To fish or not to fish......Stormy Sunday

Its been a funny old week.  Disagreements with friends to the point were you wonder why you bother.  Social media has a lot to answer for, instant it maybe, but instant  sometimes means you regret saying things in the heat of the moment.  Then pride will not let you go back.  It happens to all I am sure but its sad when friends fall out. Rather do things face to face but can't be everywhere at once.

Still life's too short and I must get on.  So where to today.  As I said a funny old week. been practicing lately for the Angling Times Supercup and midweek saw the team almost picked.  It was decided to have one more practice before we named the team. Several guys pushing for few places causes tension and spice. Still suppose its better to have healthy competition as opposed to struggling to put out a team.

Which is what our opposition had. So as I said funny old week.  All the angst over team selection came to nothing as our opposition Wests tackle apologized and forfeited/ withdrew from the match.

So do we still practice, well with first round of Ditchers Spring League following Easter we decided yes.  The horrendous rain and storm force winds were not welcoming. Several wimpy pull outs with bad backs bad knees and bad anything but fish on a day like this . Me I just wanted a few fish and a Bream.

Well not quite.  It was skimmer first chuck, followed by two perch and a gudgeon.  The day was virtually unfishable a cross wind of gale forces proportions right to left; and a a hard towing canal from left to right made presentation very difficult.  Couple this with "haven't got a clue " boaters  going side ways down the canal it was hard.

Keystone cops stuff as bank side helpers try to help.  No sympathy from us for the fella driving as he tried to jump ashore but fell short - splash.  I tried not to laugh too much. After all despite all of our requests to go slowly down the middle, it was too fast and anywhere but the middle.  Leo was laughing so much and not concentrating, that the storm force winds took his rig into a tree above him.

It needs to be noted here that Leo and other anglers hook trees to.  The myth continues that I am the only angler to hook a tree.  The day gets worse the bites are slow and people  are starting to walk the bank.

The pressure on my pole is increasing as the wind gets even stronger.  Its impossible to fish across without your pole looking like a banana. So I er on the side of caution and keep in the deep mid water. The tree behind me cracks under the pressure of the wind and a substantial branch hits the tow path.   I fear the worst as another very loud bang makes me think a branch has come down on my carbon.  Unfortunately the carbon crack was Brians pole on the next peg , the wind tacking its first victim of the day.

The rain is driving water in every knook and crannie, so much so that coupled with the difficult bait presentation and slowing bites.  Means PG and Kev the bread have had enough; and packed up.  Leo myself Brian and Chris stay on for a bit but in the end it was pointless.  We weigh and pack up. Brian as always has managed the best weight.  Chris had a couple of big perch and pips me.  Leo tips back and doesn't weigh.  Long weekend next week and with no super cup I think a lovely pleasure session and a big bag of fish to boost confidence me thinks.

Steady as she goes, ease back in....

As with all things that come to an end it leaves you wondering what next.  The season ended for Pewsey commitments a couple of weeks ago.  A weird season, I fished better than ever; but when it mattered lady luck deserted me and it was close but no cigar.  Yes I picked up a few trophies, the well done's Gary and look who is below you, look who you have bested. Means diddly squat, second or third, is nowhere you are just the best of the losers.

So do I pack in? Is it the end? I am that sort of person at times, and I can also be a stubborn Pratt as well.  If I decide I don't want to do it I stop and I never do it again, I walk.

To be honest my work with the Pewsey boys in building the club back up is not finished.  So put away the wobbly bottom lip and the sulks and go again for another season.

So a gentle season starter at Devizes today.  I was going to have another weekend off but the lads were pressing to move on.  So gave apologies to the wife, who was not pleased, as I said I wouldn't be fishing today.

The knock up began and I drew under a tree.  Not very promising especially as the kayaks started through and the odd boat.  A beautiful spring day had brought out everyone from the shadows of a dismal winter. Chris bellowed Mink!!! It was the first shout and I couldn't believe my eyes as I looked up and there was a mink doing the backstroke bold as brass through my swim.

