How disappointing! Either we’ve forgotten how to catch fish or the fish haven’t switched onto feeding since spawning. There were plenty of carp showing, even leaping out of the water giving away their whereabouts but could we get them to feed. Probably only Terry knows the way to get them to feed here although what he weighed in this match was only a third of the weight he put on the scales last time we fished here.
Fingers crossed for bumper bags of fish at the annual outing
Heron Pool looked perfect, it was great to see how much the pool had matured over the past couple of months, as the foliage surrounding the pool had burst into life. Unfortunately, the carp had also started spawning, the margins of the pool were alive with carp thrashing about in the reeds. We came to the conclusion that this could be a silver fish match – with the carp more likely to be uninterested in our bait offerings.
Our fishing challenge was further amplified when the bailiff visited each of us at our pegs and kindly asked that if we caught a barbel we return it to the water immediately – we decided not to weigh them in. Spawning carp and No barbel. Trev said he got the carp going up in the water for the last 2 hours of the match to win it with 54-0 and move up to second on the leader board. Barry was a close second weighing in with 40-8 and Dan framed in third with 27-8.
Once again, Quarry Pool produced some great individual weights for our anglers. There was added interest in this match as it was also the doubles fixture.
Guy made it his first match win of the season, putting 90-0 on the scales, while Martin continued his run of form taking second place with 74-8 and Simon returning to take third with 65-0. Other weights to note were Bobby with 60-0, and the biggest fish 16-0 falling to Mickey Meah.
Island pool is the largest pool on site at approximately two acres in size. The Island pool is stocked with a good head of carp averaging 2lb-4lbs with larger specimens around mid-teens. The pool is also home to a number of other species including a big head of quality roach to nearly 2lbs, tench and chub. However, the water is famous for producing huge perch, which are targeted by specimen anglers from all over the country.
Dexter Pool (20 pegs) stocked with carp, roach, bream, tench and rudd. The biggest carp weigh over 25 lbs. The fishery has been established over 20 years and is very well stocked
On the back of the colder weather there was speculation that this could prove a difficult venue. Everyone was going through different methods without really catching consistently on a successful method. Pole fishing the margins On the ledge at 2+2 sections, Pellet, Cage and method feeders, Pellet wagglers, Long pole shallow and the list goes on. Mel eventually got carp feeding shallow by spraying maggots to 13 metres, including a 12-2 carp on the pole which gave a him a good scrap. Barry was also catching from his corner peg which has a good variety of options as there are pegs on this pool to his right. Rob and Guy were also chopping and changing methods to try and work out what the fish wanted and how they wanted it.
With this win, Mel denied Rob his hat trick of wins but he still remains as the early leader in the points.
Swallow pool (20 pegs) is home to f1s from 1lb to 7lb. Carp from 6oz to 10lb, chub to 3lb, small tench and crucians, and ide. Shallow fishing and paste are great methods in the summer, while fishing pellets bread and maggots in winter. You can’t help but appreciate this excellent venue, the cleanliness and maintenance that has gone into making this one of the best fisheries around. The pool has a stone path around it, taking you to the generously sized wooden platforms, fishery supplied landing nets and keep nets are stored close to each peg.
Rob McKee continued his impressive form catching f1s from the whistle from the far side of peg 2, due to a cold gusting wind that swim could not be maintained on the pole. So ringing the changes, switched to down the track and later to the margins, with the fish feeding shallow on 4mm expanders even in the cold temperatures. On the wider side of the pool, Martin McHugh was aiming for top spot from peg 11, and looked set for a win – finding carp and f1s on the pellet feeder and 8mm hard pellet. With 2 wins out of 2 matches Rob is the early leader in the points – can anyone catch him?
We begin our new season with a visit to Vineyard Fishery at Half Penny Green. Moorhen pool is predominantly a carp water with fish averaging around 3lb but there are also the odd bream to around 8lb as well as plenty of roach to 2lb. Using micro or 2mm pellets as feed and then fishing a bigger 4 or 6mm banded expander pellet over the top. Keep the pinging or potting the feed in and keep moving the bait for more bites.
There was very little difference between to top three weights as the final frame shows with only 6lb between 1st and 3rd place. The bulk of the weights were made up of carp to 3lb.
Our last match of 2018 season was at Aston Eyre which usually provides a ton of fish for the winner and or the biggest fish of the season. What a difference a couple of days, and quite a few degrees Celsius makes, whoa it was feckin freezing, and as five hours passed almost all of us were packing up to try and keep warm. Two had already had enough and left early, leaving more points available for the final leader board, and Bobby (Nudd) Tranter was ecstatic with his fish!
A match not to miss – but due to holidays and other commitments unfortunately too many did miss this historic match. A match which saw Dan Podmore catch a double ton, and take the individual match record which has been broken several times this season already, and land the biggest single fish this season so far a carp of 16lb. Taking second place was Rob McKee with a total of 192lb 10oz, and third place goes to Guy Jones with 180lb 10oz.
In fact six out of the nine anglers that fished, broke through the ton barrier making it an exceptional match for individuals and the club as they all contributed to the biggest weight for a club match weighing in an incredible total of over 1,162lb.
Note that the next match on Aston Eyre will need all of your available nets and ensure they are dry for inspection by Tony.
Although the weather was pretty favourable, Dragonfly pool didn’t fish well with a lot of us struggling for bites. Many different methods were put to use, as we all rang the changes. Swapping between long pole, shallow / short pole on the deck, pellet and cage feeder, bomb and pellet waggler. Most methods would produce but not with any consistency. Rob was the eventual winner, pipping Guy by 6lb with Martin catching well in the last hour landing 3 carp for just over 30lb making up his final weight.
Note that the next match is a pool change we are on Chestnut pool at Cob House.
A reminder to all anglers to return any trophies as we move into the last few matches of the season. Time to lovingly, clean and polish them for the last time; before returning them to Trev, before the next presentation night.
