Match results/Events info

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

Ralph Jarvis Cup 1 of 2

1st Gary Pickard 124lbs 7oz 2nd Darren Cope 100lbs 1oz 3rd Mark Halverson 51lbs 5oz

Gary's day After another red hot week it was going to be sunny and windy for us today at Beggar's Hall. After the last few matches we were all wanting peg 19 so I was very happy when it came out of the draw bag for me - the pressure was on. A try out on the long(ish) pole with pellets to start with produced no bites but it gave time for the sun to swing around so I could see the water in front of me. It was then time to try a pellet waggler where I had been feeding from the off. Nothing to start with but the odd carp was starting to show further over. About 30 mins in Mark on 21 and then Darren on 20 had carp and I was 1 down. It was then my turn for a bite only for it come off near the net (it was not going to be the only one that got way today). Thankfully I had another quick bite and this time I was off the mark. Fred over on peg 18 was having a slow start and also having problems with lost fish. Darren though was now starting to get a steady run of bites out on a waggler whilst I was struggling to get decent presentation out in front. A swap to a bomb and pellet seemed to be the answer with a quick bite but then lots of liners and no bites. Swapping between bomb when the wind was playing up and waggler in the calmer spells kept the fish ticking over but I was losing far too many. Darren was still doing well and Mark was also catching a few. I could also hear the odd splashing down towards Fred on 18. It was feeling like I was slipping behind Darren who was having a very steady day. Changing to a different hook pattern (a Guru QM1) seemed to help with the lost fish and I was finally landing a better proportion. Time for a try in the margins with about 90 mins to go. I had been feeding to the right near the bush and the first put in looked encouraging with a few signs on the float. They turned out to be small roach despite fishing double corn on the hook. I fed more heavily with corn and also dropped some to the left edge before heading back out to the middle on the bomb as the wind was quite gusty now. After a couple more fish I tried the right margin again and it was still full of small fish so I ditched that edge. Back to the middle as the wind had dropped got me another good carp. Then it was down the left margin for the last 25 mins or so and they had suddenly arrived and I had another 3 good carp in quick succession. Unless Tony way up on peg 17 had been bagging and keeping it quiet it looked like it was between me and Darren. The flurry of margin fish was crucial and made all the difference giving me 124lbs to Darren's 100lb and with Mark having 51lbs including some nice crucians with one over 2lbs.

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

Low bank 1st Bill Beeston 63lbs 1oz 2nd Tony Heath 58lbs 15oz 3rd Jeff Pearson 15lbs 3oz High bank 1st Fred Hunt 104lbs 3oz 2nd Rob Calderon 80lbs 3oz 3rd John Carter 48lbs 2oz

Rob's day It was a game of two halves today at Beggars Hall – literally. With the high temperatures at the moment, we had a half time weigh in today (hydration break) so the match was split into two halves – 09:30 - 12:15 then 13:00 – 5:30. Thanks to John Carter today for his help on the first weigh in – it was hard work in the hot weather. I drew peg 18 today, not a peg you would be displeased with although there is little shade that side of the lake. Set up a feeder and a pellet waggler rod - also a couple of rigs for down the edges. Very shallow to the right in about a foot of water on the ledge (very weedy down there) and by the reeds to the left in around 2½ foot. Started on the pellet waggler without a bite – few fish showing at this point, so went on the feeder expecting a pull round at some point. Nothing straight out so down to the right. No bites so after another try on the waggler and a quick go on paste by the reeds, we were at the half-way stage and fishless. On the other side Tony Heath looked to have had a good start landing a couple of quick carp and Bill also catching a few. At the half time weigh in it looked to be hard on our bank – Bob one carp on 21, Peter fishless 20, Fred 2 carp on 19 and further up nothing for Ray on 17. Up to John on 16 where the warm wind was blowing into the island and he had a good morning – weigh in 37lb 4oz on the feeder. On the low bank – Bill and Tony being the only ones to have had a few weighing 21lb 5oz and 19lb 6oz respectively. After feeding the peg before the half time whistle, returned to find a few fish in the right hand margin – had one straight away but they were proving tricky to hook – seemed to be preoccupied feeding on the bankside vegetation rather than taking the hookbait. Eventually had a run of fish – all a good size and ended up with 9 fish for 80lbs. This was no match for Fred though next door who caught well in his margin and ended up winning the Bank with 104lbs 3oz. John only added two carp in the second half to finish with 48lb 2oz for third. On the low bank it was close with Bill's 63lb 1oz pipping Tony's 58lb 15oz with Jeff third on peg 10 with 15lb 3oz. There were a number of very small carp caught today – some under a pound – have not seen too many of these in the past and a good sign for the Lake. Glad to get back to the car for a drink today (thanks Tony). Photo today is a very happy Fred.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm (Large Lake)

N/A

1st Gary Pickard 111lbs 3oz 2nd Darren Cope 81bs 10oz 3rd Fred Hunt 76lbs 11oz

Gary's day It was Hall Farm today, it's 4th match in 8 days so it could be a tough one. Waiting for the draw there were a few fish topping which looked a good sign. With us all on the low bank you were after a low number and I was happy when peg 4 came out for me. I decided on the usual: long line to try and get a few shallow; a shorter line; and then the margins. With a bit of a breeze blowing the long line was going to be hard work today. It was a slow start on the short line but it looked a slow start for all. After a couple of fish in the net the next 2 came off so it was time to try the long line. Almost straightaway I hooked another shallow which also fell off. The next one made it to the net but shallow was not really working. Fred in peg 2 was having a slow start as was Tony to my right on peg 6. Everyone else was hidden by the bushes along the edge and the wind meant you could not hear much. Slowly the short line sorted itself out as did the long line fishing on the bottom rather than shallow and by the midway mark I was flying with 1 net full and onto the next net. The curse of the next net then struck and I went through another spell of lost fish. With 90 mins to go it was time to try the margins using double corn as there were lots of silvers about and they were quite deep. A couple of good fish was encouraging but then it was a frustrating end to the match with lots of foulhooked fish and others coming off for no reason. More work to do in sorting out the HF margins. Whilst I was having a poor finish Fred looked to be hauling them in on the feeder and my lead looked to be getting smaller by the minute. It sounded like it had been tough in the deeper water pegs although there had been the odd splashing and Fred was catching well towards the end. It still looked like it was going to be the expected battle between pegs 2 and 4, however, Darren decided to muscle into the frame with just over 81lbs off peg 12 - the best it has done for quite some time. At the scales I ended up with a winning 111lbs with Fred taking 3rd with 76lbs. Today's photo is Darren borrowing one of Fred's nets of fish as I forgot to take a photo earlier.

Over 65 Match

Hall Farm (Large Lake)

Over 65 cup

1st Graham Carter 86lbs 6oz 2nd John Carter 86lbs 3oz 3rd Tony Heath 75lbs 3oz

Rob's day Back to Hall Farm, this time for the over 65's match – nine on today so all on the low bank – 1-10 (no peg 7 as a few wasps around there causing issues). We all wanted a low number peg today so a bit disappointed to draw peg 9 – in between Peter on 10 and Jeff on 8 Just set up a couple of shallow rigs and a couple for the margins today – also a feeder (also for close in). Not the greatest peg for the margins – a small shelf right in at about 2 ½ feet sloping off into the depths at 7-8 foot then deeper further out. Started on the shallow rigs and a fish after 5 minutes promised a lot but sadly this was the only bite after a couple of hours. A quick try on the feeder short bought a quick pull round but this somehow came off. With 2 ½ hours left it was the margins or nothing. Jeff looked to be having a good start with a couple of carp and three skimmers, Peter also now catching a few. Laying the rig in with bait going down the slope was always going to be an issue with foul hookers and that’s what happened. A couple of carp landed but was losing half of what I was hooking. Eventually started to get proper bites and caught reasonably well till the end to weigh 60lb 13oz – way off the top weight I thought – if we were catching well for the higher number pegs surely the lower numbers would be bagging up. Peter had a really good finish – Jeff also catching. At the weigh in a lot closer all round than I thought. Peter put 70lb on the scales and Jeff 61lb 13oz. The better weights did come from the car park end but not by the amount expected – John Carter's fish went 86lb 3oz from peg 6, Tony Heath 75lb 3oz from 5 to take third place and John Todd 31lb 6oz from peg 4. Fred's fish went 64lb 11oz from peg 3. Next was Graham on peg 2, firstly weighing 4oz of roach which would be crucial, others had put back their silvers. With Graham's two carp nets his total was 86lb 6oz – pipping John by 3oz. Finally, Bill on peg 1 weighed 54lb 5oz but apparently losing a lot of fish around the reeds. Well done to Graham today (and today's photo) for his win and thanks for all taking part.

