Dave Crookes
Memorial Match
Bridge Pool
Saturday 10th October
9 am draw £20 entry fee
fishing 5 or 6 hour match depending on weather
to book in phone Aaron Britnall 07414210036
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Thursday 10/09/20 – Bathampton AA – Over 55’s and Short Walks
Friday, 11 September 2020
Thursday 10/09/2020 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks
Had my usual walk around the Pool, joined by Kev Winstone. It was clear to me it was going to fish hard, especially the far end pegs 30 to 34 and 1 to 5 absolutely no signs of fish. Unfortunately, my predictions were to proved true.
Hoping to avoid the pegs mentioned above, but NO, Dave Gillard pulled me peg 33. Not happy with this one, but happy to be out fishing. Another downside to these pegs you are in the shade all day and today I would be sitting opposite anglers with tea shirts and I would be in my fleece still feeling chilly. I think the fishing Gods are averaging out my catches.
I set up the usual - Paste float for the margin and one for top-set plus one out in front, Ronnie rig and a 4x16 to fish top-set plus three barrels. As it would be a question of scratching around for fish I thought about setting up a waggler, but foolishly couldn't be bothered. A lot more rigs that usual and expected to use them all.
So started on the long paste float hoping to catch a couple of decent Skimmers, but ended up catching small ones to 6 oz with very small pieces if paste. I did have one a pound. Then switched to the long lone line with the 4x16 with a 4 mm expander over micro and had a couple of Ronnie's so switched the line to chopped worm and caster before starting on the Ronnie rig with caster. This proved more productive catching a 2 lb Skimmer, some decent Ronnie's and Perch. I did pull put out a decent Perch I estimated to be near 2 lb fiddling trying to find my landing net. The line died indicating some bigger fish present to dropped the paste in and had four F1's before the line completely died. So last hope was the worm line which was poor, accounting for some small Perch and one Roach/Bream Hybrid of about 1 1/2 lb. About halfway through I went for a walk to warm up as much as anything. The Pool was fishing really hard. Went back and spent nearly three hours staring at the float hoping to catch fish that weren't in the peg. This is the point of the match where the waggler would have come into play! I had noticed a Carp swimming around on the surface for some time. However, last effort I shallowed up the Ronnie rig and added another section and with single caster on the hook feeding 6 casters a time hoping to catch some more better Ronnie's. I had a definite liner from a decent fish, so switched to paste and first dob in caught and landed a 10 lb Carp. Whilst playing it I notice another swirl over the caster feed, so couldn't waiting to get the paste back in and hey presto another positive bite, so I thought, anyway I missed it right on the whistle - bugger.
My Silvers weighed 11 lb 9 oz for one out of a Silvers pick up by default and my Carp net weighed 15 lb 12 oz for a total of 27 lb 5 oz for again just two out of an overall pick up. Fine margins one more Carp or one more Ronnie, either would have done for me.The match was won by Tony Rixon (pictured right with the Silvers winner) with 106 lb 4 oz from peg 11. Tony fished 17. 5 metres to the island using hard banded pellet over loose fed pellet - see his blog for further details. Well done matey definitely have a weight advantage over the majority of the anglers. Well done matey.
The Silvers was won by Kev Winstone with 23 lb 3 oz from peg 16. Kev caught short up and down in the water using caster over caster. His catch consisted mainly of small Pech and Roach.One thing anglers are noticing at the moment is that it's very difficult catching fish on the bottom. I wonder if it's anything to do with all the Siltex that has been put in this Pool?
Back to HQ (pictured) with the usual suspects.
Result:
1, Tony Rixon 106-04-0 peg 11
2. Paul Barnfield 39-12-0 peg 24
3. Hughie Evans 38-12-0 peg 28
4. Chris Ollis 31-05-0 peg 14
5. Mark Tanner 29-15-0 peg 18
6. Mike Nicholls 27-05-0 peg 32
Silvers:
1. Kevin Winstone 23-03-0 peg 16
2. Paul Barnfield 22-04-0 peg 14
3. Pete Greenslade 14-04-0 peg 15
4. Gary Bowden 14-0-0 peg 1
Weigh Sheets:
Thursday 13/08/2020 – Bathampton AA – Over 55’s and Short Walks
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.
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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
9/8/20 super league Match newbridge
There is a super league match at Newbridge 9/8/20 if there is people already fishing then they should peg around you. Sorry this is short notice but we have been misinformed.
Thursday 30/07/2020 Over 55’s and short walks match results and write up
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
Riverfest Qualifier Newbridge results and write up
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.
Saturday 18th July 2020 newbridge match results
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.
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