Sunday 27th August 2006 – The Oaks Lakes, Sessay
Cedar Lake.
Panic was a no go, so I was left to travel by my own devices. I arrived in plenty of time in order to partake in the onsite breakfast, although I am now only having a small breakfast and I have managed to lose 1.5stone in about 4 months.
One of my first tasks was to pay Orc his quid from last weeks match and congratulate him on fishing a blinder, I also told Orc not to get too attached to my quid and DON’T SPEND IT. I managed to squeeze my quid out of Toddy’s pocket from last week, so I ended up even stevens before the match had even started. Toddy (Peg 38) was on for a repeat as was the usual quid with Orc (peg 26) and Chappy (Peg 25). In view of Orc being next to Chappy, I felt that an easy quid was going to be coming back my way from Orc as he would be astounded by Chappy’s fish catching ability. Micky ‘Dierdre’ Barlow made the trek, bringing his up and coming protégé with him, his son Connor. I recall reading that this lad is starting to go places in an article about him in Matchfishing magazine. If he comes on my match, pays his dues and wins, it is his money, not his dad’s. Fair play to him for taking on the big boys.
By the time of the draw there were 46 of us paid on. Where has everyone gone? Last week was a low attendance, so people stayed away this week thinking the same. If they had attended the attendance would have been nearer 60 than the 48 that arrived.
There were 3 jackpot pegs as follows, peg 36 - Tony ‘Polish Mick’ Kozaczek – No chance, peg 65 - Adam Jarvis, even less chance than Polish Mick and the ever present Dave ‘Pimmy’ Pimlott – peg 68, some chance if the peg had form, which it hadn’t, thank god. The reason that there are so many jackpot pegs is that I cap the jackpot winning money at £400 and for every £400 put into the fund I add another jackpot peg until £400 has been won.
I put my hand in the bag and pulled out peg 64. I recall that Harry Potter had a weight (90 odd lb) off the same peg last Sunday for 6th over all.
The wind, the wind.
Upon walking to my peg, I noted that the wind was ever so slightly breezy and was already moaning about it before I had even got to me peg and sat down. By the time that I had sat down, I was feeling much better. The wind was coming straight off my back and in view of the high bank (again) behind me, I was sheltered from the said wind.
My attack for today was going to be out and out pellet approach, across, down the side (if needed) and up in the water. I was hoping to be able to make my main attack up in the water, but you know how sometimes the best laid plans and all that…
I set up 3 rigs at the start.
Rig 1 was a .2g DC6 float this was set up to fish on top of the shelf, where I had about 2ft of depth to the front of the stickups both in front of me and also to the end of my peg at 14m. The float was attached to .14 Maver Genesis line, direct to a size 16 Kamasan B911 hook. This rig was attached to grey hydro through the match 2 & 3 kit.
Rig 2 was a .5g Drennan Roach. This was attached to .16 Maver Genesis line tied direct to a size 14 Colmic WN501 hook. I also attached this rig to grey hydro (set a little tighter than the shallow rig). I plumbed up at the base of the far shelf and found approx 5ft of depth.
Rig 3 was a Bazzerla PB2 float. I attached this to .3 Preston Powerline tied direct to a size 16 Colmic WN501 hook. This was also attached to grey hydro. I set this float to fish about 12” deep. After setting the depth, I also plumbed right across to the mud line with this rig and was planning on using it as a dual purpose rig. I had about 12” of line between pole float and pole tip, this would allow me to alter depth to try to find the fish.
Question, in view of the amount of time that most people have been using diameter to determine line choice, how many of you reading this actually know the stated breaking strain of the line being used, because believe you me, I don’t. The only time that I buy line by breaking strain is when I buy reel line for feeder/leger fishing.
My bait consisted of 1 tin of hemp, 3 pts of 4mm pellets, bought on site and some 4mm and 6mm (conkers) BBPC expander pellets. I mixed half a tin of hemp in with 1 pt of pellets.
After tackling up, I, dressed in my t-shirt, went to go and speak to both Pimmy and Lee Furness (peg 67) who were dressed in hoodies and the windstopper jackets.. With the wind blowing side on for them, it felt about 10 degrees colder. I quickly hurried back to my warm peg.
I had Adam Jarvis ‘Cocker’ to my immediate right on peg 65 and Gordon ‘Chubby’ Brown to my left on peg 62. The wind was blowing down both arms and making it uncomfortable. In view of Adam generally coming last (except when I take the honour), I offered a little bit of advice. I advised him to fish slightly down wind as this would aid his pole and bait presentation. He ignored me. Oh well.
At the start of the match, I cupped in some pellets and hemp at 7m. I placed a bit of bait (pellet and hemp mixture) in a fruitshoot top, baited up the 12” deep rig and went right over to the mud line. I tipped the bait over, the bait hadn’t even touched the bottom and the elastic screamed from the end of my pole.
2 minutes into the match and I have 4lb in the net already. Wwwhhhooooooo. I started to throw 4mm pellets by hand and wind assisted out to 6 or 7 metres. I re-baited the rig, put some more bait in the fruitshoot and went back over to the mud line. I waited all of 3 or 4 minutes and another carp joined it’s relative in my already bulging keepnet. After 20 minutes of feeding up in the water and fishing across, I decided whilst shipping the shallow rig across, to quickly drop the rig in at 6m. The float never even settled and another carp was on its way. By now I would estimate that I had nearly 10lb in the net. I was getting dizzy from the constant stream of fish coming my way. I wasn’t used to it.
Over the next few hours, I fished up in the water at 6m, but I was struggling to gauge whether or not they wanted the hemp and pellet mix, or if they wanted just pellet. I was also struggling trying to gauge how much to feed, whether to feed 6 pellets little and often or not so little and often.
Cocker on the next peg hooked a fish down the middle on paste and carefully played with deft agility right into my peg, where it swirled on my 6m line. I nearly called him Darryll for a minute, but he probably wouldn’t get it. Oh hum.
Although I was catching fish on a regular basis, the fish kept on coming and going and I couldn’t work out if it was because of the way that I was feeding which I would say was sporadic. I was also starting to miss a couple of bites. I quickly set up another rig as follows:
Rig no 4 was a .2 DC 6 float set up on .14 Maver Genesis tied direct to a size 16 Kamasan B911 hook. The rig was probably 12” from pole tip to hook giving me about 3 inches between pole float and tip. I attached this rig to white hydro in the event that I hook a fish; it runs out of the peg spooking less fish in the swim.
3 hours in
I baited up with pellet, threw a few pellets out, shipped out, dropped in over the top and the white hydro shot out. I was by now some 3 hours into the match and I would estimate that I had about 50lb.
I continued in this manner for the next hour or so, and I felt as though the peg was steadily dying. I put some bait in down the side and didn’t fish it until I saw it clouding up. After about 20 minutes, there was a swirl and a large cloud where I had fed some bait. I dropped in with my white hydro shallow rig (rig 4) and waited. After about 3 or 4 minutes, the float dipped, then buried. A carp of 3lb was soon in the landing net. I fed some more bait and went back out to the middle. I managed to snare a couple more carp, they seemed to be getting smaller, before I saw another cloud down the side. I dropped in, the float buried and shot under. I struck and 8m of white hydro was doing it best to maintain what was on the end. But to no avail. The fish shot off towards peg 65 and went round the corner. I tried to put the brakes on it, but it broke me.
Into the home straight
There was some 30 minutes of the match left and I would estimate that I had between 65 and 70lb. Chubby Brown was struggling as was Cocker and I couldn’t see anyone else. I continued at 6m up in the water.
With about 10 minutes to go, another cloud appeared down the side. I dropped in down the side again with rig no 3, and no sooner had the rig settled when it started wobbling. A float appeared at the side of my float, I was fishing about 12” deep in 8” of water, laying the rig up the slope. My float shot under and the said float was entangled in my line. I lifted my float out of the water and the attached float came with it. After some 4 minutes or so I transferred the offending 3lb’er back to the water but it some how landed in my keepnet.
I managed to snare one more carp from the up in the water swim, then it was all out.
I would estimate that I had some where between 70 and 80lb. Pimmy was admitting to 60lb.
By the time that the scales had arrived, Harry Potter was winning with 98lb 5oz from peg 28 and Chappy weighed in 77lb 9oz. This was going to be close!! Toddy weighed in 46lb 9oz and Orc had 34lb 2oz – told you he’d be blinded and his head will have gone up his jacksey. £2 up and one to go!!
Whilst Gandhi was weighing Chubby Brown in on the next peg, the weigh sling broke and Chappy was stood behind me asking how much I had caught. Marco lifted my net out and estimated that I had about 65lb in two nets. Chappy said that I had more and a bet was struck between the two of them, at my expense, that for every pound over 65lb I weigh, Chappy will get 10p. There was nothing said for me weighing in less than 65lb. Chappy was in a win, win situation as usual.
