Fan Lodge 18/09/11

Last match of the season for the Trevalyon Anglers and what a terrible turn out it was too. Only five of us Me, my dad Eric, Chris, Shaun and Jeff out of twenty anglers. It was the worst turnout I have ever been invoved with in twenty years with the club.
  We decided on a rover and I drew number 2 so elected to pick the first peg on the match stretch. Jeff who fishes Fan Lodge quite often walked past and said "you'll catch nowt Gaz off this peg" and explained I should have gone for a more open peg. I must admit I thought Jeff would be wrong as I had a lovely looking peg with a nice bay in front of me and sunken branches to my right.

Fan Lodge Peg 1

  I set up an up in the water pellet rig at 13 metres, a on the deck pellet rig at 13 metres, a margin rig and the method feeder for the other side of the bay.
On the all in I started at 13 metres on the deck and to say it was slow was a understatement. I tried up in the water, the method feeder and finally down the side. Nothing! I was beginning to wish I was one of the missing lads when finally after two hours my float shot under. Yes!!! No!!! it was a two ounce skimmer which turned out to be a lonely skimmer as it was the only fish I could catch in five hours of fishing. It was good enough to be fourth on the day as Shaun didn't get a fish.
Jeff romped home with about 30lbs of carp and bream. 2nd was Chris who had two carp for 8lb. Dad was third with one skimmer of about 8oz.

Jeff with a cracking net from Fan Lodge

So thats it for Trevalyon Anglers 2011. Its the first year I have never won a match but came close a few times. Well done to Big Dave Brown for winning the overall title. Next year he can only fish three hours to our five!

Gaz

Westwood Lakes, Lincolnshire- Family Holiday

Family holidays at Westwood Lakes, Lincolnshire and this was chosen because

• Wanted holiday on the east coast
• family wanted a lodge with a hot tub
• I wanted a fishing lake on site. This place had four.
• The reviews on Trip Adviser were all great.

We set off on the Saturday 27th August for our hols and it meant I was missing my "money water," Coppell Mill Pond were I always either come first or second (Sharpy won by the way with an excellent 22lbs, well done pal).
When we arrived I must say we were impressed with the lodges, my wife loved the hot tub and I took a walk round the lakes and was well impressed.

Our Lodge

Our lodge was on Skylark Lake and it was Wednesday by the time I got to fish it. It's the main match lake and there are several opens a week on it which your welcome to fish if you fancy taken on the locals. I set up on the nearest peg 21 which is at the end of the island and looked a flyer. The lake itself is a goodsize lake and is 13 metres across to a central island and looks very fair on all pegs.

Peg 21 Skylark Lake, Westwood Lakes

I had bought two pints of maggots from the excellent on site tackle shop on the recomendation of one of the open match lads and had also bought a bag of micros (you have to use their feed pellets). I set up a pellet rig for just off the island in about 18 inches of water and a pellet rig for the margins (which was only 12 inches). I also set up a maggot rig for about six metres out which was about five foot deep. Both the pellet rigs were 0.14 line to a PR16s hook with the maggot rig 0.13 to a 18s PR36 hook. Before I wet a line though I also set up a short pole on peg 22 for my future son in law Gareth who had never been coarse fishing before.

Gareth Getting A Few!

After setting Gareth up I cupped in half a Drennan Pot of micros and went straight across with a 4mm expander on the hook. I was into fish straight away. I was getting mainly carp with a spinkling of tench and barbel. I was feeding a small toss pot of micros after every fish and the biggest problem I had was foulhooking fish due to the amount in front of me. I switched to the maggot rig to give the far line a rest and carried on catching but the fish were a lot smaller on average. I also tried the margins but could not hold the fish due to the water being so shallow and me being a numpty!
Back across and it was a fish a chuck for the rest of the day, nothing massive the biggest about 4lb and with a few largers being brought to my peg by the family it was a cracking days sport and even Gareth caught a few. I finished the day in the hot tub. Bliss!
I had a evening session two days later on the same peg and the sport was exactly the same. Another cracking session.
Westwood lakes is just on the outskirts of Boston and if you looking for a peacefull holiday with a bit of fishing and top class accommodation I can thoroughly reckomend it. Oh and on site cafe not bad too. Try the 16 ounce T bone with all the trimmings mmm.

Gary

Partridge Fisheries - Spey 21/08/11

For once the weather was going to behave itself and sunshine was promised all day. I got there in plenty of time and looked at the lake for the first time. Its was a canal type lake only 13 metres across and looked good for a few fish on all the pegs.
 I dew peg 15 and and had my mate Jeff Taylor on my right and an empty peg to my left. I set up a rig tight across for the pellet, a Hillbilly Slim Shady to 0.14 line to 16s Preston PR36 hook. I set the same Hillbilly rig up again for the margins and another Hillbilly this time a Shindig float set about 5ft deep down the track. Finally I set up a caster rig for up in the water across.

Jeff On Spey Canal, Partridge Fisheries

The Empty Peg Was My Margin Attack

On the all in I potted 4mm pellets across and in the near margin against the empty peg to my left. I started across on the pellet and it was hard going to say the least. A couple of quick bites, then a F1 carp was all I had in the first hour. I tried down the margin and only had one bite, down the track and never had a bite. I then tried the caster about 8 metres out and started getting a few roach but they weren't big enough to persevere. Jeff was struggling worse than me and had not had a fish at this stage. Nobody as far as I could see was doing much and it looked like the Trevalyon curse had struck again. After half the match I had about 3lb in the net.
 I then tried caster across and was rewarded with a ide. I didn't even know they were in the lake. I then got a roach and another ide so decided to switch up in the water across and get more ide. It was a good call and I was getting ide on a regular basis. This continued the rest of the match and I ended up 2nd with 22lb 11oz. Jeff in the meanwhile was heading for a blank but three late carp on corn gave him about 10lbs and he wish he'd done that earlier.
  Big Dave Brown had done the business again and had won with paste down the track weighing in 33lbs. He's had a cracking year and fully deserves to be our champion this year. Well done mate! His lad Dave junior was 3rd for the first time after being fourth in the previous match and it won't be too long before he's beating his old man.
After the match I sat behind Dave watching him fish the paste and like all good anglers he makes it look easy. I should really give it a more of a go instead of giving up on it after ten minutes.

