Sunday 27th November - Sedges Tile Lake

Just 18 of us today; Denise looked after us with hot drinks, and it all ran smoothly.   Treasure had the money sorted, and we had two Golden Pegs numbers 25 and 40 which he drew 40.

I drew peg 21, not ideal, but when I got sorted it was quite calm but very cold.   After one hour in the wind started to blow straight into my corner, I was so cold that, by the feel of my undercarriage I thought I had changed sex!.   I was catching small roach occasionally and one skimmer, which was a nice surprise.  Shane on the next peg had his first bite at two thirty. Bend It next again went home quickly followed by The Wizard.

It was a different story on the other side of the lake, with plenty of fish caught.  Ninja Eric won with 78lbs 7ozs, followed by Pete with 66lbs 8ozs.   The Sheriff won silvers with 21lbs 2ozs.   The three top weights and two top silvers all came from pegs in the thirties,  I think this tells the story.   It was still a good day with plenty of craic.

             We are at Avalon on Wednesday, and Emeralds next Sunday

Wednesday 23rd November 2016 - Sedges Brick Lake

Fifteen of Dad's Army were on parade , they all passed muster smartly turned out.   Tea and coffee was drunk,  while Treasure and I did the business.   Jamie selected the pegs, and Denise the Golden Peg number 10, and we were all set for the draw 

Tonto got lucky drawing number 10, but Spod, brother of Tonto, said we had nothing to fear, and Flo his dog barked in agreement.

So off to our positions, I drew peg 12, with Baz to my right and Brian the Wizard on my left.  I chose one pole rig for straight in front, and a ledger rod, ( which I had a job remembering how to assemble).    I shouted all in and threw out the feeder, but after three quarters of an hour with no indications, I went for my usual routine.   Another hour passed, and after two pork pies and a large chunk of homemade cake devoured, I got my first bite;  the small roach dropped off, but I was encouraged.   Time passed and I managed a few small fish, then a skimmer about a pound, which I missed the keepnet with (what a wally).

The guys either side were having it rough, but the jungle telegraph told me fish were being caught. The last couple of hours turned out OK, and I ended up quite happy with the day.  I shouted all out and packed up quickly to start the weigh in.  Pete won the silvers with a nice net of skimmers and roach for 20lbs 8ozs.  Treasure played the hog and bagged 77lbs 8ozs of carp.  Well done everyone.  Full results below.

                          Sunday its Sedges Tile, and next Wednesday Avalon,

                                    Keep Fishing

                                            Chair Bob

Sunday 20th November 2016 - Shiplate main lake

Twenty three hardy 'gentlemen' arrived at the venue, on a morning when staying in bed would have seemed a better option.   The last 24 hours has been nonstop rain with low temperatures, so the draw was crucial.  23 pegs on the lake and 23 anglers to fish, there were two Golden Pegs numbers 2 and 8.   Treasure sorted the pools and paid Steve.  The draw was made, so it was off to it.

I drew peg 9A,  which was not very inspiring.   I managed twenty little roach and did not weigh in.   In spite of the lack of fish and the cold weather,  the chat and banter going around the lake was still there.   I felt sorry for Martin Western who had been working all the week and got the bad draw; he retired for an early bath.  I think maybe he got some stick from Bruv Shane who won overall, an experience he doesn't get very often!!   The silvers was won by Rob the Big Bird with a commendable 15lbs 14ozs of roach and small skimmers; outstanding for the conditions.

I am sorry there is no score sheet today, I had another senior moment,  more than likely left it on the roof of my car and drove away!!  I wonder who is reading it?

Last Sunday Horny and Treasure were stopped by an unmarked police car on there way home from Landsend.  A young police lady walked around to Horny's side, took one look at him through the window and said "No thank you, not you" and went back to her car.  The conclusions were A She understandably didn't like the look of Horny   B Our friend can't sleep thinking of  suitably garbed WPCs.   Never mind Phil, Christmas is coming.

            Wednesday it's Sedges Brick, and Sunday next Sedges Tile.

                         Get your LJs on

                                   Chair Bob 

Wednesday 16th November 2016 - Emerald Pools

I was first on the scene closely followed by Tungsten, so off we went to select and number the pegs to be fished.  On returning to the car park quite a few had turned up and the final count was 15.   George was wandering around spreading rumours about which lake and swims would fish the best, we all knew he would draw the worst peg and we were not disappointed.   We got all the business done,  I drew last,  getting the Golden Peg number seven, I was happy with that.   I trudged after the rest, I was on the far corner of sapphire with Pete to my right, I expected a lot of banter and a lesson on fishing, he is one of the best.

I had just two rigs fishing in two feet of water against the far rushes.   I knew I would have my fair share of carp, but roach was my objective, which I started catching straight away.   After an hour I was into carp, followed by hours of quiet reflection watching Pete pulling carp through the rushes. One of these he pulled out of, and his bomb flew like and Exocet missile, narrowly missing me,  thudding into the platform beside me.  It's time to take out extra insurance I thought!!!

At three thirty and all out, Sausage offered to weigh, with me doing the board, and others helping. The weights were good,  plenty of 20 and 30lbs, but Paul was top with 64lbs 14ozs.  George got the silvers with 9lbs 10ozs.  I was second with 9lbs 3ozs.  All the top weights came from Sapphire which surprised everyone, but that's fishing.   The full results are below.

                        On Sunday we visit Shiplate, and next Wednesday it's Sedges Brick.

                                        Keep your bait dry and your rods loaded.

                                                               Chair Bob

P.S. Date for your diaries AGM Friday 6th January 2017 7-30 at 37 Club

HLS would like to send its condolences to Jamie and family on the death of his father Les.   We have all had our little chats with Les and he will be missed.

