing out the carp park for a FOE surprised he lasted as long as he did.

The match was won by Steve S (pictured with the silvers winner) from peg 1 on Shipp's with 56 lb. Steve caught at 12 metres fishing meat over meat. Well done Matey.

Back to the Inn with most of the usual suspects. I'm not sure picking up at this venue is financially wise.

Thanks to Bri Shanks for running the match in his usual efficient way 👍

Weigh Sheets:

Thursday 28/03/2024 - Shiplate Farm - Cost Cutter - Main Lake

Glenn and me booked into Shiplate. We've not been there for a year. Dom Sullivan is now match organiser. I was really looking forward it until we seen the weather forecast. Shiplate Farm is close to the coast (W-S-M) so the conditions were going to be far worse than inland.

The weather made it desperate to draw either pegs 9, 8, 7, or 6. In to the draw bag and peg 14b stuck to my hand. With the wind blasting into peg 15 corner found myself on the second worse peg weather wise. Normally would have been happy with it.

The plan was to fish expander over GB laced with micro with a few expanders. Set up a 4x14 to have a plumb around. Its very shallow close in but could get to a decent depth of 5 foot at top set plus two barrels. I was expecting the float to go against the wind, alas not it was sitting with the wind at 45 degrees! Further up the lake the more pronounce the tow got against the wind. The wind was too strong on my peg and was overcoming the tow. Set up a short rig to fish the top set in the shallow water 2 1/2 feet where it was still going with the wind but a lot less.

Tried the planned expander but got nibbled out by Ronnie's. Thought about setting up a GB feeder but had left the worms home. The thought of packing in crossed my mind as it was almost unfishable. Changed to caster and GB and did have plenty of bites in-between holding on to the brolly. I did hook a large Carp who's pectoral fin caught the line which helped me nearly net it early. Got a bit impatient and broke the rig line - well over 10 lb.

The upshot we were all glad to hear the all out. My Ronnie silver  weighed  15 lb 4 oz for nowhere. The silver weights were low today which frustrated me even further because couldn't use my planed attack.

Shaun Putney had a close shave with a medium size tree just to his left blowing over into the lake. Shaun lucky to get away with just brown underpants.

The match was won by Colin Fellows with 114 lb 2 oz from peg 5. Colin caught on the Method.

The Silvers was won by Roger Kimberley (pictured) with 24 lb 14 oz from peg 8. Roger caught Skimmers at 10 metres using either worm heads or double caster.

No double or a single bubble for the van today. We did have a double van spill though. Lol

Weigh Sheet:

Sunday 24/03/2024 - Alcove Club - Rover - White House Farm

Looking forward to this match, not done many rover matches. Good turn out with 19 fishing. I'm a novice on this venue, so thought it important to have a walk around to see where I fancied. Didn't fancy Margret's which appeared to be of colour. Got to Georges which looked good. The wind put me off the low numbers. Pegs 18, 10, 8 and 7 would be my choice. 10, 8 and 7 are the longest walks which would put some off going there and is around Chub Island.

Didn't want to be in the early one to pick my peg as wanted some space so happy with 13th to pick. My turn came and only 2 before me had selected Georges so peg 10 it was. I did have great company with Steve Brown on 11. Peg 10 is opposite a very small island with plenty of over hangs, plus it's under a tree which necessitates casting over the left shoulder, both obstacles to keep me on my toes.

Set up a 7" bodied waggler on 3 lb Maxima and 0.14 GLine hook length to 18 - 808. Can't see face on how much the bushes overhang so had a few casts without the hook to find the best ares. The long Ronnie rig which would be first to try.

Loose fed some LR's over to the island. The wind was perfect for feeding and casting. Fed the Ronnie line with GB laced with LP's. Soon catching small Ronnie's and a couple of bonus Skimmers on double Pinkie. The line went quite and pulling pack to re cast pricked a Carp which bow waved out of the peg towards peg 8. Refed so time to try the Waggler with single LR on the hook. Had an immediate response from Chub to 3 lb landing five loosing one which hooked up on my keepnet. It went quiet so came off the island a couple of metres and had some Ronnie's to 6 oz and a couple of hard fighting 8 oz Hybrid's. I had been loose feeding the Ronnie line with LR's on the Ronnie rig line and went over that to rest the island line and had some nice Ronnie's. Back out on the island and had some small Chub and more Ronnie's. As the match progress kept switching between the two lines to keep the Ronnie's and small Chub coming.

My silvers weighed 32 lb 7 oz for surprising first overall. Very enjoyable day's fishing at a well managed fishery.