By the time that a replacement weigh sling arrive, Chubby weighed in 25lb 8oz. Cocker at the other side had packed up and gone so was a DNW.
My first weigh went 29lb 4oz. My second weigh went 45lb 2oz. For those non mathematicians reading this and for Adam’s benefit (he can’t add), my total weight was 74lb 6oz. Not enough to stop me giving Chappy his quid, but a good days fishing none the less. I was by now, in 3rd place with only Pimmy stating that he had a weight (some 60lb or so).
Pimmy plonked 35lb 4oz on the scales as his first weigh, and then put another 40lb 10oz for his second weigh for a total of 75lb 14oz. 60lb my foot. He obviously goes to the Chappy school of estimations. I had come in 4th and with no Purverted in sight, I got to keep it all to myself.
Where is the rest of my cashbook when I do well, there was no Panic (£1), Purverted (£2), Macca (£2) and Pacifier (£2). I was seriously out of pocket this week. With the quid’s that I would have won, I could have afforded to feed the good lady wife and the kids this week.
Could I have done anything different? The only thing that I think would have made a difference would have been to have some Skinz Pellets as on a few occasions I had to come back and re-bait, so would have save time and possibly put another couple of fish in the net. Also, if I had got the fish out that broke me, it would have been a little closer between Chappy and I. I may have even ounced him.
Final result:
Rob Minikin (HAS) 98-05
John Chapman (Garbolino Elton) 77-09
Dave Pimlott (Garbolino Elton) 75-14
Mick Herrington (Oaks/Bob-Co) 74-06
Dean Smith (Garbolino Elton) 68-10
Jt 6th Adam Richards (Elton Tackle) and Mark Whittaker (Oaks) both 64-03
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Saturday 26th August 2006 – Woodland Lakes, Thirsk
I arrived at Woodlands, paid my dues and went in search of some quid action. Chappy was ever-present, Panic was back on the books and Nightie was also present and said that I owed him a quid from the last time (???, I will have to look into this later!!).
The lakes had been fishing pretty consistent on the mid-week matches and the weights could come from anywhere. I put my hand in the bucket and pulled out Partridge 36. Partridge 37 wasn’t in, and neither was 35. An empty peg both sides.
Chappy had drawn Skylark 21 (absolutely sock on), Panic was on Skylark 26 and Nightie was on Skylark 6. This was turning into a Big Pellet – v- Skylark match. I was in good company, I had Meatcutter Bailey opposite me on Partridge 1. He only put one net in, that indicates what he thought of the area. Tony Neesom was to my left on P34. John McG was behind me on S3, with Coyney to his right on S4.
In view of just picking up my new Brilo Box (the stacks system) complete with winders, I had no rigs ready, so quickly set about making up two rigs. I had also left my large landing net head at home and asked around if someone had a landing net that would hold an 8lb’er. I wonder why everyone laughed when I said that they would need to accommodate and 8lb'er. Haircut, being the good egg that he is, lent me a large Garbolino (does he not have any other gear?) landing net head. Cheers mate.
Rig 1 was a .2g DC 6 set up on .16 Maver Genesis line direct to a size 14 Colmic WN501 hook. This was attached to black hydro through the power top two kit. I plumbed up down both sides where I found about 2.5ft of depth. One was on the top 3 kit, the other was at 9m along the bank, next to the platform in P37.
Rig 2 was a .4g DC6 set up as above. I plumbed up at the base of the slope at 8m and also out in front of P37 at 13m, where I found the same depth of about 5ft deep.
For bait, following my conversation with Panic, I had 1 tin of large hemp, 3 tins of meat, cut lovingly using my own ‘Meatcutters’, meatcutter and 1 large tin of corn.
At the all in I cupped 10 pieces (or there abouts) of meat and a handful of hemp on the 13m line and put a similar amount in down both side swims.
For the 8m line, I put 4 pieces of meat (I counted) and a small pinch of hemp in. I baited up with meat on the hook, dropped in and waited. After some 5 minutes or so, the float buried and a 4lb was soon in the net. I re-baited, dropped in again and foul-hooked one. I did the same and foul-hooked another. On the 4th drop in, I managed to snare one, although it was foul-hooked in the tail and took a bit of time to get out. I was now 15 minutes into the match and had 2 fish for 10lb in the net. I carried on in this manner until I felt that the swim had died or was dying. After about 1 hour of the match, I estimate that I had about 20lb, made up of 4 carp, 2 skimmers and 2 tench, so wasn’t doing to bad. Meatcutter opposite me had had 2 fish, both of them were small from where I was sitting.
I decided that now was the time to try down the side, which I had been lovingly pre-baiting whilst fishing the 8m line. I dropped with the side rig down to my left and immediately caught a small roach. I dropped in again and caught another small roach – maybe I should try fishing hemp??
I went down to my right at 9m, dropped in with meat on the hook and caught nothing.
By now I saw the odd carp cruising about up in the water in front of me at between 8 and 12m. I immediately swung the shallow rig out in front of me, waited all of 3 minutes and caught one of the ‘cruisers’ of about 3lb. Whilst playing this fish, there were one or two bow-waves as the fish in the area spooked.
I went back out to the 8m line, nothing. I came back down the inside, nothing. Down to my right, nothing.
My match was over and there was 3 hours left, what to do.
I rotated all of the lines and managed to pick up the odd fish, including another ‘cruiser’. Meatcutter opposite me was faring worse than I. I could hear and see the odd splash to my left as both Tony and Young Adam caught fish.
With about 1 hour to go, John McG behind me was bagging on his 2m line, straight out in front of him.
That was that. I had a good start then it sloooowwwwweeeeeeedddd to a stop.
By the time that the scales had arrived, Meatcutter opposite me weighed in 30lb odd. Tony to my left DNW’d. Young Adam had over 60lb. Bill Brierley is on fire at the moment and weighed in over 120lb. Deano Smith was second with 108lb and Pimmy was 3rd with over 90lb. I managed to eke out 38lb odd. Chappy was stood behind me, saying that it was going to be close as he thought that he had that much in one net alone. Oh well, one quid down already. Nightie DNW’d, so I was even stevens. There was only Panic to go and following his recent run of good form, he didn’t disappoint and took my quid. For the record, Chappy ended up with over 80lb.
I never set up a bomb rod, but after watching Meatcutter opposite me catch nothing on his, I thought that it was time well saved.
I have also just invested in a trolley for the long walks (Barston next Saturday and any other forays to Woodlands).
Partridge Lake
After a quick call to Panic, inside information was gathered as was a time agreed for a lift. The usual stop off at Morrisons, Boroughbridge was the order of the day for one of their ‘Flying Start’ breakfasts.I arrived at Woodlands, paid my dues and went in search of some quid action. Chappy was ever-present, Panic was back on the books and Nightie was also present and said that I owed him a quid from the last time (???, I will have to look into this later!!).
The lakes had been fishing pretty consistent on the mid-week matches and the weights could come from anywhere. I put my hand in the bucket and pulled out Partridge 36. Partridge 37 wasn’t in, and neither was 35. An empty peg both sides.
Chappy had drawn Skylark 21 (absolutely sock on), Panic was on Skylark 26 and Nightie was on Skylark 6. This was turning into a Big Pellet – v- Skylark match. I was in good company, I had Meatcutter Bailey opposite me on Partridge 1. He only put one net in, that indicates what he thought of the area. Tony Neesom was to my left on P34. John McG was behind me on S3, with Coyney to his right on S4.
In view of just picking up my new Brilo Box (the stacks system) complete with winders, I had no rigs ready, so quickly set about making up two rigs. I had also left my large landing net head at home and asked around if someone had a landing net that would hold an 8lb’er. I wonder why everyone laughed when I said that they would need to accommodate and 8lb'er. Haircut, being the good egg that he is, lent me a large Garbolino (does he not have any other gear?) landing net head. Cheers mate.
Rig 1 was a .2g DC 6 set up on .16 Maver Genesis line direct to a size 14 Colmic WN501 hook. This was attached to black hydro through the power top two kit. I plumbed up down both sides where I found about 2.5ft of depth. One was on the top 3 kit, the other was at 9m along the bank, next to the platform in P37.
Rig 2 was a .4g DC6 set up as above. I plumbed up at the base of the slope at 8m and also out in front of P37 at 13m, where I found the same depth of about 5ft deep.
For bait, following my conversation with Panic, I had 1 tin of large hemp, 3 tins of meat, cut lovingly using my own ‘Meatcutters’, meatcutter and 1 large tin of corn.
At the all in I cupped 10 pieces (or there abouts) of meat and a handful of hemp on the 13m line and put a similar amount in down both side swims.