Interclub (Abbey Cross)

Hall Farm (Large Lake)

It was a Bishop's Stortford win today with 42 points to Abbey Cross's 36 Low bank 1st Fred Hunt 76lb 2nd Peter Green 74lb 11oz 3rd Graham Carter 55lb 2oz. High bank 1st Rob Calderon 66lb 1oz 2nd Alan Fox 61lb 2oz 3rd Bob Fox 58lb 5oz

Rob's day Hall Farm today for an Inter club match with Abbey Cross – some good weights recently coming from here so should be a good day with hopefully all catching well. This is the second of four matches scheduled within 8 days on this lake. Drew peg 23 today with Alan Fox to the right of me on peg 25 – no peg 26 in today. Decided on mainly fishing shallow today – then into the margins – also had a short pole rig set up for 6 meters in around 4 ½ foot. Started shallow – although a fair wind blowing down the lake into peg 26 today causing a few problems. Not a sign on this after 45 minutes so tried to short line. Had a couple of carp and a roach – then lost one (foul hooked). Had fed a few pellets down the edge and after a couple of hours the carp had started to come in really close – had several good size fish rooting around my keepnets. Couldn’t ignore these so a quick look on paste brought a decent carp, but no more on paste the rest of the match despite trying a few times. No more bites out on the short line or shallow so concentrated on the margin fish. Feeding a small amount of groundbait and fishing just a top kit being patient brough a few bites but also a few foulhooked fish lost. At times about a dozen fish close in feeding so a bit frustrating I wasn’t catching more – I have to work out a better way of getting more clean bites. Not sure how my bank was fishing although heard a few splashes from either side, Alan and Bob on 21. On the other side after a slow start could see Jeff, Phil and Peter all catching well going into the last couple of hours, and Fred was getting one a cast fishing the feeder to his left. A couple of more carp to finish and one on the whistle, (some better size fish today – two or three around 7-8lb) and that was it. At the weigh in, close on both banks – my 66lb just beating Alan’s 61lb and Bob’s 58lb. The low bank mainly fished well – with the exception of the higher numbered pegs, Fred winning with 76lb with Peter second with 74lb 11oz and Graham third with 55lb 2oz. It was a Bishop's Stortford win today with 42 points to Abbey Cross's 36 - a tight match Thanks to Alan Fox for his help with the scoresheet and Ray for giving me some water after I left all my drinks in the fridge.

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

Stone Cup 1 of 2

High bank 1st Kevin Turner 249lbs 3oz 2nd Rich Beeston 130lbs 6oz Low bank 1st Gary Pickard 152lbs 10oz 2nd Mark Halverson 107lbs 2oz

Gary's day After a very hot week it was thankfully a lot cooler for today's match. Out of the bag came peg 6 for me - not too bad I thought. When Kevin picked out peg 19 again where he won it from last time we were here he looked like the man to beat It was an eventful walk to the pegs when Bill's wheel sheared off his trolley. After helping Bill move his gear we then found someone was already fishing the peg he had drawn! After that drama the plan for today was going to be simple (if the wind allowed): a longish pole line with hard pellets to start; pellet waggler and bomb towards the island; and then down the margin(s) at the end. The pole line was a waste of time as it seemed to be full of roach even on 6mm pellets - some nice fish but not the intended targets. After 30 mins or so I had seen a few carp milling around where I had been firing out pellets for the waggler and I was soon into a decent carp and off the mark. The next couple of hours were pretty good with the odd carp showing each time I was just about to switch from the waggler. A quick go on the bomb and pellet under the waggler line also produced a few carp but seemingly a bit smaller ones. About the half-way mark I jumped off my box, which I had set out into the lake as the water level has really dropped, to get another drink and wandered down to see Tony for some info as you cannot see anyone else on peg 6. Tony had had a couple and Kevin was flying catching steadily from the off. After catching a few more on the pellet waggler and bomb it was time to try the margin. My options were quite limited as the willow has really grown and there was no way I could get under it. Fishing corn and micros there were some encouraging signs on the float after a few minutes and then it shot under and I was into another carp. It came in with quite a lot of weed up the line and it looked like I was on the edge of an unseen weed bed where I had chosen to fish the edge. Not ideal. The last hour was frustrating - there were fish there but getting a clean bite was not easy with the wind gusting and willow breaches waving around. I had just started to work it out when the whistle went and that was it. It was a busy 6 hours and plenty of fish - a lot better than my last visit to Beggars on peg 7 for just the 2 carp. It looked like Kevin had walked the match but Rich had also been catching on peg 21 (after doing a bit of wading out to start with to rescue a pole section) and so had Mark on peg 4. Beggars had fished its socks off today with the top 4 weights all over 100lb. Well done Kevin with a huge 249lbs and a new lake record with myself next with 152lbs, Rich with 130lbs and Mark 107lbs. Picture today is Darren with a rather lump caught on the pole and weighing in at just over 20lbs.

Charity match (BHF)

Hall Farm (Large Lake)

Water booking (from 6pm)

Hall Farm (Small Lake)

Club Match / Outing

Cancelled due to heat wave Wickham Hall

Club Match / Outing

Home Farm (Small Lake)

N/A

1st Kevin Turner 72lbs 3oz 2nd Peter Green 42lbs 5oz 3rd Gary Pickard 35lbs 1oz

Gary's day And we are back after the close season break for official Club matches and we picked the start of a scorching few days. It was off to Home Farm's small lake today which has not been fishing great this year so far with the fish seeming to favour one end or the other with those on the wrong end only being able to look at others catching. Out of the draw bag came peg 9 for me - in middle of the lake so equally good and bad hopefully. As we were setting up there were carp milling all around on the surface and looking like they might be up for feeding today as a few were gobbing at bits on the surface. Come the all-in whistle they had done their usual disappearing trick but did come back on top eventually. The plan today was to catch loads shallow (it was only about 3 feet deep anyway) towards the middle at around 10 metres and then keep filling the nets down the margins. Whilst I waited for the carp to come back on the surface I tried 6mm hard pellets on a shorter line and had a very encouraging small carp about 3lbs after 20 mins. After that though it was just small fish nudging the pellet around. It was also proving a slow start on the rest of the lake. A try out long trying to mug the carp cruising around was frustrating: you needed the Sun out to see the fish but the slightest shadow of the pole being cast over the carp you were after sent it swimming off at high speed. Eventually I connected with one only for it to fall off. It was still proving hard on the lake although Kevin on peg 7 was now getting a few and a few foulhooked fish too. I managed 3 more carp by the half-way mark but it was proving difficult. Peter on hotly favoured peg 1 after recent results was also now catching and his fish looked much bigger and then everyone suddenly seemed to have 1 or 2 carp in their nets which levelled things up. Kevin meanwhile had been having a steady run of carp also fishing long trying to mug fish and was looking a run away winner. The second half of my match was hard work only stringing together another 4 fish with a couple more lost along the way. Peter was still catching, although slowing towards the end, and Rob on peg 2 also getting a bit of a late run of fish. No one though looked to have caught up with Kevin and so it was: Kevin ended up with 72lbs, Peter 42lbs, myself sneaking in next with 35lbs and then Darren with 26lbs. As ever though at Home Farm there were plenty of fish that failed to get in the net that could reshuffled the results.

