Brilliant BuBo a hit with me......

Had time for a couple of hours this evening to try out a new range of Floats, I have spoken before about Dino Floats.  You know this blog is not about advertising but I am so impressed I thought I would share.

The latest I have tried is again a winner.  Designed for Roach the "Bubo" Roach is a real winner with me. Stable and sensitive the perfect silverfish float.  Try your local tackle shop stockists of Dino floats, or look up on line.  Garbolino (my float of choice) watch out there is a new kid on the block.

North Wessex Summer league - 5 go to pot!!

Last round of the summer league with Pewsey today. Miserable and grey met some of the lads in Pewsey, and the rest in Calne on the way to Sutton Benger.  Swindon Isis had chosen the Bristol Avon at Sutton Benger (4 Miles north of Lynam) as their home venue.  The lads had practiced on Friday and the news was not good 2lb appeared to be a good weight.  Even the ISIS guys were predicting 5 lb as a match winning weight. Lovely breaky bacon roll and side bowl of chip like things +Tea for £3.00.

My peg  - after a long walk across rutted fields, I arrived to find  C 5. Steve was not far behind but a bit fed up that he still had a way to go to D5.  The sections were effectively A1 to B2 above the weir and the rest below.  The water had a little movement between B2 and C4 but then as the water deepened in my peg any flow was brought to a standstill by masses of weed and Lillie's.  A crawl under the barb wire drop down the bank to my peg, I then had a precarious perch with 12 feet of water at my feet and 3 foot across the far side.

The match started well a small perch first drop right under my feet.  Quickly built a pound plus of small fish in the first 20 minutes. Bites stopped suddenly.  So I put in another bait dropper of hemp and caster. but nothing.  And that was it folks, except a 4 oz chubblett  mid day.  It was on single pinkie on the waggler across in the shallows.  The local bovine crowd was so pleased they ploughed into the swim to join in.  Even ground baiting for me with some extremely fluid cow pats!!! That was the end of that swim.

The all out is shouted /whistled and called. grim faces climb up the river bank and pack kit away Spanners walks by looking smug and confident.  Pewsey Red had drawn peg 1 in each of the sections.  His smile widens as he starts weighing in.  Two to my right has 1 lb 4oz next up 1lb 5oz then me 1lb 6oz.  On round to the oxygenated shallower water and Paul Giddings (ISIS) has 3lb 2oz, 3 1b on the next peg then Spanners , cant deny 1st in section again.

Chris had 2nd in D section with Pewsey blue Steve Dean 6th

Martin had slaved away for Blues in the A section for 6oz.

Me C5 5th.  Very frustrating if I could have all match I may have challenged , having started the match 5th in the individual stakes; I blew it at the last match.

Still time for a pint while the scores are added up.

Pewsey Red win on the day well done lads.  Pewsey Blue 5th on day, no excuses but even the locals said peg 5 was a poor draw, it drove me potty trying different things with no joy.  A very special mention to Ian Spanners Spanswick.  Individual winner of the summer league with only dropping one point in all four matches.  An awesome display.

It was almost enough to catch Swindon ISIS who were smarting from losing on their home water.

In the Pink  - Pewsey Red from right to left Ian Spanswick, Chris Rushton, Leo Pocock and Pete White.

Next Week up to Warwickshire and Makins Fishery for the Army Festival.  Better get out some thicker line and bigger hooks.

Tie those rigs boy.........the weekend approaches

It was with some alarm I noted at the last match how depleted my rig tray had become in my canal box.  Not only that with a North Wessex summer league match on Sunday coming the river rig box was low as well.

Happy in my den tying rigs listening to the vibes

The river rig shortage was concerning.  I had tried to establish what the Bristol Avon at Sutton Benchey, was like.  The answers were as varied as they were confusing........"it depends" came the response.  Some places below the weir are fast and shallow, and you can reach the other side with top four , rod tip.  Other places above the weir are wide, static, and deeper instead of 3 foot deep more like 6 to 7 foot.

