LLOYDS, BADGER, 25/1/15 ~ Third time lucky for Chris Roe

Sadly the BBC couldn't tell us the weather if they looked out of the window. Predictions of a mild weekend were wide of the mark as ice-breaking was high on the agenda when we arrived at Lloyds.
Sport, however, was predictable, with half the field on a bucketful of fish, with foul hookers and lost fish commonplace, whilst others sat biteless wondering if there was anything in front of them.
Making the most of a decent draw, and improving on some already impressive performances was Chris Roe. He fished maggot at 16metres all day and despite some losses, put a solid 54lb 03oz on the scales to record that elusive first victory. I told you in last week's report that it wouldn't be long in coming..... maybe I should become a weather forecaster. Anyway, congratulations to Chris on another fine effort.
After falling behind in the early stages, Gary Brislen came with a rare rattle in the second half of the match. Such was his catch rate that he nearly pulled off the great escape. Ultimately, he fell just short with 49lb 13oz. His magical display got him into second place, but all his fish went into one keepnet. Not very clever when club rules state 2 nets, and such actions in the future will result in disqualification.
Narrowly missing out, but finishing an honourable third, was Kenny Stuart. He too put in a superb effort, dobbing bread, to register a 49lb 10oz total. Well done.
At the lower end of the spectrum, and illustrating the difference in levels of sport on the day, Andy Lawton picked up section money again, this time weighing a meagre 5lb 14oz. Dennis Jones just pipped Pato to the next section with 17lb 15oz, while Yozzer also won his with 17lb 13oz.
Making it a successful day for 'Team Kenny' was Kenny Pickup, who had the only decent weight from the poor end of the lake with an excellent 21lb 13oz. Well done to all those who got envelopes, and commiserations to those who had gruellers.

LINGMERE 18/1/15 ~ Roe foiled again as dodgers dominate

It was amazing that this match actually went ahead, and with all 17 who had booked on too. A dusting of hail/snow the night before had frozen, and with no sign of gritters having been at work, cars needed defrosting and roads were hazardous to say the least. Even the motorway was icy. Arriving at Lingmere, and a different story greeted us. No icy track and not even a frost in sight. It still didn't fill us with optimism and pre-match banter was about the start time for the snooker masters and who was on the live football on Sky. Seemed the walk of shame was firmly on the agenda...... or should it be re-named the walk of common sense? Anyway, the first to walk was Norman Smith.
Having been the first to catch a fish, John Edwards seemed certain to stay the distance, but encouraged by the first exit, Sumo soon followed to the comfort of the Caernarvon.
Only four pegs on the bottom lake, but two early darts as both Tony Wilson and Steve Coleman decided that West Ham v Hull was a better option than getting battered by Chris Roe. After all, Chris is allegedly a bigger muppet than Miss Piggy.
Another solid display, this time mainly on maggot feeder, brought more runner-up glory with an excellent 24lb. Big pat on the back for Chris, that first win seems imminent.
Up on the top lake, after a slow start with placid conditions, the wind picked up, and for some, so did the fishing. With all the recognised fliers failing to produce, it was left to the lads who regularly fish the coffin- dodger matches on Wednesdays to show the way (and take the money).
Nicky Harrop has settled into the club quickly and made it 2 from 2 section wins, supplementing Wednesday's big 'dodger' win with a fine third place. Maggot and caster proved to be the right choice as RSwipe put 23lb 15oz on the scales to take a great bronze medal.
The Garden Gnome defied the elements, and his short pole reputation, by fishing maggot at 14metres. The effort was worth it as he secured a 'comfortable' victory with 33lb 06oz. Wednesday's DNW turned into a distant memory. Comfortable hardly seems appropriate with wind and sleet blowing into the face but you know what I mean.
Gary Brislen is another who attends the odd dodger match, and he made the experience count as he took a well earned section win with 10lb 02oz. Well done to the Entertainments Manager.
The last section went the way of The Butler, Andy Lawton showing the Lord just how it's done with a quality display of feeder and waggler fishing as he racked up a decent return of 16lb. Well Done Andy.

LINGMERE, 4/1/15 ~ Newboy Chris thwarted by Jamie masterstroke

With reports coming out that Xmas knock-ups had produced several ton-ups, culminating in Steve Openshaw weighing in a staggering 137lb on Friday, it was sod's law that things wouldn't be quite that good for The Eggy. Notwithstanding the difference in angling ability, this was as much of a let down as we could possibly imagine.
Once again general opinion was that the bottom lake would produce the better sport. With the amount of fish in the lake and the great weights of previous days, everyone would catch, surely. Amazingly, everyone did catch, even if it was only ounces.
Grueller doesn't seem to accurately describe how hard it was. With an hour gone and one carp to show, Jamie Pickup pulled a masterstroke. He got a rod from the bag and proceeded to set up a waggler. Not the now standard pellet waggler that has become an obsession, but a good old fashioned 3BB peacock waggler. Going twice as far as anybody else on the float, Jambo caught some decent carp throughout. 37lb 03oz was the reward, and to illustrate his dominance, the next best was Simo with 12lb odd.
At the other end of the spectrum, Paul Cargill won a section with 3lb 01oz !!!! That's right THREE pounds. Well done for sticking it out.
The other section winner, after a festive break, was Steve Coleman. A golden tench of all things, featured in his winning 9lb 15oz, so a big well done to Steve, too.
Up on the top lake, 3 decent weights, but plenty of DNWs, so very hit and miss. New boy Chris Roe was telling everyone how he'd only joined the club to gain experience and learn a few things from other members. On this performance we'll be learning a few things from him! Chris caught steadily all match, and despite losing a handful along the way, he had Jamie panicking at the scales. Agony in one respect as the needle fell short of a debut win when it settled at 36lb 15oz, but joy at making the frame on his first outing with the club. Massive congratulations.
3rd place, with a decent enough weight of 28lb odd was Yozzer, all F1s on pellet.
First section on the top was contested by 2 more new boys, with Nick 'swipe' Harrop seeing off the challenge of the returning Tony Wilson with 9lb 15oz, with the others in section failing to weigh.
Another section win went the way of John Edwards with an excellent 20lb 00oz. Just scraped through in "the challenge" so great for Sumo. Typically, having been beaten by Sumo, the others in section did not weigh and sat in cars sulking.
Maybe the next outing at Lingmere will produce those magical 100lb bags.... then again...... gotta be there to find out.