For the 8m line, I put 4 pieces of meat (I counted) and a small pinch of hemp in. I baited up with meat on the hook, dropped in and waited. After some 5 minutes or so, the float buried and a 4lb was soon in the net. I re-baited, dropped in again and foul-hooked one. I did the same and foul-hooked another. On the 4th drop in, I managed to snare one, although it was foul-hooked in the tail and took a bit of time to get out. I was now 15 minutes into the match and had 2 fish for 10lb in the net. I carried on in this manner until I felt that the swim had died or was dying. After about 1 hour of the match, I estimate that I had about 20lb, made up of 4 carp, 2 skimmers and 2 tench, so wasn’t doing to bad. Meatcutter opposite me had had 2 fish, both of them were small from where I was sitting.
I decided that now was the time to try down the side, which I had been lovingly pre-baiting whilst fishing the 8m line. I dropped with the side rig down to my left and immediately caught a small roach. I dropped in again and caught another small roach – maybe I should try fishing hemp??
I went down to my right at 9m, dropped in with meat on the hook and caught nothing.
By now I saw the odd carp cruising about up in the water in front of me at between 8 and 12m. I immediately swung the shallow rig out in front of me, waited all of 3 minutes and caught one of the ‘cruisers’ of about 3lb. Whilst playing this fish, there were one or two bow-waves as the fish in the area spooked.
I went back out to the 8m line, nothing. I came back down the inside, nothing. Down to my right, nothing.
My match was over and there was 3 hours left, what to do.
I rotated all of the lines and managed to pick up the odd fish, including another ‘cruiser’. Meatcutter opposite me was faring worse than I. I could hear and see the odd splash to my left as both Tony and Young Adam caught fish.
With about 1 hour to go, John McG behind me was bagging on his 2m line, straight out in front of him.
That was that. I had a good start then it sloooowwwwweeeeeeedddd to a stop.
By the time that the scales had arrived, Meatcutter opposite me weighed in 30lb odd. Tony to my left DNW’d. Young Adam had over 60lb. Bill Brierley is on fire at the moment and weighed in over 120lb. Deano Smith was second with 108lb and Pimmy was 3rd with over 90lb. I managed to eke out 38lb odd. Chappy was stood behind me, saying that it was going to be close as he thought that he had that much in one net alone. Oh well, one quid down already. Nightie DNW’d, so I was even stevens. There was only Panic to go and following his recent run of good form, he didn’t disappoint and took my quid. For the record, Chappy ended up with over 80lb.
I never set up a bomb rod, but after watching Meatcutter opposite me catch nothing on his, I thought that it was time well saved.
I have also just invested in a trolley for the long walks (Barston next Saturday and any other forays to Woodlands).
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Sunday 20th August 2006 – The Oaks, Sessay
Chappy Slap No. 1
Let me just start this weeks account with a continuation of my last story, following my comments about the resemblance between Hattie Jacques and Chappy, (well, have you ever seen them in the same room together), Chappy said, via the Oaks Banter website that he was going to give me a Chappy slap.
Whilst I was in the middle of organising everything, I was talking to Desperate Dan look-alike, Paul Hart who introduced himself and we were just talking about the look-alikes on the website, at which time, this promptly reminded Chappy that he was going to slap me.
Being behind a desk, I was boxed in and couldn’t make my escape. “Hattie Jacques, Eh, Mick, Hattie Jacques, I’ll give you Hattie Jacques” which was repeated again and again as he was slapping me.
The attendance for today’s match was very low in relation to recent attendances, as there was only 37 on the match. There were a few people away practising for team matches, there was a match on over in Manchester and there was also a big river match on, I think that that is the reason for the low attendance.
One well-known angler said that he wouldn’t be booking on the match (or turning up) if there wasn’t 50 on the match. Is the Kamasan so important? I don’t think that the said angler has any (or not many) points yet.
3 jackpot pegs were drawn and they were pegs 40 (Mal Bailey), 44 (Martin Craig) and 74 (Andy Dargue).
In view of Panic, Purverted, Pacifier, Nightie and Macca not being in attendance, I quickly looked around for an opportunity of a quid. I asked Paul ‘Sweeney’ Todd if he caught anything yesterday, he replied “No”. I asked him if he had caught anything last Sunday, he said “No”. I asked him if he wanted a quid, he said “Yes”. Easy Money!!!
Chappy said that Pimmy was feeling left out and that I ought to have a quid with him. Shall I just pay their digs whilst they stay over? I very quickly declined, poor Pimmy.
My quid’s were going to peg 22 (Orc), peg 76 (Chappy) and peg 10 (Sweeney).
I put my hand in the bag and drew peg 60. I blame my bad draw on Granddad. He volunteered to hold the bag and was first in. I am usually first in the bag and I think that Granddad took all of my luck when he dipped I before me.
I arrived at my peg to find it flat calm. There were fish clouding the far bank at the bottom end of my peg, some 16m away. Fish were topping down the middle at about 7m.
I set up 3 rigs as follows:
A very shallow rig set about 12” deep. This was a .1g DC6 float set up on .13 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 16 Colmic WN501 hook. This was tied to white hydro through my top two kit. (I might do away with the white hydro through 1 section!!).
A rig was set up to fish on top of the shelf at 12m. I found that I had about 18” depth and a .2g Garbolino DC6 was the weapon of choice. This was also set up on the same line and hook as above.
I also set up a .75g Series ‘E’ float for down the middle. This was set up on .15 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 14 Colmic WN501 hook. Both of these 2 rigs were set up on grey hydro elastic. I found that I had about 5ft of depth at the base of the slope. In view of the wind, I added about a floats length of depth onto the rig.
I like the WN501 hooks as they have a nice bend for rolling either conkers/pellets and or corn onto the hook. They are strong and they also stay sharp for a long time.
For bait today I had:
1 bag 3mm pellets
1 large tin of corn
Some conkers
4mm expanders
And some 4mm hard pellets
The wind, the wind!!!
Within 5 minutes of the match starting, the wind picked up and started blowing from left to right and the 16m line was now a bit like Afghanistan – a no go zone.
Why does that always happen, you arrive at your peg to find it flat calm, during the setting up period the peg is still flat calm, as soon as I shout time, the wind blows and continues to blow, generally increasing in strength as the match progresses, until I shout time at the end of the match. Today was not different.
Suggestions were flying around about having matches 4:00 am – 11:00 am and 4:00 pm to dusk.
At the start of the match, I fed a Tosspot full of bait on the deep line and also across on the 12m line. I got the 12” deep rig, baited up with pellet on the hook, put a few 3mm pellets in a fruit shoot and shipped out to 16m. This was made increasingly difficult due to the high bank some 3m behind me. In order to get to my peg, I had to walk down a little bank to put my box down.
I tipped the bait in and waited about 2 minutes, got my first indication and missed it (probably a liner). I dropped back in again and caught an F1 about 10oz. I re-baited went back out to 16m, dropped in and caught another F1 almost immediately. The wind was by now getting very strong and it was becoming a struggle to hold the pole and present the bait properly.
After 30 minutes and 5 fish, I decided to sack this line. I swapped over rigs and put the shelf rig on, baited up with pellet, shipped out to 13m, the float buried and a carp of 1lb was soon in the net. I baited up again, the float was being dragged offline due to the wind. I got a ‘dink’, struck and foul-hooked a fish. With the wind pushing the rig around the rig brushed into a fish, causing the ‘dink’, hence the reason for the foul-hooked fish.
I baited up with corn and fed pellets through the fruit shoot, the bait was keeping still, but the bites were at a premium. I decided to have a look down the middle.
Paul Burton on the next peg (62) was catching a few fish up in the water feeding some sloppy groundbait (I presume) and either caster or pellet. The wind was side on for him, but he had turned round slightly to have the wind coming at a diagonal for him. Keith Alder on peg 58, was fairing worse than I. I just felt as though I was going nowhere as usual. I lost approx 5 or 6 fish all match (most likely foul-hooked). I managed to get a few fish going in the last hour by feeding 4mm pellets at 3m out and fishing with the deep rig over the top, baited up with corn on the hook. I would estimate that I caught approximately 15 – 18lb in the last hour doing this.
As soon as I shouted time to end the match, the wind abated and it would have been possible to fish across to the far side. Bloody English Weather!!!
Thank god for Sweeney!!
Chappy was saying that he had about 25 – 30lb, I said that I had a similar weight, and as I found out, I wasn’t telling porkpies. I put 31lb 5oz on the scales; Chappy put 43lb on the scales – bugger, a quid down already. Orc had fished a blinder and managed to eke out 59lb form peg 22 (well done, must be your best weight up there yet), but alas, another quid down. Sweeney saved my bacon by weighing only 29lb odd (he should have had a lot more from there).