Water booking (to noon)

Hall Farm (Small Lake)

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm (Large Lake)

Summer League 3 of 6

Low bank 1st Tony Parker 41lbs 12oz 2nd Peter Green 38lbs 7oz 3rd Jeff Pearson 37lbs 12oz High bank 1st John Carter 142lbs 10oz 2nd Bill Beeston 56lbs 10oz 3rd Rob Calderon 55lbs 11oz

Rob's day At Hall Farm today – a warm day promised with no rain. Fourteen on the lake today – had to split it eight on the low bank and six on the high bank. All wanted a draw at the car park end but out came peg 18 for me so was going to tough to compete with the pegs in the 20s especially 26. Kept it simple today – thought I would fish shallow for most of the day and the edges later. Quite a few fish showing on top at the start. Did set up a rig for the bottom at around 6 foot but only one foul hooker lost on this line today. Started shallow at 13 meters and a good start with two carp in the first 20 minutes and a couple of foul hookers lost. Kept on this for a couple of hours but surprisingly no more bites. Tried the short line a couple of times but nothing. From early on a few carp had been visiting the left hand edge – not so much colour in the lake now and could see the fish clearly – some good commons but as usual very spooky and disappeared when putting a rig in. Tried the shallow rig a couple more times but nothing so concentrated on the margins, just dropping the rig in with a bit of groundbait and being patient. Had a couple on this but very few proper bites. Could only see the other bank but seemed very hard for pegs 13, 10 and 8 – Jeff had caught a few on the pole and Tony Parker seemed to be doing well on the tip. Further down Phil seemed to be finding it hard (maybe with peg 1 in) but Ray was catching a few next to him. Not sure about my bank but no doubt they were catching on pegs 24 and 26. Into the last hour – fish still very spooky – could see them coming in briefly, swimming out, circling and coming back in again. A change to a lighter rig helped and managed a few at the end to bump my weight up. At the weigh in – on the low bank the high number pegs did fish hard, Adrian's one carp the only fish from the first 3 pegs. Better further down with Jeff's 37lb 12oz good enough for third, Peter second with 38lb 7oz but Tony Parker taking top weight with 41lb 12oz from peg 5 On the high bank my 55lb 11oz made third place just behind Bill’s 56lb 10oz from peg 24. Only problem for John Carter on peg 26 was not having enough nets – he weighed in 142lb 10oz for an easy win (would have had over 160lb) Picture today is Tony Heath with his biggest fish – weighed at just over 14lb

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

N/A

Low bank 1st Mark Halverson 67lbs 8oz 2nd Fred Hunt 50lbs 10oz 3rd Jeff Pearson 50lbs High bank 1st Bill Beeston 62lbs 13oz 2nd Graham Carter 49lbs 7oz 3rd Tony Parker 44lbs 6oz

Rob's day We were at Beggar's Hall today – after some warm weather temperatures down a bit today with the promise of thundery showers. I drew peg 21 – the end peg today on the high bank, but a peg with bad memories for me. Last time I fished this I hooked a lot of fish but most ended up in the large bed of lilies to the left of the peg (hopefully that won’t happen today). A bit of a strange peg this – quite deep close in and no real margin to fish to – just a stump close in to the left then deepening off to the lily pads. A quick look on the pellet waggler for nothing, then a cast to the left near the pads on the feeder. This brought a quick bite and a 10lb carp quickly followed by another around 8lb. Things were looking good and soon after had another couple of small fish – a 2lb crucian (I think) and a 1lb carp. No fish in the lilies yet but that was about to change! Next four fish hooked dived straight for the pads and no amount of pressure could stop them. After another two lost fish tried away from the pads for no bites so back near the pads for another lost fish (and the second hybrid feeder lost) Also had a size 10 QM1 straightened! Half-way through we had the forecasted thunder showers (torrential rain) for a short while although still managed a savage pull round during this (also lost) A quick try on the pole now – nothing to the right but an instant bite on maggots to the left. Fish hooked but despite 21 elastic, 9lb line straight through to a 12 hook – couldn’t prevent the fish charging into the pads. Couldn’t put any more pressure on as I thought something would break. Another couple lost on the pole had me throwing that up the bank. Back to the feeder and managed to land a couple and lose a couple more before admitting defeat and hoping never to draw this peg again. Next to me Tony Heath had been struggling and had only one carp on the waggler. Elsewhere on the high bank Bill had done well from in form peg 19 and topped the bank with 62lb 13oz, Graham second 49lb 7oz from peg 17 and third from golden peg 18 Tony Parker with 44lb 6oz. Some good results from the low bank with Mark Halverson winning the bank and having top weight on the lake from peg 4 with 67lb 8oz – some good sized fish caught on paste. Next on the bank Fred with 50lb 10oz from peg 5 just pipping Jeff who had 50lb from peg 10. Nice to see some good weights coming from all over the lake today, not just the favoured pegs on the high bank. Today's photo is Mark.

Canoe Club event - Southmill to Sawbo Locks

River Stort

Interclub (Abbey Cross)

Taylor's Lake (Abbey Cross water)

N/A

Abbey Cross won with 46 points to Bishop's Stortford's 33 1st Alan Sims 21lbs 12oz 2nd Bill Beeston 16lbs 5oz 3rd Tony Parker 11lbs 10oz 4th Martin Adams 9lbs 3oz

Rob's day At Taylor's Lake today for another Inter Club match with Abbey Cross. Fishing the Top Lake as a large amount of the lilies were removed at the weekend. I drew peg 33 – a few pegs before where I fished last time, maybe not the best area but it looked ok – opposite the aerator. I was told (reliable sources) that this was a good feeder peg which didn’t help me as I had left the feeder rods at home! Decided on fishing out in front at around 11 ½ meters and close in on the 2 ½ meter whip – the depths about the same at around 5 foot. Fed the long line and started on the whip – interrupted after a couple of minutes by Barry at the next peg landing a tench that apparently turned into an F1 at the end! Catching quite well on the whip – small roach, perch and some rudd around 3-4 oz so kept on this a while. No signs on a couple of tries out long so back to the whip. Elsewhere a few fish coming out – Bill looked to have had a couple on peg 37, Alan Fox a good F1 opposite on 52 and a bit later on Fred had one on the feeder. Another try half-way through on corn bought an instant bite and a 1 ½ pound skimmer but no more. The wind was swirling around at this point causing issues with pole presentation, it also started to rain which seemed to put the small fish off. Unable to get any more bites on the whip, finished the match out long but sadly just a couple of small fish on maggot before the whistle blew. The lake fished better than recent matches with top weight going to Alan Sims with 21lb 12oz from peg 38, Bill Beeston second with 16lb 5oz (four F1s), Tony Parker 11lb 10oz third from peg 50 and Martin fourth from peg 9lb 3oz. Mine going 8lb 12oz to equal Jeff's weight. Team wise an easy win for Abbey Cross today 46 points to 33 – thanks to Martin and Alan and Abbey Cross for hosting us today.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

Low bank 1st Jeff Pearson 62lbs 3oz 2nd Peter Green 61lbs 7oz 3rd Phil Whitmill 48lbs 6oz High bank 1st Gary Pickard 84lbs 8oz 2nd Rob Calderon 48lbs 7oz 3rd Graham Carter 46lbs 11oz

Rob's day At Hall Farm today after a week of temperatures into the 30’s. A bit cooler today but still sunny with a gentle breeze blowing across the lake into peg 26. Wasn’t too sure how it would fish today due to the recent heat and the fact that it was noted that the fish were spawning at the weekend. Walking round the lake early on, a lot of fish swimming around in nearly all pegs and many fish sitting around in the margins, especially on the low bank. I drew peg 26 – didn’t win a couple of weeks ago but a peg you would definitely have, always some fish close in and across to the reeds. Set up a short pole line, margin rigs and a couple of shallow ones as it looked like the fish could have a feed on the top. Started trying to mug a few swimming around, but no success as the fish seemed very spooky. No bites short on the bottom so tried the method across to the reeds. After several line bites managed a couple but didn’t really want to fish the tip so went back to the pole shallow. In retrospect maybe should have spent more time on the feeder, as had one fish on the jigger then nothing. After a couple of hours fish were appearing in the margins – close to the keepnets – some good fish including a couple around 10lb or so. This is where it went a bit wrong – I spent most of the remainder of the match trying to catch the margin fish – they were very spooky and I foul hooked more fish than properly hooked ones including a fish around 8lb hooked in the tail that took around 15 minutes of tug of war before somehow netting it. Definitely should have rethought the tactics for the last couple of hours as despite the number of fish ended with 48lb 7oz – not a terrible weight but not great for this peg in May. That was enough for second on the high bank though with Gary Pickard weighing in a creditable 84lb 8oz from peg 18 – a great result – a lot of fish caught shallow I believe [About 50:50 - Gary]. Third on the bank Graham Carter with 46lb 11oz from peg 22. The low bank fished well with peg 2 winning the day, Jeff Pearson weighing in 62lb 3oz, Peter Green second with 61lb 7oz from peg 6 and Phil completing the frame with 48lb 6oz from peg 8 So we all caught some fish today – maybe a rethink before the next Hall Farm match needed. Thank to Gary today with the help in weighing in and well done on top weight on the day. Photo today is a very happy Jeff.

