Witherington Teams Of 4, Round 1.

 Witherington's Selwood Lake.

Browning Andover was fielding 2 squads in the Withy teams of 4, this hotly contested 8 round league. Browning Blue, and Green, I was in the Blue squad and volunteered ( thanks John! ) to fish Selwood lake, with 2 others on the snake and another on cottage. After a suitably good breaky, Barry drew me peg 16 on Selwood. Talking to John he informs me it is the shallowest peg on the lake, but does have an aerator to the right in the margins where sometimes the lumps can be caught. Arriving at my peg and it looked ok, a nice bit of colour, and the odd fish moving. It has been a couple of years since I fished Selwood last, but it hasn't changed much.

I set up an 8ft. Browning commercial wand with a small method attached for the island, 2 rigs for the 13m line, which was going to be my skimmer line, an 0.10 and an 0.12, a 6m meat line on 0.16, and a margin swim down towards the aerator, which was 0.18 for the lumps, hopefully. I had soaked micros, expander's, meat and corn, and some worms, that should hopefully tempt something. At the all in I cupped in some meat on the 6m line, and some micros out at 13m, and half a pot of corn in the margin. I chucked the method to the island for the first fifteen minutes, one to let the other swims settle, and two hopefully there would be something lurking around the island. Without so much as a line bite it was time to have a look on the pole lines.

Peg 16 On Selwood.

A quick look in the margins and on the 6m meat line resulted in no bites, so it was out to the 13m line. A couple of pegs round and they were catching skimmers regularly, but I was having to work for any bite, a couple of small skimmers was all that I could tempt. I kept trickling corn into the margins, and meat onto the 6m line. I was struggling a little and went back onto the method for a bit. Still no bites on that so I decided to have a good look in the margins. A foul hooker almost instantly I dropped a bait in, encouraging, then a few minutes later I hooked one properly. A lengthy tussle ensued, before I slipped the net under a nice 8 lb fish. The Heavens then opened up, and what with the thunder and lightning, turning the day very unpleasant.

Giving the margin line a rest I had a look onto the other 2 pole lines, only a couple of small skimmers out on the 13m was the result. It was becoming clear that the majority of the skimmers were further round the lake, and the only way I was going to do something was to catch a few more lumps, so I decided to concentrate in the margins, plus the fact the weather had deteriorated and fishing the margins was easier! I kept trickling in the corn before I hooked Carp number 2, a smaller fish of about 5lb. A good hour had passed before I hooked the 3rd lump, and this gave me a good battle before it was in the net, another fish of about 8lb. I felt I was not doing to bad now, as it went into the final hour. I foul  hooked a fished which tore through my margin swim before the hooked pulled. Not another bite until 10 seconds before the all out, and then I was doing battle with a a right old beast! It didn't want to play ball at all, and wouldn't come within netting range, but after battling with it well into overtime, I managed to subdue it, and folded it into the landing net! A nice double to end the day with. My 4 Carp weighed 32lb, and with 2lb 8oz of skimmers I ended up 4th on the lake, not a bad result at all. Browning Blue ended up 6th on the day, with all to play for over the rest of the series.

Blog Catch Up, Part 2.

 Pine's Peg 3, Stafford Moor.

Stafford Moor Fishomania qualifier was my next outing, my first visit to this renowned Devon fishery, a very picturesque venue with several lakes and lots of features. At the draw bag I pulled out peg 3 on Pine's lake. Talking to the owner he said I probably wouldn't win the match from there, so all out for the lake and section win. After a heavy thunderstorm the night before, and spawning fish it wasn't going to be an easy day, the swim was nice, with an island just about reachable with 16m, not comfortable but just about manageable. After catching some early fish next to the island on corn over pellet things slowed and bites became a premium. At the all out I ended up with 26lb 04oz, this was good enough for second on the lake. A hard days fishing with not a lot to show and a long drive home.

The next day it was the next round of the spring series at Dandy's ford, I was knackered after the long day before at Stafford Moor, so when I pulled out peg 23, I decided to chuck the tip all day, as I didn't fancy battling with the pole all day in the gusty wind. I set up a small method feeder and soaked some 4mm pellets to squash round it and hair rigged some meat for the hook. After a couple of miss casts into the island, ( I blamed the tiredness! ) I found my range and managed to catch 55lb, for 3rd in section. I was doing well in the series being joint top, but unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control I couldn't fish the final 2 rounds, a bit of a shame as I was doing well.