Full Result:
Gareth Drury (Oaks/HAS), 118-08. Peg 4.
Billy Brierley (Garbolino Elton) 103-10. Peg 50.
Mark Calvert (Garbolino Elton) 101-12.
Haircut Andy Bridge (Garbolino Elton) 100-04.
Chris Hall (The Oaks) 100-00. Peg 6.
Rob Minikin (HAS) 95-02. Peg 64.
Chappy Slap No. 2 - Have you ever seen a grown man cry?
I did, I was that man. I was crying from laughing so much at seeing Chappy chasing me round the Oaks Lakes car park. Let me explain.
Following Chappy’s 25-30lb being nearer to 45lb than 25lb and the subsequent loss of weight from my pocket. I asked the boys behind the counter to give me a quid in change (50p in 5p and 50p in 10p, to be precise). I went over to Chappy, shook his hand, said “well done”, and then handed him the change. His response was unprintable. I started to walk off with Chappy asking for a quid coin. As I made a mad dash for the door with Chappy in hot pursuit (“chase me, chase me”), I managed to squeeze past Andy Dargue, who was minding his own business standing just outside the doorway. I was halfway across the car park when Chappy got to the door and the aforementioned Andy Dargue.
In view of the size difference between Chappy and myself, Chappy was only just able to get past Andy, although he did take the cup of coffee that Andy was holding with him and promptly poured it down his own sleeve.
After a short jog, I relented and hastily got a quid coin out of my pocket to give to Chappy and let him catch me. As I handed over the quid, Chappy threw my shrapnel on the car park floor. As I bent down to pick up my change before it got lost in the pebbles etc, Chappy pushed me over, where I laid laughing my arse off with tears streaming down my face. Although, I will say in Chappy’s defence, he did help me pick up my shrapnel.
2 Chappy slaps in one day, I must be doing something right!!!
User Report – Alan Scotthorne Shimano Carryall
I purchased this carryall some 4 months ago now. I bought it because it was large, has a hard base and seemed comfortable. The dimensions of the carryall are 52 x 35 x 45cm. Now that I have used it, it is still large and the hard base is still there, it hasn’t been chewed through by rats or mice yet and I can get all of my stuff in the carryall including my wet togs at the end of a rain soaked session. The large side zipped pocket looks big enough to accommodate a keepnet, although I prefer to use a dedicated stink bags, and the side pocket is large enough to take a large bait tray (6 bait boxes). The only down size is the length of the strap. The strap is set as short as possible, but it still knocks against my knees when I walk, which makes it v. v. uncomfortable to carry, with this in mind, the carryall would only be suitable for some one the size of Hattie or Big Mark. I would assume that it is also too long for Mr Scotthorne himself. Come on Shimano, we’re not all 6ft 6” tall.
All in all, a large good quality carryall that seems well put together let down by the length of the strap.
Chappy Slap No. 1
Let me just start this weeks account with a continuation of my last story, following my comments about the resemblance between Hattie Jacques and Chappy, (well, have you ever seen them in the same room together), Chappy said, via the Oaks Banter website that he was going to give me a Chappy slap.
Whilst I was in the middle of organising everything, I was talking to Desperate Dan look-alike, Paul Hart who introduced himself and we were just talking about the look-alikes on the website, at which time, this promptly reminded Chappy that he was going to slap me.
Being behind a desk, I was boxed in and couldn’t make my escape. “Hattie Jacques, Eh, Mick, Hattie Jacques, I’ll give you Hattie Jacques” which was repeated again and again as he was slapping me.
The attendance for today’s match was very low in relation to recent attendances, as there was only 37 on the match. There were a few people away practising for team matches, there was a match on over in Manchester and there was also a big river match on, I think that that is the reason for the low attendance.
One well-known angler said that he wouldn’t be booking on the match (or turning up) if there wasn’t 50 on the match. Is the Kamasan so important? I don’t think that the said angler has any (or not many) points yet.
3 jackpot pegs were drawn and they were pegs 40 (Mal Bailey), 44 (Martin Craig) and 74 (Andy Dargue).
In view of Panic, Purverted, Pacifier, Nightie and Macca not being in attendance, I quickly looked around for an opportunity of a quid. I asked Paul ‘Sweeney’ Todd if he caught anything yesterday, he replied “No”. I asked him if he had caught anything last Sunday, he said “No”. I asked him if he wanted a quid, he said “Yes”. Easy Money!!!
Chappy said that Pimmy was feeling left out and that I ought to have a quid with him. Shall I just pay their digs whilst they stay over? I very quickly declined, poor Pimmy.
My quid’s were going to peg 22 (Orc), peg 76 (Chappy) and peg 10 (Sweeney).
I put my hand in the bag and drew peg 60. I blame my bad draw on Granddad. He volunteered to hold the bag and was first in. I am usually first in the bag and I think that Granddad took all of my luck when he dipped I before me.
I arrived at my peg to find it flat calm. There were fish clouding the far bank at the bottom end of my peg, some 16m away. Fish were topping down the middle at about 7m.
I set up 3 rigs as follows:
A very shallow rig set about 12” deep. This was a .1g DC6 float set up on .13 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 16 Colmic WN501 hook. This was tied to white hydro through my top two kit. (I might do away with the white hydro through 1 section!!).
A rig was set up to fish on top of the shelf at 12m. I found that I had about 18” depth and a .2g Garbolino DC6 was the weapon of choice. This was also set up on the same line and hook as above.
I also set up a .75g Series ‘E’ float for down the middle. This was set up on .15 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 14 Colmic WN501 hook. Both of these 2 rigs were set up on grey hydro elastic. I found that I had about 5ft of depth at the base of the slope. In view of the wind, I added about a floats length of depth onto the rig.
I like the WN501 hooks as they have a nice bend for rolling either conkers/pellets and or corn onto the hook. They are strong and they also stay sharp for a long time.
For bait today I had:
1 bag 3mm pellets
1 large tin of corn
Some conkers
4mm expanders
And some 4mm hard pellets
The wind, the wind!!!
Within 5 minutes of the match starting, the wind picked up and started blowing from left to right and the 16m line was now a bit like Afghanistan – a no go zone.
Why does that always happen, you arrive at your peg to find it flat calm, during the setting up period the peg is still flat calm, as soon as I shout time, the wind blows and continues to blow, generally increasing in strength as the match progresses, until I shout time at the end of the match. Today was not different.
Suggestions were flying around about having matches 4:00 am – 11:00 am and 4:00 pm to dusk.
At the start of the match, I fed a Tosspot full of bait on the deep line and also across on the 12m line. I got the 12” deep rig, baited up with pellet on the hook, put a few 3mm pellets in a fruit shoot and shipped out to 16m. This was made increasingly difficult due to the high bank some 3m behind me. In order to get to my peg, I had to walk down a little bank to put my box down.
I tipped the bait in and waited about 2 minutes, got my first indication and missed it (probably a liner). I dropped back in again and caught an F1 about 10oz. I re-baited went back out to 16m, dropped in and caught another F1 almost immediately. The wind was by now getting very strong and it was becoming a struggle to hold the pole and present the bait properly.
After 30 minutes and 5 fish, I decided to sack this line. I swapped over rigs and put the shelf rig on, baited up with pellet, shipped out to 13m, the float buried and a carp of 1lb was soon in the net. I baited up again, the float was being dragged offline due to the wind. I got a ‘dink’, struck and foul-hooked a fish. With the wind pushing the rig around the rig brushed into a fish, causing the ‘dink’, hence the reason for the foul-hooked fish.
I baited up with corn and fed pellets through the fruit shoot, the bait was keeping still, but the bites were at a premium. I decided to have a look down the middle.
Paul Burton on the next peg (62) was catching a few fish up in the water feeding some sloppy groundbait (I presume) and either caster or pellet. The wind was side on for him, but he had turned round slightly to have the wind coming at a diagonal for him. Keith Alder on peg 58, was fairing worse than I. I just felt as though I was going nowhere as usual. I lost approx 5 or 6 fish all match (most likely foul-hooked). I managed to get a few fish going in the last hour by feeding 4mm pellets at 3m out and fishing with the deep rig over the top, baited up with corn on the hook. I would estimate that I caught approximately 15 – 18lb in the last hour doing this.
As soon as I shouted time to end the match, the wind abated and it would have been possible to fish across to the far side. Bloody English Weather!!!
Thank god for Sweeney!!
Chappy was saying that he had about 25 – 30lb, I said that I had a similar weight, and as I found out, I wasn’t telling porkpies. I put 31lb 5oz on the scales; Chappy put 43lb on the scales – bugger, a quid down already. Orc had fished a blinder and managed to eke out 59lb form peg 22 (well done, must be your best weight up there yet), but alas, another quid down. Sweeney saved my bacon by weighing only 29lb odd (he should have had a lot more from there).