Sunday 13th November 2016 - Landsend

  It was still cold and the prospects not good, but the lads were in good fettle, it's good to have fishing mates like this.  Mike advised us to spread ourselves over three banks, giving us a better chance to catch.  With this in mind we chose the pegs to be fished. At the draw two Golden Pegs were chosen numbers 7 and 36.  Horny tooted and everyone got busy.   George across from me baited up his swim while I just put my rig out 9 metres and started on my doughnut?  I was on peg one, and after half an hour I caught a minute stripey, what a bite!!    George on peg 24 was mumbling about going home early, and Tonto was short of inquiries.   Everyone seemed to be struggling, and later on this was emphasized by some of the lads on the walk. 

At the all out Horny and Steve were doing the honours with the scales.   They started at my peg, and on the scales went my one carp at 8lbs 1oz. Next to my silvers net, I was thinking tops 4lbs,  but on lifting my net everyone started laughing!!! that's when I noticed fish coming out the bottom of my net, I said it's not funny lads I have got feelings, which started another round of hilarity.!!

As the results sheet shows Specie Lake fished the better, although Tony Newell won overall on Match.  I would point out I was second on this lake, even after sportingly letting most of my silver catch free!  Well done Dave Allen winning the silver, the full results are below.

    On Wednesday its Emeralds, followed by Shiplate next Sunday.

                                  Up your Noses

                                               Chair Bob

P.S.    Anyone wishing to fish the Fur & Feather on the 18th December must contact me on 01278683243  before the 1st December, don't forget your tenner!!

Wednesday 9th November 2016 - Viaduct Spring Lake

There were eleven on parade on this cold morning, with a stiff breeze just to make it uncomfortable.   Young Badger Matt looked after us, we got our heads together and decided which pegs to fish.   Treasure did the finances, so we were all ready for the draw   Tivi Dave drew peg 1 which was the Golden Peg; I got peg 25 and was not disappointed, so off we went to do the business.

I shouted the all in, and from the start I was catching small fish.   The only other angler I could see was Tivi who seemed to be busy.   I got very frustrated, ducks and leaves being the culprits.  It then rained for the last one and a half hours, but I had a busy day for my 8lbs 7ozs.   George on my right smashed me with 17lbs plus.    Danny did well with just short of 17lbs.   This match was the first I've fished at Viaducts without a carp being caught, it's been a strange year, never settling.

        On Sunday we visit Landsend, and next Wednesday Emeralds. 

                  You know what to do.  PICK UP THE PHONE

                                         Chair Bob

Sunday 6th November - Trinity Woodlands

All the fisheries in the area had been knocked by the sudden drop in temperature this week and we weren't expecting anything different at Woodlands. Frost and 2 degrees greeted me when I went outside to load the car. Apart from a few micros I decided to leave the hard pellets at home and selected some 4mm expanders, casters, maggots, corn and worms for the silvers I intended to target.

When I got to the fishery, Mr Spurs had turned up without any bait and said he would see how the draw went and then maybe ask around for bait donations. However with the London derby being played on tv in a nice warm room, he opted for that. That left 23 fishermen ready to face a cool NW breeze although the sun was out and adding some warmth. I drew peg 11 and was happy to be on the north side of the lake for once. The hedge was going to shield me from the wind and the sun would warm my face. Hopefully the fish would brighten my day too. To my right was Pete Cooke and left was Brian Chivers.

Peg 11

I set up a waggler rod and 3 top kits. The 3 pole lines were 8m in front, 2+1 in front and a margin rig. Fishing 9:45 to 3:30, I fed the pole line and tried the waggler starting on caster and feeding with the same. I also tried soft pellet and maggot and had one bite in the first 30 mins. The guys around me had started on the tip and Steve King and Pete Cooke were rewarded with carp very quickly. I went onto the 8m line and again rotated the baits until I got a bite. A single maggot was the only bait to register any interest, mostly from tiny roach not big enough to pull the elastic.

The margin and 2+1 line did offer any hope and so I plugged away at the 8m line and a couple times went back to the waggler. When it got to 3:00 my count was one nice Perch of about 3lb and 20 ish roach and skimmer 'whitebait'. By then the cloud cover had caused the temperature to drop and it became chilly so I took a leisurely 30 mins packing up before horny honked the end.

Talking of Horny, he found that the best thing to do with his Preston M90 pole was to bash one of the resident swans. I don't remember Des Shipp advertising this feature!!

From my position I was directly opposite Tony Newell on one of the golden pegs. Tony had spent the first 4 hrs cold and fish less. Then he had 6 carp take and interest in his bait and although he only managed to land 4, it was enough for overall on the day and the golden peg pot. Well done Tony.

Although I couldn't see him, I saw the waggler float of Mike Bendell on peg 8 being cast. His efforts were rewarded with a steady stream of small fish to take the silvers top position.

On Wednesday the match is at Viaduct Spring and next Sunday is at Landsend. If you're interested, book with Bob.

Wednesday 2nd November 2016 - Landsend

This month has begun with the lowest turnout the club has ever had, I sincerely hope this does not happen again.   Having said that the company and craic was great and. although the fishing was not good, the result was interesting.

No Treasure today, so I got on with it.  I selected the pegs, the Golden Peg, number 21, was drawn by George AGAIN!!    The rest of us had a plan?? to catch more silvers than George, which Robot Duck, Tungsten and myself did.  But that sneaky little bugger George caught the only carp to be landed on the day, and got his grubby little paws on the money.   The plans of mice and men went astray!!!

         On Sunday its Trinity (road open) and next Wednesday we are at Viaducts Spring.

                               Hope to see you there!

                                               Chair  Bob