Gary

Sycamore Fisheries 14/08/11

After last weeks match being the furthest away, this one was the closest, only a fifteen minute drive for me and things were going to be nice and simple for me. Pellets! My only decision being a hard pellet on the band or an expander on the hook.
I drew peg 15 and had an empty peg to my left and my mate Chris Naylor to my right. It looked ok my peg and I set myself a 20lb target which I thought would be there or there abouts. I set up two up in the water rigs, one for the expander and one on a hair rigged band. I also set a full depth rig at 11-13 metres. All were 16s hooks to 0.14 line. The carp in here average 1lb or so but there are bigger lumps. I should of set the method up as well to throw across to the island about 18 metres away but as I hardly fish the tip I left it in the holdall. I noticed Chris had set it up though and he's not bad on the tip.
I was ready in plenty of time for a change and me being a true Wiganer had a pie before the all in for my breakfast!

My Peg At Sycamore Fisheries

On the all in I shipped out to 11 metres and put half a pot of pellets in. I went straight over and.... nothing. After an hour I'd caught a roach and skimmer. I weren't breaking any records but then again as far as I could see nobody was. I decided to go up in the water on the banded pellet as I'd kept trickling pellets in and was rewarded with a small carp of about a pound. My interest picked up and so did another carp of about a pound. It didn't last of course and by the end of the match I had 10 small carp and a couple of chublets, along with my skimmer and roach for 11lb 7oz which turned out to be good enough for third.
Sharpy (Dave Walton) won with just over 20lbs on dead maggot from across the lake and Jeff Taylor bounced back to form with 15lbs on the method for second.
Must mention that our only junior angler, young Dave Brown, son of big Dave Brown got his first points in the club by finishing 4th. Well done lad it wont be too long before he's beating us all.

Gaz

Herenbrook Fisheries - Bridge Pool 07/08/11

We had heard some good things about Herenbrook so was looking forward to this, we (dad and I ) set out about 6:30am as its the furthest away of all our matches. We got there about 7:50am and most of the lads were allready there scoffing bacon butties. In all there was 21 of us including visitors) so it was the best attendance this year.
  Now good weights come out of this lake but us being the Trevalyon Anglers we can flatten any water and coupled with a cold Northerly wind I was aiming for 30lbs+ to get in the frame. I drew permanent peg 1(a good peg) and had dad for company on peg 2. Dad also had drawn the golden peg so was happy.

Bridge Pool, Herenbrook Fisheries

Now because I didn't know much about the lake I was going with my favourite caster attack, with corn and meat down the margins. On the all in I started off down the side for the first fifteen minutes but only had one quick bite. I then went on the caster and started to get small roach. I kept with it as I was putting something in the net and no one else who I could see was catching much. After an hour I hooked something much bigger. It had me all over the place and was either the biggest fish in the lake or foul hooked. After fifteen minutes I did something you shouldn't do and that was grabbing hold of the white hydro elastic and pulled it in. It was a carp of about six pounds hooked in the tail and I was amazed the 18's hook held.
After this the match was pretty much a non event as the size of the roach didn't improve. I got a few small F1s down the side on meat but was glad to hear the all out. Dad had got the golden peg curse cos he got 4 small carp in first four chucks across with the feeder then that was it. The highlight was a couple of pegs further down when Gaz Melling lost his top four sections to the island across and stripped down to his duds for a swim! Nice one Gaz.

Gaz (Mark Spitz) Melling

At the weigh in Jonny Mawdsley had easily won with 63lbs. Well done pal with Lee Gerrard 2nd with 36lbs and Alf Beckett 3rd with with 30lbs. This match was my biggest disappointment this year, I should have done miles better on a good peg and gone across with pellet at 14 and half metres and kept the casters in the bag. I didn't bother weighing in and had 10 to 12lbs. It was time to kick the dog when I got in!

Gaz

Orcherton Fisheries 31/07/11

Practiced for this match on the Thursday and had fifteen carp up in the water so I was pretty confident I'd do ok on the match. I drew permanent peg 14 and had Daz Blakeley to my left with an empty peg to my right. Daz fishes this lake every week and said we had drawn decent pegs. He said "Gaz fish the straight lead with a 8mm banded pellet, pellet waggler and the margins lashing in the maggots for the barbel".
  Well I took his advise on the margins but elected to fish the pole at 11 metres up and down in the water.

Orcherton Fisheries

On the all in I could see Dad a few pegs away get a decent early carp which would have pleased him no end as he had drew the golden peg. Darren on the next peg started to catch on the bomb just as he said he would (I hate show offs). Big Dave Brown on flyer peg 1 was also catching well and I thought Dave would go on to win the match. Me - I was having a bit of a mare as I couldn't settle on anything proper so wasn't going anywhere fast. Daz's peg was getting stronger all the time and I was getting neck ache turning round after every splash of a carp or barbel.
The all out was shouted and I reckoned I had about 20lb. Darren was saying he might break the club record of 76lb (which I hold). He had caught all day on the straight lead and didn't even need to fish the margins for barbel. On peg 1 Dave had put 52lbs on the scales but knew it wasn't enough to beat Daz. Lee Gerrard weighed 34lb for third and Dean Ford 30lb for fourth.