Full Result:
Gareth Drury (Oaks/HAS), 118-08. Peg 4.
Billy Brierley (Garbolino Elton) 103-10. Peg 50.
Mark Calvert (Garbolino Elton) 101-12.
Haircut Andy Bridge (Garbolino Elton) 100-04.
Chris Hall (The Oaks) 100-00. Peg 6.
Rob Minikin (HAS) 95-02. Peg 64.
Chappy Slap No. 2 - Have you ever seen a grown man cry?
I did, I was that man. I was crying from laughing so much at seeing Chappy chasing me round the Oaks Lakes car park. Let me explain.
Following Chappy’s 25-30lb being nearer to 45lb than 25lb and the subsequent loss of weight from my pocket. I asked the boys behind the counter to give me a quid in change (50p in 5p and 50p in 10p, to be precise). I went over to Chappy, shook his hand, said “well done”, and then handed him the change. His response was unprintable. I started to walk off with Chappy asking for a quid coin. As I made a mad dash for the door with Chappy in hot pursuit (“chase me, chase me”), I managed to squeeze past Andy Dargue, who was minding his own business standing just outside the doorway. I was halfway across the car park when Chappy got to the door and the aforementioned Andy Dargue.
In view of the size difference between Chappy and myself, Chappy was only just able to get past Andy, although he did take the cup of coffee that Andy was holding with him and promptly poured it down his own sleeve.
After a short jog, I relented and hastily got a quid coin out of my pocket to give to Chappy and let him catch me. As I handed over the quid, Chappy threw my shrapnel on the car park floor. As I bent down to pick up my change before it got lost in the pebbles etc, Chappy pushed me over, where I laid laughing my arse off with tears streaming down my face. Although, I will say in Chappy’s defence, he did help me pick up my shrapnel.
2 Chappy slaps in one day, I must be doing something right!!!
User Report – Alan Scotthorne Shimano Carryall
I purchased this carryall some 4 months ago now. I bought it because it was large, has a hard base and seemed comfortable. The dimensions of the carryall are 52 x 35 x 45cm. Now that I have used it, it is still large and the hard base is still there, it hasn’t been chewed through by rats or mice yet and I can get all of my stuff in the carryall including my wet togs at the end of a rain soaked session. The large side zipped pocket looks big enough to accommodate a keepnet, although I prefer to use a dedicated stink bags, and the side pocket is large enough to take a large bait tray (6 bait boxes). The only down size is the length of the strap. The strap is set as short as possible, but it still knocks against my knees when I walk, which makes it v. v. uncomfortable to carry, with this in mind, the carryall would only be suitable for some one the size of Hattie or Big Mark. I would assume that it is also too long for Mr Scotthorne himself. Come on Shimano, we’re not all 6ft 6” tall.
All in all, a large good quality carryall that seems well put together let down by the length of the strap.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Sunday 13th August 2006
No fishing last week as a mate of mine got married in Richmond, London on Saturday, then we spent Sunday at Thorpe Park, so had a weekend away darn sarf.
Following a rest, the batteries had been recharged and I ready for todays match at The Oaks, Sessay. I travelled on my own this week as both Panic and Purverted had cancelled off for one reason or another.
By the time of the draw, there were 60 anglers ready to do battle. The wind was blowing an absolute hoolie (?).
The current method has still been to fish meat down the middle over hemp, although pellet is starting to make a comeback and more and more peolple are taking maggots to their peg (don't they read my blog?)
3 jackpot pegs were drawn, they were 46 (Alan Scott), 63 (Andy Dargue) and 79 (Mr Pimlott). Of all the jackpot pegs, in order of preference I would have to choose 79, 46 then 63. This is not totally down to anglers ability, more down to form of the peg. Peg 79 holds more records than any other peg on the venue and 63 just isn't a good peg (62 is, generally, miles better).
Orc was in attendance and prompty accosted me for my quid from the last match, which I gave up gracefully, not. I even wrote my name on the quid as I had a feeling that I would be getting it back. Macca wasn't in attendance (£2 down already), Pacifier was there, as was Chappy. The now obligatory side bet's had been struck. Chappy handed me a piece of paper with his bank details on it in order that could set up a Standing Order - Cheeky Beggar!!! I have to mind my words with Chappy as he is bigger than me and might give me a 'Chappy Slap'. But hey he's bigger than everyone bar Big Mark (Happy Birthday Mate!!).
On the Oaks Banter website, we have been aliking people to various cast members from the Carry On crew and ended up as follows:
Marco - Charles Hawtrey
Chappy - Bernard Bresslaw or Hattie Jacques in Drag!! - Aren't they one and the same?
Bruce Poland - Sid James
Me - Kenneth Williams
Ian Exman - Frankie Howard (although he did comment that he would have preferred to have been likened to Jim Dale, does he live in a house without mirrors?)
I digress, back to the match. Johnny Mac, the Rochdale Raver, sent a raiding party over and introduced himself (nice to meet you mate).
Will my drawing arm still fail me or am I round the corner now? I shuffled the peg numbers, then passed them to Tom (the owner to be!!), who shuffled them some more.
I dipped in the bag and peg 37 was stuck to my hand. Trying to work out the way that the wind was blowing, I thought that it would be coming straight into my face from peg 35, but according to all the locals, the peg is and would be flat calm all day.
My quids were going to pegs 50 (Orc), 58 (Chappy) and 75 (Pacifier).
Peg 37 is a peg on a bend with pegs 38 - 42 being on the straight. Peg 36 to my left looks straight down both arms and 35 is the one at the top of the other straight from pegs 35 - 28. There was no one peg 36 and Harry Potter lookalike, Rob Minikin, had drawn peg 35. Dave Parkinson was to my right on peg 38 and Stewie Newbury was further round on peg 38.
After taking a couple of minutes to look at my peg and those around me I decided on the following:
1 shallow rig - a .2g Garbolino DC6 on .11 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 16 Colmic WN501 hook. I plumbed up to the edge of the sedges and found that I had about 18" of depth. This rig was attached to white hydro through my No2 section only.
1 deep rig - .5g Series E float on .13 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 14 Colmic WN501 hook. I plumbed up at the base of the slope and found about 5ft of depth. When I plumbed up at the base of the slope, it was whilst looking towards peg 35. This rig was attached to grey Hydro.
1 rig to fish down the side - a .3g Garbolino DC6 float on .13 Preston Powerline straight through to the same hook as above. I plumbed up down the side and found 2 1/2 ft at 11m.
My bait for the day consisted of:
2 pts micro pellets, 1 tin of corn, hook pellets (including the conkers) and 2 tins of meat.
On your marks!!!
At the all in, I 'Toss-potted' some micro's down the side, some meat down the middle, then went over to the farside with pellet on the hook and a fruitshoot top of micropellets as feed.
I dropped the bait in and fed the micro's over the top. After about 5 minutes, I caught a carp of about 10oz. I re-baited and dropped in again, another carp, of a similar size, was on it's way to join it's breathren.
My third drop in, and the rig was all over the place. Ducking and diving, bobbing and weaving. i kept on tyring to hit the indications, then all of a sudden a gudgeon about 1oz (if I was lucky) came flying out of the water (superstrike hit home again) and dropped off the hook. I hope that it doesn't cost me!!
I dropped in again and waited for about 10 minutes, I was still getting the dips and blips, but the float wouldn't go under. Then all of a sudden 3ft of white hydro went screaming from the pole tip. I managed to gain control of the fish, that was until I got it to the landing net. When I saw the fish and it saw the landing net, it bolted and snapped me, right next to the loop used to attach my rig to my connector. That one will cost me, I would estimate that it was a 4lb (ish) mirror carp.
Why is that when you lose a fish, it can affect your stride, considerably!!
I quickly got a duplicate rig out and went back over to the farside and caught some more gonks. I re-baited down the middle and decided to have a look down the side.
I baited up with pellet, and fed some micro's over the top. 7 drop in's and 7 carp, then it all went squiffy. I caught a perch, then an ide, then 2 roach then 2 gudgeon. Time to rest this line me thinks.
I decided to have a look on the meat line down the middle. I baited up with meat, dropped in and waited and waited. I had been feeding a few micro pellets in with my meat. I came back, put a conker on the hook, dropped in and caught a succession of carp, mainly F1's to 2lb. This line then went squiffy. I foul-hooked 6 carp in 7 put ins.
Do you ever get the feeling that it is going to be one of them days?
I started to then rotate the swims, trying to pick up the odd carp until the bits moved in.
Harry Potter was steadily catching fish throughout and was fishing pellet across to the far side. Parka Parkinson and Stewie were, I would say, fairing worse than I. Parka was fishing with maggots as hook bait and was catching the odd fish, barbel, roach, carp, ide. Stewie didn't seem to be catching much of anything.