What about the fish, what is the target species. Well again, varied from Chubb to dace , to Roach, gudgeon and Bleak.  Bait well I think I will take it all because the multitude answers. Maggot, hemp , Tare, Caster, pinkie and Bread.  Maybe the result from the lads practise session on Friday will narrow it down.  I was gutted not to be going with them, but work wont allow time off.

So to the tools of the job in hand first the tool bucket, hook tyer, scissors, Sally Hansen hard as nails - nail varnish and the essential Ipod for accompanying vibes.  Cant beat relaxing and singing along with Stevie Nicks or head banging to a bit of Zep.

 Then of course there are the varnished floats drying ahead of the tying or storing in the float rack

Don't forget the mini lathe, carbon stems and balsa wood , eyelets and paint for making home made floats and the pole winders

Then finally the main items, two types of line. Power line or Maver Genesis.  Two main types of hooks, Kamasan and Tubertini in addition to my favourite size 24 Sensas for the canal. .  Mostly Garbolino floats, my preferred pattern. Dino floats becoming a firm favourite especially for commercial Bream and silver fishing.  Then there are the river floats by Drake and Dave Harrell.  Finally the Munter floats on commercials mostly from M.A.P.

Rigs tied its off to the garage to prepare a waggler rod, feeder rod, bomb rod and stick float rod.  Wont fix them up now, whats the point...................I,ll take it all.  When I draw and get to my peg the river craft will kick in and I will pick float and set up for what I have drawn in front of me.

Cant wait I love the river. There is a steely determination to remind Swindon ISIS their not as good as they think they are. They have been so lucky with draws and bonus fish.  One of their guys went from a few ounces with minutes to go on the canal match to a chunky Tench and winning!  Next match on the river the same guy, was catching nothing special placed his top two on the floor, dangling his rig off his toes, whilst he did some bank side admin, and his float slid away resulting in a 6 lb+Bream! and second in the match.

So with ISIS in first place 10 points ahead of Pewsey Red, who are 1 point ahead of my Team Pewsey Blue -  we Blues are raring to go. Bring it on.

One Year old and going strong............Pewsey Vs Calne

This weekend saw two Birthdays for me, my own on Friday and it was year ago I joined Pewsey and District AA.  The cloudy Wiltshire sky accompanied me as I set out early.  My cousin Barbara was over over from New Zealand, and I figured if I could get a spot in the parking area where I wasn't blocked in, I could get away quickly to a family BBQ later.

It didn't pan out that way, the match started later than normal, I drew the scales, and got blocked in, in the car park.  That aside the drizzle gave way to warm sunshine and the Pewsey Vs Calne match draw got under way.

Pewsey V Calne

The draw begins and I draw peg 12 past the bay on the narrows.  In addition to the P vs C match, PDAA Championship points are up for Grabs.  The match aside, gaining on Spanners, Leo, Simon, Chris, Kev Chubb etc is going to be difficult they are great Canal anglers.

So I decide just to do my best and enjoy the day.  First drop in sees me hook a Carp,  YES A CARP.  Only about a pound and half, but on 3 elastic, size 22 and a pinkie it led me a dance, and eventually I got it to the net, where it was clear that it was hooked in the barbel outside the mouth.  So it was no surprise on seeing my ugly mug looming on the bank it turned and bolted and my 10 oz hook length snapped.  Set up a new rig and go again without complaint or even a swear word.  I really was enjoying the day.

Even seeing Chris and Mike to my right starting to bag the skimmers, and stories of Bream and Tench from pegs 1  through to 11, didn't phase me.  No worries thought I, as I plodded away at the little snotties.  Yet another Pike to keep up my record of a pike in the last 3 canal matches - this one around 6 lb.

The birds are singing, kingfishers flash by, the bees buzz around the Flag Iris, and smell of wild garlic and water mint fills the air.  What a lovely day.  Even a visit from a grass snake which slides down the bank next to me across my platform and foot and swims across the canal.

The boats keep ploughing through and in between I slowly rebuild my swim back to feeding fish again.  All out and weigh in time

Kevin and I set off up the bank to weigh in.  I have 73 fish but they are all small.  So it is with some envy when we start weighing in some quality 6 oz to a pound fish, but not much in the way of qty.  Ian has his normal hundred plus fish, and a Calne lad (Simon Thom) has four pound 2 oz 

The bay has clearly won it so we all trudge back to the car park for the results.

