BLUNDELLS, East Lodge, 23/3/14 ~ Lee dishes out a double dose.

The club's first visit to Blundells will probably get mixed reviews. What looks like a fairly even venue was marred on the day by early morning hail and snow flurries, and then by strong winds during the match. Half the field felt comfortable fishing at 14metres and beyond, while the other half found it impossible to venture beyond 8 metres.
What would be the odds that Lee Pickup didn't mention 'cesspit' for 2 consecutive weeks ? Well, he didn't, and made full use of a draw that enabled him to fish long pole. An impressive net of quality F1s ensured a comfortable victory with 28lb. Winning two matches back to back is a great achievement, so well done to Lee...what do you mean roll on Jacobs?
Long odds would also be available that Dirk Wriggler didn't mention Jamie Hughes. Well you wouldn't believe it, he was only mentioned about 73 times on Sunday, till Jbay told him to shut up!
Dirk continued his amazing run of form. Fishing the tip on the only flat peg on the lake seems a waste, but it brought a couple of proper carp. A late run of margin caught F1s gave a final tally of 21lb 02oz . Enough for another well deserved silver medal.
Entertainments Manager Gary Brislen completed the podium. A lovely net of silvers, including some big ide and skimmers, tipped the scales at 19lb 08oz. A good effort from Gary.
Another to defy the odds was the Jolly Green Giant. Amazingly, Neil moaned about his peg even before getting his tackle out of the car!!! I couldn't believe it, not like Pato at all. He sat with a face like a slapped aris for an hour before he started catching. Like his travelling companion, a cracking net of silvers totalling 10lb 10oz came to the scales. Enough to qualify for the next round of the section winners challenge. Super stuff from Neil, he could try giving pegs a chance in future instead of bleating like a baby all the time!
Steve Coleman's mojo is still working very well. Another section win, this time with 14lb 12oz seem to indicate that he's turned the corner now, so keep up the new outlook Steve, it's great to see.
Final section winner was Dennis the Menace Jones. With the worst of conditions limiting him to about 6metres, Den plodded through, putting the occasional fish in the net, including one of several good bream caught on the day, and ended with a very creditable 16lb. A typical 'winter league' effort. Spot on Dennis, well done.

LINGMERE, 9/3/14 ~ At last, no cesspit for Lee

Couldn't attend this one so results only.
Same section produced the first three:
Lee Pickup 33lb 04oz, Paul Cargill 31lb 10oz, Dirk Wriggler 28lb 08oz. Section wins for Dennis Jones 25lb 12oz, Steve Coleman 18lb 06oz, Gary Brislen 26lb 12oz, and Jamie Pickup 24lb 08oz.
Well done to all concerned.

HAMPTON SPRINGS, ROCK, 2/3/14 ~ Steve finds mojo...and a few lumps

This was slightly different to the usual Hampton fishing. Following extensive work over the winter, and an addition to the fish stocks, a variation to the normal approach was needed.
Steve Coleman has been struggling of late, even contemplating giving fishing a wide berth for a while, but a couple of positive pleasure sessions on Rock meant he was actually looking forward to this match.
What a difference a bit of confidence can make. Fishing pellet at 10metres, Steve caught steadily from the off, mainly 4oz mirrors and 6oz F1s, and in the latter stages, managed to find a few better lumps to about 8lb. His final tally was an impressive 44lb, resulting in a comfortable win.
A fantastic outcome for one of the good guys, well done Steve, now keep your head up. I think we've all been there, totally disillusioned, and it's not nice. This proves you can get through it.
A rare showing by Norman Smith, but another excellent effort on the day. Norm caught only the newly stocked pasties, probably about 100 of them, for a level 27lb and the silver medal. Never happy, he moaned that he couldn't fish beyond 6metres in the wind. Funny that, (1) normally he can't fish, period..and (2) why would you want to if you're getting one a bung?
Last spot in the frame went to Yozzer. No real tactic changes here, just the usual tiddler-bashing. The new stockies were supplemented by loads of razorblade skimmers and 2 decent ones for a total of 20lb 04oz.
Dirk Wriggler was struggling until Pato, on the adjacent peg, told him where to fish. Taking the advice on board, he went on to land 4 or 5 decent carp and ended with 18lb 02oz for a section win, much to the disgust of Sumo, who had been in line for the section prior to this. I think Neil should be congratulated. Part of the constitution is to 'foster good relations' between members.
The final section prize went to Col Cook with another small fish net of 16lb 12oz. Well done Col.
With only a few better fish being caught, I think the new stock helped to give most a reasonable day's sport, otherwise it might have been a real grueller.