GORSTY HALL, 28/6/15 ~ Waggler joy for Jamie

Despite the odd heavy shower, conditions seemed perfect for Gorsty to show it's true potential. Bright but overcast with a nice ripple on the water, a decent day's sport on the method of your choice looked on the cards.
However, looks can be deceiving. With no sign of the prolific skimmers and crucians of previous years, the pole was a complete waste of time. It turned into an out and out carp match, with method feeder or pellet waggler to the lilies being the main options.
Jamie Pickup used both these approaches and ended up the runaway winner. His brilliant display put 65lb 03oz on the scales.
The only one to buck the trend and catch on the pole was Gary Brislen. His success came with some decent carp on sloppy paste fished to the bush. A decent return of 37lb 02oz seemed impressive enough, but typical of laughin boy, all he did was moan about how bad it was! Eight other members failed to weigh in, and their combined moans didn't add up to those of the runner up. The age old question pops up again...... what the F**k do you want from a day's fishing?
Lee Pickup used the waggler to good effect and managed to get 31lb 12oz away from the lilies and into his net. An honourable third for Lee, but his winnings wouldn't cover the cost of 3 lost floats, countless hooks and a couple of gallon of pellets. Seriously, well done but get some proper line for next time.
Nick Harrop bluffed his way to a section win. Dirk and Andy had 4 carp apiece, and when Harrop was asked what he had, he told them he'd had 8, so the Leasowe gentry tipped back. It seems 3 of those were roach, and another was a razor-blade skimmer, along with 4 carp to total 16lb 05oz. Kidology at it's finest, so nice one Nick.
On a rare outing, Col Cook once again showed us the talent we're missing as he won the other section with 23lb 10oz.
Not the best day's fishing we've ever had, but some great banter as usual, so enjoyable nonetheless.

LINGMERE, 21/6/15 ~ The Gnome gives the 'mong rig' a pasting

I'm on my travels again so just the result from Lingmere. It fished really well overall.
1st The Gnome 108lb 09oz on paste at 5m
2nd Dirk Wriggler 90lb 13oz on 'the mong' and feeder
3rd Andy Lawton 83lb 03oz
Section win : Dave Lynch 57lb 09oz
Other noteable weights from Ken Stuart with 70lb, and Buck Rogers with 65lb 01oz.
Full report to follow........

BLUNDELLS ASH, 14/6/15 ~ Blundells brace puts Dirk in Garbo driving seat.

Having been on holiday, I only have the briefest of details for the first Blundells match, held on East pool. Apparently it fished really well, with everyone having a decent day's sport. The result was as follows: 1st Derek Warren with 71lb, 2nd Johnny Rogers with 66lb and 3rd was Les Thompson with 61lb. An excellent result for all concerned, well done.
The next match was on the Ash pool, and given the width of the lake, it looked like the feeder would dominate. The big ide, for which the lake is noted, failed to show. However, maggot fished shallow on the long pole still proved to be the best tactic, as the lake's carp population took a liking to this approach, rather than the far bank feeder.
Dirk once again showed the way home, and made it a brace of wins with another masterly display to the tune of 67lb 08oz, all carp caught on banded maggot. Those back to back victories mean The Wriggler has 6 counting scores on the Garbolino leader board at the half way stage. His record currently stands at 2 wins, 3 seconds and a third.
Dave Lynch had started well next to the winner, first on the tip with meat, and then again fishing shallow with maggot. He couldn't sustain the effort and had to settle for the silver medal with a very tidy 45lb 12oz.
John Rogers can bluff with the best and told everyone he was way off the pace. 44lb 08oz of mixed fish caught on maggot revealed the truth.
Gary Brislen made his end peg count as he won another section prize, this time with a steady 28lb 08oz of carp and decent skimmers.
Well done to all who contributed to 2 good match, and congratulations to the framers.