Wednesday 29th March 2017 - Sedges Brick lake

There were sixteen squaddies on parade today;  Dad's Army showing its strength, but with not to much flexing of muscles.   Our cavalry section turned up on their worthy steeds. i.e two motorized bikes.

Jamie sorted the pegs,  I took the money and paid the dues.   The Golden Peg today is 14, which was drawn by Monkey, but will he do the business??  The draw completed, so it was off to our positions to make ready for the assault.

It was a grey day weather wise, with a strong gusty wind blowing straight down the lake.   I drew peg 5 with Spod Coombes to my left, and Tungsten on my right.   The Chef Pete Cooke drew peg 11; so would he serve up the fish?

At the off it was 13 metres straight out, and I caught some skimmers with maggot and caster the bait.  Surprise Surprise!! in the first hour I had more fish than I usually catch all match, but the wind was defeating me, and it went downhill, ending up with 14lbs 8ozs, but not bad.

Across the lake the nasty old Sheriff caught at the start, then had a quiet spell, but his fish returned, and he ended up with 32lbs of hard earned silvers, beating Monkey into second place with 22lbs 12ozs.   Pete wtih 111lbs got second overall, he was beaten by Simon, not so simple, with 141lbs 4ozs.

It was a very good match with plenty of fish caught.   It was a pity about the wind, otherwise I'm sure the weights would have been higher overall.

                           Sunday it's Avalon, and next Wednesday Emeralds.

                                          You know what to do!!!  ding ding.

                                                            Chair Bob

Sunday 26th March 2017 - Shiplate Main Lake

There were seventeen of the lads fishing today on Steve and Carols Bird Sanctuary and excellent fishery.  It was a very cold but sunny Mothers Day.    There was no Horny today, so I sorted out the pegs and did the draw,  Treasure looked after the finances and it all went very smoothly.   There were two Golden Pegs 13 and 6, Tivi got 13 and Treasure 6, but Top Rod Pete drew the hot peg 15; say no more!!!   There was a lot of talk about sticky fingers, and Pete had a little smile beneath always worn flat cap. 

George was the only one not to adjust his timepiece, so he was late;  what a surprise!!!  He certainly made up the time, winning silvers with 28lbs 8oz.   Well done George you varmint;  I voted for a 20lb penalty for being late on parade!

Back to the start, I drew peg 10 and set up two rigs for down the middle, fishing red maggot over caster and maggots, with a little bit of sweetcorn, just for grazing.   Another nice thing about the fishery is Steve doesn't cut everything down to floor level, so I can't see the anglers on either side; great!

I shouted all in and we got started,  My idea was to feed a little, catch a couple and feed again.  So much for ideas, all I  got were a few small roach, while there were rumours that skimmers were coming out elsewhere, but I persevered, and ended up with a satisfying 16lbs 2ozs, there were some skimmers and a couple of perch which helped.  

After a very busy day in the sun, it was all out, so let's see your fish!    There were plenty of good silver weights, but Pete hogged the carp weight with 99lbs 14ozs,  Well done the chef. 

      On Wednesday it's Sedges Brick, and next Sunday Avalon. Let's hope it stays warm for some more great fishing.

                Get your buttocks out of the chair and see some action.

                                     Chair Bob  

Wednesday 22nd March 2017 - Summerhayes Sellicks

Ten of Dad's Army Fish Troop arrived at the venue which, weatherwise didn't look great, but this didn't deter the lads.   Pete O'Summerhayes was in good form, both giving and taking some stick, while at the same time dishing out the hot drinks.

After I took the money and did the business the pegs were selected, the Golden Peg being number 10.  It was then time for the draw, I drew number six with Danny on my left at peg eight, so I was prepared for another hammering.  

I shouted all in, and we got underway.   It was about 5ft in depth, so it was a 0.3gr float, a few spread out number 10s for a slow drop, and pinkie and caster for bait.   After 20 minutes I had two skimmers and a small carp so I was feeling quite pleased.    But not for long! that nasty old Sheriff was catching faster and bigger; I could see my nugget disappearing penny by penny.   It was a good day's fishing with plenty of bites, and I'm thinking we must use Summerhayes a little more often.

