Summer League begins and its the hateful 8

The summer league began today and how good it was to see all the lads from the north end of Wiltshire .  As is traditional in this friendly league every one was on good form with loads of banter and good humour.  First mistake was taking a camera without a sim card so no photos.

Venue was Kintbury and with the silvers spawning it was going to be tough.  I drew B8 which is locally known as the dead stretch but with my team mate Nic Worters on an 8 as well he had an end peg at least .  Whilst mine was an end peg I had Colin, 15 paces right and Chris Rushton 15 paces left of me.

The expected weights were to come from A1 through to B3.  So I had to aim for good section points for the team.  Well I am sorry to the readers but nothing worth reporting happened in the match apart from stacks of towpath use including the beautiful sight of a Heavy Horse drawn boat.  I was surprised how quick it was , like I say a wonderful site quite a throw back.

So straight to the end of the match I was first to weigh in and 8 fish for 2.5 oz.  Next Colin 4 drams then Nigel with a couple of Perch and a skimmer Then a 8 drams then into the lower numbers which were expected to catch.

Sure enough, a 1 lb 12 oz. Then 5 Billy Perch for 6lb 13 and then Leo with Red raw spawning Bream for 6lb 7 oz.

Over the bridge and into the first set of pegs A1 to A8.  As expected weights much higher.  Good news Nic won his section off his end pegs down in the 30's with 9lb +.

With Spanners winning section 1 and Neil doing 4th in his we are in the Running.  Looking forward to the next one

8 bites from B8 fot  me I call that the hateful 8.  Because of a lack of parking I left the proper result gathering to the team Captains who did go back .  see you next time Hopefully I will have a camera and a bit more to say.

Sun shines an a frustrating day.

I was a little surprised to hear the rain on the conservatory roof this morning especially as it was supposed to be scorchio today.  The dogs were keen to go before I was and although it looks staged the pic below is genuine.

Dogs fed and walked I was on my way to lake and arrived to find only Neil Pegrum there.  Gradually others arrived and with them a down pour that was definitely not on the cards.  Fish were topping everywhere on the lake. And as we sat amongst the bluebells waiting the draw I was looking forward to catching a few.

Once again I drew the golden peg that's two in a row.  This time though peg 7 so it was safe everyone thought.  Jim on 3 Nic on 5 Neil on 9 Gary on 10 then Marc was the first of the Carpy end. It looked great down there Carp topping and rolling and bubbling fish everywhere.  Simon on 12 Brian on 13 in front of the rushes then Roly on the end peg.

The match began and almost immediately I thought in my gut it would be a struggle.  I certainly couldn't win from 7 , so got for the section and maybe the silvers pool.

An hour in and 1 bite for me and Neil was asking if anyone had, had a bite.

  worked my socks of trying to catch .  But it was tough going .  Bites were there tight across against the bank but it was getting there.  I was able to get in but a strong right to left wind eventually would pull me away.

Jiggling around with shotting patterns to hold bottom etc , I managed to catch a few.  No good as the other section was going well with all catching.

Nic has just had a Bream and doubled my weight in one fell swoop.  So I was in a dilemma.  Tried going on the tip as Jimmy was catching small carp as well.  Then Nic had a Carp and a few others.

Time slipped by and I tried hard to find the bigger fish.   Nic had another Carp and was winning the section best I could hope for was silvers pool and second in section.  I needed a bit of luck.

On the whistle and Neil shouts Fish on - I couldn't believe it.  I wasn't even gonna get section by default.  In fact the way JB was finishing I could be in danger of last!!!

So to the weigh in .  As thought the Carp end had it. With Brian Shutler 30lb + of Carp from the favoured peg 13.

My net was a busy 53 fish but the lack of even a small carp was gonna cost me I was sure.  There are some matches when you fool yourself and say I was so close and oh for that lost fish or something similar.  Today though I can genuinely say, I fished really well, I dragged and scratched my fish from the lake and I thoroughly deserved more on the day..  I am not being bitter and twisted, I enjoyed the day sitting in warm sun and watching the float dip.  I suppose over time things even out.  But if hard work and graft count for anything I should have least won my section.

That said I should take nothing away from Nic.  A gentlemen and quality angler.  He fished down the edge for the big fish and it came off - fair play Nic well done.  Even his silvers beat me with the two bream and bits.  So to the score sheet

Jimmys fat little pup Carp had pushed me back one place as well.  Not going to die in a ditch over it, fishing in the sun as opposed to working, cant be bad.

Ps 6 more points in the bag.