 Peg 23 At Dandy's.

After a few weeks away from fishing, my next outing was with the team at Witherington Farm for the inaugural Army challenge match, Browning Andover against some rufty tufty army chaps! Needless to say we won, albeit a narrow victory! But another trophy for the cabinet, hopefully we can keep hold of it next year! The weather made it interesting being very windy in the morning giving way to heavy rain which was a good test for the new waterproofs! I had a so so match, catching a few to begin with before struggling for bites, but the fish seemed to be in pockets, and you were either on them or not, but that's commercial snake fishing for you. A very enjoyable close fought contest, despite the weather.

My next outing was back down to Orchard, the weather was atrocious, very strong gusty wind and heavy rain was going to make it interesting! I pulled peg 18 out of the draw bag, not to bad a peg but well away from the fliers, ( which is probably good as I would only bugger it up! ) Some big weights had been coming out now that the fish had finished spawning, all on the short pole. So I got out a top 4 and that was as far as I was going to go, hoping to catch on the top set. I caught all day on the top set, using meat as a hook bait and feeding the same, ending up with 132lb, a good weight and good enough for a section win, but no where near the weights that came of the fliers! I did loose a top set to the lake as a gust of wind took it clean off the roost and across the lake where it slowly did it's Excalibur impression, before sinking out of site! Much swearing!

Next outing was with the team on the River Huntspill, for the regional national. A first for me and some of the team. Another wild and wet day was forecast, ( testing both angler and waterproofs to it's limit! ) It was a very interesting day, with the pole being virtually unfishable, so a feeder job was the order of the day. After 5 hours I managed just 500 grams of Eels and Roach, not last in section but was beaten by other anglers who caught bonus Bream, which sadly I never saw all day! The team did ok, being just a couple of points from finishing in the top three, a good result which we hope to improve on next year.

 Back to Dandy's for the next swaray. It doesn't seem to matter where you draw, as there is always plenty of fish and bites to be had, so after pulling out peg 19 form the draw bag Iwas quite pleased. It seemed that I had my own little island to fish to, so I set up a small cage feeder with a 15" hook length, using the method is now prohibited. Soaking some 4mm pellets, and hair rigging meat as a hook bait, I also set up a margin swim next to some lillys. I caught steady on the feeder all day plus a couple late on in the margins, a mixture of Carp, small Barbel and Tench for 77lb 8oz, good enough for second on the day, another good result for me at his lovely venue, no wonder it's one of my favourites!

Looking At Dandy's Peg 19, Very Pretty!

Team duties next for the National. After Some Practice, which resulted in some good days including a second in section on a pratice match, as well as some hard days, a team plan was formed, and the day arrived. I got drawn a lovely looking peg just up from a bridge, but it wasn't till I started plumbing up that I realised that my day was going to be " one of those ", and my nice looking peg turned into a snag pit from hell! Trying to find a clear area in my peg was virtually impossible, and I was loosing hook lengths and rigs like no tomorrow. And when I did get through the snags, I hooked big Carp on my squatt rigs, a no contest really, Carp 4 Ian 0 ! I ended up with a measly 270 grams, not last but no where near good enough, and I was very dissapointed with my efforts, for the team as well as myself, I know in a clearer peg I could of caught more, but thats match fishing, always a good leveller even when you think you have it sussed!

Blog Catch Up. Part 1.

Time for a blog catch up, have been very busy with work since coming back from my White Acres holiday, ( some time ago now I know) and have had a few problems! ( Which I won't go into! ) But I have managed a few outings, individually and with the team. First off was the first of the Challis spring series, at one of my favourite venues, Dandy's Ford Lakes. I had to come back from Cornwall to get a decent draw, peg 17 on Calvert's lake, all on it's own in a corner, I never blew my end peg, and won the match catching 83lb 4oz using meat in the margins at 7m, plus catching a few across at 13m, a good start to the series and a pick up, which always helps!

Peg 17 on Calvert's Lake.

