MARTIN HALL, 31st August 2014 ~ Silver-bashing gnome triumphs again

Sadly our first visit to Martin Hall will probably be our last. On a lovely sunny day, the fish shut up shop, and although there were some cracking carp both caught and lost, the level of sport was not up to scratch.
The match still created loads of pre-match banter, with Dirk Wriggler bearing the brunt of it. The pressure was well and truly cranked up as Dirk was looking for a section win at worst in order to progress through the challenge. Sumo Edwards was in a similar predicament, but he was largely overlooked despite drawing another end peg flier.
By the end of a gruelling contest, Dirk had shrugged off the pressure, and the section opposition, to go into the next round. His 17lb total was sufficient to ensure his progress by a narrow margin.
Meanwhile, John Edwards was losing both fish and rigs at an alarming rate. He was also ruining Cargy's chances of upsetting the Wriggler by skylining the peg on his frequent visits to the far bank to retrieve snagged rigs. Despite all this, Sumo returned a decent 28lb, good enough for third place on the day. It wasn't enough to win his section though! Bye Bye John.
The venue was a typical snake lake, and most attacked it with a typical approach. Straight over to the far bank looking for carp. With the carp obviously not playing ball, most still chose to stubbornly sat it out. The Garden Gnome, however, adopted his usual tactics and went for everything that swims at short range. Nearly 20lb of assorted skimmers were supplemented by 4 carp and gave Yozzer victory with 38lb.
Despite cracking jokes all day, Gary Brislen still found time to nab 9 or 10 good carp and managed an excellent runners-up slot with a weight of 36lb. Well done to Gary.
Even after drawing in the worst section, The Jolly Green Giant indeed proved to be Jolly for a change as he won that section with a meagre return of 12lb 09oz. Smiles all round then and congrats to Neil Paterson M.B.C (member of B'head Centre), Properous Champion ,etc.
Other honourable weights for Cookie monster with 25lb 15oz, pipping Jambo, who had 25lb 14oz.
N.B. An addition to the match diary. Sunday 28th Sept, there is now a match on Lower Ridge, Saughall. It's on the new lake, not our regular one.

LINGMERE, Ben Pickup Memorial, 24/8/14 ~ Gnome denies fairytale ending for Lee

Another great turnout in memory of Ben Pickup and the reward was a sunny, warm and flat calm Lingmere. Everyone had a day's sport and banter was in abundance. The return of Pete Clueless certainly helps as he is the main target for abuse. Strange really, but all great comedians need a stooge and Pete is the perfect foil.
Once again, Yozzer's venue experience came to the fore. Despite the threat of a next peg battering by Dennis, who was coached at his peg all match, the Gnome held his nerve and put 89lb 03oz of F1s, big skimmers, barbel and carp on the scales. It proved to be more than enough to retain the trophy.
A win for Ben's dad Lee Pickup would have provided a perfect ending to the day but, alas, Lee fell short, although his 68lb 08oz was still a great effort. He also put a dent in Dirk's section winners challenge.
Dirk Wriggler again produced a polished performance at Lingmere, but agonisingly for him 64lb was not enough for qualification this time. It was however, sufficient to merit a third place finish, so well done to Lord Leasowe.
The Lord's butler, Andy Lawton gained an excellent section win with his silvers-based catch of 31lb 12oz. He too put the brakes on challenge progress. John Edwards psyche suggested another early bath, but as he was drawn at the far end of the lake, the walk of shame wasn't an option, as he would have disturbed the whole field.
The plan was to sit it out and try for (a) 20lb, and (b) a section win. Plan A worked when Sumo managed 25lb, But the pressure is well and truly on now as only a section win next week will be good enough.
The other sections were won by the ever reliable Ian Simpson, with an honourable 57lb 11oz, Cookie Monster with 39lb 12oz, and Chairman Lynch with 62lb 04oz. Well done to all these members.
Not content to chair club meetings however, Spadger decided to 'run' this match too, calling all-in, much to the amazement of Jamie, who hadn't even filled his pole pot, and then all-out when Jamie was expecting another 2 minutes! He was even cheeky enough to supplement the all-out with a cry of 'fish on' too.

MARTIN HALL FISHERY.

Took a trip to Martin Hall in view of our match in the near future. It's 30 miles, going towards Lathoms, Burscough then carrying on along the A59. Postcode is PR4 4TE.
Started on 4mm XP with micros. Loads of small skimmers and roach. Will be seen as a nuisance by most. Had no 6mm but a change to meat and corn brought better fish. Skimmers from 4oz to 1.5lb, cross bred crucians to 1lb, and some nice roach. Ended with a mixed bag of these for about 15lb. Also had a 3lb tench, of which there are apparently loads. Had 14 carp for about 60lb on meat. The biggest was 12lb. Tried paste but it didn't work on the day. Only fished topkit and 6m, as I usually do. It's about 14m across, where you should get more carp. Max depth is similar to Lingy. Club Match over the weekend was won with 79lb, all carp.
That's all I know, but it's better than nowt, good luck.

LLOYDS, BADGER, 3/8/14 ~Yozz hits 'em for six

15 on a pleasant day at Lloyds. Plenty of pre-match banter regarding the club record weight, with everyone looking to a good day's sport. However, a lot of the preferred pegs did not produce what was anticipated.
Neil Paterson won the first section down from the car park with a mediocre 37lb. A huge improvement on recent outings for the jolly one though, and he even managed a couple of his beloved sniggs on chopped worm n caster. Pato, Pato give us a smile, well done Neil.
The usual bullshine from a few suggested it had been a bit of a struggle and yet Jamie Pickup still put a creditable 52lb 14oz in the weigh-sling, including a good number of carp. A section win was the reward, although not the honour of top Pickup. That went to dad Kenny, who caught carp from the margins straight from the off, and earned the bronze medal with an excellent 53lb 08oz. Nice one KP.
Second place went to Gary Brislen, who used his trademark paste approach to weigh 56lb 02oz. A very good performance from 'laughin boy' although his plight was helped when Paul Robb, on the neighbouring peg, packed up early having left his mirror at home.
The Garden Gnome secured his sixth match win of the current campaign, making good use of a decent peg. Meat down the middle brought some early carp and proper skimmers. Then followed an hour of ide bashing on maggot shallow, before a final flurry of margin caught carp. His total at the end went 93lb 02oz, for a comfortable victory. With your best 6 results counting towards club angler of the year qualification, Yozz would appear to be in  a strong position.
Back on the scene now work will allow, The Maestro, aka Pete Clueless, showed he still has what it takes, with a section winning 44lb 02oz. Not as good as it might sound though cos Pete reckons if he'd landed everything, the club record would be 200lb. Keep feeding 5kg of groundbait, that's what I say.
The club clown award went to Steve Cookie monster. A sudden gust of wind caught his brolly, which in turn bent the brolly arm attachment. This caused a spoke to come free and pierce his 13m pole section. Playing a 6lb carp at the time, he lunged to save the brolly, etc. and the pole went straight. His topkit came off the end of the pole and went into the lake. Luckily it appeared that the carp had come off. Asking Pato to try a rescue operation, the Big Man somehow managed to get hold of the errant section. Suddenly the elastic streamed from the pole again. It seems the carp was only resting. Cookie had the cheek to rejoin the topkit to the pole and play the fish back into his own peg. Amazing!