A Kayaker forced it on to the tow path on my right, where he ran behind me and back into the canal on my left. He landed on the end of my keep net when he jumped in then leisurely swam to the far bank brambles as fish bulged and bow-waved out of the swim in front of me.

Well that is not good.  I had, had big ideas of a good day. Especially, as PG had informed me he had fished the swim recently and had had a bag full of Perch on the choppy.  But if I had big ideas the little Jack Russell making his way along the tow path had bigger ideas, he was determined to get the branch home.

 The day started well with a lovely bite and a strong pull on the hollow 8 elastic as a reasonable fish tugged and pulled and then went dead.  I swung in the rig, to find the hook length absolutely covered in slime.  Tench? Bream? I don't know but it was good one.  Never mind back in. Float dipped again and this time a 10 oz skimmer graced the landing net.

Couple of boats came through so across to far side to let the swim settle. Float dipped and the first of three gudgeon, and a Ruffe.  The line went dead as the water bulged under the brambles and a Minks nose and eyes broke the surface.  Bloody hell don't need a mink around , so a pebble or three and a catapult where pressed into action.

Back onto main line and the float dips and quivers but doesn't go under.  Something in me made me lift into it and at first I thought I had hooked a snag as the object was dragged slowly, dully and inexorably into near side edge.

As it neared the edge I saw it old, very old and very black and gnarly prominent tubercles all around its face, I had hooked a very old slab in the stomach.  A good 4 lb + I reached and lowered the net at which point it rolled on the hook length and snapped it.  The elastic shot back into the top kit and I realised I would have to tackle up again.  PGs earlier comments that I was too light and hooks were too small were starting to haunt me.

Did I learn? Did I eck. Only to repeat the whole scenario 20 minutes later.  Only this time the belly hooked bream was about 2.5 lb.

They were there but they didn't seem to be having it. I went well over depth and laid on to try and stop the foul hooking; but there were no more bites. After an hour bite less I finally had the far side line going.  They were tiny squat fish two to an ounce but at least something was going in the net. However that didn't last either as the swans moved in and hoovered up the baited areas.

So the day dribbled to an end , I was nowhere but had learnt a lot, so not a wasted day.  I don't think the big fish were having it today, perhaps getting ready to spawn.  All in all I had 33 small fish and the one skimmer.  I had lost at least 3 good fish.  I really didn't work out why I kept foul hooking.  Perhaps I had over fed, or perhaps I should have plumbed around and found a less silty, harder surface where the bait would sit clear and draw more positive reactions? Less finicky.

The tow path traffic was mad as the world end his dog enjoyed the day.  Some tasty lycra clad ladies made for a nice distraction and all in all people were pleasant and convivial.

Steve Trevett had one of the best catches of the day, with 5 big Perch, the biggest 2 lb 15 and half ounces. As well as a few other species.  Well done Steve.

Shall I go next week?  Not sure, going to ease back in slowly I think.

Pewsey........... and is it the end ?

The last match of the Pewsey 2014/15 Season.  Its on the lake.  Tomorrow is the AGM and its prize giving time.  Unfortunately Although its is still mathematically possible to win the Lake Championship I've blown it this year.  It goes to show its the one with consistent stamina . The guys who even on a bad day make the best of their peg.

I maintain I have had a dreadful year in the draw bag and that has not helped.  Its not called midsection blues for nothing, but I am beginning to wonder if an end peg(s) are a myth.  That's not an excuse but the game can be dreadfully unfair I think.

I am not going to cry into my bait container, and I will try and hang onto the the positives. It looks like Brian Shutler will do it. Fair play to him there are times this season where I think he could have caught in a puddle.  He has over the years coined the unfair nic name of lucky Bri.  It is true that he draws well.  Or does he? I would offer a different perspective, whatever he draws he gets the best out of the peg. That's called skill.

