Match results/Events info

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

Summer League 5 of 6

Low bank 1st Bill Beeston 66lbs 4oz 2nd John Carter 26lbs 9oz 3rd Ray Gibson 25lbs 2oz High bank 1st Rob Calderon 103lbs 5oz 2nd Dennis Gowlett 74lbs 9oz 3rd Peter Green 58lbs 14oz

Rob's day Hi All At Beggar's Hall today – also the 5th round of the summer league. Going through a bit of a heatwave at the moment and today was forecast to be another hot day. Most lakes are low at the moment, Beggar's being no exception, so some issues with placing the keepnets today, and drawing most swims on the low bank meant setting up below the platforms near the water. I drew peg 18 – so looked promising for a few fish seeing the weights on Sunday, although these pegs have been hammered a bit lately so who knows. Plenty of fish up in the water to start – many crashing around and a few cruising so started on the pellet waggler. Also set up a feeder rod and pole rigs for the right margin and left close in by the reeds. Hooked first carp on the waggler after 10 minutes but for some reason snapped the hooklink. Next cast in landed the first fish – a carp around 7lbs then no more bites. Onto the feeder expecting an early pull round but nothing so back out on the waggler. After a few casts then had two on the trot before the wind picked up a little making it more tricky. Didn’t get any more bites on the waggler. Back on the feeder but no signs so after about 3 hours went on the pole next to the reeds. Instant bite on paste and a good carp – then foul hooked and lost a couple. Onto maggots and another carp around 10lbs which put up a good scrap on the pole despite using 18 elastic – 9lb line and a 7lb bottom with a 12 hook. Had been feeding the right margin and several fish had moved in although difficult getting clean bites. Had one on corn then another on maggots – all good sized fish, but lost a couple not hooked in the mouth. Into the last half hour now – not sure how my bank had been fishing – Peter had caught a few but I could only see Ray on peg 4 who had two or three near the end, Steve on 5 who was struggling with one fish, and John on 12 who looked to have a few. Terry on 13 also struggling. Chucked out a feeder down the edge so I could start packing up the pole in readiness for the weigh in (always good for a bite) – and had a couple of wrap rounds and two carp to end the day. Not too many fish today, but all a good size and weighed in 103lbs 5oz. Second on the high bank Dennis Gowlett from peg 17 with 74lbs 9oz and third Peter Green from peg 19 with 58lbs 14oz. Bill had a good catch of 66lbs 4oz to head the Low Bank with John Carter second with 26lbs 9oz and Ray third with 25lbs 2oz. Picture is the lake from peg 23 showing the water levels – no fishy pictures today as some lightning and rain during the weighing!

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

N/A

1st Darren Cope 92lbs 13oz 2nd Kevin Turner 74lbs 3rd Gary Pickard 63lbs 1oz

Gary's day Today we were at a bright and hot Beggars Hall. With little wind and high pressure I was expecting the fish to be high in the water and a good day on the pellet waggler. Out came peg 5 for me which I was pleased with as you have plenty of water to go at. First rod out of the bag was the waggler rod with a feeder and then the pole. The day almost got off to a flying start with a bite on the pole out long with hard pellets on the bottom in the first few minutes. A couple of minutes later back came a scale: fish 1 Gary 0. The next couple of hours saw me wasting my time on the waggler with the carp always just out of reach and not wanting to come into the feed. Darren on the opposite bank on peg 18 was not having the same issues and had a steady stream of carp going in his net. Our low bank was not doing well. Finally I had a couple of small carp fishing a feeder under the pellet waggler line. But then it went quiet. Another small carp out on the long pole had hopes up but that was the second and last bite on this. Darren was still catching and so was Kevin on peg 19 and Tony on peg 17 also seemed to be tangling with a few. A few more carp followed on the feeder: lots of liners when I fed some pellets and then the tip would occasionally fly round. It was time to try the margins with 90 mins to go but it had been strangely quiet. I should have stayed on the feeder as 1 lost carp was my lot for the margin and the lake was really slowing down in the last hour with even Darren now struggling. Having seen Darren catching most of the day he looked to be the runaway winner although Kevin next to him had also been sneaking a few in the net. In the end it was closer than expected with Darren having 92lbs, Kevin 74lbs and myself 63lbs. Photo today is Darren with a nice little tench in the weigh bag you might just spot.

