Category: Fishing Matches

Thursday 13/08/2020 – Bathampton AA – Over 55’s and Short Walks

Posted on by shanelovell

Friday, 14 August 2020

Thursday 13/08/2020 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks

 

First to arrived, so walked the whole complex and couldn't help noticing a vast difference from last match with fish feeding everywhere. Got to Bridge Pool where the Carp were having a right munch, which also meant their Skimmer Groupies would be feeding near by. The most Carp activity was between pegs 11 and 27 so any of them would do today and I had decided to fish for Carp - unless. Met with Kev Winston and told him a ton was on the cards today.

Dave Gillard drew me peg 15. I had to think for a second where I was going as Iv'e not been on these pegs for a long time. Happy with this and even though it has some Silvers form decided to target the Carp short, which would benefit the pole fencing with peg 16. Great company again with Tony Rixon on peg 15 - he would target the Silvers for sure and at 90 degrees was Chris "Squeaky Roller" Ollis, who also had the Silvers in his sights.Set up the waggler for fishing to the island at 17 metres with maggot over maggot, two paste floats, both on the top-set one out in front in 6 foot of water, just up the shelf and the other for both margins at the same depth for paste over potted micro and loose fed 4's.

Started by feeding the RH margin and out in front with a pot of wetted micro and pulted a few LR's over on the waggler line. Started out in front with the paste expecting a quick Carp, but not only nibblers. So picked up the waggler and with single LR on the hook had a couple of Rudd then the micro Perch showed up and wasn't upset when for some unknown reason the sliding float link managed to come off the line - a bit line the ring and rope magic trick - must discuss this with Dave Willmott. So set it up again which proved unnecessary as I decided to try the RH margin and didn't get another cast. First try in the margin and a decent Carp in the net. By potting a few micros and loose feeding 4 to 6 hard 4's over the top (which amused Tony) I had a great run of quality Carp. In between I was catch their groupies - some decent accidental Skimmers to Chris's dismay. I waited until the last Carp o'clock hour before switching to the LH hand side and had another decent run of more quality Carp - very pretty fish.

My accidentals weighed 17 lb 8 oz and my Carp 118 lb 07 oz for a match winning total of 135 lb 15 oz - a marginal victory. Great days fishing for a number of reasons - one notable was getting cooled off by the rain.

The Silvers was won by Tony Rixon (pictured above with the match winner) with an excellent weight of 42 lb 1 oz from peg 15. See his blog for the details but what he won't mention was how well he fished both short shallow with caster but especially when he started at 17 metres for the F1's - class act not many anglers can do this, catch brambles and still get the F1's out! No Bramble gate today.Back to the pub with the usual suspects to end a day when the Pool fished very well.

Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 135-15-0 peg 15

2. Tony Rixon 68-07-0 peg 15

3. Mark Tanner 53-0-0 peg 27

4. Paul Barnfield 48-12-0 peg 21

Silvers:

1. Tony Rixon 42-01-0 peg 15

2. Paul Clayton 22-09-0 peg 29

3. Dave Haines 19-06-0 peg 11

4. Chris Ollis 19-04-0 peg 16

Weigh Sheets:


Written by
Mike Nicholls

Match Winners Peg Pictures

Silver Winners Peg Pictures

Open Junior Match 20/9/20

Posted on by shanelovell

Bathampton AA

Open Junior Match

Sliver Fish Only

Members £2 entry Non Members £3

Saturday Sept 19th Bridge Pool Hunstrete

Draw 12pm fish 1pm to 5pm

Under 11, Under 14, Under 18

Contact Junior organiser to enter

Rod Bracey

01225 338127

Those age 10 and under may receive parental or guardian help with initial ground baiting, baiting the hook, gentle guidance playing a fish, netting the fish and un-hooking. NO.assistance with casting, feeding, hooking or playing the fish unless the fish is too large for the youngster to handle. prize £10

13 and under,may receive assistance with netting and un-hooking no other assistance unless the fish is too big for them to manage. prize £10

14 plus no assistance .prize Three day tickets if a member, or a junior membership if a non member.

Advice and assistance may given to all by the BAA coaching team.

Thursday 30/07/2020 Over 55’s and short walks match results and write up

Posted on by shanelovell

Friday, 31 July 2020

Thursday 30/07/2020 – Bathampton AA – Over 55’s and Short Walks – Bridge Pool

Hot day it was to be and was. Arrived early and walked around all three Lakes, they all looked dour especially Bridge Pool without any signs of feeding fish. On the walk I found this Fungi, I wish I knew more about such things – beautiful, in which case probably not edible.

