Team today was ....
Clive Branson
Clive Roberts
Gary Swain
Rich Whitmarsh
Mike Withey
Mark Williams
Steve Saunders
Me
Prior to the draw we agreed that Clive Roberts could have the first section below Woolavington Bridge due to mobility issues. So whoever drew this section would have to swap, all above board and agreed with the organiser.
The 2 Clives turned up on time this week (sounds like a civil partnership) so managed to mug them for the pools money rather than sub them. £40 in crisp notes were handed over just as if they rolled off the press that morning (well they are not far from the Royal Mint). We also had Gary Swain from the Principality today as well so 4 Celts (Celts I said) and 4 Anglo Saxons.
I got the Team Sheet, filled in the names, collected the money and handed over to Dave Micklewright who said I was £20 short ......forgot to put Steve Stretch Saunders down... how did that happen. All sorted in the end. Mike Withey went up and done the draw for us and came back with the following....
A Section, Gold Corner - Gary peg 5
B Section, North Bank - Stretch peg 12
C Section, North Bank - Mike peg 21
D Section, Top of Woolavington Up - Me peg 26
E Section, Middle Woolavington Up - Rich peg 33
F Section, Bottom Woolavington Up - Mark peg 39
G Section, Woolavington Down - Clive R peg 47
F Section, Woolavington Down - Clive B peg 53
Not a great draw to be honest and no end pegs, we knew the 3 sections above Woolavington Bridge would be difficult and based on the previous week Gold Corner and North Bank would also be iffy with the breamfest likey to continue below the bridge.
Plenty of time to get to my peg as fishing was 11 - 4.
My peg was pretty open and there did not appear to be much weed. I thought about setting the pole up but the reeds on the fringes of my peg were a good 16 metres out and I felt I needed to go beyond that so set up a waggler instead. 2 feeder rods completed the set up, one 3/4 over with a 14 hook and one just under halfway with a 16 hook.
Groundbait was Green Fishmeal for the feeder and black lake and leam for the waggler line.
I was setting up and Kev Perry walked past me, he was on the next peg to my right upstream. Kev had to go home to Clevedon as he forgot a few things ..... well he does drink Thatchers Haze!!!
I was set up in plenty of time and had a walk down to Rich on peg 33. I walked past Liam Braddell and had a chat with Nige Evans on the way, both in my section. Think Nige is also sponsored by Sonu Baits looking at the amount of ground bait he had mixed up.
When I got to Rich's peg he was with the Legend Gary Etheridge one peg down. Gary was still setting up and was scratching his head setting up a feeder rod (anyone who knows Gary will understand his predicament). I offered to set it up for him with a twizzel boom and running loop. He immediately handed the lot over to me lol. Afterwards he said he'd buy me a pint but I said I rather have a day waggler fishing with you to which he agreed. He is superb on the waggler.
At 11 I started on the long feeder line with a hook length and bait but retrieving and casting out every 5 minutes looking for an early fish. 90 minutes in and nothing. I had been feeding the waggler line with hemp and a little maggot so gave it a try. Again nothing.
My first cast with the short feeder line produced a decent eel which was hooked nicely in the bottom lip followed by another bootlace.
Kev above me was feeiling lonely at this point and started asking what I'd had, I told him but had to ask what he had (he keeps things close to his chest). He told me he had one decent skimmer and a smaller one. Then young England International's Andy Cranston came walking down the bank asking if we had caught, all he had was a few ounces and said most were struggling.
I decided to stay on the short feeder line the rest of the match, I was able to hit a couple of spots more accurately and retrieve quicker. I was hoping for some more decent eels but the last 2 hours I put together a nice net of small hybrids and skimmers and there was also a chance of a bonus fish on this line but it didn't materialise.
Listening to Liam and Nige talk I believed I had done better than them but anglers tell lies.
I walked up to meet the scales and Andy Richings was weighing, his 3lb plus was the best so far. Andy C weighed in and registered 6.5 oz! Kev was net to weigh and said he had 3lbs ish, he weighed 5lb 1.5oz lying b@$%&£d.
I weighed 5lb dead, Liam had 3lb 5oz and Nige 2lb 11oz. So 2nd in section and done by 1.5oz, still a pick up due as they pay top 2 in sections.
Back at the 37 Club most came back. Clive B was also 2nd in section only getting beat by Andy Power off the end peg with a bream 5 mins from the all out. The bream did not feed this week.
Team sheet as follows...
The match was won by Charlie Vallender DGL with 12lb plus from Gold Corner on the pole followed by Nick Chedzoy Thatchers with 10lb from the end peg in the last section above Woolavington (couple of bream), 3rd was Martin Howard DGL 9lb of roach.
DGL won the day.
We are cumulatively in 6th place, ah well.
Chippenham and Melksham next week for a practice match and before that back at Staverton for the Wednesday match.
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