Weatherwise we had heavy showers, hailstones and sunshine, quite a mixture, just like Danny's net of fish all 19lbs 12 ozs of them, there were skimmers, carp, tench, roach, rudd, and even a very plump GOLDFISH? brought from home I suspect!!!   "Head Chef and Fisherman" Pete Cooke was top with a nice net of carp from peg 23.

      Well done to all.   It's Shiplate on Sunday and Sedges Brick next Wednesday'

                          GET ON THE PHONE

                                         Chair Bob

Sunday 19th March 2017 - Trinity Woodlands

It was an overcast day with the forecast of strengthening winds at Trinity Woodlands lake. I was making my monthly appearance with the HLS club. Most of the guys were already there when I arrived and the most excited seemed to be Bolton Boy, George. For a small chap he makes a lot of noise!!! Everyone seem to want a draw on the near bank so they could have the wind at their backs and fishing the pole was going to be a challenge for the far bank. The Golden peg was 32 but I picked number 11 so off to face the wind. Peg 12 turned out to be empty so I decided to set up the pole to fish to that but my main attacked would be the method feeder.

Most of the guys had a 10 til 4 match on their brain but Horny did say 9:45, so when he blew at that time a lot of guys were still setting up. I fed the platform swim and went out with the feeder. I started getting touches from the smaller fish immediately but nothing exciting happened. After an hour I gave the platform a look and immediately got small fish. However, along came Mr Common of about 5lb and I felt happier. I alternated between the pole and feeder for the rest of the match but had to settle for 6 carp at a weight of 31lb 10oz.

Sitting on the feeder allowed me to look around and it was obvious that Pete Cooke on peg 26 was setting the pace. Whenever I looked across he seem to be playing a fish. Shaun also started finding the fish as did Mike Davis. A lot of their fish were caught down the edge which considering the wind was an easier place to fish.

The silvers boys were catching steadily but the word was that Danny had the better fish. Bolton boy was on 31 and was getting a good catch of both silvers and carp. It was interesting to watch Danny at one point have his elastic stretched all the way down to Tony Fry by what turned out to be a tree branch. Bobby Pascoe wasn't to be outdone and he also hooked into some timber.

At the weigh in, the winners as expected were Pete overall and Danny for silvers. The most interesting aspect of the weigh in was at Bob's peg. His 7lb 11oz of silvers seemed to be less than he felt he'd caught. This was determined to be due to a 'gurt' hole in his net. Oh how we laughed!!! No sympathy!!

Please check out the results below....

Wednesday 15th March - Avalon Fisheries

A dozen of Dad's Army turned out for muster on what promised to be a great day weather wise.   And so it was, the fishing was pretty good as well.   I came last with 10lbs of silvers, but I did put back a carp.

Anyway, back to the car park where George was dealing in second hand poles, and expounding the wonders of his new pole the M50.  I was occupied extracting a few bob out of the lads and paying our dues, and not forgetting the pegging.  The Golden Peg was number 20.

Business completed, and it was time to take up our positions, check ammo, and present weapons.   I drew peg 13 again with "New Pole George" to my right, I must say it's a nice piece of kit.   It was good to see Kev back in harness after his minor stroke, and as keen as ever.   I must mention the Sheriff having a little moan about his peg.

I shouted all in, and things got underway   I was having a slow start, so I had my first pork pie, watching George catch good skimmers was so depressed I started on another.   The day progressed, and knowing how far behind I was I decided on the margins for an easy day.  I was soon into fish which included a carp, tench, and skimmer, plus roach and rudd of various sizes. 

It was a good day, George with a great silvers weight of 32lbs 11ozs deserved my nugget.   Simon on the Golden Peg 20 weighed 85lbs for overall.   Everyone weighed in with none less than double figures.  Thanks Vic for a great venue.

                         Next it's Trinity on Sunday, followed by Summerhays on Wednesday.

