Author: shanelovell

The Long Meadow River Avon Bathampton Angling Association

Saturday 18th July 2020 newbridge match results

Posted on by shanelovell

SATURDAY, 18 JULY 2020

Bathampton Open – Newbridge

Unusually for me a double header this weekend, with a riverfest qualifier on Newbridge next weekend I wanted to get on the river to get back in the groove. Kev Dicks advertised this match on facebook etc, but sadly only 8 people turned up, still it would do for me. My gear is still not with me and I have to make trips to my parents to get my gear. However, work has started on my house, with old falling down garage and shed pulled down, new surface laid, and now my workshop is being built. Fellow angler Ben Rendall is doing the job, with Kev Dicks and Warren Bates also assisting. This time next week I hope to have my gear with me again.

Back to the fishing, Kev ran the match on the same hours as riverfest is planned. 10 am draw fish 12 to 5pm. At the field the other anglers were, Ben Rendall, Jerry Pocock, Nigel Evans, Mike Martin-Davies, Andy Cranston, Mike Shellard  and Kev Dicks. Pools paid, draw done, and I was heading for peg 10 in the little field, with nobody below me I had plenty of room. Ben was above me on peg 7. It has been a while since I have fished 10, would have loved if the river had plenty of colour in it as bream are in the area, but sadly the river was pretty much stood on its head most of the time, and it was clear but not worryingly clear in my opinion. With no flow on the river I opted against setting up float rods, but did set up a feeder rod with 14 N50 to 0.13. Three pole rigs, a 1.5g pencil rig with 20 N40 to 0.09, 2g bodied float with 18 N40 to 0.10, and finally a 2g with 18 N20 to 0.13 for holding still.
To begin the match I balled in 12 jaffas of my usual Sonubaits river, lake, bit of black roach and my faithful brown crumb. I went in using caster on the hook, but three run throughs were biteless then I had a bleak, errrr. Stuck a maggot on and had a dace, then a small roach. Things became difficult already and I had to pick up the pencil float as I was missing bites. It was better for a couple of roach and dace, but then tiny chublets and bleak became a real pain. Even with a bulk pushed down and droppers all next to the hook length it was hard to get past them, but occasionally I had a better fish. Things though got worse, the bleak went and so it seemed had everything else! 90 minutes in and I couldn’t get a bite, potting more bait in had no effect either. Perhaps some bream had moved in (I wish) so I dropped the feeder over the pole line, 30 minutes of nothing other than a 4oz roach. I tried the heavy pole rig with a worm on, and I was just about to give it up when I had a bite down the peg, turned out was a 1lb skimmer. No more followed.
Glenn Bailey rang me 2 1/2 hours into the match and I told him I was struggling with about 3lb. I was now in danger of losing faith, but I gave the pole / feeder line a rest and caught a few bleak at 7m where I had been feeding a few maggots, a few were there but after I caught about a dozen they weren’t happy. Team mate Geraint Powell had been sat behind me for a few minutes when I then went back on the feeder, I had 3 small perch in three casts on a worm and red maggot so at least some bites, and then it went quiet next cast, then the tip went round nice and steady and the rod hooped over. I had a bream on and it felt a good one, river bream always give a good account of themselves and so I was glad when this one went in the net, maybe 5lb. Where there’s one there’s more… not this time, the feeder line went real quiet after this. Geraint told me that Mike Martin-Davies had a bream and skimmer on peg 16, but not much else was caught at this stage.
I had a bit of a struggle until the last 40 mins really, Mike had 2 bream now and I thought I was a long way behind so stuck it out on the feeder and I had a skimmer of over a pound to renew my interest. Then a 8oz perch and then a perch of just under a pound in three casts. In the last 20 minutes I had a couple more bites and landed two eels, one had to be 1 1/2lb and was my last fish. As you can imagine they were all taken on worm hookbait, and it was nice to get a few species in the end. I thought I had 12 to 13lb.
Weights as I know them..
Peg 1    Nigel Evans 10lb 2oz (a bream and a very big perch)
Peg 4    Jer Pocock 8lb (lots of small roach)
Peg 7    Ben Rendall 10lb 2oz (roach and chublets)
Peg 10  Tim Ford  14lb 12oz
Peg 16  Mike Martin-Davies 14lb 10oz  (sorry Mike!)
Peg 24  Mike Shellard think it was 23lb+ (4 bream + perch)
Peg 30  Andy Cranston just under 10lb of roach
Peg 34  Kev Dicks.. Not sure what Kev had but maybe 7lb
As you can see the old man himself Mike Shellard won, and I came 2nd which was worth £50. Compared to many places that was good fishing and some decent weights. I suppose it was mission accomplished as far as catching some fish and practicing, with roach not really playing ball a bonus or two will be needed in this zone next week.
Tomorrow I am on the superleague at Staverton, peg 31.
Written by
at 21:27

Thursday 16/7/20 Over 55’s and Short Walks Match results and write up

Posted on by shanelovell

Thursday 16/7/20 – Bathampton AA – Over 55’s and short walks – Bridge Pool

 

A number of lads, in particular John Smith asked where my boy friend was? Meaning of course Geoff Francis – “was he under the thumb”? I explained that for some while Geoff had been promising himself a van. So a week or so before the lock down he traded his car in. So the new purchase stood more or less idle for 3 months. It certainly didn’t have any fishing tackle in it, the reason for the purchased. Just as the lock down ended his neighbour bought a mobile home and drove it for the first time back to his home only to crash into Geoff’s van causing significant damage. So today it’s still in the repair shop and expected to be finished in two weeks time.  I’m sure we will see him out soon.