Dean about to weigh in

I put 24lb odd on the scales which was five carp, two barbel and some silvers, then it was Darrens turn. It took two weighs and tallied together came to 79lb 15oz for a new club record! Well done mate. It was also his third win on the bounce so he his bang in form.

One happy bunny!

I'll finish this blog by saying next time someone tells me to fish the bomb I might just listen!

Gaz

Queens Charity Match, Bickershaw Lane 24/07/11

Match today with a bit of a difference. It's a annual charity match run by one of our members Stey Naylor and with the emphasis on fun we fish for prizes rather than our usual pools.
 Rumour had it that 100lbs had won a match last week with second place 9lb. That's more our standard the 9lb that is and I think we all knew 10lb would get you in the frame.
 I drew peg 2 and it didn't look a bad peg with a tree to my left going into the water, it looked an obvious spot for a carp or two. The lake itself is a lovely looking water, loads of features on most pegs and everybody was pretty happy with their draw.

My Peg

On my left on peg1 I had Dave Whyte for company although I couldn't see him for the tree in between us. To my right was two empty pegs until Daz Blakeley on peg five. The only other angler I could see was Lee Gerrard across the lake.
 I set up just two rigs, my first a dibber type float for under the tree. It was connected to 0.16 line straight through to a size 14's Animal hook. Elastic was a solid 16's. I could tame jaws with this rig or so I thought. My second rig was a margin rig to my right. It was a Hillbilly Slim Shady to 0.15 to a 14s Animal hook. The elastic this time was a solid 14's. I was taking no prisoners.
On the all in I threw some pellets under the tree and to my margin swim on my right. I went straight out under the tree and....... nothing! Had a quick look at my margin swim and ...... nothing again. I saw Lee across the lake get a half decent fish and hoped my peg would pick up. It did of a fashion, I started to get indications on my float but felt they were small fish nibbling on my pellet. This was soon proved right as I caught two tiny skimmers for about an ounce. It was tough going but felt I would get a lump under the tree.

 Half time came and hot bacon and sausage barms were supplied by Stey and Lee's wife's along with a drink, a bag of crisps and a penguin biscuit! Not bad at all, wouldn't mind that every match. After the self enforced food break I went back under the tree, the float shot under and I was connected to a lump. It tried to get right amongst the roots but I managed to steer it away, it was mine now or so I thought. The carp though had other ideas it shot out into the middle of the lake, I followed it and then I got that sickened feeling of slack line. I'd lost it and worse it had taken my rig, my line had snapped on the stonfo connector something that had not happened to me before. I only swore a bit! That proved to be my only action of any note for the rest of my match as I didn't hook anything else, I even took a walk to Daz's peg with an hour to go, something I don't normally do but this is a light hearted match. Daz had lost a lump on the tip, but I proved to be a lucky charm as his tip went round again and this time he got the fish in, a carp of about seven pounds.

Nearly There

This looked to have won the match but Sharpy on the opposite bank caught a carp late on, it was between these two anglers as nobody else had done owt as we say around these parts. Daz's fish went 7lb odd, so it was round to Sharpy's peg and his carp went 6lb.

Close but no cigar for Sharpy!

Lee Gerrard got third with 3lb odd, with Alf Beckett fourth and the rest of us only getting ounces. Our club can flatten any water! But the match had been fun and we will do it again next year. That left just the prizes and Daz got a rod for winning the match, with the rest of us getting a pick of the bottles in weight order.

Rambo with his "dog" roach!

Daz and his prize

We managed to raise £300 pounds for Stey's charity on the day and once again thanks to the girls for looking after us hungry anglers. We'll do it all again next year.

Gaz

Wrightington Fisheries, Rivington View 17/07/11



The weather forecast for this match was horrible and normal people stay in bed but not this fool. I was up and ready, picked Dad up and got there well in time for the draw. In all fifteen of us turned up. The last time I fished this lake in a match I'd won with 69lb so I was confident. I drew peg 18 (not permanent peg 18) and had Gaz Melling on 17 and Jimmy Boyd on 19 for company. First thing was to set up the brolly as it was already pissing down, then I made up four rigs, two for up in the water, one on the deck at 11 metres and one for down the margins. Baitwise I had brought 6mm pellets for feed with a few expanders (4mm&6mm) for the hook.
 We had pre match entertainment by Lee Gerrard who dropped one of his pole sections into the water and had to strip to his boxers and get in the water. He didn't get called - much!

Lee Spear Fishing!

Take a Bow Lee

On the all in I started feeding with half a Drennan Pot of 6mm pellets at 11 metres and could see my Dad across the lake already playing a carp on the tip. Soon I caught him up because after five minutes on the full depth rig I was playing my first carp of about 3lbs which was safely netted. The rig by the way was a Mick Wilkinson Diamond to 0.15 line to a Preston PR38's hook. I caught another couple of carp before my first disaster of the day, playing a carp I shoved my power top two int my fourth pole section and with it being wet, it locked solid! I could not budge it and only have one fourth section which meant if I wanted to fish something else I would have to put my rig back on the winder. Not impressed! I carried on manfully and got a couple more before  the wind picked up even more and bent my fishing brolly inside out and bent my brolly staff like a banana. Aghh ! Gaz took a picture of me wrestling my brolly.

I Hate Brolly's!

I threw the brolly on the bank with a curse and carried on fishing. The rain was relentless and felt like the middle of October not July but I got a couple more carp and felt I had a good chance of winning from what I could see around me. I had drew the golden peg as well which was worth an extra £100 if I won and would pay for a new brolly with a few quid left over. I was soon put in my place how ever as word came round  thatDaz Blakeley had fifteen carp and was still catching.
 I did try up in the water for about twenty minutes but apart from a big dog roach of about a pound it was poor as expected given the conditions. Back on the deck I caught a few more carp, one bream and a tench. I also lost seven carp which summed my match up.
 The all out was shouted and was I glad to hear it along with the rest of us drowned rats. Gaz on 17 had wrapped up with an hour to go but had hung around for the weigh in. He tried to help me with my stuck pole sections, but me being a clumsy get broke my fourth section. It was turning into an expensive match.
At the weigh in Daz had won on the tip to the island with 43lbs. Well done mate. 2nd was Big Dave Brown keeping up his form with 37lbs. I was 3rd with 33lbs. I just wanted to go home and get dry. Oh well there's always next time.

Cheers Gaz

Sycamore Fisheries 15/07/11

Got a match on here next month and as I've not seen the place for a couple of years I thought a little session wouldn't do any harm. I arrived about 1pm after cutting down on my sleep (I was on nights) and my Dad was already fishing. He had just started so he claimed and hadn't caught yet. He was on peg 8 on Davids Pool so I dropped on peg 7. The fishery had matured in the last couple of years and looked a lot more "fishy".

Davids Pool, Sycamore Fisheries

Dad On Peg 8

I set up three rigs all at nine & half metres, the first for on the deck (5ft) which was a 0.4 Hillbilly Shindig to 0.13 line to a Preston PB36 hook. Elastic was the red fox hollow which I think is about 12's to 16's. The second was an up in the water rig set about 18 inches deep. It was a Malman MTD 0.1g to 0.14 to a 16s Animal hook. White Hydro was the elastic. The third was a SconeZone "Wellardz" set the same depth but 0.16 line to a 18s Preston PB36. This rig was a banded pellet hair rig. Preston Yellow Hollow elastic which is a 17' elastic completed the
   I started on the deck. I cupped half a Drennan pot of pellets in then started using my full depth rig. It started slow but began to get a couple of skimmers. All the time I'd been pinging a few 4mm pellets in so I switched to a shallow rig with a 4mm Ringers Expander on the hook and got a couple of small skimmers then the white hydro shot out and I was attached to a angry carp. It was only a couple of pounds but with plenty reeds around it gave me a few anxious moments before it was in the net. Another carp soon followed and another before I switched to black hydro. This was much better and had much more control over the next carp.
  My peg was fizzing like mad so I went back to full depth and got another couple of carp on the expander, then it slowed down so back up in the water, this time with a banded 6mm pellet and another four carp graced my net before I called it a day and ended my short session.
  Dad had got in on the action and was catching barbel and carp on paste, something he doesn't normally use so he was well happy. As I drove off it started to rain and got heavier and heavier and just for once I'd beaten it.
The rain would get its revenge the next session.

Gary

Hampton Springs Fishery- Willows 10/07/11

Good turnout for this match with 20 of us hoping for a good match. I had brought 2 pints of casters which was to be my main line of attack. I'd also liquidised a couple of tins of sweetcorn and chopped a tin of meat up for the margins.

Peg 1 (permanent peg 9)

I drew peg 1 (permament peg 9) next to the bridge and it looked a good peg!  I had Sharpy on number two peg for company and Jimmy on peg 20 who was hiding behind a big bush. The golden peg worth another hundred quid was drawn by Big Dave Brown and the form he's been showing this year, it looked in danger of being won.

The little tuft of grass sticking out was my margin swim

I set up two up in the water rigs, one a Preston PB1 to 0.12 line to a size 18's PR36. White Hydro was the elastic. The second was slightly heavier a Preston PB1 again to 0.14 line to a 16's Animal hook. Grey Hydro was the elastic this time. Two more rigs were set up, a margin rig which was a Hillbilly Shady Shallow to 0.15 line to a 14's Animal hook. My final rig was at 13 metres to my right, next to the bridge which was a 0.4 Hillbilly Shindig to 0.16 to a 14s Animal hook. Elastic was Black Hydro.
  On the hooter I was straight on my margin rig. I'd tipped some likky corn in and with a grain of corn on the hook I was hoping for a quick response. I got it, the float straight under and I missed it! Aghh!! Back in again and this time no bite. Sharpy got a decent fish out and lost one as well. I soon decided to try caster up in the water and there was plenty of movement up in the water but I could not get a proper bite. Back down the side I got my first fish a tench. I then tried near the bridge which got me my first carp of about 3 lbs. Back out on the caster I got two carp in two put ins and thought I might have cracked it but it went quiet again. I could see big Dave getting a few and thought he was winning out of the anglers I could see. After four hours I had maybe 20lbs then my margin swim kicked in and I got roughly another 20lbs in the last hour. On the all out I thought I may sneak a place. I tipped 38lb odd on the scales which was good enough for second. Phil Mawdsley who had snapped his pole early on in the match and was forced to fish at five metres won with 43lb odd. He was buzzing! Big Dave who I thought had won it weighed in 33lbs. He got the golden peg curse and lost at least 20lb.
 Thats three second places on the spin for me now and next week at Wrightington Fisheries I'm hoping to go one better.

Gaz

Phil with his winning net

Wrightington Fisheries 08/07/11

Practice time at Wrightington for a match a week on Sunday. I was off work today so me and my Dad Eric was there for about 8am. When we arrived Paul the owner of the lakes said it had been fishing well and there was a feature in the Angling Times next week.

 There was only one other angler on our lake tucked away out of the wind in the far corner but me and my dad being brave chose pegs 2 and 3. Big mistake and after nearly a hour we moved into pegs less windy. Dad was on peg 6 on the tip and I was on flyer peg 7. Theres an island 14 metres away and its a fish magnet.