Thanks to Tony Welsby for the well organised match, guess rover matches are harder to run.

Weigh Sheet:

Thursday 21/03/2024 - Windmill Cost Cutter 500 - Main Lake

Geoff was up for a after match curry and why not, something to look forward to. Feeling really good today and up for it.

A full house again. Into the draw bag and peg 1 for me. Haven't been on this peg for quite sometime but have found memory's of catching Silvers. Unfortunately the few that are left are shoaled up down the far end as is most of the Carp. Peg 1 was also a good Carp peg but hasn't shown any recent form. That said decided on a Carp day - who knows?

Got to the peg without too much mud and even managed to get the trolley down the slight slope. Set up the maggot feeder, a 4x14 Winter to fish top set plus 2 barrels and a 4x12 for long down the RH margin where the reeds where moving. The problem with this peg just up to the reeds its 4 1/2 foot deep which is too deep for margin fishing. However, the Carp were in the reeds and were unlikely to come out anytime soon. So at the start went out four barrels with a shallow margin rig and second flick in hooked a Carp which was far too fast for me and ended up loosing the complete rig - bugger. Had a go on the Winter over micro and LR's and caught a few small Ronnie's. Decided to try the margin again so whilst setting a new rig up put the maggot feeder out which was getting ragged by Silvers. Back into the reeds and lost another Carp - rig OK though! The upshot caught one Carp on the feeder losing one to my poorly tied loop, caught another on the Winter and eventually got a Carp out of the Reeds.

My few accidental Silvers weighed  1 lb 14 oz and my 3 smallish Carp 13 lb 6 oz for 15 lb 4 oz.

The match was won by Bill Knight (pictured with some of his catch) with 88 lb 13 oz from fancied peg 11 (for both Carp and Silvers at the mo). Bill caught at 13 metres down his RH edge shallow with 8 mm banded pellet and later out in from again shallow. Bill fed nothing all match! Well done Matey.

The Silvers was won by John Osborne (pictured with the Match winner) with 14 lb 4 oz from peg 9. John caught on caster over loose caster at four barrels. Well done Matey.

Well done to Glenn Bailey for winning our section.

Now for the best part of the day and our visit to the Mughal Palace. Best Indian around, cant beat draft Cobra.

Weigh Sheets:

Sunday 17/03/2024 - Westerleigh Winter League - Final Round - Shipp's Canal and Taylor's Pool

Final round of the league it was back to Taylor's Pool which has improved every match for both Silvers and Carp. I had nothing to go at in terms of league and pairs but had so far the highest silvers weight. As I suspected the the last match on Taylor's would throw up a bigger silvers weight, so set out to protect my position.

Into the car boot and selected the disc nearest to me - peg 14. Happy with that as it's both a good Carp peg and fancied it for Silvers. If the Silvers weren't cooperative I could swap to Carp. For company on peg 15 was Ricky Mills who I think was happy for me to fish for Silvers and leave the waggler in the pole case.

Simple set up - short Ronnie Rig and a 4 x14 to fish top set plus one barrel or two.

Fed left and right for the Ronnie rig and one barrel line all with GB laced with Pinkie and micro an single Pinkie on the hook. Started at one barrel and had three Skimmers and a couple of decent Ronnie's. It didn't take long for an F1 to upset the line. Re-fed it - never to go back and started on the Ronnie rig switching from side to side after topping up. Basically had a great day catching regularly until the last hour when the Carp arrived. Switched to lightly loose feeding Pinkie helped keep a few Silver coming but was comparatively slower.

Finished with 7 lb 12 oz of F1's and more importantly 14 lb 11 oz of Silvers to keep the top weight. If I fished for the Carp Steve Rogers would have nicked the Silvers payout.

The match was won again by Bela "Bagger" Bakos (this boy can draw) with 59 lb 13 oz from peg 13. Bela caught mostly down his RH margin at 11 metres fishing triple maggot over potted maggot.

Well done to all, especially Bri Shanks for running an excellent league - only found one mistake with his adding this year!

Back to the New Inn for the Result with all the framers. It was happy birthday to John C, well nearly, his car broke down, so not miss out on a few pints and birthday video and a cup cake decided to leave it in the car park.

Top four Individuals:

1. Ricky Mills - 9 points

2. Bri Shanks - 12

3. Bela Bakos - 13

4. Glenn Bailey - 17

Pairs:

Bela and Dave 512 lb

Top Weight:

Bela 104 lb

Top Silvers:

Mike Nicholls 14 lb 11 oz

Weigh Sheets:

Final Result Table - not in order:

Final Pairs - Not in order: