Sunday 29th December Clevedon FWAC Boxing day blind pairs Plantation Main Lake

I believe when I first joined the Clevedon Club back in 2008 the Boxing Day Pairs Match was held on Boxing Day. I was never free to fish on Boxing Day itself so it was a welcome change when it was moved to the first Sunday following. I spent a few hours drying out my gear from the last match just before Christmas and sorting out a few rigs for the pole and hair rigs for the straight lead. The alarm went off around 06:45 and I got up striaght away as I was looking forward to getting out for some fresh air. The car was part pre-loaded so it was just a case of having some breakfast and load up the remainder of the gear. I looked outside and it was white with frost, one of the hardest I have seen this year so started the car up to de-frost, the temperature said -1 but it felt a lot colder and it was difficult to open the rear doors.

This was the temperature at home

As I headed towards Clevedon and Kingston Seymour there was a noticeable improvement and it had risen 2 degrees (get the shorts out, not).

Match Secretary Adie Baker was in the car park with a couple of other guys when I parked up around 08:00. Adie had a full house of 22 anglers and anyone that wanted to fish was accommodated. 22 Pegs on the lake is just about right. At 08:30 the draw was called and Adie set the ground rules, 2 sections of 11, if you won your section you would get 1 point and so on so the pair with the lowest points would win. Payout would be for the top 3 pairs and fishing 10:00 - 15:00. Pairs were indicated on the peg cards. I was about the halfway mark to draw and this is what came out.



I had peg 1 and the scales plus paired up with whoever drew peg 27.

It didn't take too long to find out who I was with as I heard the dulcet tones of Darren Vowles (aka Nuddy) asking who had peg 1. Darren looked pleased to have drawn with me, neither of our pegs were what you would call match winners but on a very cold day like it was a few surprises might be thrown up.



Here is a map of the Lake, as you can see Darren had an important island chuck on 27, I had open water set back and a bay, 43, 42,41 and 40 are not used.

Peg 1 can be iffy and unpredictable but Paul Nichols done 3rd off it with 19lb odd in the previous weeks Christmas Match fishing a small method feeder across to what was peg 42. Darren also pointed out where to fish and so did Paul as he was heading to his peg, fair play to him.

This was my view looking across the peg, the target area was to be in line with the cone and slightly to the right of it about a meter out from the bank as there was a lot of snags.

The water was very clear, it also doesn't help when there is a footpath immediately behind the area you are going to fish. I set up 2 pole rigs at 13 meters for fishing at 10:00 and 14:00, one with white hydro and one with maver no.5, 4 x 14 floats, to 0.11 and a 0.10 hooklength to a drennan wide gap 18. I had a small method rod set up as well for fishing to the cone area with micro's and banded pellet. It was about 09:45 when I decided to go to the car and get my drennan soft feeder rod in order to set up a straight lead for bread. I was just about ready when the all in was called. Brian Slipper was to my left on peg 3 and Mark Walsh was on 39. I fed both pole lines with the same, dead mag, micros and a little green swim stim. Neither of those lines were used during the match although I did top them up a few times, the method was not used either.

On the straight lead rod I put on some double punched bread on the hair rig, the hooklength was about 6'' to a 16 drennan wide gape and cast toward the cone. Soon after I had what looked like a liner, the next few casts were the same. About 30 mins in a more positive pull round (not a wrap round) came and I hit it, it went solid an soon an angry carp was on the other end going all over the place. It did not take long to control it and soon it was in the net, about 5lb in weight. I probably brought it in too quick (this was only my 3rd carp since June due to concentrating on the rivers. I went back out to the same spot and had a few more liners which was encouraging. Another 30 mins passed and this time I had a proper wrap round which nearly took the rod out of my hand. I had only been leaving the bait out for about 5 mins and shaking it off as a way of gently feeding the area. This carp was only around 2lb and came in quite easily despite the fierce bite. At this point I had not seen anyone else in my area catch so decided to stick with it. As I was looking around I could see Brian to my right was fishing 16 meters as I checked his float it dipped and he was into a carp which he landed after about 5 mins on light elastic. Mark Walsh also took one out in front of him about 11 meters. I had another half-hearted bite shortly after the lead hit bottom, I struck and due to the amount of line still sinking I thought it might just have been a liner until I took up all the slack and had a right lump on. I took my time with it and netted it just before the keep net about 2 feet under the surface, lovely. It was about 12:30 now and I had 3 carp, the liners had stopped so decided to take the lead off and put on a very small cag feeder with liquidised bread in it, nothing, no indications either after about 4 casts. Back out with the striaght lead and a wrap round and carp number 4 was netted, another good fish. Mark caught another and so did Brian, I added another 2 to finish up with 6, I guessed for about 30lb ish, happy with that and no one else around me had anywhere near that.

Adie came down from peg 4 to help with weighing in, he told me Paul Faires up on peg 8 had bagged up and apparently his partner for the day Kev Perry had a few fish on peg 25. We weighed me in first, 28lb 5oz, so not far off my estimate.

My 28lb 5oz

Brian to my left ended up with the 2 carp for 7lb odd, Adie had I think a couple more pound than me off peg 4, Rod Wotton had 15lb odd on 5, Rob Fogg had 1 carp. We then came to Paul Faires on 8, whi had a perch 2lb 2oz and then 2 weighs for his carp, caught on the wag with caster and bread on the straight lead for a total weight of 83lb 4oz.



Paul with his final weigh, his partner Kev, weighed in 44lb 12oz, bread on the straight lead.

Nick Harvey up on point peg 19 also done well putting 73lb 3oz of carp in the net on hard pellet fished to the island, unfortunetly his partner Rich Lovering blanked.

Nick with some of his lumps

I finally heard Darren my partner ended up with 2 carp, his section fished really hard, I thought we had missed out.

Back in the car park Adie done the results, it was no surprise Paul (left) and Kev had won it, here they are, all smiles, fair play, maximum points in their sections.



2nd Pair was Rich Healey (left) and Mark Bromsgrove, pic below.

Darren (Nuddy) and I sneaked in 3rd pic below.



A well run match, hard but fair. Next up for me is the Commercial House League next Sunday on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Happy New Year to all.

Sunday 22nd December - Clevedon Christmas Match

Clevedon Freshwater Angling Club Christmas Match was held on the Main and Match Lake (aka Horseshoe). 31 Anglers turned up which is very good by todays standards, I was told a few other guys guys who booked had to work and a couple were suffering from alcohol abuse from the night before. Match Secretary Adie Baker was in charge and ran a good match as well as organising the prizes and raffle. 11 anglers would be on the Match Lake (Horseshoe) and 20 on the Main which is about right for the Main Lake (even though there are 40 pegs!). The money was well spread with similar top pay-outs on both lakes. I drew peg 10 on the Match Lake so was only up against 10 other anglers. A quick check with Scott and Simon who pegged it confirmed I was on the top left peg on the island, I was happy with that and had plenty of room.

 

Match Lake above and my peg circled

The peg did look ok with an island feature but when I plumbed up the maximum depth I had was 2' 6'', not good on a bitterly cold day and a strong wind. 3 rigs were set up for the peg nothing complicated and a small kinder pot on each of the top 2's for feeding micro pellet, dead maggot and swim stim. Opposite me was carp slayer Rich Lovering and round from him on the top end of the main bank was Andy Hembrow. Fishing was from 10:15 - 15:15 and I was just about ready when the all in was called. About 15 mins in I could see Rich had a carp on catching tight against the island on his side but it came off, foul hooked. It was encouranging to see this but I found it difficult to fish long due to the strong icey wind, I did hook one at about 11 meters but it also was foul hooked and came off at the net. I had been drip feeding to my left about 3 meters out from the near bank and at 8 meters and gave it a try 2 hours in. The float sailed away instantly and I landed one about 3lb on live maggot and an 18 hook. At this pont Rich was still fishless, I could see Rich Healey down to Rich Lovering right and as far as I could see he was also fishless to this point. I kept having a look along this line and was getting mirco bites (little dips of the float but nothing on the end when I struck). Rich opposite me also came on the inside and had 2 carp in a row! I persevered and had a small skimmer a very very small perch and 3 roach. I added another carp and over the course of the match lost another 3 foul hookers(bugger). Kev Perry came down the bank for a walk and was blanking, news was Glen Calvert had 3 carp and was playing another. Rich Lovering added another 2 from the inside. It was a tough day but I did enjoy it.

Top weight on the Match Lake was Rich Lovering with 15lb 5oz (4 carp).

Rich Lovering

2nd on the lake was Glen Calvert with 11lb 8oz (also 4 carp but a smaller stamp).

3rd was Phil Decon (I think that was his surname) with 8lb 3oz.

1st in the silvers was Andy Hembrow with a big skimmer for 2lb 2 oz.

2nd sliver prize went to Simon Carvello with 1lb 8oz on a dodgy set of scales.

I weighed in 7lb 12oz, I know that Rich Healey blanked and Kev Perry tried to blag a late rudd after the whistle stating that it took him 15 mins to land it.

Here is Kev below selecting the wifes Christmas present from the raffle prizes (he knows how to treat her)



Over on the Main Lake it was also a struggle. Top weight was my old mate John (the duck) Wolstencroft with 64lb 10oz, 12 carp on the bread feeder with popped up bread (you see he was trying to catch a duck!). Fair play to him, he was on peg 8, a peg I fancied myself. The money will come in handy as John has a new car, an Audi with a personalised number plate... MA55OTT (maggot lol, could have been worse and begun with an 'F'). Seriously it was great to see John win, he reallty does prepare and try hard during the course of a match.

John Wolstencroft

2nd was Maver backed Dom Sutherland with 25lb 8oz and 3rd was Clevedon's Paul Nichols with 19lb 12oz off peg 1.

Top silver weight was Mike Owen with a net of perch for 6lb 14oz.

2nd was Brian Slipper with 5lb 7oz

A special going away gift was presented to Phil Nash who is emigrating to Canada so all the best Phil.

Phil Nash

Adie Baker called out the results in order, I ended up 12th, so not bad out of a field of 31 and on a hard day. Several really good anglers blanked and Adie made them do the walk of shame (brave man but all took it well).

Next up is the blind pairs match on 29th which is being held on the main lake at Plantation, I am booked in but haven't told the wife yet.

Until then merry Christmas all and tight lines.

Sunday 15th December - Return to the River Kenn

I had not been able to get out for a few weeks and was determined to fish somewhere this weekend. I really did fancy the River Kenn following my last outing there about 6 weeks ago when I had loads of bites but did not hit the majority of them due to the high winds. At a Clevedon Committee Meeting last Thursday Secretary Barry Fowler showed me a picture of his recent catch from his phone, some really nice bream and other silvers which Barry said weighed 58lb ish, he had caught on the waggler 3 swims down from the Kenn Road Car Park. That was it then my mind was made up. When I picked up my bait from Cadbury Angling on the Saturday Dan informed me Scott Smallwood had a decent catch of silvers recently as well. I had checked the tide times, High Tide was 05:30, perfect and  would mean there could be some flow most of the day. Today I was out the door by 08:30 and parked up just before 09:00 on the Kenn Road bridge. A quick look at the river before unloading and I found the levels had been dropped about 4 feet!, not what I wanted really but the flow was good and so was the colour. I walked along the bank to where Barry had caught and saw I could get down in the water with my box, there were quite a few rocks so I would not sink too far into the mud. I set up a waggler and a feeder, the feeder never got used all day though. On the wag I had 3lb drennan and 0.11 preston power just in case the bream showed. Hook was a drennan wide gape micro barb size 18. I mixed up some Noire and Magic with a little brown crumb. On the bait tray was caster, hemp, red maggot and worm, sorted.

                                Nice and comfortable and all to hand, ready for the off.

I set the waggler up at about 5 feet to begin with in order to trip bottom down the middle but it was much shallower than that so it was a bit trial and error to get the depth correct as the bottom was not even, there was also some weed still around. I put 3 small balls of groundbait laced with caster and hemp at the start and some loose feed on the inside. Red maggot to start of with on the hook. Second trot down while I was still getting the depth correct I had a small roach at the end of the trot near the foot bridge.
Forgot to mention Barry also hooked a cormorant which took him under the bridge and then to the sky, bit different from fishing for squirrels and something John Wolstencroft would have been proud off (John usually catch the odd duck on a regular basis).
The bite I had was not that visual as I was still too deep, so shallowed up another couple of inches, same again at the end of the trot but this time a rod bender of a roach around 8oz.

My peg and the footbridge below.



I still had not got the depth right and did chop and change quite a bit until I found a compromise, I ended up about 3 inches over and worked out at what point to hold back as the float went through. I was catching quite steadily and getting bites, I dropped 2 good roach about 8oz each on the swing so netted the rest except for some of the sprats. Not sure what time it was but as I swung a leaf in I heard a familiar voice behind me shout ' a leaf fish', it was John Wolstencroft. He wasn't fishing although he had planned but the weather put him off earlier in the morning. John stayed about 30 mins and saw me catch a few more roach. I had a few better ones on the caster as you would expect but could not keep them coming but did have a couple of tidy perch. At about 14:45 the heavens opened and the rain came down heavy, that was enough for me and I packed up. All in all a good day and proof yet again that the River Kenn is far from dead.

Here is what I ended up with, 8lbs 4oz

Next weekend is the Christmas Match on the Plantations complex, the the Boxing Day Pairs on 29th Dec. In Jan I have the last 2 Commercial House Winter League matches on the K&A Canal and a club match on Apex Lake 19th Jan, so a busy few weeks ahead.

Sunday 8th December - update

I had hoped to fish the River Kenn today but after a long day yesterday driving up to London to fetch my daughter from University and a few hours waking around Oxford St and then going to a loacl concert in the evening I was knackered so did not make it. So....hope to get out next week and the theres the Clevedon Xmas Mach the week after. Here is the press report for last weekends Clevedon match which I did not fish.


Clevedon Freshwater Angling Club held their latest match on one of the most popular venues in Somerset, Woodlands Lake at Chiltern Trinity just outside Bridgwater. Richard Healey has an impressive record at the venue particularly during the winter months and made no mistake on this match after drawing a good peg. Richard pole fished just off the near shelf with a variety of baits and feeding pellet for 77lb 10ozs of carp. Not far behind was the ever competitive Mark Walsh with 66lb 5oz, again all carp on the pole. Third place was filled by Phil Nash who weighed 48lb 11oz. The top silverfish net went to Match Secretary Adie Baker with a respectable 14lb 2oz. The Club Xmas Match is on 22nd December at Plantation Lakes book in with Adie Baker via contact information on the Website http://clevedon-fwac.webs.com/

1st Richard Healey

2nd Mark Walsh

1st Silvers Adie Baker .

Press report - Clevedon Freshwater AC Match 24th Nov Apex Lake

I did not fish this match due to the Commercial House League - here is the press report for local papers

2 wins on the trot for Mark

Mark Bromsgrove won his second match in successive weeks when Clevedon Freshwater Angling Club visited Apex Lake in Highbridge for their latest competition. A hard overnight frost affected the fishes willingness to feed on this shallow lake and the luck of the draw was important as fish shoaled up in certain areas. On form angler Mark Bromsgrove who won the previous match at Plantation Lakes used a variety of hook baits and light feeding to attract a match wining 28lb 8oz of skimmer bream. Second place was filled by seasoned silverfish angler Paul Faires who weighed in a similar mix of fish for 16lb 4oz. Simon Carvello returned to competitive angling after a long break to fill third place with 11lb 10oz.

Sunday 24th November - Commercial House League round 4 Bristol Avon Swineford to Jack Whites

The weekend before this match I took part in another knock up with a few of the Fry's AC guys on the Bristol Avon at Fry's, I do like this stretch as it's deep water and there is always a chance of a big bag of bream. I drew the drugs peg again lol (see the blog a few weeks ago) but all the evidence this time had been removed, harvested and perhaps smoked (Dean Harvey always seems to have a full tobacco box for his roll ups!). The water was clean but running at pace. I fished the pole again and had a few roach and dace but should have set up a running line as the fish were towards the end of the peg. My heart wasn't in it as during the session I had a phone call informing me a cousin had passed away in N.Ireland. Derek Coles won the knock up with just over 4lbs of small fish. When they demolish the old factory there will be better access to the river so hopefully it will attract a few more anglers.

The old chocolate factory before Kraft bought it and moved operations to eastern Europe.

A day trip to N. Ireland in the week for the funeral meant I was chasing my tail a bit towards the end of the week and did not prepare for this weekends match much.

A text from captain Chris Hook assured me of my place and on paper we did have a full Team, 6 anglers, the last 3 matches in this league only 5 turned up for various reasons. A new youth member by way of Lewis Walker from Bristol joined us which is good for the future although a cold day on a river with a potential long walk may not be the best way to introduce a guy who fishes Bristol Docks and Commercials more regularly, but.... you have to start somewhere. Sunday came and at the draw we had a full team but we were concerned for a bit as Paul Nichols was running a bit late (but he made it). Sam Johnston done the team draw and we had peg 8. Sections were allocated, I was on D8 up the Crane which turned out to be a relatively short walk with the boatyard opposite and the peg was very comfortable.

The river was running with a bit of pace but I did have a crease about 6 meters out and some slack towards the inside so set up the pole with a 5 gram float and found that it was about 6 foot deep. It was a bit of a bird cage so could not set up a running line with a crow quill which would have bee ideal. A maggot feeder and straight lead were also set up. The plan was hemp and caster on the inside with the odd red maggot and feed some nuggets made up of sens magic and noire.
On the whistle I could hear the angler above me balling it in but decided on a softly softly approach as there had been a hard frost. First trot down with the pole and maggot, the float buried and a small roach was swung in a few more very small ones followed but at least I had fish. After an hour I had about a pound but was enjoying it, you can't beat fishing the pole on running water. To cut a long story short I did not use the other rods as I though it best to stick with the pole, I have fished this area before and never caught any chub over by the boats and the flow was all wrong in the peg anyway. I upped the feed towards the second half of the match and fished caster which brought a few better roach and one perch.
At the all out I thought I had about 3lbs. When the scales came I looked at the weights for my division and 6lb 1oz was winning, I weighed 5lb 1oz (maybe should have upped the feed sooner but it was one of them days when if you made a mistake with the feed it could be the end of the bites for you. I remained in second place until Derek Coles weighed 7lb odd. So third in the section was OK for team points.
As I walked back to the car in the marina my team mates Sam and Baz were loading up, both had poor days, I also heard Paul and Lewis had not done that well. A phone call from Chris confirmed this but he had also finished third in the section. So for the first time we fielded a full team we blew it!
The Avon has fished very well this year and my return to the river has been rewarded with a couple of wins along with section wins I have also learned a lot fishing alongside more seasoned river anglers.
The match was won with 20lb plus of roach and 18lb odd from Tim Ford for second, see Tim's report on the match at    http://cluckerspeg.blogspot.co.uk/

Next league match is on the Kennet and Avon Canal on 5th January which I am looking forward to. In between there is a Clevedon Club match next Sunday on Woodlands which I am still thinking about or a visit to the River Kenn and a couple of Christmas Matches.

The team Maver Cadbury Angling is still being developed  http://www.cadburyangling.co.uk/ and I love being part of it.

Good news for Inniscarra - press release

Inniscarra, Co. Cork to host the World Feeder Championships 2014 November 15th, 2013 | by Nancy Hearne Jack Tisdall of the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland NCFFI writes:

It has just been confirmed to me that, finally, the funding has been granted for the work to go ahead on access works for Inniscarra, Co. Cork in order to host the World Feeder Championships 2014. When the works are completed on this project we will see for the first time in Ireland’s history a World Championship coarse angling venue to rival the best in the World. There will be over 200 unbroken pegs which will also mean that we can bid for more World and European events into the future thus creating a venue along the lines of what Rugby and Football have with the Aviva Stadium. We would like to give our sincerest thanks to everyone who made this happen as at times there had to be much consultation and negotiation along with some interference from others outside this Federation. We would like to thank are very own Tommy Lawton and Der Casey who were invaluable in this process and never gave in. We would also like to thank the members of the local community group who supported the NCFFI every step of the way. Much thanks also goes to the local TD’s and Councillors along with the various Minsters and their departments. This event would not be possible without the support of Inland Fisheries Ireland and Cork County Council. NCFFI

If anyone reading this has ever been to Inniscarra Lake Co. Cork you will be aware of the access problems. The news release from the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland is fantastic news, its a fab venue.

Press report - Clevedon Club Match 10th November Plantation Lake

Top marks for Bromsgrove
The latest Clevedon Freshwater Angling Club Match was held on the man lake of the Plantation complex Kingston Seymour. All available places were filled early in the week due to the popularity of the venue and the prospect of a dry day at the end of a very wet week. Anglers did have a day of bright sunshine and reasonable temperatures but the cold rain on the Saturday affected the fishes willingness to feed, it also made them shoal up in various pockets across the lake so it was a case of drawing in the right area on the day. Mark Bromsgrove does have a knack of drawing a good peg and on this occasion drew peg 7 which has produced the most fish over the last three years. Mark pole fished pellet for a match winning 78lb 4oz of carp up to 6lbs. Second on the day from peg 39 was Rod Wooton who also fished pellet down the margins for a carp net of 61lb 4oz. Some way behind the top two was Lance Tucker who put together a mixed net for 36lb 8oz. The best silverfish net went to Paul Faires with 15lb 8oz.

Mark Bromsgrove

Sunday 10th November - Poppy Match Bristol Avon, Newbridge and Crane

A busy Saturday and not getting to bed until 1a.m. was not the best way to prepare for this match, luckily I did prepare my gear Friday night as the wife was working until 10 p.m. The draw was at 8 o'clock so getting there by 7:30 was a must in order to park, register, sort out pools and have a breakie. I arrived in good time and met up with Steve Vernon who I go to Ireland with, hardened river anglers gradually drifted in and the rugby club was soon full. Ray Blazely was the main organiser (he has the right voice for a match like this and... people respond which is what you need). I also shook hands with Tim Ford, fellow blogger and 5 times winner of this match which is one of the biggest in the SW. Anglers across the West Country and South Wales support this very worthwhile cause. So after buying £5 worth of raffle tickets and paying £5 for the ticket that was my contribution, £10 in all to the charity. £15 in pools were also duly paid. The line up for the draw was on time but before it took place Bill Knight of the Kingswood and Hanham Royal British Legion read out the citation and we had 2 mins silence. I believe all 120 tickets were sold but not everyone turned up due to the rain we had towards the end of the week and all day Saturday.
At the draw I pulled out Peg 21 at Newbridge, also copped for the scales. Wasn't sure where this would be as the pegging was different to the permanent pegs. Access was good as you can drive down to the river and park up, its a flat walk then. I arrived at my peg by 8:40 so plenty of time to set up for a 10:15 start. I was on Newbridge straight and permanet peg 38, not great even when the river is spot on. The river wasn't up that high but very pacey and there was little or not slack in my peg.
The next peg down was extremly close, I hardly ever moan about pegging and to be honest it would not have made any difference on the day but give the amount of river we had there was not need to peg that close.

My peg up on the bank, next anglers gear can be seen the other side of the bush, the following pic shows it better, I could see his pole tip through the bush to the left.

The peg was up on the bank about 5 feet but I did manage to stand on a piece of bank sticking out lower down after breaking up some dead nettle stalks to stand on and prevent me from slipping in!

Two feeder rods were set up, 35g open ender and a straight lead, I also set up a 5g pole rig to fish at 6 meters. Groundbait was 3 kilos of Sensas Magic, Noire and brown crumb with plenty of caster and hemp mixed in.

On the whistle I balled in 5 babies heads at 6 meters and a couple in mid river. First hour I spent down the middle, not a touch and plenty of leaves etc snagging on the line. I switched to the pole to have a look but to be honest it was too pacy and with such a short trot pointless so that went up the bank. Out with the striaght lead on the pole line and after an hour had a knock but missed it. Next cast same again and a 1oz roach was swung in. Nothing more so back out in the middle, still nothing. Bank walkers were saying the same thing everyone up this end was struggling with just the odd small roach. At 12:30 I decided to stick with the striaght lead down to the bush using pinkie on an 18. In the end I had 4 roach, a gudeon and a perch. My neighbour downstream had 2 x 1 oz roach. The section was won with 3lb 12oz 8 drms. As you can see from the Section results below it was hard.

The better weights as you can see came from the bottom end of the section where there were bends in the river creating some slack water.

Prior to the draw I said to Tim Ford low double figures would win it, he agreed. The match was won by seasoned river angler Jerry Pocock with 11lb odd, there were a few 9lb weights following.

See Tim Ford blog for the full results and his view of the match  http://cluckerspeg.blogspot.co.uk/

Over £1000 was raised on the day which is brilliant. Ray Blazely and Team done a great job so well done guys.

Sunday 3rd November - session on River Kenn

I was keen to get out this weekend whatever the weather as a result of 2 weeks away on holiday. There were no open river matches on (although I have been looking at options on the upper Thames for the future) so a text to Dean Harvey earlier in the week in order to see if the Frys river die hards were going to have a knock up on the Bristol Avon at Fry's, a reply back from Dean on the Friday confirmed that there was to be no 'knock up', the weather forecast was not good so I expect that had something to do with it. I ordered some caster anyway from Cadbury Angling http://www.cadburyangling.co.uk/ but was still unsure were to go, my thoughts were the Bristol Avon at Jack White, the River Kenn or Apex Lake at Highbrige. I didn't do any tackle prep as I am still decorating my youngest daughters bedroom. Sunday came,07:30 alarm, weather a bit blowly but more or less blue skies, the River Kenn it was to be. I stopped in Davis Lane near the motorway and climbed over a couple of stiles to look at the river, hardly any colour at all which was a bit of a surprise give the rain we had but the level had also been dropped by the EA. Wind was having a go and a cormorant gave me a fly past so decided to look down the bottom end. To cut a long story short I settled on peg 5, it was still blowly so decided just to set up a tip rod. Peg 5 is very firm and you can get down in the water without sinking into mud alough that did not stop me getting a boot full of water when setting up my box (doh), nice start. I mixed up about 2 kilo's of groundbait, a mix of Sensas Noire, Sensaa Match Blend and brown crumb. Caster and hemp to be put through the 20g feeder with 0.13 hooklength to a drennan size 18 feeder, simples. All set up with the view of swapping the hookbait between caster, worm and maggot or a combination. First cast and I joined the polish community with a 'krackoff', how did it happen? Set up again and cast two thirds over.

Set up on Peg 5 

I left it for about 2 mins, wound in an re-cast, immediate response to double maggot and a 5oz pertch was in the net, over the next hour a few more followed, the wind was making it difficult to see the bites.



View across from Peg 5

I was starting to get some wrap round bites but the maggots just came back smashed so I tighten right up after casting and started to get a few small roach which was ok but they were only about 1oz to 2 ozs. I ut in 3 big balls of groundbait down the middle at about 12:30 just in cast wind dropped and the pole could then be an option.

I kept plugging away casting across and managed a couple of nice hybrids plus odd perch on the worm. Caster on the hook was snatched on the drop and I did not have a chance of hitting the bites on the tip.

A guy came along dressed as a Ray Mears or Bear Grylls look alike with 2 black gun dogs (thanks for standing behind me on the high bank mate), I unpolitley told the dogs were to go in his company but he still stayed there. 'You catching silvers mate' yes I said (what else would I catch on the Kenn unless a 1,000 carp have been stocked). He remained for about 10 mins trying to have a conversation with me even though it was blowing a gale and I had 2 hoodies on.

At about 2 o'clock I cast the feeder down the middle where I had balled in and had another hybrid followed by some small roach, lots of bites. I can honestly say I have never had so many bites on the Kenn as I did today, had I been able to use the pole or waggler I would have bagged up. Just after 3pm I called it a day after a hail stone shower.

This was the result of my efforts, approx 5lb of bits. Not bad and a pity I could not fish the float.

Next Sunday is the Poppy Match on the Bristol Avon, got my ticket from Veals during the week and had a catch up while I was there with Jeff Reasons, 120 pegs and should be a sell out, pegging is  Newbridge and Crane section.

Really looking forward to it and perhaps need to have a lucky handshake with Tim Ford who has won it 5 times!!!

Sunday 27th October - Clevedon Club Match Woodland Lake Trinity Waters

Press report only as I did not fish the match due to returning from hols yesterday.

After a quite spell on the competition front Clevedon Freshwater Angling Club held a match on Woodland Lake which is part of the Trinity Waters complex just outside Bridgwater. Competitors battled in strong winds and heavy rain, most were rewarded for their efforts and ‘Dunkirk Spirit’, the mild conditions for the time of year did help keep anglers focused. Carp up to 15lbs were caught and only one good fish separated the top six. Top weight on the day went to Highbridge Angling assistant Tich Williams with 84lb 2oz of carp who fished pellet shallow, second was John Page with 83lb 10oz and third Kev Lawer who put 77lb 12oz on the scales. First in the silver fish category was Don Sutherland with a nice net of skimmers and roach for 24lb. The next club match is on 10th November at Plantations and there are open matches every Tuesday and Saturday on the Paddock Lake, Acorn Fisheries, Kingston Seymour (contact the fishery for details).

1st Tich Williams 84lb 2oz
2nd John Page 83lb 10oz
3rd Kev Lawer 77lb 12oz

Silvers
Don Sutherland 24lb

Titch with one of his lumps

Back to the real world

Well that's another holiday over. The cruise took us from....
Southampton to Lisbon (925 miles)
Lisbon to Las Palmas (703 miles)
Las Palmas to Santa Cruz (85 miles)
Santa Cruz to Arrecife (153 miles)
Arrecife to Funchal (301 miles)
Funchal to Vigo (699 miles)
Vigo to Southampton (675 miles)
A total of 3541 nautical miles or 4075 ordinary ones, 12 nights in total aboard the Crown Princess and what a great ship she was. Entertainment and weather was spot on except for a rainy day in Vigo, northern Spain. For those of you who have never cruised before I would recommend it, we done a late booking and got the tri for £500 each, that includes food and on board entertainment, you just need to pay for your drinks (hotel prices), and trips you wish to do at the ports of call or simply do your own thing.

                                                    The Crown Princess

So back to work tomorrow, nice early start as I am off to Sheffield (06:00 train weather permitting).

Will also have to catch up with what's been going on on the angling front and see how my Team got on in the 3rd round of the Commercial House League on 20th Oct.

While I was away I got an e mail from Roy Garland, Angling Reporter for the Bristol Evening Post, Roy has done a lot to promote angling in the Bristol area over many years. He sent me a link to his new Web Site which give up to date info and links to Angling Clubs, Matches and Blogs, here is the link  http://www.anglingpress.co.uk

Hope to get out next weekend somewhere and the Poppy Match is coming up in a few weeks.

Sunday 6th Sept - Knock up with Frys AA, Bristol Avon Frys

I wasn't sure I would get out at the weekend due to my youngest springing a visit on us from University as she had no lessons for a few days plus I wanted to start to decorate her bedroom. At the Commercial House draw last week Dean Harvey suggested he might be organising a knock up on the Frys section of the Bristol Avon so I sent him a text halfway through the week but a decision would not be made until the Friday. Friday came and it was confirmed it was to go ahead, the draw was 07:45 in the car park of the old Frys Chocolate Factory which closed following a takeover by an American firm who promply closed it and switched production to Eastern Europe, another great british brand lost. I arrived in good time, only 7 in total were fishing 3 of the Frys guys fish in the Commercial House League so it would be competitive. £5 each in the pool so £20 for first and £15 for second with fishing 09:15 - 15:15. At the draw I pulled out 29, Dean had decided to put us in the middle of the section all in a row. The thing about the Frys section is there are a few permanet pegs by way of wooden stakes but in the main you are directed to the peg by way of a feature, Dean said I will walk down with you and show you where to go Ive, he did and even told me how to fish it...but.... there was more to come!!!!!
On the way down to the river crossing 2 fields withe Mike West for company I heard Mike say to Dean '' shall we have a look at that plant''. Plant, what's all this about I thought. When we entered the last field Dean said my peg was alongside the fence and both he and Mike walked with me. When we got to the river Mike and Dean went to one side of me, into the vegetation and down the bank a bit and started to fondle a large plant, as I looked over this is what I saw.......

For those of you who have had a bit of a sheltered life this is a cannabis plant, if you look closely it is also supported with a stake. The next picture also shows there was several more at one time but have been harvested!

I did envisage being joined by some drug dealers during the match so I left it as it was.

What's going on with my fishing lately? I have had the longest walk, the longest drive and now being placed alongside a controlled substance!

Anyway on to the fishing.... Dean advised me to set up a feeder for the far bank, deep water and the pole at 6 to 8 meters, so this is what i did. As I was setting up I had to move the gear back up the bank as the tide was coming in, it rose about 3 feet. Dean shouted out that we would now fish 09:30 to 15:30 allowing time for the tide to turn. Plan was to fish chopped worm and caster in the feeder and hemp and red maggot on the pole line in little nuggets of Noire groundbait. On the all in the tide was just about turning and I started fishing with the pole at a depth of about 14 feet with a 2.5 gramme float, 0.10 hooklength to a 18 Drennan Team England hook. I had to fish standing up as I could not put my box down due to the water being too high still. First 6 or so trots down I had a small roach or chublet, I then had to alther the depth as water ran off with the out-going tide. A couple of small perch also followed. After 30 mins or so I was able to place my box down and settled into a rythm. Bites during the first hour or so were regular but once the tide had completly run off things slowed. I could see Dean on the next peg down chopping and changing between the Crowquill and Feeder which told me no bream were showing. A shout from Dean asking me how I was doing confirmed this but he was adamant they would feed due to the deep water, I was not so sure.
I did put the feeder across for about 30 mins but no indication at all so decided to stick on the pole. During the day I did pick up the odd small fish holding back hard then letting it run on 2 different lines. At the all out I though I would have about 4lbs. At the weigh in mine went 4lb 7oz the angler above had 2lb odd and Dean below me had 3lb plus which was about average for the day. Mike West weighed 4lb 8oz, he had a couple of ozs more but I think a fish fell back in the water, it did not matter.
I did enjoy the day, good company an unusal experience with the cannabis plant, backing off for a high tide and fishing hard for bites.

1st - Mike West Frys AA 4lb 8oz
2nd - Ivan Currie Maver Cadbury Angling 4lb 7oz

That's it for a few weekeds now as I am off on the high seas on another cruise. Next big match will probably be the Poppy Match on the Bristol Avon 10th Nov but I will be out before that. Good luck to my Team mates on the next Commercial House Match at Newbridge.

Ireland 2013

5 of us travelled to Co. Cavan again this year, we have been making these trips for nearly 30 years, we have fished a couple of Festivals in the past but these days tend to go for a bit of pleasure fishing without any pressure and .... a few pints of the black stuff. For only the 2nd time in all the years we have been going we went on the Saturday afternoon ferry from Holyhead, we just about made the boarding, approx 15 mins to spare due to slow traffic caused by a big dutch lorry on the final approach to the port. The crossing was calm, we have not had a bad one yet and we arrived in Dublin about 5 p.m headed up the N3 / M3 and arrived at the Anglers Rest, Ballyconnell 90 mins later, met Francis McGoldrick (Irish International) on arrival who greeted us with the usual warm welcome. A quick check in, great meal and then up to Molly McQuires for much merryment by way of drinking and singing with live diddly dee music, fantastic, if you have never been you really need to go.
Sunday came following a late first night (we never learn) and the storms from the North Atlantic had arrived, Francis suggested we give it a miss which we ignorned and headed down to Garadice Lough a couple of miles away and fished Church shore, this was a section in the World Pairs Match the previous week. We fished from 12:00 ish to 5 ish and did manage a few fish, I was the only one that caught a bream, the bags were mainly made up of hybrids and the weights were not that great but the weather and our condition also accounted for this!
We stuck with Garadice over the next few days and had some success even though the weather remained poor. It was not until the Wednesday that conditions improved and we headed down to Bawnboy to fish Burneky Lough, this was also included in the World Pairs, it was great to see access had been improved. Its a lovely lough but exposed if the wind gets up. I had my best results here catching 76 odd pounds of roach on the waggler. Steve and Tony also had good results fishing the tip and wag. On the last day Steve and I fished the Woodford River for a few hours before heading for the ferry in the afternoon. I fished the pole with a topper float down the middle and had a nice bag of roach, perch and hybrids to 2lb, but it was very snaggy and prevented me catching consistently. Steve and I were discussing next year and maybe fish a festival in order to motivate us more and get out of bed quicker!.... we'll see. As usual good company and a great week away, here are some pics.

Dale netting a skimmer

Turtle in action, face hidden as usual

Steve with a good mixed bag, more fish in one session than he caught fishing the Kelston matches on the Avon all last year!

Nice bag of roach on the wag for me

Plenty of water to have a go at

Me with some better fish from Garadice

Steve bringing in a roach

Turtle still not wanting his pic being taken

Friday night gig in Molly McQuires

Overall a great week away

Sunday 29th September - Commercial House League Round 2

After returning from a weeks fishing in Ireland last Sunday I was delighted to receive a text asking me to fish for Maver Cadbury Angling in Round 2 of the Commercial House League which was to be fished on the Bristol Avon around Chippenham plus 2 sections at Christian Malford about 10 miles upstream of Chippenham. I was familiar with the 4 sections on the Chippenham stretch but had not fished Christian Malford for about 10 years or more. The good thing was I was able to offer some advice to the rest of the team who had little or no experience of the water. The draw was at a Social Club in Melksham so about an hours drive from home and then quite a drive to the Sections. On arrival it appeared most anglers were unfamiliar with this part of the Avon. I was the last to arrive, well not quite, on arrival our captain Chris Hook told me there was bad news, one of the team was not coming, apparently informed Chris at short notice, there were no other spare anglers so we were one down before we even started. In Round 1 we only fished with 5 as Toby was ill on the day and had to go home but we did finish 2nd.Chris jokingly said 'well we will just have to win 5 sections' hmmmm. Sam Johnson done the Team draw and came back with peg 7. Sections were allocated and I was given 'B' which was below the bridge at Christian Malford, we left 'A' blank so all the rest were on the Chippenham town sections. After the draw it was quite funny to see anglers working out how to get to their pegs and park. I hung back as I knew where I was going and gave James Gunter some directions on paper. By the time I got to Christian Malford most anglers were already in the dedicated car park provided by Amalgamated Fisheries who control the stretch. I was not concerned as there was plenty of time as the fishing was 11:00 - 16:00 and it was only 09:30 when I arrived. The river was very low but there was a bit of colour in it. As I walked down to my peg some parts of the river disappeared under vegetation and as I walked past some pegs I really was pleased I had not drawn them, but what would mine look like.
When I arrived at B7 I was quite happy, there was a fair bit of room between me and the Cardiff Nomads angler on B6 and below me the next angler was around a bend, happy days.
Although there was a little bit of colour I did not want to risk spooking any fish so decided not to set up a pole, instead I set up a light tip rod for fishing straight lead and worm (there are big chub in this stretch), a wag rod for down the middle where the depth was about 5 feet and another wag for the far shelf under some trees set about 3 feet. 18 drennan team england hooks to 0.09 and 0.10 on the wags and size 16 drennan supper specialist to 0.13 for the straight lead. The Cardiff Nomad angler only set up a pole! I decided on a hemp and caster approach with red mag on the hook feeding both lines regularly.
At the all in I chucked the wag across to the trees and within seconds the float buried and a 3oz roach was swung in, several more followed in the next 30 mins before it died so switched to the middle and began catching again, small roach all around 2 to 3oz. I could see the angler above catching but new I was ahead. Throughout the day I chopped and changed lines, I had a go with worm on the tip for about 15 mins but no signs at all. I thought at this stage it would be best to keep to the wag attack rather than take a chance and given that we were a man down. At the all out I was pleased to have caught for most of the day, although the fish were small. I walked down to the pegs below me after packing up, the two favourite end pegs done the business with 16lb odd each, 3 decent chub were included in each of their bags and made all the difference, the other pegs below me did not do so well with between 3 to 5lbs. I weighed in 7lb 7oz which just beat the Cardiff Nomads angler who weighed in 7lbs 3oz so just as well I did not stay on the tip, other weights above peg 6 were poor. A quick glance at the weigh board confirmed I won my section so job done for the team. Back at the car park the best weight I heard from above the bridge 'A' section was 5lb.
Back at the club in Melksham for the results, I was last back again (longest walk last match, longest drive this match). Out of the 5 of us we had 3 section wins, a section 2nd and the 5th member below halfway, what a result but how would we figure in the overall points?
Overall the river fished hard due to little flow and low water, 5lb was a good weight on the day.
When the results were announced Div A and Div B section winners were call out first so it was great to hear Maver Cadury Anglers names called out namely... Sam Johnson Chris Hook Myself £30 each Teams on the day, Thatchers A and B Teams took the top two places in A Div, when it came to B Div results we had won the day with 5 anglers so Chris's suggestion that we needed 5 section wins to win was not far out... who would have thought! In B Div overall we are now in first position but only one point separates the top 3 Teams, what a result. The next round in on the Bristol Avon at Newbridge, unfortunetly I will be away (cruising on the high sea's again). Not sure what is happening this weekend and still have to write up about the ireland trip. On another note have a look at this pic my boss took while on holiday in Croatia, seems there is another Ivan into fish!!