The scores on the doors are totted up.  Sections below.

The Pewsey lads in the bay have made the most of the Bream.  Martin Doleman (Calne ) wins by a pound from Pete White - Pewsey, with Paul Giddings third for Pewsey. Sections are 1-7 , 8-14 and 15-21

So no chance for me being in with guys pegged in the bay.  Never mind.  Bonus delight at taking the scalp of Kev Chubb, Si Burden, and Leo; and If I have it right; I was the 6th placed Pewsey guy on the day which gives me 10 Championship points.

Pewsey wins the match by 67 lb + to Calnes 49 lb +.  Well done lads and lasses.  Individually, Calnes Martin Doleman wins it with Pewsey Pete White second and Pewsey Paul Giddings third.

Martin in the middle with Pete(go Army) to the right and Paul left.  Well done lads.  Next week last of the summer league matches at Sutton Benger on the Bristol Avon.

Pewsey Update on last Post

The scores on the doors have been calculated after the last match.  The relentless Ian Spanswick putting daylight between himself and the rest.  He has been in top 3 in 7 of the this seasons 9 matches so far, as his purple patch continues.  I am glad to be back in the top ten.  Need to consolidate that this weekend, at Ladies bridge.
http://www.pewseyfishingclub.co.uk/

IAN SPANSWICK	84
2	SIMON BURDEN	68
3	LEO POCOCK	60
4	KEVIN CHUBB	56
5	CHRIS RUSHTON	55
6	STEVE HISCOCK	47
7	MIKE MARSDEN	46
8	WILL TAPPER	46
9	GARY WILLIAMS	46
10	JIMMY BROMHAM	44
11	PAUL GIDDINGS	42
12	JAMES CARTY	32
13	MARTIN ARRIS	32
14	ROLY PHILLIPS	22
15	DAVE JOHNSON	21
16	GARY PERRYMAN	20
17	STEVE DEAN	19
18	KEVIN MOORE	17
19	PETE WHITE	17
20	ROBIN PEARCE	12
21	NICK WORTER	8
22	CAROLE KINGTON	4
23	STEPH ARRIS	3
24	GARY HAY	3
25	STEVE CROSS	0
26	DARREN TAPPER

Pewsey Lake and Back in the Championship hunt

Rain splattered the windscreen as I whizzed through Tidworth and on up to Pewsey Lake.  Glad I booked in, there is only limited pegs, and on top of the normal hardy souls, a few others had turned up.

Wallets were produced and the pools money flowed.  Laughter and banter reigned supreme as we all looked forward to a good match.  Martin Aris was actually smiling as it was his birthday.  Guess's ranged from a conservative 55 years young to an outrageous 105, but the boy kept his responses clean.  Perhaps because his grand daughter was among the anglers today.

Birthday Boy

The draw hat was produced in went the tabs, and the scrabble for the pegs begins.  The good turn out saw 16 of the 18 lake pegs in.  With everyone wanting the favored carp peg 15. Me, I drew unlucky 13, first time I have drawn anything higher than 9.  I consoled myself with the fact that at least I was at Carp end of the lake.

I was advised to sling the splodger across under the trees.  Setting up saw the first disaster of the day. Dropped my cupping kit, and it it cracked perfectly in two.  I did try to telescopic it with no luck.  Tried holding together and taping up but it folded again like a wet hanky.  

Roly to my left offered his cupping kit as a borrow.  It didn't really fit, but nevertheless I took the offer on the proviso that I would use it at the beginning and bring it back.  I didn't want to put Roly at a disadvantage.

He kindly agreed and he we also agreed to me borrowing it half way through the match to re-bait with ground bait.

So the whistle saw me put two balls a little pinkie and chopped worm in.  Returned the cupping kit had a quick pee, downed some Ribena and dropped the rig in my 7 foot of water.  Before the hook bait had hit the bottom it was away. 2 oz Perch was dropped into the keep net and shipped out again.  Using a .75 gram Dino Bream long float double bulked was working well.  With both slide away, and cracking lift bites showing really well.  Spanners two pegs to my left was one a chuck on the whip, and Will two to my right on the flyer has just had a small carp.