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

Summer League 2 of 6

High bank 1st Bill Beeston 38lbs 1oz 2nd Tony Parker 34lbs 10oz 3rd Graham Carter 19lbs 13oz Low bank 1st John Carter 38lbs 15oz 2nd Rob Calderon 31lbs 2oz 3rd Bob Fox 6lbs 11oz

Rob's day At Beggar's Hall today – 14 on the lake today with a brisk wind blowing down the lake into the car park side. Hadn’t fished the high bank for a while so fancied a draw on that bank, so no surprise when I drew peg 12, next to Ray on 13. The lilies had now grown on these pegs so just set up a feeder rod for by the lilies and further out to the island, and a couple of pole rigs for close to the lilies and down the edge. After a slow start finally got a bite on the feeder and landed a small carp around 3lb. Ray then had a couple – a small carp around a pound and a tench. Looking across Tony looked to be fishless on peg 16 but next to him on 17 Bill had caught a couple of decent carp. A change to the pole with dead maggots on the hook resulted in a quick bite and straight in the lilies! Next put in and managed to get the carp away from the snags – just – and landed a good double. A bit frustrating as the next two resulted in the hook being transferred from the carp into the lilies – the fish seem to be already in them when striking. Tried a bit away from the pads but no bites. The next couple of hours was quiet – into the last 45 minutes and had packed up the pole (not a sign in the margins) and concentrated on the feeder by the pads. Had 3 more pull rounds in the last 30 minutes, one small carp about 2lb, one decent fish around 8lb and a 3lb bream. Ended the match with 31lb 2oz, so reasonably happy with that from peg 12. Ray didn’t have any more fish. Weighed in clockwise around the lake – Tony Cruci had a small carp but didn’t weigh in – Bill had 5 carp for 38lb 1oz and top weight on the bank. Some struggled for carp on the high bank but Tony Parker managed a few for 34lb 10oz and second from peg 21 and Graham made third from peg 18 with 19lb 13oz. On the low bank my catch was good enough for second with John Carter winning with 38lb 15oz from peg 5 which included a good double caught down the edge. Apart from Ray’s small fish, no more carp caught on the low bank with Bob Fox’s 6lb 11oz of roach giving him 3rd place on the bank. So, a few carp feeding but difficult today for most of us to get bites, with very few carp apparently coming into the edge yet. Photo today is Tony Parker.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

Low Bank 1st Phil Whitmill 46lbs 10oz 2nd Jeff Pearson 39lbs 10oz 3rd Peter Green 26lbs 13oz High Bank 1st Rob Calderon 72lbs 3oz 2nd John Carter 46lbs 13oz 3rd Bill Beeston 44lbs 9oz

Rob's day At Hall Farm today – first thing the lake looked good with little wind and blue sky but that was about to change. Twelve on the bank today, seven on the Low Bank and five on the High. With pegs 18 and 20 in I really wanted one of the pegs nearer to the car park so was not unhappy to be left with peg 24 in the bag. Had John Carter to my left on 22 and Bill on peg 26. At the start of the match the wind was not so bad, blowing into peg 26. Decided mainly to fish hard pellets at around 6 meters today, also setting up a couple of margin rigs in around 2 ½ foot. After about 20 minutes started to get a few bites – mainly smallish carp and F1s but already the wind started to be a problem with a strong tow on the water right to left. Looked to be quiet on the Low Bank with one or two carp coming out and a few splashes from peg 26. Still getting a few bites, some missed bites and a couple of foul hookers, maybe the fish coming off the bottom. Fed a bit heavier to try and keep the fish down and had one or two runs of a few bites. Half-way through I had 45lb clicked so moved onto the second net (always a tricky manoeuvre) and that’s when the weather took a turn for the worse. Along with a couple of rain bursts the wind increased and gusted about causing some of the biggest waves I’ve seen at Hall Farm! This made fishing the pole almost impossible at times but I was cheered up with the sight of Barry on peg 2 fighting with his brolly in the wind! When the wind dropped a bit I managed a few more carp but the second half of the match was tricky for me – tried the margins but no signs so kept out at 6 meters. Wasn’t sure what had been caught but Phil on peg 3 looked to have a good second half with some good carp down his edge. At the weigh in Bill had 44lb 9oz, my first net did not go 45lb but went over by several pounds (have to work on the clicking) I think the carp were going heavier than we thought today. So knocked back to 50lb my total was 72lb 3oz to win the High Bank with John Carter second with 46lb 13oz and Bill third with 44lb 9oz. On the Low Bank Phil’s 46lb was enough to top the bank with Jeff’s 39lb 10oz from peg 5 second and Peter on the more sheltered peg 12 third with 26lb 13oz. So all types of weather today, high winds, rain and at times sunshine, maybe with better conditions in the second half I could have had more, but possibly the winds help churn up the water and caused the carp to feed today with most catching a few.

Interclub (Abbey Cross)

Beggar's Hall

N/A

Bishop's Stortford won with 74 points to Abbey Cross's 62 points High bank 1st Fred Hunt 54lbs 2oz 2nd Bill Beeston 50lbs 9 oz 3rd Bob Fox 33lbs Low bank 1st Tony Parker 26lbs 2nd Ray Gibson 17lbs 13oz 3rd Tony Cruci 16lbs 7oz

Rob's day Back at Beggar's Hall today for an Interclub match with Abbey Cross. A bit colder than the last few days with a chilly wind blowing away from the carpark end. We lent Abbey Tony Heath to make the teams 8 a side, so with 16 anglers on the lake a couple of dodgy pegs had to be put in. At the draw the only peg I didn’t want was peg 2 so no surprise when that was left for me when all others had drawn, I suppose someone had to have it. Not many options on this peg as the margins are not great – very shallow and rooty under the willow to the left (also lily pads to the left that you can’t reach due to the tree). Deep to the right amongst the tree roots. The main attack was the feeder just up to the tree as the lake is narrow here and I had Peter Green opposite on peg 22. Match started with Peter catching a carp on the waggler after a few seconds, couldn’t see anyone else. Nothing after 3 hours then a pull round out of the blue and a carp around 7lb. Sadly no more bites – tried the pole out long, and the margins but no signs of life – apart from a family of geese that repeatedly attacked my groundbait bowl – least something was eating it. At the weigh in – Martin kindly weighed the low bank while after putting my carp on the scales for 7lb (and last in the match!) went to see some fish on the high bank. Peter had added another small carp (which he tried to pass as a roach!), a tench and a bream for 14lb 4oz – Graham had 31lb 2oz from 21 and Jeff 11lb 13oz from peg 20. As expected, pegs 19 down to 16 produced the best weight on the day with Bill 50lb 9 oz and second from peg 19, Bob Fox 33lb from 18, Fred winning the bank and top weight on the day with 54lb 2oz, and Tony Heath getting 3rd with 39lb 7oz from peg 16. Tony also deposited his phone and glasses into the lake – I think he retrieved his phone but if anyone catches a pair of sunglasses on peg 16. On the low bank Tony Parker topped the day with 26lb from peg 13, Ray Gibson second from peg 4 with 17lb 13oz and Tony Cruci third with 16lb 7oz – so a good day for Tony’s. The team result – Bishop's Stortford 74 points Abbey Cross 62. Thanks again for Martin and Abbey Cross for their help today – also to Alan who tried to take my peg this morning – mistaking peg 2 for peg 3 – I wish he had stayed there! Photo today is Fred with his winning catch.

Club Match / Outing

Malcolm Barker Lake

N/A

1st Steve Foster 11lbs 10oz 2nd Terry Moranda 7lbs 3rd John Carter 4lbs 1oz

Rob's day At Malcolm Barker Lake today - looked like it was going to be a sunny but windy day. Eleven on the bank today – I drew peg 4 next to Phil on 3 and Ray the other side, so at least I could have a chat if no bites came. A bit limited as to where to fish as a large weed bed extended across the peg at around 11 meters, so set up a pole rig for just before the weeds and another closer in by some lilies – both about the same depth – 7 feet or so. Fed some groundbait and started out long – after a couple of hours not a sign. Tony over on 19 had a good start though, landing a 3lb tench within the first half hour. John Carter also had a tench on 16 so at least a few feeding. All quiet on my bank from what I could see, Phil having a couple of roach, but Ray, Fred and myself all fishless. Fred apparently having a couple of wrap rounds on the feeder but nothing on the end. News had it Terry and Steve on pegs 8 and 10 had a few tench between them. The swirling wind on our side of the bank causing problems today – at times hard to hold the pole, not helped by a large amount of weed etc constantly floating up and down the lake. In the end Steve’s peg was almost totally covered. Into the last hour and a try close in produced a couple of tiny bites and two micro perch. Looked like that was it – thought about packing up with 15 minutes left ready for the weigh in but one last cast close to the lilies brought another tiny bite, but this time more solid resistance on the strike. After trying to get in the lilies and under the staging landed a tench around 3lb. Weighed in the low bank first. Phil not quite a pound of small roach, my 3lb 1oz followed by DNWs from Ray and Fred. It was better at the far end though with Terry weighing 7lb dead for second place and Steve 3 tench for 11lb 10oz and top weight on the day. On the other bank John Carter came third overall with 4lb 1oz and Tony completed the frame, his early tench the only one he caught and weighed 3lb 10oz . So at least a few tench caught today, but hard fishing with very few bites for most. Photo is today's winner Steve.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