5 Sleeps to go

I did not go fishing this weekend for 2 reasons the 1st was due to taking my youngest daughters stuff up to North Acton where her student accommodation is and prior to her starting her degee course at the London College of fashion. The 2nd reason was I have started preparing my gear for Ireland, departing Saturday 14th Sept to 21st, 5 of us going in total. Lightening up the seat box is important and not carrying anything you don't need like carp rigs (they have still been in my box despite not fishing a commercial since June. Lines for hooklengths at 0.09 and 0.10 are also out as 0.13 is the minimum. Hook sizes of 12, 14 and 16 are all that's required plus big wagglers and 30g to 40b feeders. Braid and a braid / mono hybrid loaded on feeder reels and 0.15 on the float reels is a must due to the continuous casting. I have started to make up 2.5 and 5 g pole rigs as you can get a lot of fish at 10 to 13 meters. Location will be the Anglers Rest in Ballyconnell run by Irish International Francis McGoldrick, Francis has an excellet Tackle Shop and Resturant and give out good advice. I hope to provide a full update on my return sometime during week commencing 22nd September with photo's depending on how focused I will be as I have been known to have the odd Guiness!

Brackley Lough Ballyconnell - wonderful

Sunday 1st Sept Commercial House Winter League Bristol Avon, Swineford to Jack Whites

As stated in a previous post I showed an interest in becoming part of the Maver Cadbury Angling squad with a view to participating in the Bristol Commercial House Winter League. I received a text from Cadbury Angling http://www.cadburyangling.co.uk/ boss Toby Parker asking me if I was available to fish the first match, I was delighted to be asked especially as I now try and get out on natural venues as much as possible. A team meeting took place down at Cadbury on Saturday (Toby bought the coffee's)were we discussed the venue and tactics. The Team consisted of Toby, Sam Johnson, Glenn Calvert, James Gunter, Mark Bartlett and myself. There are 13 teams of 6 in the league another increase from last year and shows that the interst in rivers is returning, so 78 anglers in total each match. The venues are Sept, 1st match Bristol Avon Swinefore to Jack Whites, 2nd Match Bristol Avon Chippenham and Beanacre, Oct, Bristol Avon Newbridge, Nov, Bristol Avon Swineford to Jack Whites, Jan and Feb Kennet and Avon Canal Bath area. I have fished all of these venues in the past. When I asked what we get from Maver I was given a polo shirt, discount off catalogue prices and discount off bait for match days, that'll do for me.

Team logo

For bait I took 2 pints caster, 1 pint red mag, 1 pint hemp and some worm from the wormery at home plus a couple of kilo of Noire and some brown crumb.

We all met at the rugby club on the A4 between Saltford and Bath at 8 o'clock on the Sunday, Glenn was already tucking into a full fry up which is how I left him the day before down at Cadbury! Lot's of familiar faces around and some I knew from way back, great to be in this kind of company again. There are 2 Divisons in the league, as newcomers we were in B Division. Sam went up and paid the pools at £15 per angler and then performed the team draw, we drew peg 13 which would be the end peg in each section. You were mixed with Div A anglers but we only had to beat Div B anglers. I was to be in B Section which is almost or is half way down the stretch, with only two access points it was going to be a long walk. How come the oldest angler in the team gets the long walk?

I decided to park at the Swineford end and after breaking down the trolley 4 times in order to get over the fences I made it to my peg with 45 mins to go and feeling extremly hot and bothered.



Even the peg card was having a lie down off its nettle stalk!

The peg was just a little high off the water but managable, the flow looked ok down the middle as well. I set up a wag, pole at 11 meters and a feeder. I did ball in at the start but commenced an attack on the wag with maggot feeding hemp and caster, I had a fish first chuck, a small chublet. To cut a long story short I stayed on the wag all day but having to cast with my right hand over my left shoulder because of a tree but soon goyt the hang of it. I fished about one foot off bottom as did Neil Richards above me, I could see him catching as well so stuck with it.

View from B13

At the all out I knew I had double figures but as I had no bonus fish thought I would not come anywhere in the section. After packing up everyone I spoke to while waiting for the scales was admitting to low double figures at best. As the scales arrived I looked at the weights and needed to beat 16lb, 13lb was next. The peg above me weighed 19lb but that was ok as he was in A Division. I out mine on the scales and they went 14lb 10z so second in the section and third in the section overall all meant good team points. I was the last but one back at the rugby club and met up with the Team.

Sam had won A section with 12lb odd, Glenn was second in E section and the other guys had done ok ish. Unfortunetly Toby DNW due to being taken ill and was forced to go home. So to the announcements which was a bit hard to hear and a little confusing, however, Sam and Glenn both picked up section money, I was 6th overall and picked up £65 and as a team we finished second in B Div only 3 points behind Frys. Thatchers A won the A Div.

Overall

1st Graham Hunt 27lb odd from the first peg on Jack Whites, all roach and chublets

2nd Andy Ottoway 25lb odd, near the end in Jack Whites.

3rd Neil Richard 19lb odd, roach and 2 bonus chub

4th Tim Ford 17lb odd, behind marina with bonus 3lb ish bream

5th Warren Bates 16lb odd with bonus bream on stick float at swineford

6th Ivan Currie 14lb 10oz, all small roach and chub

So not a bad start to the league. No fishing next Sunday due to helping my daughter move into University accommodation and then off to Ballyconnell for a weeks fishing the following Saturday more wild fishing in big loughs, can't beat it.