Dilemma time.  Do I go head to head with Spanners on the tiny stuff or do I take the earlier advice and go for the carp on the splodger?  Trouble is, If I leave feeding fish, they may not stay in my peg.  Carp rolling under the trees opposite was enough to tempt me off feeding fish.  An excited first cast wrapped itself around the drooping willow branches, and I lost my terminal tackle.  

Not the first, me thinks, the trees opposite are adorned with wagglers and feeders. Problem, left my box of feeders at home - bugger.  Fortunately after rooting through the bag, I found a 15 gram method feeder but no mould.  Pushed some ground bait through the pinkie riddle, and formed a rough shape round the feeder.

After several non effective twig trawling casts, I decided to go with a pop up pellet to get the bait of the twiggy bottom and in view. The tip ripped around and a small carp graced the net minutes later.  Three more belters but no connection, on one second and off the next  fish.  Will has had a second Carp, Spanners the machine is still bagging.

2 Hours without a bite, saw me give up on the carp.  I figured I had around 4 lb total.  A good weight on this lake. But would it be enough?  Spanners looked good for a framing place, I didn't have a clue on the size of Wills fish but guessed he was ahead of me.  I need championship points.

So back on the small stuff for the last 20 minutes.  The all out is called, and I think its tight.  Pete on peg 1 has had a three pound Chubb, in the last ten minutes.  That's torn it.  Coming down the bank, the usual suspects have again showed.

Leo, Simon, Chris and Spanners all have good weights.  Spanner's had been counting and had 183 fish for 5.0 lb on the nose.  That was worrying.  Lifted the Carp out and suddenly it didn't look as big as I remembered.  The Carp weighed in at 3 and the 2 lb 11.5 oz of snotties was enough to give me second.  Will's two carp came in at 7 lb 3 oz.

Happy to be in the frame, second in match and second in super pools. Will had top points (8). Me cash was greatly received  but more importantly 7 Championship points - clawed one point back from back on Spanners (6).  From little acorns.................

Next week Ladies bridge, inter club with Calne I think, but also chance for more Championship points

The Penny drops at Stonehams

The Penny dropped today I just accepted once and for all, Stonehams' and I don't get on.  Its a beautiful place, particular the bottom lake.  The bottom lake it seems is not a place I can draw.  Not once this season have I managed to draw it.  I have to accept the style required to win here is not for me.  I cannot just chuck it out and hope to hook a big Carp.

Once again 4 in a row now , I drew the Dam wall section. Fishing top two and two, I had 10 and half feet. Put in two big balls(50 / 50) of sensas roach and sonubaits f1 sweet ground bait.  Quarter kilo of chopped worm and half a pint of caster.  Left well alone and went on the splodger for half an hour.  Clive Edgerton on my right was going for it as well.  Peg 50 on the dam wall always wins this section in summer.  Shallower by 5 feet and much narrower the carp pile in there.

Clive borrowed a few maggots and suggested that my caster worm approach would not be good enough in summertime. Thing is I continue to pole fish it like that in the vain hope that it will come good one day.  More fool is me, I should just take a feeder rod , sling out the method and sit and hope.  Trouble is unless the tip is going around regularly, I get bored.  I want to chop and change and get regular bites.

Good turn out for today's match.  Its the over fifties cup as well as the pairs and a championship match.

I have drawn Pat in the pairs.  He has drawn a peg opposite me on Trojans bank.

The match gets under way and edgy, gets two skimmers straight off on the method. Me nothing on the tip so drop in on the baited area, which by the way is bubbling like a Jacuzzi. Float settled and slid away and the elastic stripped out; lovely eel.  Approximately 5 lb in weight it was followed by two more around two pounds a piece.  So one hour in it was Eels 3 Gary nil.  Three trashed rigs and nothing in the net. Eels don't count in Eastleigh matches, funny anomaly that.