Low bank 1st Phil Whitmill 20lbs 11oz 2nd Adrian Barker 10lbs 4oz 3rd Steve Foster 8lbs 10oz High bank 1st John Carter 106lbs 8oz 2nd Bill Beeston 25lbs 9oz 3rd Tony Cruci 23lbs 1oz

Rob's day Hall Farm today – numbers a bit down so pegged 6 on the low bank, 5 on the high bank missing out some of the middle pegs that haven’t been doing so well lately. At the draw bag drew peg 20 – not my favourite peg being at the start of the deep water. Walking to the peg it was obvious that John Carter would be difficult to beat today on peg 26 – already several dark shapes swimming around in his peg. After no success with pellets here on Sunday, just set up a pole for fishing a top 2 and 2 in around 8 feet of water with maggots (nasty cold wind blowing into my face) and a couple of margin rigs although the margins here are around 4 foot deep – not ideal. Also, a method rod although didn’t think the fish would be on the bottom in 12 feet of water. A good start with a carp after 15 minutes and a few gudgeon and perch. Thought this might be the start of a few but did not get another carp on this line – just gudgeon plus a couple of nice roach and a bonus 12oz skimmer. Tried the margins a couple of times but seemed empty of fish. Over the other side it looked to be fishing hard although most seemed to have one or two carp each halfway through. As expected, news was that after a couple of hours John was on about 8 carp. Definitely fishing for second place today. Eventually a few carp turned up in the left margin and I had 3 in the last 20 minutes on meat. At the weigh in the low bank had fished hard with Phil topping the bank with 20lb 11oz which included one that looked a double (picture) – Adrian second from peg 4 with 3 carp for 10lb 4oz and Steve Foster third with 8lb 10oz from peg 2 (I think he expected more from that peg) On the high bank not so close! John fished well to record 106lb 8oz – second from peg 22 Bill with 25lb 9oz which included a nice carp around 8lb landed on the whistle. Tony third from peg 24 with 23lb 1oz – my fish went 20lb 8oz for nowhere. So, with the exception of peg 26, the lake fished relatively hard, hopefully as summer approaches the fish spread out a bit not making drawing peg 26 a formality.

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

N/A

Low bank 1st Rob Calderon 64lbs 15oz 2nd Barry Cornel 42lbs 14oz 3rd Bill Beeston 42lb 1oz High bank 1st John Carter 65lbs 2nd Peter Green 63lbs 7oz 3rd John Todd 60lbs 15oz

Rob's day At Beggar's Hall today – looked good being warm and overcast – some drizzle forecast. Looking around the lake before the draw it seemed to be a good colour and several fish crashing around. I drew peg 10 on the low bank – has been good at times over the winter but not so sure this time of year. Was just going to be a method feeder over to the island and a couple of pole rigs for close in although the margins on this peg are not great with several branches etc on the inside. On the whistle chucked out a feeder with a pink wafter just short of the branches. Two minutes later playing the first carp – quickly followed by two more. By an hour and a quarter had 35lb on the clicker! Over at peg 16 John was also catching a couple from the start and Peter losing a fish in the first few minutes. After that, things slowed down a bit although caught another carp after a couple of hours before losing a good one at the net when the hook pulled. John was still catching regularly casting over to the island – Jeff on 13 a bit quieter but saw him catch a couple on the pole. I dropped the feeder rig down by the side while picking up the pole pot to feed the margins resulted in the rod nearly being dragged in – unfortunately the hook link snapped being so close in! Tried the pole in the margins but no signs so back on feeder for the last 45 minutes. Caught a aouple more carp and a 4lb bream that took the bait almost on the drop – the fish fighting really hard in the warmer water today. Packed up the pole and one last cast on the feeder resulted in the finger slipping and ended up losing the lot in the island brambles, so packed up a bit early. I don’t like using the line clip as I have had a couple steam off here before and no time to take off the clip. At the weigh in, mine went 64lb 15oz to top the low bank – close for second with Barry’s 42lb 14 just beating Bill’s 42lb 1oz - Jeff's 12lb included a carp, a bream and a tench. On the high bank the 3 favoured pegs dominated with John Carter winning with 65lb – second was Peter with 63lb 7oz from 17 and third Toddy from 18 with 60lb 15oz. Fewer fish from pegs 19 down to 22 although Tony did well with 33lb 1oz from peg 21. So most catching a few fish today – a lot of big fish caught, several looking between 12-16 lb caught – and a few lost.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

Summer League 1 of 6

High Bank 1st Graham Carter 60lbs 3oz 2nd Bill Beeston 27lbs 15oz 3rd Fred Hunt 27lbs 12oz Low Bank 1st Peter Green 37lbs 11oz 2nd Ray Gibson 27lbs 12oz 3rd Jeff Pearson 15lbs 15oz

Rob's day Back at Hall Farm today – temperatures up to 24 degrees today and what little wind there was blowing down the lake into peg 12. It was the first round of the Summer League with 15 anglers on the lake hoping for a few bites. Looking at recent results, a peg with shallow water seemed best today so pegs 26, 1 and maybe the pegs at the other end 12 and 13 would be favourable, definitely not a draw in the middle of the lake i.e. peg 19 where I drew. Had Tony next peg on 17 similar to the last Wednesday match here where Tony had a few carp. Match also started similar to that match with Tony catching a couple of carp close in to the reeds early on. After starting on the pole with maggots in about 8 foot of water only had a couple of gudgeon after an hour or so. Went down the edge on corn and an instant bite resulted in hooking a large carp. After a good fight the carp popped up in between my nets, a good double, before burying itself into the bankside weeds. Looked like it was coming out when the hooklink snapped!! The next 4 hours were biteless despite trying everywhere and various baits. Tony also seemed to get no more fish. On the other side, Ray looked to be doing well, landing a couple of big carp, also Peter now catching steadily on peg 1. The pegs in the middle looked to be quiet. Into the last 15 minutes, and just chucking a feeder out at around 13 meters while I packed away the pole resulted in 3 bites and 3 small carp for a total of 11lb 14oz and nowhere. Elsewhere on the high bank the best weights were predictable with Graham Carter making no mistake with 60lb 3oz and top weight from peg 26. Bill 2nd from the other corner peg 13 with 27lb 15oz – good to see some fish from this end. Fred completed the frame from peg 23 with 27lb 12oz (close for 2nd on this bank with three 27lb weights) On the low bank peg 1 came first with Peter Green weighing 37lb 11oz with Ray’s fish going 27lb 12oz. Jeff on the other end peg 12 coming third with 15lb 15oz. A lot of fish caught in the margins today, although it seems best to avoid the middle pegs at the moment.

Interclub (Abbey Cross)

Taylor's Lake (Abbey Cross water)

N/A

Abbey Cross won today with 45 points to Bishop's Stortford's 42 1st Gary Pickard 10lbs 10oz 2nd Alan Fox 9lbs 2oz 3rd Ray Gibson 8lbs 9oz 4th Rob Calderon 8lbs 1oz

Rob's day At Taylor's Top Lake today for an inter-club match with Abbey Cross. Good conditions with it being reasonably warm, overcast and little wind, although most venues are patchy at the moment with some good weights and some blanks. It was going to be the same today. We had ten signed on to the match today to Abbey's seven, so lent them Gary Pickard today with the instructions not to catch too much (obviously wasn’t listening). I drew peg 36 today next to Peter on 37 – normally a good area for a few fish. Just set up the pole today at 13 meters with a light rig and one a bit heavier as a few pads had started to emerge. The start of the match saw some action with in-form Ray picking up a couple of F1s from corner peg 38 and across from me Alan Fox had a couple and lost one. I then had a quick bite before I knew it was embedded in the lily pads – at least I got my rig back. Peter then lost one before I had another bite and this time bullied away from the pads and landed an F1 around 4lb. Half an hour later another bite and a 4lb bream gave up quickly and cruised into the net. Sadly this was my last bite. The Lake seemed to switch off (never came on for most) and we all seemed to sit biteless with the exception of Gary on peg 52 not following orders and went on to catch 3 good bream – fishing 14 ½ meters on the pole. The weigh in showed only six people caught – well done to Gary winning the match with 10lb 10oz, Alan Fox second with 9lb 2oz, Ray's two fish went 8lb 9oz for third. I came fourth with 8lb 1oz and Bill completed the frame with a late F1 for 6lb 8oz. Team result – Abbey won 45 points to 42 – not too many fish today but those that were caught were a very good quality. Thanks to Abbey Cross for hosting the match. No fish picture, but my swim across to Tony on peg 44.