                                                       Get Fishing

                                                                            Chair Bob

Sunday 12th March 2017 - Sedges Brick Lake

The nominated 20 all arrived early commenting how nice the weather was, but alas not for long  as the match progressed the wind arrived with light rain, and it got much colder.

Treasure collected the money and did the business, Horny and Sheriff organised the draw, peg 1 being the Golden Peg.   There was lots of good banter about the draw, then we were off to the bank to get ready for the off.

I drew peg 13 with the Sheriff to my left and Tungsten on the right.   Pete was next on the fancied peg eleven, and he had a little smile on his face.   Horny tooted and off we went.  At the start I was catching skimmers and roach plus a nice bream, so by eleven o'clock  had near 5lbs of silvers, but that was it someone threw the switch, and except for a few roach and a bit of fun with carp near the end I had to settle  for another DNW!   Danny next door had an in and out day,  ending with 13lbs 12ozs of silvers which was good for 3rd.  Martin Western was 1st with 19lbs 8ozs, and his brother Shane 2nd with 15lbs.   Horny won overall with 111lbs 8ozs.  Pete was 2nd with 94lbs10ozs, Treasure with 85lbs 4ozs was 3rd.

It was very noticeable that the silver weights came from the middle pegs, and carp from the corners.

All in all a good match with plenty of fish caught and some good craic...On Wednesday we visit Avalon and Sunday its a return to Trinity Woodlands.

                                  What's the Craic!!!

                                                    Chair Bob

Wednesday 8th March 2017 - Trinity Ash Lake

The weather forcast was awful, but the reality was a mostly dry warm day for Dad's Armys first attempt at fishing this venue.  Thirteen keen and well equipped lads turned out for what eventually ended with a good number of fish caught, considering the weather of late (not by myself I might add}

Misha looked after us today, selecting the pegs to be fished, and the Golden Peg number 10.   Horny was here today, which meant a bit of molesting between us, ending with a hole in his jacket, a nut on the head, and a crook leg; his only consolation, he took a nugget off me!!

I was on peg 5, and it looked good with plenty of features to fish, but all I caught were ninjas, which resulted in a DNW.   George across from me started well but then went quiet, and the Sheriff to my left started to catch, but it was the end pegs which won overall, and the bridge pegs took the silvers.   We must try this lake when it gets a bit warmer.

               On Sunday it's Sedges Brick and next Wednesday we will tackle Avalon.

                                           Enjoy it!!

                                                           Chair Bob

Sunday 5th March 2017 - Trinity Woodlands

I was a couple of days back from my holiday at 30 degrees and lots of sun!! to rain, wind and even some hail.  Not Nice!!   There were 21 more lunatics like myself braving the elements.

There is a lot to catch up on, like has Roger started to train for the next Olympics? He went swimming at Summerhays and he even went deeper to retrieve his hat.   I have heard rumours that no one helped him, but he had no complaints, the water only came up to his knees.

It was good to know that two HLS members came 1st and 2nd in the Brue Open Championship which was no mean fete, as it was a 70 pegger, and there are us old duffers still fishing through all the bad weather, 20 plus per match, when the going is tough the tough keep going. Well done lads.

Back to reality, I drew 32, and Tivi drew the Golden Peg number 14, so it was off to the bank.  I had Tonto to my left and Ninja on my right, they are both carp men, but I did not think they would  be busy today.   Horny tooted and off we went. Presentation was difficult, but I was soon catching small fish, but nasty old Danny was catching more, and they were a bit bigger.   Bolton George was getting some nice fish.   Considering the conditions most caught fish, and at the weigh in Wooly Neil came out tops with Horny in second.   George beat the Sheriff for silvers.   I had a busy day 5lbs 12ozs of bits., but all in all a good match, and they were still having the craic inspite of all the weather MAD!!!

Apologies for no results but the rain dissolved them!!

               On Wednesday we fish Trinity Ash for a change, and Sunday we are at Sedges Brick

                          I wonder if Tonto Roger wants sponsoring for his swimming???