Weight – 1lb 9oz
Catch – 7 Roach, 5 Rudd, 5 Perch, 1 Bream.
Weather – Cold overnight, strong northwesterly wind, showers
Water temp – 8.5c > 8.5c
Match – Lands End Winter League – rd 2 – 27th overall, 5th in section
Today simply topped off a really crap week. Suzanne is still struggling to find another job, I’m struggling to hit target (and I really need the £3k kicker), as well as having my balls chewed over an incident at work.
I don’t think I have been under so much pressure for a very long time, so all I wanted was a nice day fishing.
Peg 41 is a good draw and usually worth a few fish. However, as I was setting up the wind suddenly increased and it was difficult to hold 8m of pole, let alone the required 14m. The wind was blowing straight into my corner and with a clear lake the prospects were for a difficult day.
I caught most of my fish, fishing into the near corner on caster, but I couldn’t get any quality fish. I even tried the tip, but only caught a small skimmer. Not much was being caught, in fact my section was the worse on the day, being the most exposed to the wind. On all 3 lakes the sections were won from the sheltered ends.
Although I finished 5th in section, I nearly fished 3rd. Russ Peck on peg 42 and Andy Bryant on peg 51, both had late carp on maggot to add to Russ's 1lb 8oz of bits and Andy's single 1oz perch!
To add insult to injury, I managed to jam pole sections 6 & 7 thanks to a bit of super glue, and then I managed to break it! More expense.
Oh for a bit of good fortune and not just with the fishing.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
16/11/08 - Lands End - Johns Lake
Weight – 10lb 4oz
Catch – 2 F1, 1 Common Carp, 1 Roach.
Weather – Cloudy, mild, occasional drizzle, breezy.
Water temp – 10.0c > 10.5c
Match – Open 22th overall, 11th in section.
I should have known I was in for a bad day, when the wheel snapped off my space shuttle trolley at the lake. So that meant 2 trips to get my kit back to the car. Not happy.
Johns & Sydney’s lake were in for this match. I drew peg 54, which is an average draw and I wanted to try a few slightly different things in preparation for next weeks Lands End Winter League. I would normally approach this match fishing caster, maggot & corn, fishing for bites, but today I wanted to feed more pellet (4mm expander & micro pellet), mainly because fishing maggot on Johns lake results in tiny roach.
I started fishing tight to the island hoping for an early carp. In the meantime I feed some micro pellet, 4mm expanders and caster at 14.5m just off the end of the island. After 15mins, I hadn’t caught so switched to the 14.5m line. I soon caught a F1 on corn, but that was my only fish for a couple of hours.
Other than peg 55 not much was being caught, probably due to the tricky wind. It seemed my swim was devoid of fish, until I noticed a fish roll in an area of my peg I hadn’t feed. 1st drop in the new area I caught a F1 on corn, I fed 4 bits of pellet, 10 mins later I caught a carp, At last! Sussed it. Eh no. A couple of missed bites & a bumped fish and then nothing. I was really frustrated, I even tried firing caster at the point of the island, but 1 lost foul hooked carp was all I had to show for it.
It seemed as though the fish were backing off the feed, yet peg 55 had caught & won the match with 35lb (and not fishing particularly well!) feeding, as did peg 59 opposite.
I am here next week and the weather forecast is for a cold snap by the weekend. So I think a patience, tight feeding regime will be required.
Catch – 2 F1, 1 Common Carp, 1 Roach.
Weather – Cloudy, mild, occasional drizzle, breezy.
Water temp – 10.0c > 10.5c
Match – Open 22th overall, 11th in section.
I should have known I was in for a bad day, when the wheel snapped off my space shuttle trolley at the lake. So that meant 2 trips to get my kit back to the car. Not happy.