By the time of the all out, I was ready to go home. I could not get one method to work and was getting 'bitted out' on every line that I fished with pellet and I struggled to get a bite on meat. had I done something wrong???
By the time that the scales had arrived, Harry Potter was leading on my half of the lake with 88lb. I weighed in 25lb 8oz for nowhere. Parka, Stewie and the lad on peg 41 all DNW'd.
I was tempted to drive straight home, but then I remembered, I had to sort out the brown envelopes.
Orc weighed in 17lb. I asked for the quid with my name on it. Chappy had 41lb and Pacifier had 29lb (I new that the fish that snapped me would cost me - £2.00). Do you have the feeling that sometimes your up one minute (£1) then down the next (£3).
Oh well, there is always next week.
Full result:
1. Rob Minikin (HAS) - 88-03. Peg 35. Pellet across to the island.
2. Andy Stoner (Team Browning/Cudmore) - 74-08. Peg 30.
3. Geoff Scott (Mosella/Rochdale) - 66-12.
4. Dave Pimlott (Garbolino Elton) - 61-02.
5. Tony Neesom (Elton Tackle) - 53-10.
6. Mal Bailey (Garbolino Elton) - 52-13.
No fishing last week as a mate of mine got married in Richmond, London on Saturday, then we spent Sunday at Thorpe Park, so had a weekend away darn sarf.
Following a rest, the batteries had been recharged and I ready for todays match at The Oaks, Sessay. I travelled on my own this week as both Panic and Purverted had cancelled off for one reason or another.
By the time of the draw, there were 60 anglers ready to do battle. The wind was blowing an absolute hoolie (?).
The current method has still been to fish meat down the middle over hemp, although pellet is starting to make a comeback and more and more peolple are taking maggots to their peg (don't they read my blog?)
3 jackpot pegs were drawn, they were 46 (Alan Scott), 63 (Andy Dargue) and 79 (Mr Pimlott). Of all the jackpot pegs, in order of preference I would have to choose 79, 46 then 63. This is not totally down to anglers ability, more down to form of the peg. Peg 79 holds more records than any other peg on the venue and 63 just isn't a good peg (62 is, generally, miles better).
Orc was in attendance and prompty accosted me for my quid from the last match, which I gave up gracefully, not. I even wrote my name on the quid as I had a feeling that I would be getting it back. Macca wasn't in attendance (£2 down already), Pacifier was there, as was Chappy. The now obligatory side bet's had been struck. Chappy handed me a piece of paper with his bank details on it in order that could set up a Standing Order - Cheeky Beggar!!! I have to mind my words with Chappy as he is bigger than me and might give me a 'Chappy Slap'. But hey he's bigger than everyone bar Big Mark (Happy Birthday Mate!!).
On the Oaks Banter website, we have been aliking people to various cast members from the Carry On crew and ended up as follows:
Marco - Charles Hawtrey
Chappy - Bernard Bresslaw or Hattie Jacques in Drag!! - Aren't they one and the same?
Bruce Poland - Sid James
Me - Kenneth Williams
Ian Exman - Frankie Howard (although he did comment that he would have preferred to have been likened to Jim Dale, does he live in a house without mirrors?)
I digress, back to the match. Johnny Mac, the Rochdale Raver, sent a raiding party over and introduced himself (nice to meet you mate).
Will my drawing arm still fail me or am I round the corner now? I shuffled the peg numbers, then passed them to Tom (the owner to be!!), who shuffled them some more.
I dipped in the bag and peg 37 was stuck to my hand. Trying to work out the way that the wind was blowing, I thought that it would be coming straight into my face from peg 35, but according to all the locals, the peg is and would be flat calm all day.
My quids were going to pegs 50 (Orc), 58 (Chappy) and 75 (Pacifier).
Peg 37 is a peg on a bend with pegs 38 - 42 being on the straight. Peg 36 to my left looks straight down both arms and 35 is the one at the top of the other straight from pegs 35 - 28. There was no one peg 36 and Harry Potter lookalike, Rob Minikin, had drawn peg 35. Dave Parkinson was to my right on peg 38 and Stewie Newbury was further round on peg 38.
After taking a couple of minutes to look at my peg and those around me I decided on the following:
1 shallow rig - a .2g Garbolino DC6 on .11 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 16 Colmic WN501 hook. I plumbed up to the edge of the sedges and found that I had about 18" of depth. This rig was attached to white hydro through my No2 section only.
1 deep rig - .5g Series E float on .13 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 14 Colmic WN501 hook. I plumbed up at the base of the slope and found about 5ft of depth. When I plumbed up at the base of the slope, it was whilst looking towards peg 35. This rig was attached to grey Hydro.
1 rig to fish down the side - a .3g Garbolino DC6 float on .13 Preston Powerline straight through to the same hook as above. I plumbed up down the side and found 2 1/2 ft at 11m.
My bait for the day consisted of:
2 pts micro pellets, 1 tin of corn, hook pellets (including the conkers) and 2 tins of meat.
On your marks!!!
At the all in, I 'Toss-potted' some micro's down the side, some meat down the middle, then went over to the farside with pellet on the hook and a fruitshoot top of micropellets as feed.
I dropped the bait in and fed the micro's over the top. After about 5 minutes, I caught a carp of about 10oz. I re-baited and dropped in again, another carp, of a similar size, was on it's way to join it's breathren.
My third drop in, and the rig was all over the place. Ducking and diving, bobbing and weaving. i kept on tyring to hit the indications, then all of a sudden a gudgeon about 1oz (if I was lucky) came flying out of the water (superstrike hit home again) and dropped off the hook. I hope that it doesn't cost me!!
I dropped in again and waited for about 10 minutes, I was still getting the dips and blips, but the float wouldn't go under. Then all of a sudden 3ft of white hydro went screaming from the pole tip. I managed to gain control of the fish, that was until I got it to the landing net. When I saw the fish and it saw the landing net, it bolted and snapped me, right next to the loop used to attach my rig to my connector. That one will cost me, I would estimate that it was a 4lb (ish) mirror carp.
Why is that when you lose a fish, it can affect your stride, considerably!!
I quickly got a duplicate rig out and went back over to the farside and caught some more gonks. I re-baited down the middle and decided to have a look down the side.
I baited up with pellet, and fed some micro's over the top. 7 drop in's and 7 carp, then it all went squiffy. I caught a perch, then an ide, then 2 roach then 2 gudgeon. Time to rest this line me thinks.
I decided to have a look on the meat line down the middle. I baited up with meat, dropped in and waited and waited. I had been feeding a few micro pellets in with my meat. I came back, put a conker on the hook, dropped in and caught a succession of carp, mainly F1's to 2lb. This line then went squiffy. I foul-hooked 6 carp in 7 put ins.
Do you ever get the feeling that it is going to be one of them days?
I started to then rotate the swims, trying to pick up the odd carp until the bits moved in.
Harry Potter was steadily catching fish throughout and was fishing pellet across to the far side. Parka Parkinson and Stewie were, I would say, fairing worse than I. Parka was fishing with maggots as hook bait and was catching the odd fish, barbel, roach, carp, ide. Stewie didn't seem to be catching much of anything.
By the time of the all out, I was ready to go home. I could not get one method to work and was getting 'bitted out' on every line that I fished with pellet and I struggled to get a bite on meat. had I done something wrong???
By the time that the scales had arrived, Harry Potter was leading on my half of the lake with 88lb. I weighed in 25lb 8oz for nowhere. Parka, Stewie and the lad on peg 41 all DNW'd.
I was tempted to drive straight home, but then I remembered, I had to sort out the brown envelopes.
Orc weighed in 17lb. I asked for the quid with my name on it. Chappy had 41lb and Pacifier had 29lb (I new that the fish that snapped me would cost me - £2.00). Do you have the feeling that sometimes your up one minute (£1) then down the next (£3).
Oh well, there is always next week.
Full result:
1. Rob Minikin (HAS) - 88-03. Peg 35. Pellet across to the island.
2. Andy Stoner (Team Browning/Cudmore) - 74-08. Peg 30.
3. Geoff Scott (Mosella/Rochdale) - 66-12.
4. Dave Pimlott (Garbolino Elton) - 61-02.
5. Tony Neesom (Elton Tackle) - 53-10.
6. Mal Bailey (Garbolino Elton) - 52-13.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Sunday 30th July 2006 – The Oaks Lakes, Sessay
Following my debacle last week, I nearly never made it to today’s match as I was contemplating suicide all week. But hey, you can’t have a bad draw all the time!!!
Or can you????
I had prepared a list of all those people that had booked on from last week’s match and had 46 names for the open match, it was going to be close for a 50 pegger.
