Having been out with the dogs enjoying the charged atmosphere the day before , I got just a little too close to a lightning strike 50 meters away as it decimated a hay bale stack next to me . Exciting but too close!
So with the sky still black over Wills Mothers we arrived at the car park of Patney lakes do battle. Would the rain hold off? Would the banter and abuse ever come to an end ? And who would win the day?
The scrum soon formed around the BBQ for an unusual breakfast on the bank side as opposed to a pub. Bacon butties, Burgers and hotdogs the order of the day all part of the package agreed between Dazzer and the lake owner, and free paid for from the summer league funds. Bonus.
Draw done and I get B1 same as the last match and scales yet again. I sloosh through the deep surface puddles that are yet to drain away from yesterday. Pleasantly surprised at my peg, although the locals say its not a good draw. The lake is yet to mature so the ledged island at 25 meters is yet to become a feature. First mistake no feeder rod !!! Still practise from some of the lads had indicated banded pellet fished mid water picked out the better fish. I took my time to set up , we had plenty of it so get comfortable and get the brolly pole in. The black sky over was abandoning Wills mother and headed our way. Wives and family members of some of the fellas , got settled in with book and butties with flask.
On my left the ever jovial Leo Pocock on peg A8, confident his team and himself will do well today. After all anything can happen and Pewsey Blue are placed well going into last round.
Sure enough the weather closed in as we started and Leo was off straight away with. My pre start comment saying wouldn't be funny if we all blanked on a venue full of fish. Was coming back to haunt me . Leo had 5 fish in the net and others to my right were already bagging, and I had yet to have a bite.
I was going to be on the back foot from the start still after 15 minutes I had my first tiddler and I was away on the whip, catching small fish after small fish. Much to my surprise the guy to my right had hooked a train and his elastic stretched out across the lake. Surprise because I was reliably informed the fish in this match lake were between 2 oz and 2 lb. So why the monster?
The pellet approach was not bringing me the expected rush of fish around 1 lb + so I swapped to double maggot as the rain came and the wind freshened up. I was starting to overhaul Leo now and from what I could see in section A to my left apart from Cliff ; whose elastic had been stretched out for what seemed like three days. A section was not doing as well as the pegs to my right. To my right there was lots of drama and excitement as elastics and rods bent well into regular fish. My mate Roly came along for a bank side stroll looking very dapper in his Sunday best complete with brolly. A quick chat established that the pegs to my right were doing consistently the best, but there were big fish some doubles were dotted around.
Doubles!!!!! What the hell. I had got this wrong big style and I was being mullared. The only bonus was I was gradually winding up Leo, as my float continually dipped. Although small I was at least catching. Cliffs elastic was still out , was it a different fish or the same one?
For a laugh I started to sing a bit of Ella Fitzgerald " Summertime and the fishing is easy, fish are jumping and the cotton is high" Not funny says Leo and backs it up by pinging 4 mill pellets at me. I had swapped now to waggler fishing the island in the hope of a fish bigger than 8 ounces. It did result in half a dozen 10 to 12 oz fish and 3 lost munters.
I had to accept the chance of the individual title was slipping away, maybe Mark and I could take the Pairs we were well placed. Not to forget my team Pewsey Silvers ( named after our hair) . The island died so back to nearside and a try on the edge.
A few more 8 ouncers and an odd skimmer or two. I say to Leo " For little fish they go well don't they"? - He bit - "yeh they do" - Perfect now the punch line. " How the bloody hell do you know , you haven't had a bite in hours!" Much raucous laughter from all around , resulting in Leo upping from 4 mill to 6 mill pellets fired in my direction.
Head down and try harder to get that bonus fish. Time was slipping a way now as the clock clicked down to the hooter. The rain was now boringly regular and heavy, just right for weighing in.
I have been hammered to my right, and it was with dread that I walked to peg 8 to start the weigh in. Pewsey blues Ian Spanswick weighs in a carp of 7.7 lb first as his contribution to fish of the day. Backed up by a bag of small ones. If not for his bonus it could have been tight between us. On round the bank and everyone had good fish, including a 9 and half from Andy. Ali and the others also had plenty of carp between 2 and 5 pound with the occasional biggy. The guy to my right had 30 pound plus so as we got to me, I was looking at last in section, after 23, 24 and 25 pound weights. I weighed 17 pound loads of fish but with the biggest Carp being a pound and half, only good enough for 5th in section. Just one bonus fish thats all I ask God if your listening.
So back to the pub, for the end of season bash.
The beers are downed and the scores totted up. Stories of biggies lost, and what could have been are abound. For me its so close but no cigar. Even in the pairs, a good day for Ali and Doug gave them the pairs. With Nige Russell and his partner pushing us back to third place by a pound and half. If your reading Nige , that last gasp Tench at Horcott on round 2 comes back to haunt me again.
Leos dreams of Pewsey Blue winning fell at the last fence. Salt in the wound too, as my team Silvers come through to take a close second - well done lads. Individually Pewsey Blacks Brian Jackson takes the yellow Jersey.
Winning Team Clanfield well done lads
For me and my team consolation runners up trophies. Glad someone at Pewsey can win something Leo!!!!!!! Lol.
See you all next time