Peg 7 Wrightington Fisheries

Dad on peg 6



I started against the island and first put in I had a tench, second put in a carp of a couple of pounds. I was using a Hillbilly Shady Shallow  on 0.15 line to a 14's Animal hook. Depth was about 2&1/2 ft deep. I caught another eight carp and tench, biggest about 4lbs all on 6ml Ringers Expander. I was cupping in 6mm hard pellets via a Medusa pole pot.
I came back in to about 11 metres on the pole and started pinging the bait hoping to catch shallow but was plagued with roach. I did get one small carp though. After that I tried the rushes near me butt only got more roach. Back out to the island it was carp and tench again. At least if I draw this peg I will know what to do.
Dad in the meanwhile had a slow start but did start catching some nice carp on the tip. We wrapped up early when a thunderstorm came in as I don't fancy holding a carbon conducter when there is lightning about!
Gary

Widdows Flash 19/06/11

Only thirteen of us turned up for this match at Widdows and when I arrived a couple of the lads said fish caster as the carp are not showing. Well as I didn't have a caster on me that was out of the window so pellet it was.
I drew peg 11 and had big Dave Brown for company to my right who is white hot at the moment and an empty peg to my left. Dave said look for twenty pounds to get a place as it's not fishing well or something like that.
I set up three rigs the first at fourteen & half metres set at full depth which was a 0.4 Hillbilly Shindig to 0.14 line to a 16s PR36. The second (and my main rig) was a Hillbilly Shady Shallow set 14 inches deep to 0.14 line to a size 16sPR38. The third was a Small pea float set 10 inches, to 0.14 to a 16s Animal hook.

My Peg

The all in and I went shallow on the Hillbilly rig and after two minutes I had a skimmer of about 12 ounce. Good start, then Dave had a skimmer followed by a carp. Better start! After an hour I'd had a skimmer a roach and a ghostie of about 4lbs. Nobody was doing much and it looked has if the rumours were right, it wasn't fishing well. The rest of the match I alternated fishing up in the water and at full depth getting the odd carp and the odd skimmer. I managed to lose three carp as well!
The biggest drama was Dave shipping out and his top five came off! However I managed to lasso it and bring it back in. Dave if you read this you owe me one!
I couldn't see most of the pegs but reckoned I might be close and so it proved, when the scales came 18lb was winning off Lee Gerrard. I knew I'd beat that and put 26lb 14oz on the scales. Dean put 20lb on peg 19, then Jonny Mawdsley on last peg 20 put 27lb 14oz to just edge me out into second.
  Our next match is at Hampton Springs on the tenth July. Bring it on!

Jonny, being weighed in by Lee

Alf weighing in.

Highfield Fisheries Beech Pool 12/06/11

I've never laid eyes on the place before but heard and read nice things about the fishery. After a couple of wrong turnings me and me Dad arrived to be greeted by the rest of the lads. In all seventeen of us had turned up. I went to the cafe / bait shop and bought some 6mm pellets (which I didn't use) as you have to use their pellets. The owner told me 80 odd pound had won the day before but with wind and rain forecast I knew we wouldn't get close to that.
 Our club had the first twenty pegs and I drew peg eight. I had Alf Beckett for company on peg nine and an empty peg on seven so was pretty happy although when I arrived Alf's peg looked the dogs!

Peg 1 Onwards, Beech Pool, Highfield Fisheries

My peg had a fishery keepnet waiting for me (good rule) and was about 15-16 metres wide to the rushes across and I made up four rigs, the first for the bottom of the near shelf, then two up in the water rigs (caster rig and pellet rig) and one for on the deck at 13 metres. I had two pints of casters with me and was hoping to catch all day on them with pellet being the back up if I was falling behind.

On the all in I fired in two pouches and went straight out on the caster rig at 11 metres (Preston PB1 float to 0.12 to 18's PR36 set a foot deep), after only a couple of minutes I was playing my first fish an ide which was the best part of a pound. Good start! Alf next door soon got in on the action and was playing his first carp caught on the meat. Soon I was playing my second fish a carp of a couple of pounds which gave me the runneraround on the white hydro. After an hour I had a about 10lb in the net and was setting the pace from the anglers around me. It could have been more but a great big ide over 2lbs slipped the hook at the net and I threw a 10 ounce ide back into the water instead of my net! Aghh. The second hour was getting even better untill the rain moved in and the wind picked up. This was making my presentation a lot more difficult but I was still getting bites and was still in front of the lads around me so carried on with the caster. At the all out I was piss wet through and reckoned I might just have forty pounds. Highfield Fisheries does all the weighing in (another nice touch) and I wasn't far off, I weighed 41lbs 4oz and thought that might be enough to win but big Dave Brown who was around the bend is white hot at the moment caught close in on corn for 57lbs. Thats the third win on the spin for Dave and is looking a shoe in for the league title. Alf next peg was 3rd with over 24lbs. He'd lost a lot of fish foulhooking and was bothered with bits believe it or not on meat. Considering the weather it had been a cracking day putting over 40lbs in the net on caster(my fave method). Must mention Highfield Fisheries is a cracking fishery and look forward to our next match there next year.

Gary 

Langate Lodges Wednesday Sweep 09/06/11

Decided at the last minute to fish this match so it was littery get in from work, throw tackle into car, back out to Langate. Its only a five minute drive to the place so I soon arrived and saw my mate Daz from our fishing club Trevalyon Anglers there. He'd only had one roach last week but was still keen and was hoping to get peg 30. I wasn't sure where I wanted so when John shouted the draw I got number 7 so with this being a rover I got seventh choice. I chose peg 1 as its a decent pole peg and a short walk!

