LOWER RIDGE, 28/9/14 ~ "Don't book this dump again, I've only had 34lb....."

Regular readers will know that this blog is usually a light-hearted account of an Eggy outing. Well, today it's not.
When the winner of the match, with a decent weight of 34lb 13oz, greets you with, "Don't book this again, it's S****", it's time to take a look at why we're bothering at all. Yes, 6 of the 12 who fished today were sponsored by Drennan North West (DNW), but most just accepted it as a bad day at the office, and will move on to the next match.
We could quite easily just book Lingmere (for example) every week and members would pretty soon get bored. What we do instead is book a variety of venues which require different approaches, provide different challenges, and have different stocking levels. It's meant to make things interesting. The choice is there for everyone. If you don't fancy a venue, you just don't book on...simples.
The match diary needs organising in advance, and for the most popular venues, up to as much as 3 years hence. We can't just say 'Oh, where's fishing well? let's go there next week'.
Some members of the club put in a lot of unseen effort to make the club outings as enjoyable as possible. Some just turn up and moan. Try asking yourself, What's my contribution? If the answer is 'nothing', then start making an effort. Maybe the club will be more to your liking if you do.
Sadly it's results only this week as praise is not on the agenda.

1st     Dirk Wriggler..........34lb 13oz
2nd   Neil Paterson............25lb 05oz
3rd    Gary Brislen.............22lb 10oz
Section     Col Cook..........16lb 04oz
Section     Ken Pickup.......9lb 06oz

WEEKEND JOLLY TO WORCESTER, 12,13,14th September2014 ~ Expectations met.. who knows?

The club's annual 'weekend away' had a change this year as the Eggy Circus rolled into the town of Kidderminster. Venues had been booked that would allegedly make us look like angling superstars, and records would be broken left, right and centre. Taking this into consideration, there seemed to have been a whole lot of moaning going on by the time we made the homeward journey. Only the comments section will tell whether expectations had been met. Certainly the hotel appeared to have been well received, as the evening social aspect was apparently enjoyed by everyone.

 

Friday 12th September 2014 ~ Club record smashed....5 times!!!!

First stop took us to Cob House on the Laurel lake. With the fishery having problems on Wyatts lake, which was our original choice, there were doubts about the level of sport. It didn't deter people from taking 3 or 4 keepnets to their peg though. Early indications were that the nets would be put to good use as everybody was into fish straight away. As rules dictated that a separate net be used for silvers, most chose to put occasional skimmers and roach back into the lake. Such was the carp fishing that unnecessary keepnets just got in the way of margin feeders.
The weigh-in was physically demanding, but 5 or 6 members got involved, so thanks to those who helped ease the burden. 
John Edwards set the pace with a record breaking 143lb 10oz. This was despite going for a ten minute walkabout in midmatch. It was either that or smash a topkit over his knee as frustration reached boiling point. A few lost foul-hookers and tangled rigs causing the strife. That's the biggest problem with this type of venue, so many fish that line bites and foul-hookers are inevitable.
The Gnome coped better than most and he too smashed the club record with a net-busting 180lb 13oz (well 4 nets actually).
Paul Cargill put in a best ever performance to continue the run of big weights when he put a brilliant 152lb 08oz on the scales. A fantastic effort, well done Cargy.
The Leasowe gentry also battered the old match record. Andy Lawton with a phenomenal 132lb 08oz, and Dirk Wriggler with an awesome 126lb 04oz, both managed section wins.
Gary Brislen and Lee Pickup both broke the 'ton barrier' but ended up only with the satisfaction of a great day's sport.
The final section was won by Jamie Pickup with an ordinarily cracking weight of 84lb, but at this place it looks average! A big well done to Jambo.

Saturday 13th September 2014 ~ Back in the real world....

