Weight – 32lb 11oz
Catch – 5 Carp, 3 Perch, 1 Skimmer
Weather – -4c overnight. Sunny, bitter easterly breeze.
Water Temp – 5.0c > 5.0c
Match – Lands End Winter League – rd 6 - 6th overall, 2nd on lake, 1st in section
I feared the worse today, fortunately the lakes didn't ice over, but it was bitterly cold in the wind and I spent most of the day shivering, which wasn't helped by being sheltered from the sun for most of the day.
Today I needed to draw on carp to have a chance of good points, so was pleased with peg 16, however with Martin Pettifer (p18), Bela Bakos (p19), Andy France (p21) it was likely to be a tight section.
Micro pellet & caster was fed at 14.5m, down the track in front of peg 15 and caster at the bottom of the shelf in front. Started straight away under the LH bush with triple maggot and 5 mins later hooked a carp, which I lost at the net when the hooked pulled – bugger. Next put in a 5lber was safely landed. 3rd put-in and lost a foul hooker, which I hit at mid depth. 4th put in hooked another carp, but after getting the carp away from the bush, I only let it get back in there and it broke me – doh!
After an hour, I was wondering if it was going to be 1 of those days after losing 3 carp, particularly since both Martin & Bela had 2 carp a piece.
The rest of the match was quite boring. It was a case of rotating swims and just waiting for bites. At 1 point I thought I would get a few perch from the bottom of the shelf, when I had 3 and a carp in 30min, toss potting 4-6 casters every put in, but action was short lived. The 14.5m swim produced a skimmer and a carp on caster, plus a couple of lost carp, whilst the LH bush produced 2 more carp.
Overall I lost 5 carp, most of which were foul hooked. They just weren't interested in feeding and who can blame them, it was bloody freezing. By the all out I knew I had the section win and thought Anton Page on peg 13 would win the lake with 7 carp, which he did, but only by 14oz.
Martin was feeling a bit distraughtt, losing 2 carp in the last 30 mins losing out on 2nd in section & section by default to Bela by 3.5lb.
As for the league, Nick Collier cant go wrong at the moment winning the match from in-form peg 33 with 64lb. However there was also a few blow outs and I've jumped from 8th to 3rd overall, but with 4 anglers only 1pt behind you cant take anything for granted with 2 matches to go.
1st – Nick Collier 35pts
2nd – Vince Shipp 31
3rd – Ken Rayner 28
4th – Matt Tomes 27 (250-9)
5th – Rod Wootton 27 (202-15)
6th – Dave Hodgson 27 (159-11)
7th – Martin Pettifer 27 (154-12)
8th – Anton Page 25 (203-0)
9th – James Wither 25 (160-11)
Monday, March 8, 2010
06/03/10 - Lands End - Match Lake
Weight – 25lb 1oz (21lb 1oz - silvers)
Catch – 14 Roach, 11 Perch, 6 Skimmers, 1 Tench, 1 Carp
Weather – Bright start, cloudy periods
Water Temp – 5.5c > 5.5c
Match – Open 8th overall, 1st Silvers
When will this cold weather end? According to the metoffice this winter has been the coldest for 31 years and reviewing my blog from this time last year the water temperature was 9-10c, so its about time winter released its grip.
Today there was 12 of us on Match Lake, but I wasnt happy with peg 24. This end of the lake has been awful recently and I suspected Matt Tomes would be taking my pound after he drew peg 13.
Because there has been so few carp caught in the area, I decided to try and enjoy my day and target the silvers. So micro pellet & caster was deposited 11'o clock at 14.5m and I started down the edge towards the tree stump on caster, toss potting caster and was soon catching perch. After ½ hour a switch to the open water swim, didnt produce, so a little more feed went in and I stayed down the edge for another ½ hour. When I came back to the open water I soon had a 2lb skimmer on caster and for the next 2 hours rotated between the open water and edge swim. Most of the fish came to caster, but I couldnt get a bite on soft pellet.
½ way into the match I had 23 fish. A new swim was set up at the bottom of the shelf, feeding only caster, which produced a few quality roach, but generally I was beginnig to struggle for bites.