Interclub (Abbey Cross)

Taylor's Lake (Abbey Cross water)

N/A

It was a close finish with Abbey Cross winning with 90 points to Bishop Stortford's 80 1st Rob Calderon 17lbs 13oz 2nd Steve Foster 13lbs 12oz 3rd Steve May 13lbs 5oz 4th A Barker 7lbs 5oz

Rob's day Hi All At Taylor's Lake today for an Inter club match with Abbey Cross. 18 on today – originally was going to be over both lakes, however, as work was done on the weeds during the week, Martin decided we all fish the Top Lake. I drew 51 which was on the narrow arm coming out of the Top Lake. Never fished here, but plenty of room and a lot of lilies either side meant that main attack would be over the far side. Abbey had done a good job clearing the weeds although still plenty for the fish to bury in if we hooked any. Set up pole rigs for across and close in, although the depth, just over 4 foot, was the same all the way across. Fed a couple of ball of groundbait across and started on just a top kit on maggots to try and get some fish in the net to avoid a DNW. Started catching a few small roach and perch, then an hour in hooked a better fish and landed a 2lb F1. Noticed some bubbling over on the 13m line so went out with maggots. After a few small roach intercepted the bait, had a better bite and hooked something a lot bigger. Unfortunately, half way back, the fish tangled up in a weed bed and came off. Next cast another bite and again went straight into weed. Luckily the weed was loose and a great clump came back and I notice a head in the middle. Netted it all and detangled a 3lb tench. No more bites except micro roach on maggot – tried expanders and corn for no bites so alternated my short and long lines on maggot for a couple of more small fish. More bubbles so back out at 13m and another bite resulted in an angry F1 which managed to shed the hook. Was getting a bit frustrated but next cast hooked another large fish. Wasn’t sure what this was as it felt a bit strange then, as it got close, a pike around 10lb or more leapt out the water and dived at some pace into the lilies. Broke off and came back with a broken float. Middle of the match very slow with little signs but into the last ½ hour and more bubbles coming on the feed over the far side. Had one good bite and managed to net another F1 around 2 ½ pound. Last 5 minutes and another bite resulted in the best fish of the day – F1 over 5lb. Finished with 17lbs 13oz – wasn’t sure how the lake had fished as could only see Jeff on the other bank, but the weigh in showed it had fished hard with my weight being top with Steve Foster coming second with 13lbs 12oz. Abbey Cross members filling the next 3 places and only 3 weights were in double figures today. Abbey won the match today 90 points to 80 – thanks to Martin and all at Abbey Cross for hosting the match today. Picture is my fishy, but snaggy peg.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

Malcolm Barker Rose Bowl 2 of 2

1st Rob Calderon 72lbs 12oz 2nd Gary Pickard 72lbs 4oz 3rd Fred Hunt 62lbs 13oz

Gary's day It was back to Hall Farm's large lake today. With a possible thunderstorm later, getting a few fish in the net early on could be crucial. Today I was back down in the deeps on peg 10 although this end of the lake has been fishing quite well lately. I decided to start with a short line on hard pellets (still in 7ft of water) and feed a longer line to try and get them shallow later. Within a couple of minutes the float slid under and a small skimmer was heading into the net. A very odd start followed shortly after by a nice crucian and then a gudgeon. A bumped carp put paid to the short swim. A try out long found me one fish but they were hanging back and cruising along the far side. The rest of the lake also seemed very quiet although you cannot see your own bank for the bushes hemming in this peg. By half way desperation was setting in and I was trying maggots on the shallow line. This found me a few roach and rudd but they were much too small. Mark then came along to see how we were all doing and the most anyone was admitting to was a couple of carp. It was fishing hard A try back shallow after a bit of rain passed through found me a few more carp but far too many were coming off. With a couple of hours to go it was time to try the margins as Rob on peg 8 looked to be catching a few close now. I had a couple on paste but then the bites went funny and I spent the next 30 mins getting more frustrated. A change to hard pellets instead brought instant results with clean bites and fish heading to the net rather than coming off. It was a busy finish to the match but would it be enough to beat Fred on peg 2? With Fred not admitting to more than 60lbs and both me and Rob guessing similar weights it was going to be a close one today. At the scales it ended 1st Rob Calderon 72lbs 12oz, 2nd Gary Pickard 72lbs 4oz and 3rd Fred Hunt 62lbs 13oz. Photo today is Phil.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

