LATHAMS No1. 29/11/15 ~ Yozzer is number one lunatic

Normally, when the weather isn't very good, anglers are described as 'brave'. Well let me tell you this, the 16 members who turned up for this match could only be called lunatics. Despite being out in some pretty awful stuff over the last few weeks, this one was positively tempestuous. Not one angler was actually that crazy to attempt a brolly, despite a series of showers passing through as the day progressed. The wind was ridiculous, and most unintentionally fed their margins on a regular basis, as bait boxes were blown off side-trays and into the lake.
Keeping rigs steady, even in the 'sheltered' pegs, was nigh on impossible as there was a strange swell on the water, to go with the ripple/ waves (delete as appropriate). The float went one way and then the other almost all day. In moments when it was settled you might get a bite if you were lucky.
Luckier than most was The Gnome, who made it back to back wins as he fished short on pellet. Sufficient numbers of bites came and he weighed a chart-topping 64lb 13oz net of mainly F1s.
This was just enough to see off the challenge of 'The Yeti' known as Chris Roe. Since last winter's successful campaign, we've hardly seen Chris. Suddenly he turns up and brings the winter with him, and immediately slips into form. An excellent 63lb 12oz, apparently caught shallow at 5m meant second place for Chris. Well done.
Nasty Nick Harrop probably had the worst of the weather to contend with, but nobody had any sympathy cos he's such a***** (insert a derogatory name of your choice). Credit though, as Nick made his Friday practice session pay off with a brilliant 42lb 12oz, which proved good enough to make the frame. Congratulations, he's a nice man really...... not.
The Pickup Brothers took the section prizes. Lee scraped into the 20lb challenge final at the last chance saloon, his 28lb 04oz also proving enough for section glory. Jamie, despite the wind, fished 13m all day. Maggot on the deck in 8ft of water earned him a decent net of quality ide supplemented by skimmers, tench, and an occasional F1. He ended with a very respectable 29lb 08oz. Imagine if he could master the 5 metre line, he'd be even more awesomer than he already is.

CUNNERIES, 22/11/15 ~ Gnome keeps cool as winter arrives

I suppose with all the mild weather of late, it was inevitable that winter would hit us with a bang. Two 'storms' back to back brought gale-force winds before rain, hail and even snow put in an appearance. Temperatures also took a dive, although we didn't quite get an overnight frost.
Just like last week, it looked as though we'd be in for a grueller, and despite it being decidedly cool when the sun went in, it turned out to be quite a pleasant day as long as you had enough coats on. Perhaps, surprisingly, everyone had a few bites too.
Typical winter F1 fishing meant chasing the fish around the peg. Most opted to fish the maggot, to good effect, but The Garden Gnome had other ideas. With the wriggly things still costing more than £1 a pint, he stuck to his twenty pence worth of micros and a few 4mm expanders. It worked a treat, and a fish after 3 minutes set the tone for his match. A total of 52 F1s went 65lb 12oz at the scales and put the Gnome on top of the tree.
Single maggot saw Tony Wilson catching steadily throughout, and at a rate many thought would be fast enough to win the match. Sadly he fell just short, with an estimated 43 F1s weighing in at 58lb 11oz. Another smart performance to supplement other recent efforts, well done Tony.
Third place went to the ever consistent John Rogers. He consistently tells everyone that he hasn't had much! Despite doing enough during the first part of the session to be in contention, the wheel seemed to fall off in the last 90 minutes and also saw Buck drop off the pace. He did, however, do sufficiently well in the early stages to register a fine 35lb 05oz. Nice one John, but you will now be known as 'Buck all' Rogers.
Weights in the low 20lb bracket took all three sections as Gary Brislen, Dave Harrop and wee Dennis Jones all picked up brown envelopes. Andy The Butler and Nick RS Harrop also recorded honourable 20lb scores but will have to be content with 'blog' mentions but no cigars. 

LINGMERE, 15/11/15 ~ Jamie blows the opposition away

With gale-force winds and heavy rain forecast, this had the makings of a very unpleasant day. However, it's not unusual (according to Tom Jones) for the forecasters to get it wrong, and the expected showers didn't materialise. After Steve's generosity allowed us use of the bottom lake, we were able to peg it so the wind affected very few pegs. In short, it fished it's head off!
With the little bit of extra room on the top lake, everyone weighed over 20lb.
Surprising for the time of year, but the monkey method paid off again, as Jamie Pickup used it to good effect with caster to record a brilliant weight of 81lb 14oz. The wind was strong, but Jamie blew the opposition away with his effort. His fourth victory of the year puts him in the firing line for Garbo qualification. Magic Jambo.
Also in the mix is Johnny Buck Rogers. The great performances keep on coming as once again Bucko did exceptionally well to put 72lb 03oz in the bucket, earning him a silver medal. As John is in his first year of membership, the committee will review his probationary period at the end of the term. My recommendation is that we show him the door..... he's far too good.... at fishing, and bluffing too.
Another showing improvement on a regular basis is Tony Wilson. His excellent 69lb 15oz earned him the final podium position, and enhanced his growing reputation. Well done Tony.
Little Dennis is worthy of a mention as his decent 55lb 05oz effort was achieved without the use of the 'new' power pencil floats from the DJ range. In fact, he never had a float on at all. Amazing.
By comparison, the bottom lake fell slightly short. Although it showed improved sport from the last couple of weeks, weights weren't enough to compete in the overall contest.
However, sections were as competitive as ever, and the best weight came from venue regular Ken Stuart with a very steady 43lb 14oz. Just enough to edge out Dave Lynch's 41lb 04oz bag, and claim a well earned section prize.
Another regular, Nasty boy Nick, put together a decent 27lb 09oz from unfancied peg 40, and took section money too. Particularly nasty this time, as he demoralised Sumo's somewhat shaky mojo. Having been a hero in the Echo this week, following exploits in the recent Lingmere charity match, reality set in for Sumo as the newspaper is now chippo wrappings at best, and bog roll at worst!!!
Finally, The Garden Gnome came in from the cold this time. As Sumo kept telling everyone, Yozzer hadn't won a section for about 5 matches. He set the record straight this time with 35lb 12oz proving to be more than enough for section success. Hallelujah!
   

Current standings in the Garbolino Club Angler (best 6 matches):

Yozzer 6pts

Dirk 8pts

Jamie 9pts

Sumo 9pts

Dennis 10pts

Bucko 10pts

Brislen 14pts

Lee 15pts

Claire House Charity Match, LINGMERE, 8/11/15

Sorry I couldn't attend , but I've just heard that this year's inter-club challenge has raised a phenomenal £5000, Yes, five thousand, for Claire House. A brilliant effort by Col Cook in organising the event, and just rewards from a great bunch of lads. 36 anglers from across Eggy Ferry, Rivacre and Wirral Borough, including a few 'ringers', all contributed to a great day at Lingmere fishery.
It probably doesn't matter that Eggy Ferry were the victors for the third year running, the real winners were the marvellous Claire House.
Hopefully this event will run and run, so well done to everyone who contributed, and once again, massive thanks to Col Cook.