Next up was the second round at Viaduct Fishery in Somerset, Campbell lake was the venue, another favourite of mine, in the draw bag and I pulled out peg 110, another end peg with lots of room, my drawing hand was definitely making up for the poor draws I had in Cornwall! The favoured pegs though are usually those in the middle of the lake, but with the weather nice and warm I was sure there was a few fish to be had. I soaked a load of 6mm pellets, and put this through a cage feeder, with double hair rigged meat as a hook bait. This was my main attack whilst feeding the margins. A steady run of fish on my feeder approach throughout the day, plus a couple very late in the margins resulted in another lake win with 106lb 13oz. A very enjoyable day plus a pick up, and another good result for the series, it was all going too well!

Viaduct's Campbell Lake, Lovely! With peg 110 nearest.

Next up was the 3rd round at Orchard's match lake, the weather was still lovely and with 2 series wins under my belt I was looking forward to it. I put my now "lucky" hand into the bag and pulled out peg 30, another end peg! One of the favoured pegs on this venue, as it normally wins! After some moans and groans from my fellow anglers, ( good job I have broad shoulders!) I set myself up in "the corner". The peg was alive with fish, although most seemed to be spawning, which I hoped wouldn't affect the fishing. Wrong! I ended up having a very frustrating day, foul hooking so many fish it was unbelievable! It didn't seem to matter what I did, to cut a long story short I cocked up an end peg flier, weighing in 87lb 04oz, which is nothing for that peg when they are feeding properly, for 5th in section, I told you it was all going to well!

Orchard's Peg 30, "The Flier!"

Next up was an open on the newly revamped Charlie's Lake in Andover, it was my first look at the venue after the work had been done, first impressions were very good despite it looking a bit new. I picked out peg 15 out of the draw bag, and set up on one of the new platforms, with a couple of my Browning team mates for company on the adjoining pegs. Despite having a bit of trouble with a weed bed in front of me at 13m, I managed to catch 32lb 02oz, a mixture of small stockie carp and bream, caught using corn and expanders over micros. This gave me 3rd in section, and a very pleasant day on this revamped venue.

Charlie's Lake.

Dynamite Baits Festival, Day 5.

Day 5, Trelawney.

The final day had dawned, and after a frustrating day the day before I was hoping for a nice days fishing, and perhaps a decent draw, even maybe on Twin Oaks! As the sections were split between Twin Oaks and Trelawney. I had fished Trelawney a few times and looking at the weights that had been coming out you needed to be at the far end of it. At the draw I pulled peg 10 on Trelawney, no luck again, but it wasn't too bad, talking to a few of the lads it could be alright, if the fish were there. Another glorious day in Cornwall, and with little wind it was going to be a hot one. Setting up on my peg I decided to set up a method rod for tight to the island, and a pellet waggler to go over the top. A shallow 14.5m swim which was 0.16 straight through to a 16-911 to green hollow. A 5m meat line 0.16 straight through to a 14-911 to orange hollow. And a margin rig which was to be fished at 7m either side, 0.18 straight through to a 14-911 to orange hollow.

Looking Up Trelawney From Peg 10.

I was going to start on the method whilst feeding the other lines, hopefully getting the fish queuing up. At the all in I cupped a big potful of corn onto the 2 margin lines before chucking out the clipped up method rod. After a couple of minutes the tip flew round and after a short battle a nice carp of 5lb was in the net, a good start and I was hoping for a few more. A couple of f1's followed before the bites dried up, I kept plugging away on the method for an hour and a half, but it never really happened, the fish seemed to be a bit further up the lake, as the anglers on those pegs were catching quite steadily. I switched to the pole and had a look on the shallow 14.5m line which I had been feeding regularly since the start. After 10 minutes without so much as a nibble I decided to bin that line.

Peg 10 On Trelawney, Looking To The Island.

I switched to the 5m meat line which I had been trickling a few cubes in every couple of minutes or so. After a couple of missed bites I hooked a couple of f1's, before the bites dried up there. Switching back and forth between the method and the 5m line put a few fish in the net, all be it small f1's or barbel. The anglers to my right in the section were also struggling, and it was obvious the fish were further round to my left. I decided to have a quick look on the pellet waggler tight to the island, I did manage to hook a couple of f1's but not the size of carp I was hoping for. The last 1/2 hour of the match and I managed a few small barbel in the 2 margin swims before the all out sounded. The scales came round and I weighed 23lb 12oz for mid way in section, the weights went up the further left you went. So that was it all over, knackered, sun burnt, frustrated at times but still thoroughly enjoyable. Despite not drawing well, I learnt a lot and it is all in the old grey matter for next, I might even win something next year!