Peg 1 Langate Lodges

View From Peg 1 Langate Lodges

I set up two rigs, one for in the corner which was a Mick Wilkinson Dinky to 0.16 line to a 14s PR38 and a second rig 11 metres out, about five feet away from a line of trees. On the all in I cupped half a pot of pellets at 11 metres and then looked in the corner for the first 5 minutes. Nothing there so out to 11 metres with a 4mm expander on the hook and after missing a couple of bites Igot a skimmer of about 8 ounce. I then added a couple more pastie carp inthe first hour but was going nowhere fast. I kept having a look in the corner but did not have a bite. After two an half hours I had 3lb in the net and with half an hour to go I connected with my first proper fish, a bream of about 3 lbs. Now if only I could get a big lump I might have a chance of a place in the frame, then ten minutes left the float shoots under and I'm connected to the lump. The elastic comes right out and then its gone. F*** I mutters to myself but bringing the rig back in theres a big scale on the hook so don't feel as bad. On the all out I tips my 6lb back as it wasn't going to be enough. Billy Kelly won the sweep with 16lb odd and 11 lb was needed for third.

Gary

Middle Place Garswood Hall 02/06/11

Decided to go to middle place for an evening session as today had really warmed up and I hadn't fished the place this year.
 Now Middle Place has three lakes, dirty ditch, motorway and the big lake and it is only for senior members so its usually nice and peaceful, and it was the big lake on the far bank corner with my back to the Asda Distribution Centre that I chose.

Middle Place

With it being a nice warm day I suspected the fish would be off the bottom but I set up a full depth rig which was a Mick Wilkinson Diamond Taper 0.6 to 0.12 line to size 18s PR36 hook. I also set a shallow rig 18 inches deep which was a Preston PB1 float, 0.14 line and a size 16's Animal hook.
 I started off with half a drennan pole pot of 4mm pellets, then firing pellets over the top at 11 metres. I got an tench early on put started getting liners, came up and it was a fish a chuck. They were mainly small roach and skimmers but did get five carp with the biggest nudging 4lb. Good fun on the white hydro. Then on my last put in I caught a bream of about 3lbs.
 A lovely peaceful evening in the sun with just three anglers having the whole lake. I should really go more often.
Gary

Latham No 4 Match 29/05/11

After the practice on Wednesday were I'd hammered them fishing shallow on the the top two and one I was mega confident of a good result. All I wanted was a decent draw hopefully somewhere towards the middle, but not the carpark bank. Well my golden arm drew peg 3 on the carpark peg so it had to do and there is plenty fish all over the lake.

My Peg Latham No 4

 I was easily ready for the all in as I'd only set up the same (freshly made up) two rigs as Wednesday which were a Preston PB2 float set 18 inches deep to 0.14 line to 16s Animal and a Preston PB1 float set 12 inches deep to 0.12 line to 18s PR36. Bait was again 4mm pellets with Ringers 4mm expanders for the hook. Nice and simple.
 On the all in I went out on my top two and one on the shallow rig and promptly caught my fist fish. After the first fifteen minutes I'd caught five F1s which wasn't at the same pace as Wednesday but still quicker than most. Then a cross wind started picking up more and more and presentation became more difficult. After an hour I'd caught 15 which was proving how difficult it was as I'd caught sixty in an hour on Wednesday. Everybody was struggling in the wind apart from the bank were the wind was blowing over there backs. I could see Big Dave catching all the time on one of those pegs but apart from Dave I thought I might have a chance of a place as no one else was running away with it. Rambo on the next peg, peg 4 was catching regularly but he's did look a smaller stamp than mine. Every now and then the wind would ease and you would catch again but after five hours I was glad to hear the all out, I'd caught 63 F1s for 38lb 4oz. I knew it would be tight with Rambo and so it proved with him putting 36lb on the scales. Sharpy on the golden peg was even closer with 37lb and I was winning untill the last four pegs weighed. Daz, Rambo's son tipped 42lb on the scales which was a brilliant result considering he caught them all on the tip. Big Daves turn to weigh in and we all knew he'd won it was just a matter of how much. After two weighs 71lb was recorded, a cracking weight from the best angler in the club. Finally Chris weighed in and put 39lb on the scales for 3rd and nudge me into 4th.
 Thats three matches in now and best result is 4th! Not the start I was after but a long way to go yet to move up the leader board. Our next match is in two weeks at Highfield Fisheries Beech Lake and I know nothing about it. Looks like at the moment I'll be taking casters then.

Gary

Latham Fisheries No 4 Practice 25/0511

Was on 6-2 shift at work so had the fishing tackle in the car. Dad rang and said he fancied it so it was a detour to dads, then straight on to Latham Fisheries. When we arrived there was only four other anglers on the lake so we picked the bank with the wind going over our back.

Dad In Action!

Now I've a good record on this lake and in three matches I've had two wins and a third all catching F1s up in the water on caster first time then on pellet. Today was going to be no different all I had was 4mm pellets for feeding and Ringers 4/6mm expanders for the hook. I set up two rigs, one 18 inches deep 0.14 line to a 16s animal and the other was set 12 inches deep 0.12 line to a 18's PR36. Float choice was Preston PB 2 for the deeper rig and PB1 for the shallower rig.
  We was fishing for 3:30pm and I started off on the deeper rig and within a minute I was into my first F1. This continued fish after fish and they were averaging two to the pound. I went onto the shallower rig and caught even quicker! I was keeping count and at my fastest cught 60 fish in 59 minutes. Not bad going for a clubie! At the end of the session Id had well over 200 F1s for over 100lb and it couldn't have been any easier. I couldn't fail on the match on Sunday could I?

Langate Wednesday Sweep 11/05/11

After winning last Wednesdays sweep on peg 57 on the Channel, I was hoping for a kind draw on this rover. I got number 3 so I chose the same peg again! I set up the exact same rig (freshly made up) which was a Preston PB1 to 0.14 line to a Kamason animal 16s hook. I was ready five minutes before the start of the match and hoped the fish would be ready for me.