I texted Panic on Friday to see when he was back off his Jollies and he replied "Back Sat 9pm Number 5 38 Degrees Time For A Beer". So I took that to be that he was back at 9pm on Sat 5th Aug. So I travelled on my own, again. Just call me Billy Nomates.
Whilst driving up the A1, I was trying to make a decision, do I fish pellet up in the water all match, as most of the recent winning weights have all come on this method, or do I do as most of the other people and fish meat on the deck? Choices, choices.
By the time that I arrived I had made up my mind, I was going to fish pellet up in the water if I had a calm(ish) peg and meat on the bottom if it was windy.
Whilst preparing my bait prior to the draw I had none other than Mr Scotthorne asking me questions. What had I done? Big Al had been a couple of times within the first 6 months of Cedar Lake opening, but commitments etc had kept him away. I said to him 'don't ask me nothing, I was last last week!!'. He was asking me about methods, distance, stamp of fish etc and being the good egg that I am, I gave him as much bum info as possible, not!!
at about 9:00, Panic rang me to ask if I had set off yet. I said that I was already there. Anyways, his text meant that he was back on Sat @ 9pm. I don't what the Number 5 referred to.
By the time of the draw, there were 68 of us for the weekly payroll. Where had everyone come from?
I had the obligatory quids with Chappy, Orc, Bedpan Movley, Pacifier (£2) and Panic.
Due to the Jackpot peg(s) still not being won, I, again, put 3 jackpot pegs into the draw, peg no's 41 (Ian Bowman), 55 (Tim Moran) and peg 77. Of these pegs, it was thought that Tim had the best chance of going home with the extra loot.
In view of Tom being crap at drawing, I decided to draw my own peg this week. Where had I been in previous matches? 4, 5 and 6 (although not necessarily in that order). I put my hand in the bag and drew........
Peg 3!!!
What's up, when I put my hand in the bag do all the pegs between 3 and 6 jump up to my hand and I only pick out of those. I shake the bag, as does Tom prior to my putting my hand in.
Oh well you can only do your best (although in my case it ain't good enough). I did have a weight (and won my section) when I was last in the area (peg 4).
Geoff Scotty has been doing well by fishing with paste across to the far side (or on any other line for that matter) and he had drawn peg 1, which is scales help for his sins and Deano Smith had drawn peg 7. Both of these pegs are at either end of the straight before they go around the corner. The only (dis) advantage was that the wind was blowing into their respective pegs and as most of the regulars know, when it is windy at The Oaks, it is damn windy!!!
Marco drew the same peg that won yesterdays open, peg 73 (Ian Exley with 115lb) and literally run to the peg carrying all of his gear.
Let's get on with it
I arrived at my peg to find that I had D Edwards (sorry, don't know him) and N Rogison (Sorry, Don't know him either) on either side of me.
In view of my deciding to fish with pellet up in the water, I made up 3 rigs as follows:
I set up a rig to fish on top of the shelf whilst I was feeding the up in the water line. I set up a .2g Garbolino DC6 on .13 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 16 Colmic WN501 hook. This was attached to white hydro. Someone asked me a question as to why I was fishing with white hydro. When you lift/strike into a fish, it allows the fish to run out of your peg whilst you play the fish, hopefully causing any remaining fish to spook less.
I set up 2 shallow rigs, one was a .1 Garbolino DC1 set at 2ft deep with a long line between pole float and pole tip (about 2 ft). This was set up on .12 Maver Genesis line tied direct to a size 18 Colmic WN501 hook. This was attached to white hydro.
My other shallow rig was a .1 Garbolino DC1 float set at 2ft deep with a short line (about 4") between pole float and tip. This was also set up on .12 Maver Genesis tied direct to a size 16 Colmic WN501 hook. This was attached to grey hydro.
Bait
for feeding, I had 2 pts of micro pellets (for shaking up in the water), 3 pints of 4mm hard pellets (for catapulting) and 2pts of Ringers 3mm expander pellets, which I had pumped to make them sinkers (again for catapulting).
For the hook, I pumped some 4mm and 6mm BBPC pellets and I also had some 4mm 'Skinz' This is the first time that I have used some Skinz. I read the info on the packet and covered them in a little bit of water (just to help to soften them, as I felt that they were a little hard)
All in
At the all in, I put some micro pellets in my Tosspot and a conker on the hook and shipped out to the shelf and started to shake the pellets over the top of my float. I got the 'cattie' out and started to catapult bait at about 9 -10m. I was alternating feeding the 3mm Ringers and the 4mm hard pellets (with the intention that the noise of the 4mm would bring in the fish and the noise and texture of the soft 3mm would give them something to eat).
After about 10 minutes, I got my first indication and caught a gudgeon. It was that small, the scale that I caught last week would have weighed more (had it not blown away).
I re-baited, shipped out again and after shaking in some more micro pellets, the float buried and a carp of about 10oz was trying it's best to get off, but it failed. I had increased my weight 10 fold with one fish.
I persevered in this manner for the next 15 minutes or so, as every so often (well maybe not that often) after I got an indication, I would re-bait and quickly drop the rig in on the shallow line as I shipped out for about 20 seconds or so, just to see if there was anything there.
On one of these '20 second' drops, I got an indication. That was it. The fish were there, it was solid. I quickly came back and swapped my top over to my shallow rig (not the bagging one). I baited up with a 'Skinz', shipped out and caught a carp first drop in - a mirror carp of about 2lb. This was 1 hour into the match. Images and visions of a phenomenal weight was before my eyes as I still had 4 hours to go.
I continued to feed in the same manner for the duration of the match, but for some reason, I just could not string any number of fish together. No-one else around me was fishing up in the water (and neither were they catching except for Scotty and Deano), so I had the method to myself.
I would catch the odd fish, then I couldn't get another bite for 10 - 15 mintues or so, but everytime that I caught a fish, it was a decent stamp of a decent stamp (2lb'er). I was lifting and dropping, slapping the rig in, I swapped over rigs, I short lined, I run out of ideas.
After about 4 hours of the match, Marco came round for a walk, he was admitting to about 12lb, off the match winning peg from yesterday?????. For some reason, the lake seemed to have switched off. Could it be because of the airpressure with the storms that had and were due to take(n) place.
It's All Over - It Is Now!!!
By the time that the scales had arrived, Scotty had weighed in 63lb off peg 1. The lad at the side of me on peg 2 weighed in 26lb odd. I weighed in 25lb odd. Peg 4 had 17lb, peg 5 had 14lb, peg 6 had 22lb and Deano on peg 7 had 69-08 for a match win.
The Pacifier
I got so much abuse last week of Pacifier and Macca for coming last in the match with 19lb. There were only a few DNW's. There is a lad who books on the matches week in, week out. He arrives at about 9:55 for a 10:00 draw. Doesn't speak to anyone and hardly ever catches anything. I think that his best weight has been about 20lb.
Anyways, this lad generally fails to trouble the scalesman, but today, for whatever reason, he decided to weigh in. He weighed in 14lb odd for last in the match. The Pacifier had been saved from a mauling. He weighed in 15lb odd for 2nd last in the match. Next week I am going to pay this kid a quid to tip back!!!
User Report
I was planning on doing a User Report every couple of weeks or maybe even every month, but after using the 'Skinz' hook bait I feel that I just have to write about them.
The first time that I saw someone using them was John Emmerson at Lindholme. He was fishing shallow feeding pellet and fishing with a Skinz on the hook and was bagging.
I bought a packet from Bob-Co tackle yesterday and thought that it was time to give them a try. I put one on the hook and you could get so many dips, blips and indications and yet still feel confident that your bait was still there. At one point I caught 3 fish on the same Skinz'. If small fish try to 'rag' your bait off, it is still there. I think that after fishing with the Skinz for most of the match, there was only a couple of times that the pellet had come off.
When I took them out of the packet, they felt a little hard so I covered them in a little water. Even at the end of the match, they were still perfectly hookable.
Bloody fantastic. I recommend them with a big A+ - go out and try some.
The top 8 all weighed in between 60 and 70lb, so it was probably the closest match that we have had for a while, with no outright winner. 5 of the 6 sections were won with 50lb + (including a couple of 60lb section winners). Tim Moran had 61lb and didn't win his section. So all in all, it still fished ok.
Full Result:
Dean Smith (Garbolino Elton) 69-08
Alan Scotthorne (Shimano) 69-02
Jonny Bradshaw (Mosella Garbolino) 68-06
Chris Hall (The Oaks) 67-02
Robb Minikin (Harrogate Angling) 65-03
Geoff Scott (Mosella Rochdale) 63-00
Following my debacle last week, I nearly never made it to today’s match as I was contemplating suicide all week. But hey, you can’t have a bad draw all the time!!!
Or can you????