The rest of the match was spent rotating swims, as well as trying different areas of the peg, picking up the odd fish, mostly on caster.
By the all out, I wasnt sure if I had won the silvers, because I knew Matt had caught, including a big golden tench. During the weigh in it was obvious that Mike West on peg 21 won with 68lb of carp on soft pellet. Matt's silvers weighed 16-14 and I honestly didnt think I had that, so was really pleased when the scales went 21lb, however I still had to hand over my pound, because Matt had 2 carp and beat my total weight by 15oz.
Catch – 14 Roach, 11 Perch, 6 Skimmers, 1 Tench, 1 Carp
Weather – Bright start, cloudy periods
Water Temp – 5.5c > 5.5c
Match – Open 8th overall, 1st Silvers
When will this cold weather end? According to the metoffice this winter has been the coldest for 31 years and reviewing my blog from this time last year the water temperature was 9-10c, so its about time winter released its grip.
Today there was 12 of us on Match Lake, but I wasnt happy with peg 24. This end of the lake has been awful recently and I suspected Matt Tomes would be taking my pound after he drew peg 13.
Because there has been so few carp caught in the area, I decided to try and enjoy my day and target the silvers. So micro pellet & caster was deposited 11'o clock at 14.5m and I started down the edge towards the tree stump on caster, toss potting caster and was soon catching perch. After ½ hour a switch to the open water swim, didnt produce, so a little more feed went in and I stayed down the edge for another ½ hour. When I came back to the open water I soon had a 2lb skimmer on caster and for the next 2 hours rotated between the open water and edge swim. Most of the fish came to caster, but I couldnt get a bite on soft pellet.
½ way into the match I had 23 fish. A new swim was set up at the bottom of the shelf, feeding only caster, which produced a few quality roach, but generally I was beginnig to struggle for bites.
The rest of the match was spent rotating swims, as well as trying different areas of the peg, picking up the odd fish, mostly on caster.
By the all out, I wasnt sure if I had won the silvers, because I knew Matt had caught, including a big golden tench. During the weigh in it was obvious that Mike West on peg 21 won with 68lb of carp on soft pellet. Matt's silvers weighed 16-14 and I honestly didnt think I had that, so was really pleased when the scales went 21lb, however I still had to hand over my pound, because Matt had 2 carp and beat my total weight by 15oz.
Post tsunami fishing or Cashing in on Karma
Well after much bad weather and tsunami Sunday, that was when the earthquake hit Chile and put us on tsunami watch. Here are a few images of us and the entire community on high ground.
Who could resist turning it into a bit of a party?
And of course someone had to keep an update on the whole situation Pacific wide, and that someone was me of course. With wireless internet and a laptop it is amazing what you can find out.
It was time to get out and do a bit of fishing. I was beginning to feel like I was growing roots.
On board for the days fishing was, Katie Longo, Brendan Yee, Billy Longo (who does not fish, he has some deal with the fish, he wont eat them and they wont eat him...... Scuba divers), Rosie and myself.
To say she was excited is really an understatement. In fact we were all excited and returned to fishing in hopes of another, but alas it was not to be on this occasion.
Billy's fish eye view of the boat.
After swimming and mucking around we tried a few bommies inside the lagoon, but the tide was wrong and no one wanted to bite.
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| From Brendon, Katie and Billy |
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| From Brendon, Katie and Billy |
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| From Brendon, Katie and Billy |
Plans were laid and then the day came for them to be executed. As Billy said to me, "You must have cashed in a whole lot of Karma cause this is a great day."
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| From Brendon, Katie and Billy |
The tides were all wrong but the weather was all right so who cares.
Off we go and before long we are fishing.
Nothing much for the first hour or so. We finally get to a spot that the current is ripping through. Then we start to see a bit of action. A few follows and a couple bites but still nothing in the boat. Then Brendan hooks up to a mighty big something. Not sure what it is but he is definitely out gunned. After he is taken into the rock below his double leader is bit right through. This leads me to think shark. Then not two minutes later a white tip reef shark starts to harass our poppers. Time to move.