Solhampton Kingfisher lake was the scene for Day 2 of the Jolly Jaunt. Although it was another stunning venue, the fish were a lot more wised-up to anglers on the bank.
Even with plenty of room between pegs it proved a tough nut to crack. More frustration, and a few moans started creeping in. Again it was like fish soup. As nobody had fished it before there was nothing to base an attack on, other than natural instinct.
Yozzer maintained his form from the day before, and somehow conned the fish to the tune of 135lb 02oz. Must have been solid!
On the other side of the lake, Sumo kept mental frailties at bay and put together a fine weight of 73lb 10oz to stay on the podium with a silver medal. Another top quality display from our open angler.
Dennis Jones deservedly made it into the frame with a hard earned 67lb 14oz. Having analysed his previous performance, he learned from mistakes in feeding, put them right, and was suitably rewarded. Well done Den.
Pete Maestro Lucas started on the method, but after a few early fish, he reverted to pole tactics to put together a section winning 66lb 10oz. 'Clueless' is a kidder, this boy can fish a bit when he wants to. Nice one Luco, have you thought about buying fishomania tickets?
Following his ton-up performance at Cob, Lee Pickup put in another worthy effort and won the final section with an excellent  (on the day) 52lb, so well done Lee.

Sunday 14th September 2014 ~ Yozzer, you're boring us now!

We were back at Solhampton, this time on Badger lake. This is their newest lake, having only opened early this year. Pato, Dennis and Gary had done a pleasure session on Thursday so at least we had something to go on. Tackle shop staff also advised that although there were big fish feeding in the margins, due to water clarity they were tough to catch.
How true. The most frustrating fishing I have ever encountered, along with everyone else. Whatever way it was approached, those carp wouldn't play ball. Feed, the carp would home in straight away, then for no reason, before you got a bite, they bolted out of the swim, until you fed again, and the vicious circle was repeated.
Mainly by fishing tight to his keepnets to hide the line, The Gnome somehow found enough carp, including a couple of 8lbers, to bring yet another ton to the scales and complete a weekend clean sweep with a winning 112lb 10oz.
The ever reliable Dirk lived up to his Wriggler nickname by fishing the worm to post an honourable 81lb and secure an excellent second place.
Jay Pickup completed the frame after borrowing maggots off Lee and Dirk, who were both in his section...... Now there's camaraderie. Jamie weighed 67lb 03oz, to complete a successful weekend for him, nice one son.
Pete Lucas also performed consistently and admirably throughout the 3 days, and won section money again, this time with 66lb 04oz. This should have been enhanced with £2 side-bets. Cargy paid up, Sumo was ill and in a different section, and our little ginger friend just said 'kiss it' :)
For the second time, Paul Cargill was not phased by Yozz catching off the next peg. He got his head down and fished another blinder to get in the money again with a brilliant 65lb 06oz. Overall he has to be the star of the weekend. Well Done.

A big thanks from me to Jamie for organising the event, Tony for his cash handling skills, and Spadger, who sorted out some top class accommodation. Thanks also to Pete Clueless, who spent plenty of time (and laid out his own money) to secure the chosen venues.
Thanks also to you all for a fantastic, fun time. If members don't contribute to banter and  issue little challenges, then the weekend wouldn't be what it is........ Brillliant.

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!

HAMPTON, ROCK, 27/7/14 ~ Gnome pays the rent with Rock success.

Sweltering temperatures for the week leading up to the match coupled with a turnout of 18 meant that Rock pool was under pressure to produce a decent level of sport. It didn't do too badly as half the membership managed in excess of 30lb.
I'm not saying that the Gnome lives on Hampton, but he does have a rent book. His venue knowledge came to the fore as a string of decent carp came to the net in the second half of the match. Corn in the margins proving fruitful. The usual good net of mixed small fish had not materialised, so the lumps were needed. A final tally of 69lb 12oz was enough for a comfortable victory.
Whenever John Edwards fishes for the full 5 hours he proves to be a quality club angler. This was in evidence in today's match as a mixed bag caught mainly on the tip gave a return of 46lb 08oz. Well done to Sumo for his performance and for staying the distance.
When Dirk Wriggler drew a corner peg with no tip chuck it didn't look good, but as usual he worked his magic to make the frame once again, this time with 42lb 04oz. So consistent, Dirk should be venturing onto the open match circuit by now. 
Lee Pickup is another who is always thereabouts and his 37lb 08oz was good enough for the customary section win.
Dad Kenny just pipped Lee in the weight stakes and he too took a well earned section win with his excellent 38lb 07oz.
Final section went to Pretty boy Robb with 19lb 12oz.
Moving into August there are still 13 anglers left in the 20lb Challenge which means we have been to some cracking fisheries or the membership is full of talent.... you decide. There are however, only 4 left in the Section winners Challenge. Things are hotting up for that one.