Johns & Sydney’s lake were in for this match. I drew peg 54, which is an average draw and I wanted to try a few slightly different things in preparation for next weeks Lands End Winter League. I would normally approach this match fishing caster, maggot & corn, fishing for bites, but today I wanted to feed more pellet (4mm expander & micro pellet), mainly because fishing maggot on Johns lake results in tiny roach.
I started fishing tight to the island hoping for an early carp. In the meantime I feed some micro pellet, 4mm expanders and caster at 14.5m just off the end of the island. After 15mins, I hadn’t caught so switched to the 14.5m line. I soon caught a F1 on corn, but that was my only fish for a couple of hours.
Other than peg 55 not much was being caught, probably due to the tricky wind. It seemed my swim was devoid of fish, until I noticed a fish roll in an area of my peg I hadn’t feed. 1st drop in the new area I caught a F1 on corn, I fed 4 bits of pellet, 10 mins later I caught a carp, At last! Sussed it. Eh no. A couple of missed bites & a bumped fish and then nothing. I was really frustrated, I even tried firing caster at the point of the island, but 1 lost foul hooked carp was all I had to show for it.
It seemed as though the fish were backing off the feed, yet peg 55 had caught & won the match with 35lb (and not fishing particularly well!) feeding, as did peg 59 opposite.
I am here next week and the weather forecast is for a cold snap by the weekend. So I think a patience, tight feeding regime will be required.
Monday, November 10, 2008
09/11/08 - Lands End - Match Lake
Weight – 12lb 7oz
Catch – 18 Roach, 6 Perch, 2 Carp, 1 Tench, 1 Bream.
Weather – Heavy overnight rain. Cloudy, rain & strong winds.
Water temp – 9c > 9c
Match – Lands End Winter League – rd 1 – 16th overall, 2nd in section.
The Lands End winter league is to be run over 8 matches and originally there were to be 48 anglers over 4 lakes. In the end only 3 lakes are to be used with 36 anglers, although a couple couldn’t turn up for the 1st round. The eventually winner will walk away with £550, with 7th place receiving £50.
Speci, Match and Johns Lake were in for today and with heavy rain and wind forecast, I wanted to draw the more sheltered Speci or Match Lake, which I duly did with peg 24.
The wind was from behind, so at least that would make fishing the pole more comfortable, but the real concern was the clarity of the water and the fact peg 1 opposite hadn’t been drawn, which would mean the fish would back off too easily.
At the start I fed a small ball of groundbait with pinkie & caster at 14.5m in open water and immediately started fishing 13m at the bottom of the shelf, hoping for a mug fish. A roach 1st put in on maggot was soon followed by a small carp, before I decided to feed a few bits of caster.
A switch to my groundbait swim produced small roach, before a 2lb tench put in appearance. Not much else was being caught so I kept plugging away, concentrating on the open water and 13m margin swim, occasionally trying under peg 23 pallet.
With 90 minutes left, I was still catching odd fish mostly on pinkie, but felt I needed some better quality fish. I decided to leave my open water swim and spend more time fishing along the margin to the tree, up & down the shelf. I caught another carp up the shelf, plus a decent perch, as well as a 1lb plus roach at the bottom of the shelf. There were fish beyond the tree, but I couldn’t reach them due to the tree and with no one on peg 1 I couldn’t get them to come back.
To finish 2nd in section was a good start, but Pete Sivell isn’t happy with me, because this is now the 5th time on trot that I have beaten him off the next peg!
The next round will be in 2 weeks and I will on Johns Lake.
Catch – 18 Roach, 6 Perch, 2 Carp, 1 Tench, 1 Bream.
Weather – Heavy overnight rain. Cloudy, rain & strong winds.
Water temp – 9c > 9c
Match – Lands End Winter League – rd 1 – 16th overall, 2nd in section.
The Lands End winter league is to be run over 8 matches and originally there were to be 48 anglers over 4 lakes. In the end only 3 lakes are to be used with 36 anglers, although a couple couldn’t turn up for the 1st round. The eventually winner will walk away with £550, with 7th place receiving £50.