Peg 57 on the Channel, Langate Lodges

At the all in I potted half a cup of micro pellets a yard from the bullrushes, then went out with a 4mm expander and expected the float to go straight under. Well it didn't! After half an hour not a bite. Then the float shot under, I was attached to a lump and promptly lost it in the rushes. Top start!
Next half an hour nothing then finally I started to get bites off a few pastie carp and small skimmers. My mate Dave and my dad Eric came thinking I'd be getting them but they soon wandered off unimpressed. Five minutes before the all out I tipped my fish back. I maybe had six pounds which wasnt going to get me anything.
At the carpark I heard Ben, a lad who fishes the Langate matches regulary had over 30lbs from peg 26(I think)which was a great effort.
Looking back at the match I think the wind had a great bearing on my peg as it was blowing the opposite way from last week. It is only two foot deep anywhere so I suspect the fish followed the wind. That and a numpty angler on said peg!
Tight Lines
Gaz.

Hall Lane Fisheries 08/05/11

Nineteen of us for this match and no one was sure about the lake. We was on lake number two which was supposed to be the poorer of the lakes. I drew peg 7 which was pretty alike the rest of the pegs really, being a canal lake that was only twelve months old. I don't really like new lakes as they lack character but it's a match and it beats shopping!

  For company I had Phil on peg 6 and Sharpy on peg 8. I set up a three rigs, one on the deck at 9 metres and two up in the water. All were 0.12 line to a 18s hook as I wasn't expecting any monsters.
  At the all in I shipped the pole out to nine metres and was struggling to hold the pole propper due to the strength of the wind. I perservered for half an hour or so then took a section off which was much better. I started using a pole pot too instead of the cattey and started to put fish in the net. Not monsters by any means but plenty small orfe and roach. At the end of the match I thought I might have sneaked a place but came 5th with 13lb 4oz. Winning weight was 18lb odd by Johnny on the paste. Second was big Dave with 17lb again on the paste and 3rd was barbel bashing Buckley who put 16lb on the scales. Phil had 7lb odd on peg six fishing the tip and caster close in. Sharpy on peg 8 had 8lb odd but lost a couple of good fish at the net which would have boosted him up.
  Our next club match is three weeks off at Latham Fisheries number 4. Bring it on!
 

Winning Ways 04/05/11

Decided to fish the evening sweep on Langate Lodges. Its run every Wednesday all through the summer and today was the first one. The draw was 5:15pm and it was all in at 6pm. I drew number three and that meant I got third choice of the pegs (the matches are all rovers), I chose the Channel peg 57. I chose this peg because the wind was blowing into it, it had form this time last year and I havn't fished the Channel this year!
  At the all in I put half a Drennan pole pot containing wetted micro pellets about eight metres out and about a yard from the edge of some bullrushes. Tackle wise I was using a Preston PB2 float to 0.14 line and a size 16's Kamasan Animal hook. Depth was only a couple of feet. I slipped a 4mm Ringers expander on the hook and promptly missed my first bite. Back out again and this time got a pastie carp. After the first hour I had ten pasties going roughly three to the pound. I was topping up every put in with a fox toss pot to keep them interested and my peg was starting to get stronger. The second hour I had another twenty and the third another nineteen plus a 2lb tench which was a welcome bonus.
  On the all out I couldn't see my float proper but had enjoyed a nice easy match. I reckoned I had about 20lbs which is normally enough to frame and so it proved as I won with 19lbs 8oz. Second place was 15lb odd and 3rd 10lb 8oz both from Langate Lodge itself. Thats my first win this year so I'm off and running. Fishing a funny game last Sunday I struggled like mad and today couldn't have been any easier. Either way it beats staying in watching Corrie and Eastenders!
Tight Lines
Gary

Giants Hall 01/05/11

Our first club match of the year and it was great to be back on the bank with the rest of the lads. Penty of abuse and mickey taking, just how we like it! There was nineteen of us in total so every peg was taken. I was hoping for the same peg I practised in but ended up the other side of the lake. Phil was on that peg and had drawn the golden peg (worth a hundred quid ) so he looked good for a decent payout. I had Barbel Bashing Buckley to my right and Stey to my left who was tucked in the corner. I just set up two rigs, one for down both sides which would be my main attack and the other up in the water at about 11 metres. Both rigs were 0.12 line to a 18's Mustad wide gape power. Baitwise I had two pints of white maggots with a few reds.
  On the all in I went down the right and side and had a couple of small roach and a little perch, so it was over to the left and after a couple of miutes the float shoots under and I'm connected to a smallish tench. That was the highlight of the match because the fish simply did not want to know. I did lose another tench and skimmer but the difference from Thursday was amazing. Was glad to here the all out and at the weigh in tipped a poor 2lb 13oz onto the scales. The whole lake had fished poor, Barbel Bashing Buckley weighed 2lb odd and Stey 1lb odd. Phil on the golden peg had 3lb odd and missed out on the extra dosh.
  The match was won by Stey's brother Chris who fished the chopped worm for 7lb 8oz. Second was Jeff who had 5lb 7oz who just edged Jimmy on 5lb 5oz. Unluckiest angler was Dave who played a big double figure carp on light gear for the last hour only to lose it trying to bully it as he was into the extra fifteen minutes you get if you have a fish on. He wasn't a happy bunny.

Our next match is on Hall Lane Fisheries next Sunday. It can only get better!