For me end of season is a funny time.  There have been times this year when I really think I have been really good.  My fellow team mates will I am sure say if they were honest, I play my results down and will often pick others ahead of myself for team events, when in fact I am worthy of the place.  That aside I have had some shockers, and certainly some shocking pegs.  Ultimately I am fishing better now than I have done for a while, but is it good enough after all second is only the best of the losers.........and even second is not certain.

As for Pewsey I will be standing down as Lake match secretary, at the AGM. I am uncertain of my Pewsey future, but one thing I am certain of is that the club is the best.  The Chairman and all the committee have done wonders in the last three years to bring in so many members and promote such a thriving match scene.  In a time of sponsorship and massive open matches. Pewsey has led the light in all the non sponsored local clubs in putting team after team into competitions, when many other clubs are struggling to get a side together; or even maintain a membership.

Fact is Pewsey is more than a bunch of blokes having a laugh ( and boy do they do that well) they have established anglers that are hard to beat.  Even better anglers that are really improving and pushing hard for their place in the team.

Improving - the proof from Blanker last year to netful's this year

 Put the two together and the futures bright for Pewsey well done to Leo Pocock, Ian Spanswick and Chris Rushton and their friends and predecessors on the committee.

To the match................

Poorest turn out of the year, which was a shame.  But the competitiveness of those who are out of the running in the club championship, meant they were all practicing for an up coming comp to give them the edge in being picked for the team.  The rest of us got to it with a quick draw, and start fishing.  After a reasonable result mid week, I was hoping to finish this season with a respectable result. Brian's 1.5 oz roach in the last minute of the the last lake match meant he was a couple of points ahead of me instead of a couple of points behind. We can both catch Simon so who knows how it will end.

I put in pegs 15 back to 7 in the hope that i would draw double figured peg and maybe on the carp.  The golden peg was 13 a real chance that would go today.  As for me I got 12 one of the the GP, but a good peg. I had Jim Broomham next to me on the right on the Golden peg, but that was safe because Jim wont go in the golden peg draw.Brian then Martin on the end. On my left Simon the lake comp just needing not to blank.

The match comes around and I have set up 3 rods, and 4 top kits for the pole. I put the feeder out first to try and mug a carp.  Instead I found myself dragging in a tree branch which had at least 3 feeders and up to 6 floats attached.  I got it half way across the lake to find it was also attached to an over head tree as it came to the surface again and was suspended between tree and me. Bugger need to get this pile of crap out, but my line snapped and the whole sorry mess sank into the middle of the swim..  It was then I noticed as the light got better the various lines etc hanging down from trees opposite into the water.

It was clear I was not going to be able to fish nearly a third of my swim due to other anglers lost tackle.  A  work party is required!!

 The day dragged on and much to the surprise of all of us no one was catching. We all thought after a couple of mild days it would start to fish after the misery of the last couple of ice ravaged matches.  Brian opposite the rushes is into a carp and loses it just as quick. Phew!

Martin on the end has several small fish and I have 2 tiny fish.  2 Hours in and Jim has had a few tiny fish on the waggler, Brian has lost a second Carp Phew again!  Simon is still to catch in fact no one to the left of me has had even a bite. I have picked up 6 more and appear to be leading Jim by an ounce or two.  Just need Simon to blank and finish ahead of Brian and its looking good.

Brian has a Rudd. and Martin a few more.  If it stays like this then I could overhaul both of them and actually win the Lake Champs. Once again I have managed to hook the snag that sunk in the middle of the lake and pulling free my float had buried itself in my cheek. Claret everywhere for a bit as I pull the shot out of my cheek, but I got there.

Not to be though, Simon has just netted the one fish he wanted to make him unassailable and a worthy Champ this year.  So its down to going for second.  With 2 hours to Jim has a Perch of a pound and Martin has a few more.  Brian is sticking it out for the Carp, and I am not sure he realises if it stays like this I have him.

