The 8^th match was at a surprisingly mirror calm Holmes Farm however as duly forecasted the weather deteriorated dramatically through the day. Only “Storming” Norman on peg 1 had to put the Ambre Solaire down about 2pm when the trees behind actually let a light breeze and 2-3 bits of drizzle fell onto his hands.

The day started off with a brekkie organised by Catmeat Causer which ran behind schedule as it takes a while to polish off an all you can eat breakfast. Alf Norgrove saw it as a challenge though and I thought I was witnessing man v food…….
Next we arrived at the fishery – well most of us did however two other anglers were sat 15 miles away at another draw wondering where everyone else was? Despite the Chimps talking about the Holmes Farm less than 24 hours earlier so we hastily organised a tunnel and they were promptly slow clapped into the new venue.

You said where? It started with a “H” Worms!

Note: Worms is on Encyclopedia 7, Volume 5 page 1013, paragraph 9 of excuses as to why modern technology and his Sat Nav is broken and ALWAYS sends him the wrong way.

The draw was done and Hamper John drew peg 7 one away from where he came 2^nd last time but word had travelled vast re “Anaconda Bag” Hodson and a toilet block had been built behind him!

It’s times like this when it gives me great pleasure writing these match reports. J

Whilst I have been in the club Gavin Young has never won a match but he always has a smile on his face enjoys his fishing and takes it for the day out with friends that it is.

Well today was Gavin’s day on peg 23 he had an excellent days fishing and duly battered/mullered me off next peg chucking his feeder up against the island for 30 odd carp including a few decent uns to slam the needle round to 92lb 5ozs.

It was apt as the 8^th club match is the Jubilee cup which I had retained for last 4 years so was one I was really after again this year, but I had no answers and it couldn’t go to a better sideboard especially as it ain’t going on Denny the Chimps or Saddle Sore Sadlers hehehehehe 😉

Well done Gavin a great weight in conditions + a memorable days fishing I’m really pleased for you!

In 2^nd place and going like bees wings on feeder and pellet to Island from the start was “Hamper” John who caught a raft of smaller carp to catch 83lb – 13 from peg 7. John is becoming very difficult to keep out the frame of late and was just edged out.

In 3^rd place yesterday was none other than “Worms” Ivison from peg 4 again on the tip but into open water with some good fish for 65lb-14ozs. Rumour has it he was helped with 2 edge fish from Holly Farm  peg 9 where he was at 7.30am on the day 😉

I managed 4^th from peg 22 but had all the toys out with 4 carp on tip mainly bomb , 1 x carp on Pellet Waggler, , 4 on the pole at 8mtrs and 5-6 fish out the margins late on for 60lb-9ozs. I tried up against the island first hour on pellet feeder and my tip just wouldn’t budge… (whilst Gav was catching well)

The sections were awarded as follows:-

1^st section pegs 1-12 was won by Mick “No Barrow” on peg 8 (5^th in match) with 49lb 15ozs who just edged out “HMP” Holloway by just 6ozs. This could have been the weight of his glasses and pelletshe loosefed in his keepnet J

The 2^nd section pegs 14-26 was won by “Poncey” Paul from with 47lb 6ozs beating nearest challenger “Alf Norgrove” with 39lb odd.

For those that didn’t get paid out Paul will sort it out at the next match before draw J

Overall it fished pretty well in the conditions but I struggle to understand how no ripple on the water!  yet later on the rain was hammering down and at 45 degrees straight into our fizz in the 20s? Surely the two go hand in hand it rains straight down, or if its at an acute angle there MUST be ripple on the water? (the laws of Physics are weird)

My Match

I fished ok I suppose although I felt I could definitely have grabbed 3^rd if I’d made earlier choices a bit different on the day, but its easy after and hindsight is a wonderful thing.

The fish were cute and they were there but more awkward to catch and ripple or wind I feel would have made it easier to amass a weight of fish on the pole.

Overall I am currently struggling to make the tip work on many waters, and as most anglers know confidence is a massive part as I used to expect the tip to go round if carp were in the area.  I also felt I could draw fish off other anglers, but now it’s a case of I need to put a bit of practice in again, put some decent nets of feeder caught fish in the net and confidence will be resumed.

The good news was my nemesis Denny “The Chimp” and more latterly “Saddle Sore” Sadler who I have the customary weekly GRUDGE match quid who BOTH got beat and coughed up, and this means FAR FAR more to me than any trophy or club end result. J

Cheers lads……… 😉

At the end we decided to go to the pub for a few sherberts and a natter and a convoy was duly organised by someone so here is how it should look…..

How it did look…..   when lead car is Roy going home not to the proposed pub LOL

So imagine my surprise when I walk into the pub and find “Worms” Ivison sat there with half a pint gone? and we know what he’s like with directions if he was a Viking – he’d have invaded Australia by accident instead of Europe as that’s wot his Sat Nav said hehehehehe

Next match bring your crash hats as Gaz “The Spod” is Back and its Fisherwick so your ALL within range.

This date has been proposed as the date for our annual get together and is likely to be Boldemere way, and will involve a load of beers and a curry etc. Alan “SaddleSore” is organising this.

Myself and my Dad and Pete are looking to attend + Denny The “Shandee drinking” Woofter if he aint away skipping with the Mrs. 😉

TBF