Dynamite Baits Festival, Day 4.

Day 4, Trewaters.

The forth day and the section was going to be split between Jenny's lake and Trewaters. I was hoping for Jenny's as I have fished it before, but as my lucky drawing hand was letting me down this week I got peg 41 on Trewaters! A quick chat with some of the regulars and was told it wasn't a brilliant peg but there were enough fish to have a go at, all be it f1's, something that I never have really fished for before. After a 20 minute drive I arrived at the lake and I was on the bottom of the 2 lakes, they looked quite nice with an island at 19m across. I set up the pole and a small method rod, I never bothered with the waggler as there was a nasty skimming wind from left to right. I have been told that the fish were averaging 1/2 to 1lb, so I set up three rigs on yellow hollow.

Trewaters, Bottom Lake.

The first at 5m an 0.14-0.12, 911-16. the second was similar, but would be fished at 14.5m, and a shallow rig for over the the top, as I was expecting them to come off the bottom. I was going to feed corn at 5m, and pellet at 14.5m. with some meat as an alternative bait. I had pumped some expander's for the hook on the far line. At the all in I slipped an expander onto the hook and a few 6mm pellets into the toss pot and went out with the depth rig, the wind was quite nasty and was considering fishing at 13m, but felt that being closer to the island would be better. After a minute or so I hooked a nice 3/4lb f1, out again and the same, it was then that the missed bites started, the float absolutely sailing away and not connecting with anything. I was hooking about 1 in 10! Bloody frustrating! I put the shallow rig out to see if that would improve the catch rate, all it did was to increase the ratio of missed bites to hooking the little blighters! I decided to ease off the feed and have a look on the 5m line which I had been trickling the corn over.

Peg 41, Trewaters.

I had a couple of fish but they weren't really there, I had to wait for the bites so I decided to leave it and keep trickling it in. I had a quick go with the method, couldn't miss those bites! but I was having to wait along time again, the pole it was then. The fast missed bites carried on until the end of the match, I couldn't work out how to improve the missed bite to hooked fish ratio, the only thing that would of helped was a very stiff pole, and a lot more practice at f1 fishing! I weighed in 27lb 10 oz, 3rd to last in section. I felt I should of done better,and was extremely frustrated the way the day had gone, I just need to work out how to fish for small f1's! Either that or take up golf! , then again I would probably loose all my balls!

Dynamite Baits Festival, Day 3.

Day 3, Pollawyn.


The sun was out and the forecast was for a lovely sunny day in Cornwall, after the previous day's poor showing I was hoping for a good draw today. Pollawyn is one of the lakes that I have fished before, and I was looking forward to getting back on it. At the organised chaos that is the draw, I pulled out peg 41, and the bloke behind took a sharp inhale of breath and shook his head! Great another bum draw! The peg is down in the corner of one arm, and the fish don't congregate down there very often, apparently! Looking at the previous weight from yesterday it looked dire, 11lb had come of it! So I made my way to my peg full of enthusiasm!



Looking Up Pollawyn From Peg 41.

I arrived at my peg and my first thoughts was that looked quite nice! An island in front and a nice long margin to my left. An all out pole approach was called for. I was going to keep it fairly simple and fish tight to the island in front, and have another line at 7m, and a long margin swim at 13m. The island was 16m across, but with no wind I wouldn't have to battle the pole, the only problem was the high bank behind me, making shipping a bit tricky. Two identical rigs were set up across, kc cubes on 0.16 straight through to a 16-911, to green hollow. It was only 18" deep and I plumbed up next to a small clump of Irises. I used the same rigs for the margin as it was the same depth. The 7m was kc chimp on 0.12 - 0.10, 911-18, to yellow hollow, which I was going to be my skimmer line, hopefully!

Peg 41, In The Corner Of One Of The Arms.