James Cary pops in for a chat and I start to pick up some tiny fish by fishing squat and laying on by 4 inches. With an hour to go I am looking good incrementally building a weight with tiny fish. Oh for a skimmer or big roach. Jim starts to catch a few which is a blow, add theta to his Perch and I am in trouble.  The last 20 minutes or so is a killer my bites dry up Brian hooks three Goldfish and Will who has sat there all day with 6 maggots on a 14 gets a Carp.

I end with 33 fish for 1 lb 1.5 oz.

Jims pound Perch gives him the section and Brian's Goldfish are enough to squeeze him in front of me by 2 oz - bugger. Martin had one Goldfish and a few tiny fish for 14.5 oz. Chris went home halfway through the match complaining of no bites Roly and Steve stuck it out but they dry netted as well.

So that's it Wills one Carp wins it, Simon's 4.5 oz was enough for him and Brian's Goldfish means  end up 4 th in the match and third in the Lake champs and again one of the money. Well done to all as for me some thinking to do.

Interesting to see the Perch was full of Milt so there close to spawning, and the Carp above had spawning marks on its gills and around the eyes.

Jim left, Will right and Brian in the middle.

ARMY 5 on the cut with a Silver Lining.

Fail to prepare and prepare to fail, is one I try to live by.  The last army match was a kick in the ass for me.  I performed badly and no excuses about an unfishable river will do.  So this time I was ready rigs tied, bread blitzed, even worm chopped.

For once it was a beautiful and dry but cold day. Most unusual for and Army match. Had my game plan but to be honest it was blown out of the water straight away when I saw the cut; it was chocolate brown like very strong tea.  In addition bull rushes and reeds bunched together with the other flotsam to give the impression a thousand canoes had been through.

Oh dear this is gonna be tough. Pushed forward to do the draw, I drew badly for myself and well for both Mike and Dave. Mike seemed please as I drew the same peg for him last time and it is a flier.  C section for a change was the other side of the bridge behind Bridge Inn. Me it was over the swing bridge and left up towards the shallows the dreaded A section which some have named the dead stretch.

I looked wistfully at Mikes peg (over swing bridge and 1st on right) but got my head down and started on to mine. Past end peg 14 and counted down to midsectionblues peg a7.  Got the platform in and was squared away and ready to go a full 30 minutes before the 10.30 start.  Preparation paid of.

Wandered up to see my mate John Dewberry and wish him well. He was on peg 2 very narrow and shallow and didn't hold out much hope.  I gave him a pat on the back and reminded him the last match on this section produced good weights for Ben Bentley and Si Irwin.  I wandered back to my peg and sat waiting for the all in.

Needn't have been so keen because despite trying a whole range of moves I remained bite less for the first two hours as did my com-padres either side of me.  

Eventually the wind dropped and the sun rose high enough to warm the far side of the canal.  As the track and the up slope had produced nothing, and I was still bite less 3 hours in.  I decided to dig out a squat rig and fish the sunny patch.  20 inches deep I had a fiddle around and placed a shot above the rig to help stability in the wind which was rising again.  The float moved side to side but didn't go under.  I lifted it anyhow and a two day old pair of eyes with a tail come to hand.

From then on it was a scratching session, 3 or 4 fish then died for 10 minutes and so on.  Kept going back to the track and worm lines in the hope I could pick up a big fish but no joy.  Rumour had it the end pegs were going well with Bream showing down by the swing bridge; but I was determined not to let it phase me and keep going for good team points.  No one around me seemed to be doing any better so there was always a chance.

The all out was called I looked into my net.  Looked at my counter, 37 fish not bad considering I didn't start until two thirds of the way through the match and was blanking.

The weigh in began down at peg 14 and worked their way back, and it was mixed news.  John told me he had scratched which meant he had done well.  Martin " Ships cat" Shipston had indeed had three Bream and the once again Craig Bate was a contender for the frame.  