Arrived early and had a walk around to free up the back a bit. which is gradually getting better. The Pool looked dour with no signs of fish. A hard day in the offering, especially with 25 fishing, this match becoming ever popular being local for most.

A new attendee today – Mark Tanner. Unfortunately didn’t draw well and had a baptism of fire.

I will be glad when I can blame myself for the draws as I was given peg 33 which is the wrong end for me. However, on the positive it was an end peg and would be in the shade all day. Arrived at the peg to find the aerator running (pictured) which switched off at 09:00. Opposite I have returnee Kevin Winston (pictured).

Three rigs – Short Ronnie for caster over caster, a 4×16 to fish top-set plus three barrels with 4 mm expander over micro.and a margin paste rig.

I fed the long line which I started on with 4 mm expander whilst I loose fed caster on the Ronnie line. I had a run of small fish – Tench, Skimmers and Ronnie’s, but was missing bites from tiny Skimmers and Perch. The peg gradually faded so refed and tried the Ronnie rig. I had a good 15 minutes catching small Ronnie’s, Perch and Rudd quickly until it went quiet and soon had an F1. I switched to paste and had another six and a 6 lb Carp whilst still lightly feeding caster. I thought I was in for a good day until I hit the two hour mark and all seem to die. I went for a walk and sure enough everyone was struggling. Back eased so tried the long line again and had a 4 lb Carp. Tried the Ronnie rig this time with maggot and had a 1 lb Chub making six species in the Silvers net! Decided to sit the last three long hours out on the paste adding just one more F1 during which time rigor mortise had set in.

My Silvers weighed 6 lb 8 oz and my Carp 22 lb for a total of 28 lb 8 oz for a fourth overall pick up. A number of DNW’s down this end leading with suggestions that sections would be fairer especially as the number of anglers are increasing (pictured above – some anglers chewing the post match fat)The match and the Silvers was won by Paul Barnfield (pictured right) with 19 lb of Silvers and 24 lb 12 oz of Carp from peg 28. Paul caught all his fish on worm over micro at 13 metres. Well done on hard day.

The usual suspects plus three were all eager to get in the pub garden for our first after match pint since lock down – great end to the day. On the way home I could have been excused in my thinking the toure de Somerset had started.

Result:

1. Paul Barnfield 43-12-0 peg 28
2. Tony Rixon 37-14-0 peg 8
3. Paul Haines 33-04-0 peg 31
4. Mike Nicholls 28-08-0 peg 33
5. John Smith 26-09-0 peg 21

Silvers:

1. Paul Barnfield 19-0-0 peg 28
2. Hughie Evans 17-12-0 peg 14
3. Paul Clayton 13-07-0 peg 16
4. Dave Haines 11-08-0 peg 24
5. Ray Bazeley 9-12-0 peg 25

Wrote by Mike Nicholls

ANNOUNCEMENT TO MEMBERS FISHING NEWTON PARK

Posted on by shanelovell

ANNOUNCEMENT TO MEMBERS FISHING NEWTON PARK

It has been brought to the attention of the committee that some members fishing at Newton Park are leaving litter.

This matter has been pointed out by the Bath Spa College Administration (who control the fishing rights that BAA rents), BAA bailiffs and members.

If this situation continues it is likely that Newton Park will become unavailable to members to fish.

Anyone found leaving litter at the lake or college grounds, including the car park will face disciplinary action from BAA and it is likely a considerable ban will be imposed.

Any member seeing littering should if possible report this to a BAA official.

PLEASE TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME.

BAA committee

Night Fish at The Dave Crookes Fishery at Hunstrete

Posted on by shanelovell
24 Hour Night Fishing at Hunstrete 2020
Fishing From 5.00am to 21.00pm The Next Day.
Dates are Below.
September 5th & 6th
October 3rd & 4th
Tickets for the above dates will go on sale at the garage at Hunstrete At 10.00 oclock. on the 8th August.
ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT STEVE PITFIELD ON 07541008385.
Price £30
15 Main Lake pegs 20 to 36
5 Withy pool pegs 55 to 59
5 pegs Bridge pool

24hr Carp Match Results 4/7/2020

Posted on by shanelovell

24hr Carp Match Results 4/7/2020

8 fish caught in total total weight 195lb 40z

1st Peg 25 Gary Budd 2 fish 20lb  mirror

26lb 8oz Mirror

2nd Peg 22 Mitchell Gillam 1 fish 30lb 4oz common

3rd Peg 21 Shane Davies 1 fish 28lb 8oz mirror

4th Peg 35 John Cannings 1 fish 26lb mirror

4th Peg 23 Scott Hart 1 fish 26lb mirror

6th Peg 32  Gary Collins 1 fish 23lb mirror

7th Peg 34 Lee Fitzgerald 1 fish 15lb common

Match results and write up

Posted on by shanelovell

Thursday 02/07/2020 – Bathampton AA – Over 55’s and Short Walks – Bridge Pool

The rolling draw changed to a “When Olly arrives”. The change was made so that we need only put in the number of pegs for the 23 fishing today. I had a walk around the pool and with the wind blowing into the car park end and has been doing so for a week I was hoping to be drawn this end. I noticed some Carp feeding on pegs 30,29 and 28, but fancied pegs 17,18, 19, 21, 24 and 27.