Club Match / Outing

Malcolm Barker Lake

N/A

1st Ray Gibson 11lbs 7oz 2nd Bary Cornell 2oz and that is it

Rob's day At Malcolm Barkers today – with some trepidation looking at past form, although mindful of Darren's tench catch on peg 18 a few weeks back. Steve drew that peg, I drew the last peg on the high bank, 10 – also the golden peg for what it was worth. Nasty conditions today – a cold wind coming in from the left to start, with a forecast of rain and stronger winds to follow. Set up a pole and a waggler to fish near the lillies, and started on the feeder trying for a lucky carp. Five hours later not a sign from anywhere, the same for all on the low bank. A quick weigh in today – Barry managed one roach for 2 oz which gave him 2nd place, but the easy winner today, Ray from peg 3 with a late double figure carp – apparently losing another two. Not much action to report today – glad to get home today!

Winter League results

Various

N/A

1st Rob Calderon 65 points Jt 2nd Bill Beeston & Phil Whitmill 64 points 4th Tony Cruci 61 points

In what ended up a very tight League there were 4 in contention before the sixth and final round with only 4 points separating the top 4. With a big turn out for the last Winter League match there was plenty of scope for a last minute charge. In the end it all came down to 4oz - both Rob and Bill had just the one carp each at Hall Farm but Rob's slightly bigger fish meant he snuck ahead of Bill and Phil by one point or we would have had a 3 way tie. 1st Rob Calderon 65 points Jt 2nd Bill Beeston & Phil Whitmill 64 points 4th Tony Cruci 61 points

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

Winter League 6 of 6

High bank 1st Tony Cruci 34lbs 12oz 2nd Graham Carter 13lbs 2oz 3rd Bob Fox 9lbs 2oz Low bank 1st Adrian Barker 15lbs 5oz 2nd Steve Foster 7lbs 8oz 3rd Phil Whitmill 6lbs 4oz

Rob's day Back at Hall Farm today for the final round of the Winter League – with all to play for with just a couple of points between myself, Bill and Phil, so the draw would be crucial today (so we thought!). A warm and sunny day was promised so we were hopeful of a good day and with a good turnout of 16 anglers. I drew peg 16 – not one of my favourites with Tony C to my left on end peg 15. Started short on the pole with maggots and had the first bite at around 45 minutes and put a 5lb carp in the net. The first bite in fact turned out to be the last bite! Apart from one foul hooker that came off I could not get another bite from the pole line/feeder or down the margins. On the other bank there was a bit of activity, Tony P and Ray on pegs 1 and 2 having an early carp then Phil a couple on the feeder a bit later on. Tony C then found some carp by the reeds to his left and managed to land about 7 or 8 fish – some good ones on the pole. News was that, even in the usually pretty reliable car park pegs, it was for some reason fishing really hard. Adrian across on peg 13 had already had a couple and managed two more near the end and looked to be leading the low bank. At the weigh in Tony C's fish went 34lbs 12oz for an easy win – well done Tony – Graham’s 13lbs 2oz came second and Bob on Golden peg 26 third with 9lbs 2oz. My one fish went 4lbs 15oz importantly beating Bill's one fish by 4oz The Low Bank fished really difficult – Adrian winning the bank with his 15lbs 5oz – a good result on his second match with us – Steve second with 2 carp for 7lbs 8oz and Phil’s couple of carp went 6lbs 4oz for third. Seven DNWs on the sheet today. Today's photo is a very happy looking Mr Cruci.

Water booking

Hall Farm large lake pegs 1-13 low bank

N/A

Club Match / Outing

River Stort Backwater

N/A

1st Rob Calderon 4lbs 11oz 2nd Fred Hunt 3lbs 3rd John Todd 2lbs 10oz 4th Bill Beeston 2lbs 4oz

Rob's day On the Backwater today for the last time this season. The River looked a bit different today after the rain we have had at the beginning of the year – a lot clearer than it has been recently and a lot less flow. Nine of us on the match today so pegged 8 up to 18 just leaving out 11 and 17. I drew peg 13 so relatively happy being at the right end of the River if recent results were to go by. Set up a couple of whips – 5 meters and 2.5 meters and a pole rig for across for the perch. Started on punch and first few casts resulted in bites, but very small fish – some around an inch long! Also, a lot of pike activity early on. Changed to pinkie but still small fish but at least bites. John Todd to my right also getting a few small fish as was Fred on peg 14. Some workers were clearing the weir from weed and an hour in a lot of debris started floating down. Unfortunately, with the flow in this peg (mainly from the left flowing into the barge causing most of the swim to back up) – and with the upstream wind – the weed was congregating in the swim making laying in a rig difficult. Tried the perch swim a couple of times resulting in 2 perch – but small 4oz and 2oz. Toddy still getting a few and Fred now getting a few perch over by the gap in the barges. Bill also apparently getting small fish and below me on pegs 9 and 10 Phil and Tony seemed quiet. Not sure about Steve on 8 or Adrian Barker (fishing with us for the first time this season) who drew hot peg 18 (although conditions completely different to when Steve had over 9lb on this peg a couple of weeks ago. Half-way through decided just to fish the short whip and a top kit just to my left where there were not so many leaves and around 3 ½ foot deep. Plenty of bites on single maggot mainly from small roach and bleak (I think) – but also a couple of better roach around 3-4 oz and a small perch. Half an hour left and struck into something a lot better. A few seconds later slid the net under a perch – maybe just over a pound or so. (luckily on the elasticated top kit) A few more small fish and that was it. Everyone had a few bites today, but generally very small fish – Adrian 1lb 9oz first to weigh in – then Bill with 2lb 4oz for fourth on the day. Barry 5oz from peg 15 then Fred doing well with 3lb from peg 14 for second. My fish went 4lb 11oz – most fish going about 40 to the pound but helped by the perch. Toddy came third with 2lb 10oz and Steve did well from peg 8 with 2lb 3oz. Tony and Phil predictably struggling from pegs 9 and 10 with the majority of the fish still at the top half of the River.

Club Match / Outing

Malcolm Barker Lake

N/A

1st Darren Cope 46lbs 2oz Jnt 2nd everyone else

Gary's day Today was the last match of the season and it was a trip to MBL. The expectation was it would be tough, however, on turning up to find some colour in the water, hopes should have been higher but for the 8 cormorants on the lake. Out of the draw bag came peg 29 and really not a peg I wanted as you are hemmed in and I was expecting the fish to be well out in the lake. Surely though there would be a few small fish near the lily bed? A quick start along the edges for a perch on worm did not produce a bite but it gave a bit of time for the swims over near the lilies to build as I was sparingly firing a few maggots over them. A first try long did not produce a bite - no problem though I hoped as it was a bit chilly so it could be a slow start. Darren over on peg 18 was having a much better start with a bite on his pole line producing a good looking tench. We were all now playing catch up. An hour plus in things were looking more desperate as no one but Darren had had a bite never mind a fish. Darren though was having no problems with a steady run of bites and each one a tench on both pole and waggler. 2+ hours in my float shot under but there was nothing there and nor did my maggots show any signs of being nibbled. But a sign at last. Was this the turning point? Darren was still catching and by the midway point had around 9 tench in his net and was having a true red letter day. A try on a waggler right over the dead lily bed must surely produce a fish of some sort I thought - even a micro perch would do. Not a wobble despite perfect conditions for fishing the waggler. Unbelievably everyone else was in the same boat and only Darren was getting bites. At the end of 5 hours it was a very quick weigh in with only Darren having caught a brilliant net of tench all around the 3 - 4lb mark. Photo today is a very happy Darren with over 46lbs of MBL tench.