Our next stop sees us casting to a long reef finger about 3 meters deep and maybe 60-80 meters long.
Suddenly and without warning Katie shouts, no screams, FISH ON!!!!!!!!!! and of course we all get really excited because she is excited and everyone rushes to one side of the boat to see this leviathan of the deep. Because anyone who yells that much has got to have a monster of a fish on and is asking for assistance to put on a fighting belt.
Alas it is but a small Long Tom the is not even hooked with the hooks but instead, it's elongated beak is wrapped up in the leader.
Ok, now the first fish is in the boat and everyone can settle down and move away from the side of the boat. We get back to fishing and as we do a bunch of birds have moved over the finger we are fishing on and start diving into the water after bait. This of course means there must be bigger fish below the bait.
Right then we hear the same, shall I call it a hysterical scream, FISH ON!!!!!! You got it Katie strikes again, only this time it is a small Bluefin trevally. She hauls it out of the water by her rod and almost slaps me. Then within minutes, maybe less, Brendan catches one and this is followed by another. All about the same size and all in the ice chest.
The birds are still working and everyone is still fishing when, you guessed it, Katie sings out, FISH ON!!!!!!!!!! This time I can hear her drag screaming as line melts off of her little 30lb outfit. I can tell this is a better fish and something different. With repeated runs and her not gaining much line we get a belt on her and she settles in to the fight. Soon she has the upper hand and before long we have color. To all of our amazement she has hooked and landed a Yellowfin Tuna.
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| From Brendan, Katie and Billy |
We move on down the reef and eventually inside of the lagoon in search of some eating fish.
Instead of fish, some on the boat got in a swim.
Brendan out retrieving his non floating lure.
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| From Brendan, Katie and Billy |
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| From Brendan, Katie and Billy |
We decided to head to a reef that we know can produce some nice fish. So off we go for a 20 minute ride.
We arrive on the reef but the swell is massive which makes standing a chore. We fish on despite any hardships.
Soon Rosie boats a nice Bass and comments on how hard they can pull as it is released because they are poisonous.
All is quiet for awhile and the troops are getting tired from casting all day. Soon it is Brendan at the back and Rosie up front when I see Rosie pause and step down from the bow. I take the opportunity to get in a few casts.
Pop pop SPLASH, fish on. Drag screaming. 50lb braid melting away. Drag screaming. Turn the boat. Drag screaming. Follow, follow. Go go. Drag screaming. Keep going, keep going. I will let the video finish the story.
Needless to say we had a great time out. Friends, great weather, fish and lots of laughs.
Until next time
Tight lines
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Blanking on the Severn!!
I was going solo and set off around 8 oclock, there had been a frost in the night and the skys were clear, yes it was going to be hard but its just great to be out fishing..
I loved the drive out and even called Mcdonalds for my usual lat'te, Woody does give me stick when i ask for these as my Stoke accent does not go well when asking for this 'posh' coffee!!
I arrived to see a cristal clear river, it looked amazing as i could see everything and huge shoals of Ladies ghosting around..
I soon set up and after a few casts i could see these fish were totally switched off, after years of fishing i can spot this a mile off...from then on i had a wander upstream to try and find some rifles as to give me some stealth and hopefully find the odd fish willing to have a go....
The river was totally on it arse, a powerful river like this looked very much in need of a good wash out...
I knew i was going to struggle to get a fish and most of the time i would fish very hard to try and get one but today i thought 'fuck it' i was just going to enjoy the senery and the watch the Red Kites riding the thermals...
I did wait for a few hours to see if a hatch of LDO would come off and liven things up but it was not to be, i never saw one olive..
I did have a go on the dry which got me going when i had a Grayling move from its hold, follow the fly and turn away as it realized it was a hook and feather! The dry really does get me going and its not long now until i will be dry fly mad again, for me Grayling fishing has been superb and the czech nymph method is a joy to use, but for trout its got to be dry, that it....