Speci, Match and Johns Lake were in for today and with heavy rain and wind forecast, I wanted to draw the more sheltered Speci or Match Lake, which I duly did with peg 24.
The wind was from behind, so at least that would make fishing the pole more comfortable, but the real concern was the clarity of the water and the fact peg 1 opposite hadn’t been drawn, which would mean the fish would back off too easily.
At the start I fed a small ball of groundbait with pinkie & caster at 14.5m in open water and immediately started fishing 13m at the bottom of the shelf, hoping for a mug fish. A roach 1st put in on maggot was soon followed by a small carp, before I decided to feed a few bits of caster.
A switch to my groundbait swim produced small roach, before a 2lb tench put in appearance. Not much else was being caught so I kept plugging away, concentrating on the open water and 13m margin swim, occasionally trying under peg 23 pallet.
With 90 minutes left, I was still catching odd fish mostly on pinkie, but felt I needed some better quality fish. I decided to leave my open water swim and spend more time fishing along the margin to the tree, up & down the shelf. I caught another carp up the shelf, plus a decent perch, as well as a 1lb plus roach at the bottom of the shelf. There were fish beyond the tree, but I couldn’t reach them due to the tree and with no one on peg 1 I couldn’t get them to come back.
To finish 2nd in section was a good start, but Pete Sivell isn’t happy with me, because this is now the 5th time on trot that I have beaten him off the next peg!
The next round will be in 2 weeks and I will on Johns Lake.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Suva Fish Market
I have always wanted to go to the Suva fish market on Saturdays. We finally got up early enough to go and we were rewarded with a plethora of seafood. I have used a slide show because there was too many pictures. All of the seafood is fresh and we tried two different seaweeds, lots of shell fish and some really nice veggies.
Cheers
Cheers
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
02/11/08 - Lands End - Johns Lake
Weight – 16lb 0oz
Catch – 13 Roach, 3 Carp, 2 Perch, 1 Bream, 1 Tench.
Weather – Cold & cloudy. Northerly breeze.
Match – Veals Winter League – rd 4 – 25th overall, 6th in section.
Peg 55 on Johns Lake. At least it wasn’t one of the middle pegs, but it hadn’t shown much form recently. In the last winter league Kev Perry managed 18lb for 4pts, so if I could walk away with 10pts, I would be happy.
A quick chat with Rod Wootton told me to fish 16m to the point of the spit, fishing up & down the shelf. I feed caster, 4mm expanders and later micro pellet. I also set up a line at 11.5m in open water, feeding chopped maggot, hoping for some silvers.
Despite a tricky wind, I had most of my fish, feeding at 14.5m and fishing at 15-16m, on maggot, plus a 3lb bream on pellet. The silver fish line only produced a few small roach and even those weren’t coming regularly, so I had no choice but to concentrate on the longer line. I did try the margins, however without success.
Tony Rixon was on peg 54 and beat me by virtue of a few more silvers, weighing 17lb 3oz. His swim was more sheltered from the wind, which made for better presentation. He did lost a few carp, which were foul hooked, I tried not to look pleased!
In the end I achieved my target of 10pts, which keeps me in contention in the individual league, although the team is still struggling and it doesn’t look like we will be retaining the league title this year.
Overall the weather meant weights were generally lower than expected, but I still feel there are areas I can improve on, particularly with the Lands End winter league starting next week. I biggest problem is my feeding, I struggle to keep my hand out of the bait box!
1-Chris Davis - Westerleigh 53pts
2-Eric Fouracre - Sedges Mosella 49
3-Rod Wootton - Sartan Club AC 48
4-Ryan Shipp - Westerleigh 47 (184-12)
5-Ken Rayner - Maver Veals Red 47 (88-3)
6-Tim Pallant - Maver Veals Blue 45.5
7-Mike Nicholls - Charlies Angels 45
8-Anton Page - Sarfix South West 42 (200-4)
9-Adam Palmer - Sedges Mosella 42 (79-7)
10-Tony Rixon - Avon Angling 42 (70-8)
Catch – 13 Roach, 3 Carp, 2 Perch, 1 Bream, 1 Tench.
