CONWY, 15/1/12 ~ Pato shows the field a clean pair of...buttocks!

Rumours and recent results from Wirral matches at Conwy suggested that the once prolific roach sport was a distant memory. Once again the roach failed to show in any numbers, and following a couple of hard frosts, it was tough going on the carp front too.
Bright sunshine bathed the right-hand bank, and such was the temperature on that side that the banter started with regard to sun cream and removal of shirts, etc., while those on the other bank sat dithering in the icy shadows. Neil 'the legend' spookily showed everyone his lily-white buttocks before the all in, and it proved to be an omen.
Pato plodded through a few miniscule roach for the first half of the match before deciding to sit it out on pellet at 16metres. He was rewarded with three small carp, then found a better sample seconds before the whistle. Weighing 20lb 14oz, he'd shown the field a clean pair of heels. Well done Neil.
That last fish was a crushing blow to Jamie Pickup who was the only one to find a proper bag of roach. Fishing worm at 12metres, Jambo had a solitary goldfish in an otherwise roach net and put 20lb 08oz on the scales. Another consistent effort from JBay, nice one son.
Yozzer half heartedly gave the roach fishing an hour, and with next to nothing to show for it, he decided to carp fish at 12metres. Banded pellet produced four carp and a goldfish, along with a handful of roach and he sneaked third place with 16lb 08oz.
Whether it was anorexic fish, or just girlie elastic, Dave Norman had caught what seemed to be quality skimmers all through the match on his mackerel rig. So much so that everyone had him down as a comfortable winner. The scales proved otherwise and 16lb 02oz wasn't quite enough for the frame.
Such is the history at Conwy that this match goes down as a disappointment even though everyone had plenty of bites and a decent winter weight. Sometimes I think we expect too much.