I think i might get one more Grayling session in next week and then its time for me to start hitting that Wye where i must admit that 'dreams are made'....
So Dave (Squire) i have had a blank but they are 'good for the soul brother' i remember carp fishing in winter and going 23 times without a fish and broke the lake record on the 24th session!!!LTD
Nice one
Spot the Shoul of Ladies, there are twenty two fish shown if you count them!!
Glen
ice fishing (lake county forest preserve, il)
Rain and warm weather in the forecast for all next week. What is going to happen to all our beautiful ice? How many more trips do we have? These questions were on all of our minds. Neal, his girlfriend, his brother Luke (who shares a name with my son), and me were all meeting up around 9:00am to do some ice fishing on a local forest preserve lake. This was the latest start I can remember in a long time. I think Neal and his girlfriend were taking a car into the shop or something like that… Who could argue with a little more sleep?
Luke got there first and I’m not even sure what time he made it out there, but he had a mess of gills and perch already chilling on the ice! I set my tip-up’s out and got to work with my jigging rod armed with a silver/purple gill-pill tipped with a waxie. Neal made it out around 9:45 and got geared up.
It was a slower day for me but did manage to scratch some fish here and there. I will say that Luke was really dialed in that day. He had his portable 1-man frabil flip over and boy did he use that thing to his advantage. He kept mobile and used it to sight fish some gills right under his hole. He would tease the fish into sight and watched his waxie disappear. I’m not sure if he would have felt those bites or not? Whose to say, but it worked well for him and I was happy to just sit out in the sun and catch the occasional fish. It really is great to ice-fish when its warm enough to sit outside and be warm.
As far as the flags go, there were three. Flag one was a smaller 2 pound bass for Luke. Flag two was hit and run for Neal. There was a couple yards of line peeled off and a crippled minnow left behind. The third and last flag of our ice-fishing season was for Luke. Man was it a good one. He set the hook on a great big bass. Man was it a battle! Take some line in, then give some back. When he finally landed that fish I’d guess that it was every bit of 4 if not more. Check out his fish and his monogrammed sweatshirt!
Every one else left but Luke stayed to get all the ice fishing he could get in before the end of the season. Well I guess that’s it for this ice-fishing season. You will be missed………
Luke got there first and I’m not even sure what time he made it out there, but he had a mess of gills and perch already chilling on the ice! I set my tip-up’s out and got to work with my jigging rod armed with a silver/purple gill-pill tipped with a waxie. Neal made it out around 9:45 and got geared up.
It was a slower day for me but did manage to scratch some fish here and there. I will say that Luke was really dialed in that day. He had his portable 1-man frabil flip over and boy did he use that thing to his advantage. He kept mobile and used it to sight fish some gills right under his hole. He would tease the fish into sight and watched his waxie disappear. I’m not sure if he would have felt those bites or not? Whose to say, but it worked well for him and I was happy to just sit out in the sun and catch the occasional fish. It really is great to ice-fish when its warm enough to sit outside and be warm.
As far as the flags go, there were three. Flag one was a smaller 2 pound bass for Luke. Flag two was hit and run for Neal. There was a couple yards of line peeled off and a crippled minnow left behind. The third and last flag of our ice-fishing season was for Luke. Man was it a good one. He set the hook on a great big bass. Man was it a battle! Take some line in, then give some back. When he finally landed that fish I’d guess that it was every bit of 4 if not more. Check out his fish and his monogrammed sweatshirt!
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| a healthy lake county forest preserve bass |
The Brister's
Today I took Bo and Fred Brister. It was the first real day that felt like spring should outside. Temps got up into the upper 50's maybe even low 60's! We had the lowest water we've had in months and we had some active fish! Our fist hour we tried to make the fish eat some certain flies. We picked off one or two here and there but it just wasn't going to happen. I switched them over to some attractor flies that I have come to love and they started smoking them! They had several doubles throughout the day and had an absolute blast! We had new water starting to come down, so we keep pushing down. We stayed in front of the water all day. I saw some nice Bwo's and a few other bugs flying around. It sure was a good day to go to work!
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