Two little Perch followed then nothing for two and half hours. Then a roach.  Nothing more for me , Edgy has had a few more flying skimmers on the method so as the bloke to his right. Me I got out the whip as a final resort chucked in some cloudy ground bait, to cause a big cloud.and loose fed some more caster at 3 feet deep in 10 feet of water. Fed a limping coot next to me some more caster.  After all I wasn't catching.

 A small swirl in front announced the fish were finally up in the water.  The roach came quickly but it was fun fishing only.  The match was out of site.There was a couple of blanks to my left, a pound weight and a 14 oz. The end peg 50 had again took the section with 50 lb + of Carp.  Edgy had skimmers for 22 lb 9 oz and the guy to his right skimmers for 22 lb 10 oz!

My partner on the day(Pat) had two skimmers for 3 and half pound, me several roach for 3 and half pound so no joy there.  Further on round up towards the muddy bank, Carp were the order of the day.  DM had 16lb bits mostly in the last 45 minutes and Dave Self a notable 33lb of Roach on two plus two.

Pewsey Lake next week, need a bit of luck.  Can't win em all.  Another Nail in the Stoneham coffin.  Is it worth the drive (its a long way), the diesel, the bait etc to fish for fish that have become obsessed with the "method" milk chocolate semi buoyant pellets or other fancy boilies etc?

Its not my sort of fishing. I'll give the lake a few chances more before I give up on it me thinks.

Withy Peg 2 for Two hours

I had a couple of hours today to kill at Withy, while wife was clothes shopping in Salisbury.

Peg 2 Margin fishing

With only two hours, I thought I would try a little experiment.  I dumped in a pint of 3 mill pellet's in the margin straight away.  Normally I don't fish, margins before mid afternoon on-wards   Left it for 15 Minutes whilst I hand fed the two + two line. Rudd after rudd on the pellet in the middle.  But after the 15 minute mark the margin was fizzing, and carp were slurping on the surface.

Dropped in banded 6 mill and away it went, I had 1 lb + skimmers one a chuck for nearly and hour.  One of the best hours skimmer fishing I had ever had.  Getting bored- there's a novelty - with skimmers I tried "dobbing" for carp, no joy.

So I tried floaters.  The Carp mopped up every single free offering, but ignored the hook bait. Eventually I rested the pole along the bank side vegetation, placed the bait on the surface, made sure the hook was on top and not visible.  Draped the rig line on some reeds, so nothing but the bait was touching water.

After  a 20 minute wait. There was a swirl and the end of my pole jerked downward.  The water exploded, and the elastic ripped away towards peg one and the bridge.  Ten minutes later a "double" graced the landing net.  The eye on the float had been ripped out and in general the rig was trashed.

 The phone bleeped, and the wife was ready and my two hours was up. Shame a great two hours pleasure fishing, probably 12 to 15 lb of skimmers and one lovely carp.  A face only a mother could love, as the mouth was torn badly.

If I could do that at Stonehams tomorrow, I will be happy.

Congratulations and Celebrations 60 and 3000

First  a big thank you to all who take time to read this blog.  Started in January, as an electronic diary as my memory is getting worse.  The intention was just to record the frustrations of an also ran, and also a record for me to look back on to remind myself what does well at what venue.

I am gobsmacked today to find after 7 months the blog has racked up three thousand + views and the blog have followers in all corners of the world from Thailand to Russia and back.  Truly amazing.

Now to more important matters.  Tomorrow Saturday the 3rd August sees my mate the "Waggler Master", scurge of the wannabes that stalk the match bank side reach 60 years of age.  I hope there is room in his wallet (which few people have ever seen) for his bus pass.

Considering the way the boy still frames against the youngsters, means there is a grudging no let me re phrase that,well natured respect.  I am not sure who will be more worried, Malc Pep, Barney, Blakey and Knighter that he may stay and fish the younger mans scene; or Gary Naylor Gummy, and the others who have crept into the bracket of fishing the over 60 matches.

What ever he decides long may his net bulge, elastic stretch or slipping clutch scream back at a big fish.

Muddy and Christine complete with Angling birthday cake- save a bit for your fat mate!