Considering my mid section position I was delighted to have scratched so many fish to get 0860 grams (1 lb 12 oz) on the dead stretch with that colour water was quite a feet. Several guys tied on 320 grams (10 oz) John wins the section with just over 5 lb. Scratched indeed! biggest non bream weight on the day.

My fellow Nomad Mike Poolman on the flier takes section B with a cracking weight of 7 lb + . Clearly he drew all of the fish around him and they didn't really show until peg four where Ivan pushed him pushed him close'ish

C section fished well several kilo + weights and with Dave Docs bagging a Bream first chuck and further bonus fish through the match. Thanks to Ben Bentley for pegging and well done on his second in his section.

To summarise then with the winners on the day.  Well done to Mike Poolman winning the three way final in the Natural venue cup.  A silver lining for that to got to the Nomads.  Well done to Nomads A, with a 1,2,3 6 point finish to win the team event (Nomads B 3rd) and to my mate Docs for making up for his shocker on the river Sunday with a good win.

 Roll on match 6 and the start of the 5 commercial venue matches. see you there.

Salisbury Pairs and a tear in the eye at innocence lost

Well this morning was a strange one.  Its really weird when you go back in time.  Today it was Salisbury Open Pairs.  On the Nadder and the Avon in Salisbury.

The Pewsey boys were to have jolly boys day out and a bit of fun.  For many had never fished the Avon in Salisbury or indeed a spate river like the Nadder, tending to fish the rivers north or west of Pewsey like Bristol Avon or Thames, maybe even the River Severn.

Town Path bridge crossing the Nadder just above where it joins the Avon

The 5 shallow fast flowing chalk fed rivers that confluence in Salisbury are a whole different kettle of fish. Its busy fishing watching the pacy river drag your float to the horizon at super fast speeds. I had to show a diagram of tackle needed, and puzzled faces looked upon the stick float like one of those weird pictures where eventually the picture object comes into focus.

 I was born spitting distance from the River Ebble, and grew up losing my fishing virginity to the River Nadder at Lower Bemerton recreation ground.  A beautiful 3 oz glimmering god sent Dace.

Attending St Johns school next to the rec, and Sunday school at St Johns church only yards from the dancing dace and Lady of the stream Grayling was at times to much to bear.  Many a rollicking from Mrs Thomas for staring wistfully out of the window and day dreaming of catching a Chubb, instead of doing logiblocks. Getting grief from Donald Gallagher and Gary Buckley for wanting to fish at Playtime instead of footy with a tennis ball. Screams of " and Peter Lorrimor (Leeds Utd) hits another unstoppable shot", or my hero Stan Bowles, or Rodney Marsh would inspire me to dance around the clumsy defenders and slot another hat trick. I could go on about happy days in Quidhampton fishing 14 Hatches but won't..  I would just hope to draw the swims my brother and I used to fish like Harnham Mill below

Or indeed a repeat of the day when I landed a 2 lb 2 oz Roach, and my Brother below landed this stunning 2 lb 15 oz Roach from Salisbury Rivers.

So to the draw in the County Hotel, what would it be today.  Rose tinted innocent halcyon days lost or repeated?  My partner for the day was Chris Rushton and we hoped to repeat our success as a pair in the summer league. Quids on with Spanners and Leo who paired up.  We hoped to catch but mostly enjoy the day.  

Some good anglers on Show today the local Salisbury mafia ready to take our cash. Dave George, Frank Gumbleton and his son Shaun, Kev "the Bread" Chubb,Colin Selwood, Barney, Dave the centre pin Docs Docherty, paired with my mate Brian Shutler and many more.  A big turn out nearly 60 anglers.  

Anglers from Tisbury like George gorgeous Stainer, others from Pewsey, Melksham, Portsmouth Eastleigh and Andover. Everyone enjoyed a breakfast.

Last time I fished this or any Salisbury river was 1986 with my brother.  I had 9 lb 2 oz of Dace (front of County Hotel) and bruv up above the boat house a nightmare almost blank.  Today will need a good weight from each river to triumph. Chris finally decided to fish the Avon leaving me with the Nadder.  I have been drawing badly so Chris drew for us. 