At the all in my opening gambit was to cup some ground bait and micros on to the 7m line, and a big pot full of chopped worm and caster in the margins. I was going to start across and see what happened. After a few minutes with corn on the hook and I had my first bite, a f1 of a 1lb, I was catapulting a few 6mm pellets across, not many but enough to hope fully pull a few bigger specimens in. After a little while I latched into a bigger specimen, a nice carp of 7lb ish. I had to wait for the next bite but what a scrap that turned out to be, a clonking great Tench about 6lb! And boy didn't he go! I was quite happy in my little corner and I was beating the guys either side of me. I was still having to wait between bites, feeding a few pellets every few minutes, but when they came along they were usually good fish. The next 2 fish both shed the hook into a snag further along the island on my right, a bit annoying, but they new where it was, and they were in there before I could stop them.

16m To The Island.

I hooked a couple more decent carp of 5lb before it went very quiet in the middle of the match. I had a look in the margins, but the wasn't much doing, so a re-feed and onto the 7m line. I was hoping a few skimmers would of settled but all I could get was some small roach, the guys either side of me also weren't getting many silvers so I made the decision to go all out across and hope the margins would produce later. Back out across and the bigger fish made way for small fish, f1's, small barbel and skimmers. I was getting regular bites and was building the weight slowly, nothing fantastic but I was hoping for a reasonable result. I had a few looks in the margins but there wasn't much there. The end came and the scales man weighed me in, 34lb 10 oz, not to bad and middle of the section, a pretty good result, well an improvement on the day before!

Dynamite Baits Festival, Day 2.

Day 2, Bolingey. After some heavy overnight rain, the weather was cold and gusty for the day's match at Bolingey. The talk at the draw was that it could affect the weights, but the good pegs should still produce. I stuck my hand in the bag and pulled out peg 12, a quick chat with some of the regulars and they said it wasn't brilliant, and a look on the previous days results showed that it had come last in section, so it was some trepidation that I made my way to the lake which is just outside Perranporth. When I arrived at my peg it revealed an island chuck, with the pegging quite tight, it somewhat restricted what I could do. I decided on a method to the island, 2 pole lines 1 at 14.5m, the other at 6m, and a margin to my left. A View Of Bolingey Lake. With the fish running from big to huge the gear was set up accordingly, the method was 8lb mainline to a 0.20 4" hook length, the 2 pole lines were both 0.18 straight through to a 911 14, both married to orange hollow, the depth was 8ft. on the 14.5m line and 7ft. at 6m. I also set a shallow rig up just in case they wanted it up in the water. The margin was 0.18 to a strong 14 animal hook, married to a solid 20, I was plumbing up next to some willow roots so a strong elastic seemed appropriate! I had meat for 6m line, corn for the margins, and pellet for the 14.5m. Some ground bait micro mix was mixed up for the method feeder. The wind was gusting, and I had a one of those feelings it was going to be one of those days! At the all in I cupped a few bits of meat out to 6m, some pellet out to 14.5, and some corn down the edge.

Looking Down The Lake From Peg 12. I Chucked the method to the corner of the island hoping it would go round, but I didn't even get so much as a liner! A few fish were being caught at my end of the lake, but it was obvious it was going to be slow. A good hour had passed and nothing, but I wasn't the only one, but it felt like it! I had a look on the 6m line where I had been trickling in some meat, but not so much as a sniff! It was the same on the other lines as well! Time for some thing different, I chucked the method to the island and started pinging pellet at 14.5m. as there were some fish milling around in the upper water layers. With a a few fish being caught further down the lake I needed to catch some fish, so it was out with the shallow rig and a pellet hook bait. After a good half an hour lifting and dropping and pinging pellet, as well as battling with the gusty wind, I hooked into my first fish which was a nice 4lb mirror carp. Phew one in the net, now for a few more, hopefully! It took a we while again until I hooked into another, which I lost in a snag down to my right hand side, back out again and another good twenty minutes before I hooked into a real corker, a good double figure fish, which didn't want to give up! I knew there were a few fish to be had but the wind was now gusting very strongly and making presentation a nightmare. Time was now getting on, after a couple more fish shallow, I had a look in the margins, slipping on a grain of corn, a few seconds later the float shot away, a bit of a tussle ensued as I tried to extract it from the Willow roots, a few minutes later and it was in the net, and that was it. The all out sounded and I was knackered! The scales came round and I weighed in 28lb 10oz. I had beaten the anglers around me but found out that they weren't in my section! Bit of a blow as I thought I was doing ok. As it turned out I was last in section, hard work for not alot! Perhaps the next day's draw will be kinder to me.