Interclub (Abbey Cross)

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

Bishop's Stortford won today with 36 points to Abbey Cross's 18 points Low bank 1st Ray Gibson 33lbs 3oz 2nd Tony Cruci 26lbs 1oz High bank 1st Bill Beeston 31lbs 2oz 2nd Martin Adams 17lbs 2oz

Rob's day We were at Hall Farm today for an Interclub match with Abbey Cross. Bishop's Stortford had 9 on the match today to Abbey Cross’s 5 so we were to discount our bottom 4 weights. A definite advantage, although Abbey could remove 4 of the 9 pegs they were allocated. The lake is now full but the water does have a rusty tinge to it. We were promised decent temperatures and some sun in the afternoon, although this never happened and there was a chilly easterly breeze coming across the lake. I drew peg 25, one off the in-form peg 26 which Martin Adams drew. Set up a couple of feeder rods and the pole for out at 11 meters and close in. A slow start for most – not Ray on peg 1 who hooked his first carp after about 30 seconds and landed a good fish around 8-10 lbs after a few minutes. Martin then had one on the tip casting to the reeds opposite – the first of many I thought he was going to land. After around 45 minutes I had the first bite on the maggot feeder – carp around 4lbs then another. Ray was on number 3 by then. Martin then had another couple. After around two hours another bite and this fish felt a lot bigger. After several minutes and a spirited fight, I managed to get the carp (looked to be over 10lbs) over the landing net – then disaster! The hook link snapped – me and the carp looked at each other for a second then it jumped out of the net and swam back into the depths. After a lot of sulking managed a couple more small carp and that was it from me – nothing on the pole – the lost fish was going to be costly. Martin had a couple more on the tip – not as many as I thought he would get but the lake looked to be fishing hard for most. Not Ray who finished with around 8 carp for 33lbs 3oz and the top weight on the day. Peter had one carp and silvers for 9lbs 11oz from peg 2, Graham one carp from peg 4 and Jeff 12lbs 14oz from 8. A couple of DNWs on the low bank but Tony on peg 12 managed a few good carp for 26lbs 1oz and second on the bank. On the High Bank honours went to Bill with a good 31lbs 2oz from peg 15 with Martin second with 17lbs 2oz – my fish going 13lbs 5oz. Good to see some fish coming from the bottom end of the lake today pegs 12 and 15 getting in the frame. Team results were Bishop's Stortford 36 points, Abbey Cross 18 – thanks to Martin for helping with the weigh in. Today's photo is winner Ray.

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

N/A

1st Tony Heath 41lbs 12oz 2nd Darren Cope 27lbs 13oz 3rd Rob Calderon 16lbs 9oz

Gary's day For the penultimate match of the 2025/26 season it was to be Beggar's Hall today. Wednesday's match was a tough one with blanks and single fish for most which did not bode well. Out of the bag came peg 16 for me. This is usually a pretty good peg but that and 17 fished poorly on Wednesday. I set up a couple of feeder rods and the pole in case a few fish came closer. To the right of me most were hoping for a few coming from near the lilly beds. A carp rolling near Darren's patch of lillies just before the off reinforced those plans. After an hour of searching along the island with a feeder things were not looking good with not a sign. Rob on flyer peg 10 was also struggling with 1 carp hooked and lost in the branches now in the water near the island. Darren though was getting a few silvers and then had a small carp. 2 more hours in still no bites for me not even a silver on the pole line on maggot. Rob and Darren had started to pick up a few small carp and were on about 3 each and then Bob, one along, had a carp. Were they heading my way? An hour more and still no bites so I had a quick wander down to Fred on peg 18 as I was getting cold in the steady drizzle that was falling. Fred had 1 carp and had lost a couple, Tony H had had a couple on peg 20 and Tony C on peg 17 had had a bream. With the lake fishing tough I finally had a bite and a 6lb common was in the net. That was it though for my day and I just could not get another bite or even sign of fish. Rob and Darren had slowed too although Rob snook another on the whistle. It looked like it was going to be tight between Rob and Darren at our end of the lake with Fred and Tony H down the other end being firmly out of sight so a bit of an unknown. Darren's half a dozen carp ended up a better average weight which gave Darren 27lbs 13oz to Rob's 16lbs 9oz but Tony Heath's half dozen carp were bogger still to give him a winning 41lbs 12oz. Today's photo is a very happy Tony.

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

N/A

Low bank 1st Bob Fox 33lbs 1oz 2nd Bill Beeston 32lbs 5oz High bank 1st John Carter 43lbs 10oz 2nd Rob Calderon 39lbs 3oz

Rob's day At Beggar's Hall today with a good day forecast with temperatures into the mid-teens. A lot of water pumped into the lake recently with the levels now fully topped up – looked good but not sure how the addition of the cold water would affect the fishing. Ten on the match today so five each bank – putting in pegs 10, 12 and 13 today as this area has been producing recently. My name last out of the bag and was left with peg 18 – obviously nobody wanted that peg! Just set up a method feeder rod for fishing wafters today, and a pole for just past the rushes in about 7 foot. Started straight in front on the feeder and had a bite after 3 minutes! Landed the first carp about 7lb and was thinking this could be good today. Still thinking that an hour and a half later with no more bites. John on peg 21 had also had at least one carp by now – everywhere else seemed quiet. A quick try on the pole brought an instant bite and after a struggle landed the second carp – had felt big but was hooked in the fin. Four hours in and now had 4 carp for about 30lb – last two on the tip, no more bites on the pole. John also had around 4 or 5 carp at this time – Fred biteless. Looking across Tony on peg 5 also looked fishless (and cold sitting in the shade while most of us had full sunshine). Fred had a wander down to pegs 16 and 17 earlier and reported little action from these pegs, although Bob on 12 was getting a few – not sure how Bill was getting on in peg 10. Struggled to get a bite in the last part of the match – maybe not helped by the cormorant splashing around in my peg. Into the last few seconds and chucked to feeder down by the reeds to the left while I picked up the whistle to blow time – interrupted by the tip moving a couple of inches. Picked up and had carp number 5 on! At the weigh in John registered 43lbs 10oz to win the bank– around 6 carp and a few silvers – Fred unfortunately fishless and mine going 39lbs 3oz. I expected a few fish in pegs 16 and 17 but fished difficult there today, Peter on 17 just one 3lb bream and Steve on 16 one carp. On the low bank, Graham on peg 13 had one carp for 8lb, Bob on peg 12 did well for 33lb 1oz to win the bank and included a goldfish in his catch. Bill narrowly second with 32lb 5oz from peg 10, Tony Parker one carp for 8lb 11oz from peg 6 and sadly Tony Heath not just cold but fishless from peg 5. So mixed results today, fish feeding in some areas – especially around pegs 10-12 and also a few around 18-22. I expected a few more from peg 18 today especially after a fast start but was out fished by John Carter today (again). Sorry John but today's photo had to be Bob's goldfish - Gary.

Club Match / Outing

River Stort Backwater

Stort Cup 2 of 2

1st Steve Foster 9lbs 9oz 2nd John Todd 5lbs 14oz 3rd Darren Cope 5lbs 3oz

Gary's day We were on the Backwater again today with it dropping after another wet week but with it still having some flow and colour. Wednesday's match showed the fish are still shoaled up at the top end and the goal was to squeeze us into the high numbers. Out of the bag came peg 16 for me. The right end of the river, however, I had forgotten how close peg 15 is. You do not get a lot of water to play with and no gap in the boats. I had Rob on peg 15 below me, the same peg he had on Wednesday, with Steve above me on end peg 18. A start on bread punch had a bite after a few runs through and a 2oz roach. After the last couple of matches fishing for bleak it looked huge. Below me Rob was having a slow start but Steve got off to a flyer with his landing net going out regularly. After a decent roach to start the fish got steadily smaller and a big flash of silver under my float soon explained why - pike. Rob started to catch a few small perch over towards the barges and Phil on 14 was also getting a few fish now. My day was pretty much the same. A few reasonable roach or dace, then a pike strike and back to micro fish until the better ones regrouped. As usual the fishing got tougher as the day progressed but the odd fish was still feeding the net. Steve was still catching well and Rob was also ticking over. At the weigh in I was surprised to have 4lbs of bits, lots of bites but nowhere near enough. After seeing Steve regularly netting fish for most of the day it looked like he was the man to be beat and so it proved with a great mixed bag of perch and silvers for 9lbs 9oz. Second was John with 5lbs 14oz from peg 13 which looked so odd without a boat opposite. Another good weight and normally enough to win with Darren not far behind with 5lbs 3oz with around 130 small fish - a very busy day. With 3 1/2 lb taking last place it fished the best it has done for a long time. Photo today is Steve.