 He needed up in front of the Fire Station, me I was down stream from the Mill at Harnham.  Go to say I was reasonably happy (peg below), would have preferred the weirs behind and in front of the Mill but Kev Rowles got the one behind and my mate from Devizes Alan Brown in front of it.  Above me a chap called Jim, and down n the bend was Barney match organiser. 

Apparently there was a good weight of dace of this peg in recent weeks, so the omens were good.  First thing I did was slip on my ass, but no one saw my embarrassment.  The bloke up stream from me Jim was positive and fished the area regularly. So I was excited to get going.

Set up a Dave Harrell 12 x 4 stick and a feeder rod as back up no point fishing pole, it was blowing a hooly down stream making presentation difficult. All in, and the float dips into a minnow. Then another then another and another.  Treble maggot now and the first Graying around 4 oz . Fish are crashing on the surface above me as Jim seems to be bagging.

After an hour or more I have had 90 minnows, and changes to bigger baits like bread flake or sweetcorn normally a banker for grayling had produced nothing.  Jim wanders down to see how I am doing and its nice to know all his fish have been trout and Salmon par but no Dace.  Barney down on the bend has one fish a chubb about a pound and Alan Brown has wandered down from the front of the mill and has 1 x 4 oz Grayling like me.

So two thirds of the way through, and none of us are catching anything but Trout.

Kevin Rowles is bagging up behind the Mill in the big weir.  The rest of us struggle to catch anything.  In fact by the end of the match I have had 9 Trout up to 4 lb, 7 Salmon par up to 4 inches long one Roach, 1 Grayling and 121 minnows for a total of 12 oz!!!!.

Jim above me has 7 trout 9 Salmon par load of minnows and in the last 20 minutes two chubb for 2.5 lb.  Down stream Barney on the bend has had 5 or 6 chubb and a Perch in the last 40 minutes for 4 lb +  Alan Brown in front of the Mill finishes with one grayling  4 oz , Kev Rowles has found the dace we couldn't behind the mill in the big weir. With 27 lb +

So back to the Grey Fisher pub for the results.  My Partner had 6 lb + of Roach to beat Spanners on the Avon and I was dreading seeing Leo who drew behind City Plumbing in Churchfields.  Turn's out he too had had a ton of trout and finished with 8 oz. So Chris and I win our quid bets.

  So we have come nowhere, with Brian Shutler catching 24 lb of Dace by Crane bridge and other big weights of roach on the Avon 15 lb, 19 lb and more.  I have despite all, thoroughly enjoyed the day putting a stick down the river, and whilst it is a lovely sight to see a light stick float rod bend double into a hefty fish its a shame trout don't count.

Thank you to the Salisbury club for hosting us but it's back on the Lake next week, next week for the final match of the season..

One final comment, I titled this blog ....."a tear in the eye at innocence lost", I was slightly disappointed at the attitude of some of the Salisbury public, not as friendly as I recall.  The innocent happy sun filled days of my youth catching flashing dace and roach, were gone, never did I think I would see not one dace from those pegs below the mill.

As for the public ............plagued all day by ignorant dog owners who showed no courtesy to the angler.  At one point a woman and her incredible hulk sized husband threw a ball right into the middle of my swim for her three massive dogs to chase.

Turning to the lady I exclaimed excuse me I don't know if you saw me but I am fishing here, and thats not helping.  Almost in unison the pair said well f...k off and fish somewhere else then. Its a blood sport anyway............  I was so gobsmacked I had no reply.

The final moment was a woman threatening to sue me as her dog coughed its guts up after eating my unused ground bait.  Apparently I had shown no duty of care and her dog was now poisoned!!!  I replied this time,,  "if you kept the bloody thing on a lead and out of my kit it would be fine" She and her badly farting dog waddled off, as if nothing had been said. Strange very strange.

We finished the day with a mixture of sleet , snow and hail.