I had prepared a list of all those people that had booked on from last week’s match and had 46 names for the open match, it was going to be close for a 50 pegger.
I texted Panic on Friday to see when he was back off his Jollies and he replied "Back Sat 9pm Number 5 38 Degrees Time For A Beer". So I took that to be that he was back at 9pm on Sat 5th Aug. So I travelled on my own, again. Just call me Billy Nomates.
Whilst driving up the A1, I was trying to make a decision, do I fish pellet up in the water all match, as most of the recent winning weights have all come on this method, or do I do as most of the other people and fish meat on the deck? Choices, choices.
By the time that I arrived I had made up my mind, I was going to fish pellet up in the water if I had a calm(ish) peg and meat on the bottom if it was windy.
Whilst preparing my bait prior to the draw I had none other than Mr Scotthorne asking me questions. What had I done? Big Al had been a couple of times within the first 6 months of Cedar Lake opening, but commitments etc had kept him away. I said to him 'don't ask me nothing, I was last last week!!'. He was asking me about methods, distance, stamp of fish etc and being the good egg that I am, I gave him as much bum info as possible, not!!
at about 9:00, Panic rang me to ask if I had set off yet. I said that I was already there. Anyways, his text meant that he was back on Sat @ 9pm. I don't what the Number 5 referred to.
By the time of the draw, there were 68 of us for the weekly payroll. Where had everyone come from?
I had the obligatory quids with Chappy, Orc, Bedpan Movley, Pacifier (£2) and Panic.
Due to the Jackpot peg(s) still not being won, I, again, put 3 jackpot pegs into the draw, peg no's 41 (Ian Bowman), 55 (Tim Moran) and peg 77. Of these pegs, it was thought that Tim had the best chance of going home with the extra loot.
In view of Tom being crap at drawing, I decided to draw my own peg this week. Where had I been in previous matches? 4, 5 and 6 (although not necessarily in that order). I put my hand in the bag and drew........
Peg 3!!!
What's up, when I put my hand in the bag do all the pegs between 3 and 6 jump up to my hand and I only pick out of those. I shake the bag, as does Tom prior to my putting my hand in.
Oh well you can only do your best (although in my case it ain't good enough). I did have a weight (and won my section) when I was last in the area (peg 4).
Geoff Scotty has been doing well by fishing with paste across to the far side (or on any other line for that matter) and he had drawn peg 1, which is scales help for his sins and Deano Smith had drawn peg 7. Both of these pegs are at either end of the straight before they go around the corner. The only (dis) advantage was that the wind was blowing into their respective pegs and as most of the regulars know, when it is windy at The Oaks, it is damn windy!!!
Marco drew the same peg that won yesterdays open, peg 73 (Ian Exley with 115lb) and literally run to the peg carrying all of his gear.
Let's get on with it
I arrived at my peg to find that I had D Edwards (sorry, don't know him) and N Rogison (Sorry, Don't know him either) on either side of me.
In view of my deciding to fish with pellet up in the water, I made up 3 rigs as follows:
I set up a rig to fish on top of the shelf whilst I was feeding the up in the water line. I set up a .2g Garbolino DC6 on .13 Preston Powerline straight through to a size 16 Colmic WN501 hook. This was attached to white hydro. Someone asked me a question as to why I was fishing with white hydro. When you lift/strike into a fish, it allows the fish to run out of your peg whilst you play the fish, hopefully causing any remaining fish to spook less.
I set up 2 shallow rigs, one was a .1 Garbolino DC1 set at 2ft deep with a long line between pole float and pole tip (about 2 ft). This was set up on .12 Maver Genesis line tied direct to a size 18 Colmic WN501 hook. This was attached to white hydro.
My other shallow rig was a .1 Garbolino DC1 float set at 2ft deep with a short line (about 4") between pole float and tip. This was also set up on .12 Maver Genesis tied direct to a size 16 Colmic WN501 hook. This was attached to grey hydro.
Bait
for feeding, I had 2 pts of micro pellets (for shaking up in the water), 3 pints of 4mm hard pellets (for catapulting) and 2pts of Ringers 3mm expander pellets, which I had pumped to make them sinkers (again for catapulting).
For the hook, I pumped some 4mm and 6mm BBPC pellets and I also had some 4mm 'Skinz' This is the first time that I have used some Skinz. I read the info on the packet and covered them in a little bit of water (just to help to soften them, as I felt that they were a little hard)
All in
At the all in, I put some micro pellets in my Tosspot and a conker on the hook and shipped out to the shelf and started to shake the pellets over the top of my float. I got the 'cattie' out and started to catapult bait at about 9 -10m. I was alternating feeding the 3mm Ringers and the 4mm hard pellets (with the intention that the noise of the 4mm would bring in the fish and the noise and texture of the soft 3mm would give them something to eat).
After about 10 minutes, I got my first indication and caught a gudgeon. It was that small, the scale that I caught last week would have weighed more (had it not blown away).
I re-baited, shipped out again and after shaking in some more micro pellets, the float buried and a carp of about 10oz was trying it's best to get off, but it failed. I had increased my weight 10 fold with one fish.
I persevered in this manner for the next 15 minutes or so, as every so often (well maybe not that often) after I got an indication, I would re-bait and quickly drop the rig in on the shallow line as I shipped out for about 20 seconds or so, just to see if there was anything there.
On one of these '20 second' drops, I got an indication. That was it. The fish were there, it was solid. I quickly came back and swapped my top over to my shallow rig (not the bagging one). I baited up with a 'Skinz', shipped out and caught a carp first drop in - a mirror carp of about 2lb. This was 1 hour into the match. Images and visions of a phenomenal weight was before my eyes as I still had 4 hours to go.
I continued to feed in the same manner for the duration of the match, but for some reason, I just could not string any number of fish together. No-one else around me was fishing up in the water (and neither were they catching except for Scotty and Deano), so I had the method to myself.
I would catch the odd fish, then I couldn't get another bite for 10 - 15 mintues or so, but everytime that I caught a fish, it was a decent stamp of a decent stamp (2lb'er). I was lifting and dropping, slapping the rig in, I swapped over rigs, I short lined, I run out of ideas.
After about 4 hours of the match, Marco came round for a walk, he was admitting to about 12lb, off the match winning peg from yesterday?????. For some reason, the lake seemed to have switched off. Could it be because of the airpressure with the storms that had and were due to take(n) place.
It's All Over - It Is Now!!!
By the time that the scales had arrived, Scotty had weighed in 63lb off peg 1. The lad at the side of me on peg 2 weighed in 26lb odd. I weighed in 25lb odd. Peg 4 had 17lb, peg 5 had 14lb, peg 6 had 22lb and Deano on peg 7 had 69-08 for a match win.
The Pacifier
I got so much abuse last week of Pacifier and Macca for coming last in the match with 19lb. There were only a few DNW's. There is a lad who books on the matches week in, week out. He arrives at about 9:55 for a 10:00 draw. Doesn't speak to anyone and hardly ever catches anything. I think that his best weight has been about 20lb.
Anyways, this lad generally fails to trouble the scalesman, but today, for whatever reason, he decided to weigh in. He weighed in 14lb odd for last in the match. The Pacifier had been saved from a mauling. He weighed in 15lb odd for 2nd last in the match. Next week I am going to pay this kid a quid to tip back!!!
User Report
I was planning on doing a User Report every couple of weeks or maybe even every month, but after using the 'Skinz' hook bait I feel that I just have to write about them.
The first time that I saw someone using them was John Emmerson at Lindholme. He was fishing shallow feeding pellet and fishing with a Skinz on the hook and was bagging.
I bought a packet from Bob-Co tackle yesterday and thought that it was time to give them a try. I put one on the hook and you could get so many dips, blips and indications and yet still feel confident that your bait was still there. At one point I caught 3 fish on the same Skinz'. If small fish try to 'rag' your bait off, it is still there. I think that after fishing with the Skinz for most of the match, there was only a couple of times that the pellet had come off.
When I took them out of the packet, they felt a little hard so I covered them in a little water. Even at the end of the match, they were still perfectly hookable.
Bloody fantastic. I recommend them with a big A+ - go out and try some.
The top 8 all weighed in between 60 and 70lb, so it was probably the closest match that we have had for a while, with no outright winner. 5 of the 6 sections were won with 50lb + (including a couple of 60lb section winners). Tim Moran had 61lb and didn't win his section. So all in all, it still fished ok.
Full Result:
Dean Smith (Garbolino Elton) 69-08
Alan Scotthorne (Shimano) 69-02
Jonny Bradshaw (Mosella Garbolino) 68-06
Chris Hall (The Oaks) 67-02
Robb Minikin (Harrogate Angling) 65-03
Geoff Scott (Mosella Rochdale) 63-00
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)