Winter League results at 5 of 6

Various

With 5 of the 6 rounds gone it is very close with 3 points separating the top 3 - all to play for at Beggar's Hall for the final round

Club Match / Outing

River Stort Backwater

Winter League 5 of 6

1st Rob Calderon 4lbs 3oz 2nd Tony Cruci 3lbs 10oz 3rd Phil Whitmill 3lbs 9oz

Rob's day Back on the River today for the penultimate round of the Winter League - it was touch and go as a few days ago the River was pretty much unfishable due to the amount of rainwater entering the River. Luckily it had fined down a lot in the last 2 days and looked good – coloured and a decent flow. With 11 on the match today unfortunately a few lower numbered pegs had to be put in – these have not fished well on the last few visits – maybe with the water pushing through, a few fished have come back down (or not). So, we wanted a high draw and I was not upset when peg 15 came out. Had Phil for company on the end peg 18 (the peg he knew he would draw due to the long walk) but at least at the right end. Also had Barry Downstream on the next peg. Set up a whip for trotting down the middle and a pole rig for across near the boats for perch. This peg is relatively shallow with about 4-4/2 feet in the deepest part (just short of the middle) and 3 foot across where there was a bit of slack water. Started on the punch and had bites from the off – small roach and one or two dace. After an hour or so the bites dropped off so went onto pinkies for a couple more roach including a couple around 3-4 oz and a 6oz perch. Couple of tries over by the barges produced nothing so kept on with the whip. Conditions not great today with a cold wind causing presentation problems (and tangles) – also a lot of branches on the bottom – rarely had a clear trot through without snagging. (Hooking a pinkie on a size 20 not easy with frozen hands). Saw Phil and Barry catch a few small fish – also Tony netting a decent perch and swinging in a sizable roach (he also had a run in with the crayfish pot). Fred had wandered down earlier to say things were slow where he was – also Graham who after 3 hours had not had a bite. After a couple of more roach on maggot, spent the last 30 minutes by the barges for perch and had 3 around 4-6 oz and bumped one. At the weigh in Phil recorded a good 3lbs 9oz from a swim that a day earlier had white water flowing down from the weir – now looked good. Thinking I had around 2 ½ - 3lb I somehow had 4lb 3oz in the net – maybe the perch at the end weighed a bit more that thought. Tony (peg 13) pipped Phil by an ounce for second place and Bill filled 4th place with 3lb 2oz from peg 10. Bob had a decent weight of 2lb 9oz from peg 12 but things a bit different when reaching peg 9 down to 4 where it was a struggle to get any fish at all. No fish pictures today, but instead a queue of anglers trying to get away from the low number pegs after a hard day.

Club Match / Outing

Home Farm Large Lake

N/A

1st Darren Cope 56lbs ish 2nd Rob Calderon 46lbs 15oz 3rd Gary Pickard 46lbs 6oz

Gary's day It was a trip to Little Walden's Home Farm today and its large lake. The car park was pretty full as the small lake also had a match on. With a day of rain but strong winds forecast I left the brolly at home which was a mistake. I have not been on the large lake many times and I seem to keep drawing the same corner so today was going to be a change as we fished the other bank with the wind off our backs. Out of the bag came peg 13 near the island which I could just reach the overhanging branches of at 14.5 m. The plan was to fish long to the island until the wind picked up and then shorter with either maggots or expanders. And a maggot feeder rod in case the wind really picked up. The first hour was very slow for me but Rob to my right was catching on a maggot feeder from early on and Fred was also getting a few bites on the pole. The island proved a waste of time and I finally picked up a small F1 on the feeder. A try on the micros and expander swim gave me a reasonable carp but I only had 1 more bite on that swim all day. Rob and Fred were still catching and so now was Darren on the pole. A couple of small F1s from near the island kept me from falling too far behind. Whilst all this was happening the gentle sleat at the start had turned horrendous with 50p sized bunches of snowflakes falling. Shipping the pole was horrible as your hands got covered in freezing slush. When it finally turned to rain about 12.30 it was a welcome relief as the temperature increased a bit. The forecast strong winds did not happen though, I could have brought the brolly. As the weather eased there was a quiet spell for us all and then my right hand maggot swim started to come good with a steady run of bites through to the end fishing a very light float. A few lost, foulhooked fish including one at the whistle was the downside of this though. By the end of the day everyone had caught a few fish despite the weather. It looked like it was going to be between Rob and Darren although Fred had had a couple of decent carp. At the scales Darren's fish went 56lbs to Rob's 46lbs 15oz. I had thought Rob had more than that as he'd seemed to be catching all day and lifting my nets out I had more than I thought. It was close with my fish going 46lbs 6oz - I just needed some of the foulhooked fish to stay on. Sorry no weigh in shots this week just the start of the match and the next 3 hours of sleet / rain and the more sensible of us under a brolly.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

Low bank 1st Jeff Pearson 18lbs 1oz 2nd Steve Foster 15lbs 9oz High bank 1st Rob Calderon 53lbs 5oz 2nd Bob Fox 22lbs 10z

Rob's day Back at Hall Farm today after a week or so of rain most days but with temperatures up to 10 degrees today. The level at Hall Farm pretty close to normal now after the rain and water pumped in from the stream, but with a rusty tinge to the water. 8 of us today so 4 each bank, I was last to draw and was left with peg 26. Hadn’t fished this for a while, but a lot of fish had been settling at this end of the lake over the winter so hopeful for a few bites. Set up hybrid and maggot feeders for over to the reeds and a couple of pole rigs. Started on the hybrid feeder with a wafter but after 30 minutes not a touch, thinking it might be harder than we thought today. In the meantime, Barry on peg 2 had a couple of carp on the pole, seemed quiet elsewhere although Fred on 24 mentioned they had caught further along the bank. A change to a maggot feeder brought an instant response though and I had three small carp in as many cast. Kept on the maggot feeder for a couple of hours catching the odd carp – most tight to the reeds opposite. The middle of the match went quiet – went an hour or so without a bite – fish seemed to disappear somewhere for a while. Nothing on any pole line so back to the feeder. Looking across Jeff had a few carp now fishing the pole and Steve on peg 10 seemed to have caught a few on the tip. Not sure about our bank, although Fred had one carp going into the last 30 mins. The carp seemed to have returned by the end and I finished with a good run of 4 to 5 carp although most seemed small (spoilt by the size of Beggar's carp!) last fish on the whistle which also brought back a float that had been stuck in the weeds across all match. Weighed in the low bank first – Barry sadly just the two carp caught early but weighed 10lbs 15oz – Terry one carp, Jeff catching five to win the bank with 18lbs 1oz and Steve second with 15lbs 9oz. On the high bank Bob on peg 20 weighing a good 22lbs 10oz, John Carter 12lbs 6oz from 22, Fred, who added a couple of fish near the end for 11lbs and my fifteen or so fish going 53lbs 5oz – one on the hybrid feeder, the rest on a maggot feeder. None on the pole today. So, fishing hard for most today, but at least we all caught at least one carp. Photo today is Bob Fox.

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

N/A

1st Rob Calderon 101lbs 7oz 2nd Mark Halverson 59lbs 4oz 3rd Gary Pickard 50lbs

Gary's day After yet another very wet week it was Beggar's Hall today for us. The water was a lot more coloured than expected likely due to all the rain and the water being pumped in. At the draw out came peg 18 for me. A great summer peg but not so great in the winter as you have a lot of water in front to try and find the fish in. The pole stayed in the car today and it was to be a day on the feeder and bomb with a waggler rod set up just in case. A search around with a couple of bits of corn on the bomb to start with did not produce any signs. Darren on peg 21 and John on 19 got off to a good start with a carp each early on. Mark all the way up on peg 14 also looked to be getting a few bites too. 90 minutes in I finally had a bite on the feeder and a nice common was in the net. Had I found them? In short no. Darren and John by this time had another each and then John quickly had a couple more. I was now at least 4 carp behind John. Fred then wandered down for a break from watching a motionless tip and mentioned that Rob had at least 5 carp too. 10 mins or so later I finally had another carp but just the 1 bite. Mark was still catching fish including on the pole and I could not see how Rob was doing. With 40 mins or so to go I finally had a bite where I had been feeding a bit of corn all day. The tip sailed round but nothing was on the end. A quick recast and the tip yanked round and carp 3 was in the net. The last 30 mins was like another match with 3 more carp in quick succession. John thought he had about 30lbs and I reckoned I had that beat. Darren had had a pretty slow second half of the match. Fred had not wandered down or packed up so he must have caught too up on peg 16. Having seen Mark catching pretty much on and off all day and knowing Rob had 5 fish early on it looked like it was a case of seeing if I could get 3rd. Rob was the clear winner today with 101lbs even after going over on one of his nets. It was then a lot closer than I expected with Mark's "40lbs" going 59lbs and my "35lbs" going 50lbs. Those carp are getting bigger and we also had a showing of a few bream for Rob and Darren. Picture today is birthday boy Fred at 85 years young.

Water booking

River Stort Backwater