I was hoping to be at the car park end as I have done my stint sitting in the the far end. Dave Gillard got the draw under way (

attached to the Drennan 25 elastic which I love fishing – Adrenalin rush. At last the all in and only fed the 0.5 g line with micro and went straight over it with paste and hooked a Carp which caught me by surprised taking me into the fish refuge losing the lot. These refuges are a hindrance to the fishing and provides limited protection from predators. The tiny Rudd like sitting on top of it though – not one of the better decisions and need taking out. Sounded like Tony was also battling with his refuge. New 0.5 rig setup and next put in another Carp of about 5 lb which I did get out – sad sight as it was very dark and blind. I persevered with this line but no more fish not even nibblers which was worrying. I started to feed the caster and with single caster on the Ronnie rig had one singe bite a large Perch which came off. I couldn’t even catch a Ronnie, so this was abandoned. I spent the rest on the match in the margin – first four put-ins accounted for four F1’s – blimey these fish are quick 0-60 in a millisecond. It slowed but kept adding the odd F1 and some better Carp. The bites had completely dried up and stay on this too long. It wasn’t until the last 15 minutes (though I had another 45 minutes) that I chanced going down towards the refuge and added another three F1’s before the all out. Should have kept a closer eye on the time.

The Silvers was won by Dave Haines (
What glorious weather for a pint in the pub garden – now what happens in a pub garden stays in a pub garden – however, did you know Cliff spends a lot of time in Keynsham pubs. I know Geoff Grant would make a plump Rat but you won’t see one climb a drain pipe quicker.

Result:

1. Mike Nicholls 56-0-0 peg 19
2. Dave Haines 41-05-0 peg 29
3. Paul Barnfield 38-10-0 peg 1
4. Pete Greenslade 38-03-0 peg 24
5. Harry Muir 36-08-0 peg 7
5. Rob Baker 36-08-0 peg 21
Silvers:
1. Dave Haines 29-04-0 peg 29
2. Hughie Evans 17-04-0 peg 4
3. Dave Gillard 14-06-0 peg 31
4. Kev Winston 14-0-0 peg 30
Weigh Sheet:
written by
Mike Nicholls
Newbridge River Avon Bathampton Angling Association

Riverfest Qualifier Newbridge results and write up

Posted on by shanelovell

SUNDAY, 26 JULY 2020

Riverfest Qualifier Bristol Avon Newbridge

Annual attempt to qualify for the Riverfest final, which this year is on the River Trent. The pools were paid directly to the Angling Trust, and Kev Dicks was the local organiser who had booked the Riverside pub at Saltford. The organisation was good, a bacon roll and cup of tea (after booking in with the pub) and then all stayed outdoors. Kev drew the pegs for everyone (bar himself and the two other helpers) and it was done in alphabetical order. I got given peg 46, which turned out to be permanent 104 , this is a peg in C zone which is in the trees and just to the right of the arch. It certainly isn’t a great peg or area, and rarely frames so it was a tough draw, I expected the end pegs to do well and maybe also the stream on peg 90.

The rain the day before had given the river a nice bit of colour and flow, and I thought this might encourage the skimmers / bream to feed, and so the section could be better than normal and I thought 20lb would be needed.
I was positive in my set up today, a 3g pole float with 18 N20 t0 0.11, and a 4g flat float with 16 N30 to 0.13. Only other thing was a feeder rod for groundbait feeder with 14 to 0.15.
The match started at 12:30, yes you read that right, the reason for the late start is it allows all of the rowers to clear off, and to be fair we didn’t see many if any after the start. I put some bait in on the feeder line with a big feeder, and then put 14 balls on the pole line which contained casters and hemp to start. I went straight in on the pole with a caster, but as ever I couldn’t get a bite on it, swapped to maggot and started to get bites, the fish though were small and all swingers, little roach, chublets, and poxy bleak. I kind of already knew I was struggling after an hour and I put some more balls in with worms and more casters. I started to catch a few better fish, but these were perch of 2oz to 3oz so not what you really want. Soon I had Dave Haines sat behind me watching, and we had a good chat as I struggled on, though I did get a chublet about 10oz on the pole while Dave was behind me. He said my neighbours Steve Vernon and Mark Brush were both struggling too. More info came up from Jerry Pocock, he said the anglers down at the end were all catching well on the pole and had 8lb+ at least.
I gave the feeder a go, but this was mainly a waste of time with just odd chublet taps. so I piled some more worm and caster in on this and came back in on the pole. I had a small hybrid of 6oz first drop and then a couple more chublets before the bites stopped again, more top ups on this line and back on the feeder. Whilst on the tip I saw a huge pike come out of the water, Dave didn’t see it but saw the huge boil on the water it left behind. Dave went off to watch someone catching better than me, and not long after he had gone the rod was nearly dragged in! I grabbed it and thought this must be a chub, but soon realised it was a pike. Whether it was the monster I had seen I do not know, but this was big and as they don’t count I pulled hard, then everything went slack, but the pike hadn’t broke me. It had actually bit right through the fish, never had the before, and here’s a picture of what I swung out lol, just the head with one eye missing.
Back in on the pole trying my best to catch better fish, but they weren’t there, in fact reports were the river was fishing poor for bream and the bottom of my zone was the best place. I did have a good run of roach on the pole for an hour, they just turned up and were quite easy to catch, but not great in size. I then had a tangle on the rig, but got on with it and carried on catching until a jack pike struck and that was enough of that. Sat it out on the feeder till the end of the match hoping for a few pull rounds but it was not to be.
I decided to weigh in to see what I had, and the scales gave me 6lb 8oz, nowhere near enough but at least some roach seem to be showing now, and there are lots of chublets about. Steve DNW, and Mark Brush had 5lb 4oz, so not great but we all tried hard to catch elusive skimmers and bream. Though below Mark, Geraint Powell caught 2 skimmers and 2 chub in the last 40 minutes to add 7lb to his weight for a decent 11lb which would win him the ten peg section.
My zone was won by Paul Purchase who was 4 off the end peg, he had 20lb 8oz all on the pole, roach, chublets, and a few small skimmers, he also won the match with that weight, well done Paul. My zone below and you can see the weights were good at the bottom.
The other two anglers going through to the final were Rueben Guerra who was on end peg 1 and had 2 bream, chublets and roach on the pole for 16lb and won zone A (and came 2nd overall), and Kev Dicks who had 2 late bream on the feeder to go with some chublets and won B zone with 12lb. This was quite a shock as everyone expected this zone to be the best with bream showing, but they simply did not feed and most weights were poor. Anyway, well done to those three and I wish you all the best in the final.
at 22:05