Giants Hall Practice 28/04/11

With our clubs first match on Sunday at Giants Hall, I thought I'd get a practice session in as I've not been there for a couple of years. My work place is only a five minute drive away so at 4oclock it was straight to Sam's tackle shop for a couple of pints of white maggots with a few red hookers, then onto Giants Hall. I was fishing for quarter to five!
  Now Giants Hall used to be all about fishing tight to the reeds for the tench and crucians and it hadn't changed. First put in a roach, then a crucian, then a skimmer, then a tench. Soon the crucians and tench were lining up to be caught, even with four local kids around me! All I was fishing was my top two plus one, with a couple of sections of pole handy to get the fish away from the reeds sharpish. It was three foot deep at the side of the reeds so used light drennan float to 0.12 line and a 18's hook. Bait was just a single red maggot. I wrapped up at 7.30pm and must of had about 20lb of smallish tench and crucians. A mate of mine Dave who is a  former members of Trevalyon Anglers and is fishing as a guest on Sunday came for five minutes and was rubbing his hands after watching me catch a couple of tench. But as we all know once them keepnets get thrown in on Sunday these fish do a runner! Roll on Sunday.

PS Giants Hall is a cracking little fishery and is only £2 a day. Joe the owner is a friendly fellow who will tell you exactly where to fish. No pellets, boillies or groundbait.

Wag & Mag Sat 23rd April

Today I was determined not to use the pole and get out the waggler rod as it doesn't see daylight enough these days. I called at Dave's Tackle Shop and bought two pints of White maggots with a few reds for hookers. It was straight on to Langate from there and when I arrived I was surprised to see only two other anglers fishing. I decided to go on peg 30 as there is plenty of room to cast. Conditions were perfect for the waggler warm and hardly a breeze. I set up the waggler with 4lb maxima to 0.11 hooklength with a 18's B611. Float was a 2AA drennan crystal insert.
I set it up about two feet deep, put a single red on and first chuck had a small roach. Second chuck it got even better a carp which I managed to lose. The rest of the session was a bite a chuck usually within ten seconds of the float hitting the water. It was mainly small roach but did get perch, rudd and skimmers. My best fish was a hybrid of about a pound and a half. A cracking days sport on a method I hardly fish now.
  Next session I'm hoping to get a practice on Giant's Hall before our first club match next Sunday.
That's it for now.
Gary

Match At Langate Sunday 17th April

First match for me this year and I almost wish I'd stayed in bed. Arrived fifteen minutes before the draw and the lake looked good for a few fish, although a club match the day before was won with only six pounds.
Now these matches are rover matches so if your number one you get first choice and so on, I drew number twenty out of twenty two so there wernt many pegs left! I went for peg 15 and set up a rig for down the side of the reeds, a rig at 13 metres on the deck and another rig for up in the water. At the all in I cupped in some 4 mm pellets at 13 metres and went straight over it on a 4mm expander pellet. Nothing! Tried different sized expander pallet and corn. Nothing! After an hour I tried down the side and was rewarded with a couple of small roach. Back out and I started to get a few more small Roach and a hand sized skimmer. I was pinging a few pellets all the time so was hoping for a few up in the water but didn't have a bite.
At the end of the match I tipped maybe a pound back. I don't know what won but 6pm odd had come off the channel which is the next lake to Langate.
In hindsight I was lazy. At 13 metres I fished 0.15 to a size 14 PR38 and should of scaled down. I also should have sorted some casters out the day before but thought pellet and corn would have been ok. Oh well there's always next time.

Blowing the cobwebs off at Langate Lodges

Arranged to meet my Dad Eric at 9am on the carpark at Langate Lodge. When I arrived dad was just getting his tackle out of his car but we was the only ones there which was a bit of a surprise . I chose to go on peg 29 and dad dropped onto peg 28. I was surpised when I got to my peg that they had taken the cages out of the middle of the lake but I can understand as it should make the lake a lot fairer in matches.
I set up a new feeder rod that I got for Christmas a Drennon Puddle Chucker and the rod is superb, if your after a tip rod for under a hundred quid then look no further. Anyway I set up the Preston method feeder using 90% micro pellets and 10% super gold fishmeal with a grain of corn on a hair rig. Hook was a size 16 PR36. I was ready for off and first chuck in the tip went round and I was in (easy ain't it), it was a skimmer about a pound an a half. Not a bad fish for my first of the year. It soon slowed down after that with only one other skimmer in the first hour.
Dad in the meanwhile had fared better than me having caught a five pound carp and a proper bream on 8mm hard pellet. The second hour came with only a hybrid to show for it but then again I was never any good on the tip. Brian the secretary of Garswood Hall came round for a chat and told me corn wasn't doing much so a switch to pellet got me another good skimmer straight away. Dad added another carp under he's belt. It soon slowed down for me again so I began to set up the pole. The pole rig was a 0.6 Mick Wilkinson tapered diamond to 0.15 line. Hooklength was 0.12 to a PR36. I caught plenty of bits the rest of the session on pellets but no bonus fish. Time to wrap up but couldn't resist one last chuck on the feeder. Out it went and two minutes later I put my landing net under a bream. The afternoon had also slowed down for dad and he had only one other fish.
It felt great to be back on the bank, I'm off work on Friday and if the weather is half decent I'll be out again. I'll leave you with a photo of Langate Lodge

Cheers
Gary

First Blog

Welcome to my blog page. it's a new learning curve for me and I hope to post on here my fishing trips around the Wigan area.
My name is Gary and I'm a pleasure / match angler. I've been a member of Trevalyon Angling Club for about twenty years and roughly the same with Garswood Hall. Our club matches kick off 1st of May at Cunneries Fishery but hoping to squeeze in one or two matches in at Langate Lodges.
 Haven't been fishing yet this year BUT that will all change starting tomorrow. I'm going to Langate Lodge (run by Garswood Hall) with my dad Eric.
 The reason I've not been out so far this year is that I simply hate fishing in the winter, yes I know I'm a wimp but the fishings crap and it keeps me keen having a break every winter. It also gains me brownie points off my wife. Anyway back to tomorrow I can't wait and only fellow anglers will understand when you haven't been for a while. Got my new fishing licence today to so thats out the way.
I'll leave you with a photo of myself taken back in September on our annual pilgrimage to Whiteacres near Newquay.

Cheers Gary