The Corona virus has certainly taken it’s toll on hair styles (Good Golly Miss Molly – The Silver haired Little Richard –  pictured right).

More wind and rain expected.

I was called peg 4 – Umm not where I chose, cant wait to draw my own peg. At least I could park behind my peg. Again next to Wayne but swapping pegs. The other side was The Mumbles mumbler Pete Turner.

Although I had an island about 14 metres away which I could get close enough to catch, but due to the wind and having to ship across the very busy road I decided not to bother.

I set up one 0.3 shotted paste float for the LH margin where I was forced to fish by the nasty right to left wind. A 4×16 to fish top-set plus two barrels out in front and my new short Ronnie rig. I ran out of my PB 14 so asked on FB for suggestions where I could buy some and a new found friend Andy Wootton came to the rescue with those shown in the picture right. I must say they are spot on for Silver fishing, extremely sensitive. I’m still to catch a Carp on it to test their durability.

I started on the long line with worm hook bait over GB and caster feed. I had a couple decent Skimmers and with fizzing/blowing I was expecting a good day. However, all I got was micro Perch nipping at the worm. I switched to double caster and found the same. Back on the worm and just pestered by Perch. I now regretted feeding casters and wished I fish expander’s. So refed but this time with micro and went on the Ronnie rig with single caster and caught some Ronnie’s three small Tench and more bloody Perch. However, my banker was to catch some big Carp later in the match so switched between the Ronnie rig and Long line however the long line produced nothing more even though it was still fizzing. I persevered until half way with the Ronnie rig picking off the odd fish loosing a decent foul hooked Skimmer in the process. Subsequently I started to feed the same margin with micro and some maggots. In anticipation I went in with the paste which just sat there until the float popped up. I kept switching between the Ronnie rig which did catch me one F1 and the paste over the same line with the paste proving to be a complete waste of time.

My F1 weighed 1 lb 2 oz and my Silvers 11 lb 14 oz for a nowhere total of 13 lb. Another 1 lb of Silvers would have got me some coin. The last three matches have all been this close for coin. On hind sight today I should have not buggered my swim fishing paste. For some reason the large Carp didn’t really feed on most pegs today.

The match was won by Paul Haines (pictured upper right with his catch) with 76 b 14 oz from peg 14. Paul caught on the method over to the opposite island with banded pellet in wetted micro feed. Paul mainly caught F1’s with the odd stock Carp.

The Silvers was won by Ken Morgan (pictured right with the match winner whom I actually caught smiling) with 20 lb 4 oz from peg 15. Ken caught on worm over worm and caster fed in GB.

Result:

1. Paul Haines 76-14-0 peg 14
2. Dave Gillard 38-15-0 peg 28
3. Paul Barnfield 38-08-0 peg 17
4. Tony Rixon 36-12-0 peg 8

Silvers:

1. Ken Morgan 20-04-0 peg 14
2. Hughie Evans 20-0-0 peg 29
3. Paul Barnfield 15-12-0 peg 17
4. Chris Ollis 15-0-0 peg 32

wrote by  Mike Nicholls

HELP! Chew Mink project

Posted on by shanelovell

I would like to present the Chew Mink Project again to you and your brilliant club members. We will be deploying more rafts across the River Chew to monitor mink and other wildlife in an attempt to improve the river for fishing. We cannot do this without volunteers to monitor the rafts so I am asking if anybody is interested in a low-commitment opportunity to improve the fishing in their local waters?

Monitoring will involve checking the rafts once every couple of weeks (or less) and reporting your findings to me. I will meet you on-site when suits to give you a brief overview of the rafts, clay and mink identification then help you set up the rafts and deploy them.

This is a great opportunity to get back out onto the river and contribute to improving the fishing in your favourite stretch!

I would appreciate it if you could share the message with your members and look forward to hearing from you.

All the best,

George Clark BSc(Hons)
Project Officer
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust

Phone: 07400540255
Email: george@bristolavonriverstrust.org
Website: www.bristolavonriverstrust.org/

We are on Twitter @bristolavonrt and Facebook and LinkedIn as ‘Bristol Avon Rivers Trust’.

Speeding at Hunstrete

Posted on by shanelovell

It has been reported that people have been speeding up the path / road between bridge pool and main lake can we please follow the signs and drive slowly enjoy the view of the lakes and you might even see some nice fish top.