Weather – Cold & cloudy. Northerly breeze.
Match – Veals Winter League – rd 4 – 25th overall, 6th in section.
Peg 55 on Johns Lake. At least it wasn’t one of the middle pegs, but it hadn’t shown much form recently. In the last winter league Kev Perry managed 18lb for 4pts, so if I could walk away with 10pts, I would be happy.
A quick chat with Rod Wootton told me to fish 16m to the point of the spit, fishing up & down the shelf. I feed caster, 4mm expanders and later micro pellet. I also set up a line at 11.5m in open water, feeding chopped maggot, hoping for some silvers.
Despite a tricky wind, I had most of my fish, feeding at 14.5m and fishing at 15-16m, on maggot, plus a 3lb bream on pellet. The silver fish line only produced a few small roach and even those weren’t coming regularly, so I had no choice but to concentrate on the longer line. I did try the margins, however without success.
Tony Rixon was on peg 54 and beat me by virtue of a few more silvers, weighing 17lb 3oz. His swim was more sheltered from the wind, which made for better presentation. He did lost a few carp, which were foul hooked, I tried not to look pleased!
In the end I achieved my target of 10pts, which keeps me in contention in the individual league, although the team is still struggling and it doesn’t look like we will be retaining the league title this year.
Overall the weather meant weights were generally lower than expected, but I still feel there are areas I can improve on, particularly with the Lands End winter league starting next week. I biggest problem is my feeding, I struggle to keep my hand out of the bait box!
1-Chris Davis - Westerleigh 53pts
2-Eric Fouracre - Sedges Mosella 49
3-Rod Wootton - Sartan Club AC 48
4-Ryan Shipp - Westerleigh 47 (184-12)
5-Ken Rayner - Maver Veals Red 47 (88-3)
6-Tim Pallant - Maver Veals Blue 45.5
7-Mike Nicholls - Charlies Angels 45
8-Anton Page - Sarfix South West 42 (200-4)
9-Adam Palmer - Sedges Mosella 42 (79-7)
10-Tony Rixon - Avon Angling 42 (70-8)
01/11/08 - Lands End - Match Lake
Weight – 6lb 8oz
Catch – 9 Perch.
Weather – Frosts all week. Cold cloudy & breezy. Rain later.
Match – Open – 5th overall, 1st in silvers.
Following last week’s match, I wanted to try a few different things in preparation for tomorrows Veals Winter League, such as feeding groundbait for the silvers.
I drew peg 1, which is normally a good draw, but with a cold wind blowing into the peg, combined with the clear water, I wasn’t confident.
I feed groundbait at the bottom of the far shelf, a small amount of caster & corn at the bottom of the point of the island and I initially fed nothing along the margin.
The guy on peg 24 opposite wrecked his swim, by feeding far too much at the start and I hoped he would push the carp over towards me. Usually if there are any carp in the swim, I would expect to have a few liners, but nothing.
My groundbait swim didn’t produce a single bite all match. I caught some early perch from the point of the island and later 16m down the margin. I tried an open water swim, feeding ½ cup of feed at 14m, plus chopped maggot at 11m, but no bites.
The margin swim turned out to be the best. Initially I was fishing a carp maggot rig & a corn rig, but had most of my fish on a light .10 bottom and 22 hook and just hoped I didn’t hook any carp.
I knew I beaten pegs 4, 22 & 24, but I was really surprised to win the silvers with such a low weight.
1st 40lb – Anton Page – peg 13
2nd 18lb – Mike Duckett – peg 18
3rd 17lb – Rod Wootton – peg 11
Catch – 9 Perch.
