WESTON POOLS CLAYPIT, 28/7/13 ~ Yozz makes good use of alleged flyer

This was a first for the club, and very much a venture into the unknown. The claypit is a bowl-shaped pool which was an old quarry. Gin clear water has been dyed blue, and depths go to a reported 40 feet. Weston regulars informed us that it had an original carp stock, with some decent fish, and a good head of silvers. These  had been enhanced with large numbers of small stockies and F1s.
The Gnome drew a supposed flyer and found 4 feet at 6 metres. Fishing corn, he was into small carp and F1s from the off, with an occasional 3lb one. In the latter stages, he found some bigger lumps down the edge on corn, and finished with a very respectable 98lb 08oz. Not without his usual incompetency though. With water levels down, it was nearly 3 feet from platform to water, and whilst lifting his carp filled landing net, the 2 piece handle came apart with the net and carp going back in the water and yozz left holding the end of the handle. Steve was on the next peg, and quickly reached into his bag for the newly-acquired wet suit, but it was not needed as the offending net was rescued with the minimum of fuss.
Second place went to Colin Cook, who quietly and efficiently put together a fine net of mixed size carp on margin fished pellet for an excellent 67lb. Well done Col.
Agonisingly close was Derek Warren. Information was that an old railway line ran across the lake bed. After catching a dozen early fish, Degsy hooked a couple of better carp, which went 'steaming off' across the lake. Onto the pole with caster and he was soon catching again, this time including some nice skimmers and a couple of barbel. The scales registered 66lb 08oz, so only third, but another tidy effort from Derek.
The final envelope, in the hardest section, went to The Maestro, who caught a few lumps by fishing meat and corn over groundbait in the margins. 36lb was enough to give Pete Lucas another pick-up, so nice one Pete.
The pole that Lee is selling now has one slightly shorter top-kit, as a loud gunshot sound in midmatch was actually the top section braking. Oops!
Really good fishing at Weston, but sadly, due to a number of booking issues, and extortionate prices, it looks like further visits are unlikely.

YEW TREE, 14/7/13 ~ Derek worms his way into first place.

Heatwave conditions meant a difficult day was likely at Yew Tree. There were carp galore to be seen cruising the surface, but very few were interested in feeding. Eight members chanced their arm, so there were two sections of four.
It was pretty obvious from an early stage that the field was splitting into 2 camps. Those with worm n caster were catching well, whilst those using pellet, etc., were struggling.
Derek Warren seems to fish the wriggler wherever he goes, so he was one of the lucky ones. Fishing a top kit in both margins, the Moreton Marauder caught all day, with a mix of silvers, including some nice ide, going into one keepnet, while two specimen tench and a couple of large carp made their way into another. At the end, Degs had totalled 49lb 12oz (No! not 50) to deservedly take the spoils. Well Done.

Yippee Degsy, we're gettin a mention on the blog!!!

Neil Paterson also fished worm n caster, after wasting an hour on the 'splash waggler' chasing the elusive carp. That lost time possibly cost him as he brought a net of quality ide to the scales, which weighed 36lb 10oz. Cracking net of fish, but not enough for the Jolly Green Giant, who had to be content with second place.

In third spot, again using the magic worm, was Andy Lawton. Andy also had a good bag of mixed silvers, enhanced by a barbel nearing the 5lb mark. He ended up with about 25lb, so again, a big well done.

Typical for the venue, that was the good bit finished, as three DNWs, and nets of 5 and 10lb completed the field.