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

Night Fish at The Dave Crookes Fishery at Hunstrete

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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

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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

Results from the match

Posted on by shanelovell

Over 55 and disabled match
Thursday 18/06/2020 – Bathampton AA – Hunstrete – Over 55’s and Short Walks – Bridge Pool
I was certainty glad I had a policy change last year, re use of umbrella’s whilst fishing! It rained all daylight hours today – relentless, persistent, and heavy. I felt for Ray Bazeley today his first day out since lock down and with no umbrella and leaking waterproofs got soaked through. But credit to him he sat it out and weighed in – some didn’t – fair play.

Arrived at the fishery early which seems to be the thing to do with rolling draws. I was told all 34 pegs was in as the organiser didn’t have a clue on how many would turn up and with a rolling draw to prevent “Gatherings” wouldn’t be able to count the attendees and select the best pegs for the number.

I missed the usual pre-draw chats with the lads today, but at lest we are back fishing these matches.

I was hoping for a any peg from 17 through to 27 (but not 23). I was allocated peg 3. Reasonably happy with this as it has plenty of Silver form. However, the bonus was I could park behind my peg so was able to leave some kit in the dry. So with little to no wind I was able to erect the Drennan umbrella up high so I was able stand up under it.

So with all the gear in the dry I set up a long and short Ronnie rigs – the long one didn’t get used, a 4×16 to fish for Skimmers at top-set plus two barrels and a 0.3 paste float to fish the RH margin.

After an hours wait for the all in at 10 o’clock I started by feeding the Skimmer line with wetted micro and started on a 4 mm expander and was soon getting indications and had a 1 lb Skimmer. Next put in I foul hooked a Carp, it went quiet so re-fed this time with GB laced with micro and had a run of Skimmers before I hooked and landed a 3 lb Carp. The line faded, so had a go on the short Ronnie rig with single LR over loose feeding the same and had a run of Ronnie’s and micro Perch and hooked and landed another 3 lb Carp followed by an F1. As it looked like the Carp were going to feed made the decision to drop the Silvers and switch to margin paste. I potted some hard 4’s and feed a few over the top primarily to draw the Carp’s attention to the feed. The upshot was I landed seven decent Carp with one I must mention out of respect was a near 20 lb Common Carp which I played for at least 15 minutes – it nearly beat me into submission, a beautiful fish and worth coming just to catch it.

My Silvers weighed 12 lb 4 oz and my Carp 62 lb 6 oz for a total of 74 lb 10 oz which got me second in the match. However, with only 19 lb winning the Silvers and with four hours left of the match when I switched to the Carp I think if I stuck with Silvers I could have got very close to this weight if not more. The peg is certainly capable of winning the Silvers today.

The match was won by Junior (pictured right with the Silvers winner – Christmas coming) with 90 lb from peg 24. Gary caught a few F1’s on the method, catching most of his weight comprising small Carp on the pole tucked in close to the end on the island with banded pellet, catching regularly throughout the match.

The Silvers was won by Hughie Evans with 19 lb 12 oz from peg 14. As the weigh sheets tells Hughie made no mistake having two good empty pegs to his left and five empty pegs to his right! Sods law when 34 pegs are in the draw and only 22 fishing. Hughie caught on worm over GB laced with caster and chopped worm.

I thoroughly enjoyed it today, but a visit to the pub after would have been the icing on the cake, even it meant sitting outside in the rain – perhaps next match

Result:

1. Gary Bowden 90-0-0 peg 24
2. Mike Nicholls 74-10-0 peg 31
3. Harry Muir 64-01-0 peg 8

Silvers:

1. Hughie Evans 19-12-0 peg 14
2. Rod Dufferty 18-08-0 peg 25
3. Ken Morgan 16-0-0 peg 32
3. Pete Turner 16-0-0 peg 28

Write up from
Mike Nicholls