Weather – Frosts all week. Cold cloudy & breezy. Rain later.
Match – Open – 5th overall, 1st in silvers.
Following last week’s match, I wanted to try a few different things in preparation for tomorrows Veals Winter League, such as feeding groundbait for the silvers.
I drew peg 1, which is normally a good draw, but with a cold wind blowing into the peg, combined with the clear water, I wasn’t confident.
I feed groundbait at the bottom of the far shelf, a small amount of caster & corn at the bottom of the point of the island and I initially fed nothing along the margin.
The guy on peg 24 opposite wrecked his swim, by feeding far too much at the start and I hoped he would push the carp over towards me. Usually if there are any carp in the swim, I would expect to have a few liners, but nothing.
My groundbait swim didn’t produce a single bite all match. I caught some early perch from the point of the island and later 16m down the margin. I tried an open water swim, feeding ½ cup of feed at 14m, plus chopped maggot at 11m, but no bites.
The margin swim turned out to be the best. Initially I was fishing a carp maggot rig & a corn rig, but had most of my fish on a light .10 bottom and 22 hook and just hoped I didn’t hook any carp.
I knew I beaten pegs 4, 22 & 24, but I was really surprised to win the silvers with such a low weight.
1st 40lb – Anton Page – peg 13
2nd 18lb – Mike Duckett – peg 18
3rd 17lb – Rod Wootton – peg 11
Thursday, October 30, 2008
River Dove Salmon!!! My first 9lb 14oz
Well here is my story of catching my first ever salmon.
I am not a Salmon fisherman and have never tried it but enquired around Scotland this year but never got chance to go but as things turned out i did not need to bother.
I was Grayling fishing last saturday and whilst wading through a deep run i saw a salmon come clean out the water, this fish was around three ft away from me and scared the **** out of me, i was shocked to see how big this fish was, it was around three foot long and had a red glow down the bottom of its body. It seemed unreal to see a fish so big in a small river like the dove but it made me realise that these fish are coming back to the dove around a very good size.
The next day on sunday i went back to have another go at the grayling and hoping to see these salmon again, I took a friend with me who wanted to watch me fish,
As the light started to go i flicked my nymph unpstream where i had seen the fish and when i started to retrieve the bug i saw a huge salmon come out the water again, i thought wow what a nice fish when my friend shouted from the bank 'its took your fly',
I lifted into the fish and felt my rod tighten into the fish, i was using a 8ft 4 weight greys streamflex rod with 5 lb line and i knew i was in for some fun!!
The fish went absolutly nuts when it felt the hook set home and just run downstream, it went through a stong rapid a i could not stop it doing anything, its took me straight onto the backing so it was at least 40 yards down stream and still running,
I knew the only way i would get this fish was to tire it out so i went running down the river to my friends amusement!! I cover at least 60 yards running down the river with the fish still going when my line got caught around the reel, everything went tight and i thought it was going snap but it turned from the pressure and came leaping out of the river making my heart jump, the sheer size of this fish had me shaking like a leaf, my friend was shouting 'dont lose this fish you ****'
I was into a fish of a lifetime and eventually got it to start turning under full pressure, my rod was just doubled over all of the time,
When the fish saw me it made four more big runs but it was starting to tire,
After half a hour i had the fish in full view and she was lumping around like big fish do, so
I had a small trout net on my back and there was no way it would fit in there so i when i got it close to me i threw me rod down and grabbed it with both hands!
I took it onto the bank and me and my friend micky were jumping up and down like we had won the lottery! well to me it felt better than that!!
The fish was a female Hen and was quite dark. the fish measured 34 iches long with a massive tail, i got the scales from my van and it weighed 9lb 14 oz
In fact it was the lenght of my foot to my waist.
When i got home i told the mrs i had had the best night of my life and she said 'better than your first night of sex with me' and i said 'no not that good babe' but i am a great liar and if you are a fisherman you know what i mean!!
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