Just a bit of updating to do since my last update as I have the following matches to add:

Sat 28th, Woodlands, Thirsk
Sun, The Oaks, Thirsk
Wednesday, Lindholme, Charity match
Saturday, Sam Hosticks, Beverley
Sunday, The Oaks, Thirsk.

So here goes.

Woodland Lakes, Thirsk. After picking up Jasper, we arrived in plenty of time, following the usual breakfast at Morrisons (have you seen the price of brekkie's at Woodlands?). I put my hand in the bag and ended up pulling out Skylark 1, which to the un-initiated, is a corner peg. if the wind is blowing into the corner, it is bag-up city, if it isn't it is blanking city.

Ken Golightly was on the peg last week and ended up with 1 carp, could I fair any better? I arrived at the peg to find that the wind was not blowing my way, it was blowing to the other end of the lake and had been doing so for a couple of days. I set up 3 rigs, one for 6m, one for 13m straight out in front and the final rig was to fish down the side to the left, along the boards at 14m and also down the side to my right.

All of my rigs were set up on the Ultima Power Plus line. The 13m and 6m rigs incorporated .16 dia. line and the down the side and boards rig was set up on .18 dia. line.

For bait I had 3 tins of meat, which had been cut up using a Mal Bailey meatcutter, 1 tin of frenzied hemp, 1pt of 4mm pellets and half a pint of 6mm pellets.

Whilst setting up, I spotted a fish boil about 1m out just in front of me. It was solid.

At the whistle, I potted in some hemp and meat at 6m and the same at 13m. In the first hour, I managed to snare 3 carp and 2 skimmers. Over the next 3 hours, I struggled for an indication. Going into the last hour, I managed to get broke off a carp as it wrapped around a pipe near my feet, and I managed another carp. My total weight would not have exceeded 15lb. What a day. I just could not buy a bite. One of the other lads on the match who was a couple of pegs further down had broken his landing net and was having to get on his hands and knees in order to put his landing net head in the water and net his fish.

By the end of the match, I had 4 carp and half a dozen skimmers. As soon as the match had finished, I tipped back my fish and left my net to dry, well why not, it wasn't doing anything else and I didn't want to tip my fish back whilst the match was in progress.

Jasper ended up with 50lb from Kestrel Lake, Chappy had 40lb, so I was a couple of quid down. Andy Geldart won the match with 105lb and Panic Poole was second with 105lb. There was ounces between them.

After a match the other day, someone asked me to explain the nicknames, so here goes;

Age Concern - Bruce Poland (probably looks older than he really is, he has also got sponsorship from Steradent and Polygrip).

Granddad - Bert Poole - is now retired - aren't all granddad's retired?

Fullstop - Byron Dell - A full stop is bigger than Byron.

Spud - Dave Phillips - Looks like Mr Potato Head.

Gandhi - Chris Hall - Looked like Gandhi when he had his head shaved in a de-lousing programme.

Rumpole - Gordon Brown - Looks like Rumpole of the Bailey (although some people say Jonny Vegas is more of a resemblance).

Bedpan - Roger Movely - He looks that old, I think that he invented the bedpan.

Rochdale Raver - Johnny MacMacMackyMac from Rochdale, you know him don't you. He looks as though he has come straight from a rave to fish a match. Thing is, he must be atleast 50. The E's and Viagra are serving him well.

Polecrusher Payton - Barry Payton - did you see the state of Chappy's pole after Polecrusher run over it?

Fossil/Lizard/Woody/Toy Story - Pete Baron - Warms up with the sun, he is that old, he could be a fossil also has a penchant for 'Line Dancing' so I have been told.
Polish Mick - Tony Kozaczek - It's easier to say Polish Mick.

Come back for more updates from your truly and tight lines.

Mike