High Bank 1st John Carter 93lbs 7oz 2nd Bill Beeson 56lbs 5oz 3rd Fred Hunt 54lbs 4oz Low Bank 1st Phil Whitmill 61lbs 14oz 2nd Peter Green 49lbs 1oz 3rd Jeff Pearson 30lbs 8oz

Rob's day Hi All Back at Hall Farm today after some good weights at the weekend. 14 on today. Hoping for a draw in the shallower water at the car park end but first name out of the hat and drew peg 13. Thought I was in for a struggle today and was not disappointed. Set up a feeder and some pole rigs for out long, shallow and for the margins. Started with a quick go on the feeder for no bites, then onto the pole at 11m with around 9 feet of water. In the meantime, Ray opposite had already had one carp and lost another (which he blamed me for!). No bites on this so out shallow at 13m on 4m pellets. After 30 mins had one take and landed the first carp at around 3lb. No more bites on this so trying the shallower water to my left by the reeds. One or two carp topping up to now, but very few signs of any fish this end. With the wind blowing down the lake, these end pegs were always going to struggle. Could see Peter and Jeff on 8 and 10 now get a few fish but, apart from Ray who had one more carp, wasn’t sure how the lake was fishing, although looking to the right could see several carp topping and cruising around. No signs where i was though. With around 2 hours left concentrated on the margins where I had been feeding, although no signs of life down either side. Eventually caught a couple on corn/meat although nothing on paste. Foul hooked a couple including one around 8lb which after a long scrap managed to land – (amazing how far 17 elastic can stretch). Ended with one down the margin on the feeder while packing the pole away. Ended with 32lbs 14oz but knew that would be a poor weight for today. On the High Bank John Carter had his second win of the week at Hall Farm with a good 93lbs 7oz from peg 20, Bill second with 56lbs 5oz from 22 and Fred coming third from peg 26 54lbs 4oz. On the Low Bank Phil on peg 2 topped with 61lbs 14oz, Peter second from peg 8 49lbs 1oz and Jeff third from peg 10 (where John won from on Sunday) with 30lbs. This Sunday’s match is back at Hall Farm – peg 26 would be nice!!

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

1st John Carter 99lbs 13oz 2nd Darren Cope 92lbs 2oz 3rd Fred Hunt 73lbs 13oz Silvers - Peter Green 8lbs

Gary's day Today was a cooler and cloudier day at Hall Farm's large lake with the water levels still well down. Peg 21 was my home for the day; half way along the high bank. The plan was: long pole shallow with 4mm pellets; a shorter line with 6mm pellets; and then down the edges on paste or corn. It was a slow start all around the lake with just the odd silver fish being caught early on. Eventually I had a bite on the short line and a small carp was in the net. And this is how it went for pretty much the first half of the match with a steady flow of bites - not quick but steady. More of a breeze than expected put paid to the long line. By the midway point I was doing well with about 40lb on the clicker and the rest of the lake still fishing harder than expected. With a few fish now showing in the edge on some pellets I had been throwing in it was time to try them. And at that point the wheels fell off my day. I spent the next couple of hours trying to persuade the carp from looking away from the reeds and at my bait as they buried into the reedy edge hunting for food. The rest of the lake had now come alive and I could see my lead disappearing with Darren opposite me having a good run of edge fish. I could also hear a few big splashes coming from my right where Tony and Fred were drawn. The poor second half of the match was going to be costly for me with my fish going 63lbs with 2/3rds of that coming in the first half of the day. Time for a rethink if I draw along the reeds again. Well done to John who just missed out on 100lb by a few ounces, closely followed by Darren Cope on 92lbs and Fred coming in 3rd with 73lbs. Peter (today's picture) was a convincing winner of the silvers pool with just over 8lbs.

Interclub (Saffron Walden)

Bordeaux Pit (Saffron Walden water)

N/A

Bishop's Stortford won with 59 points to Saffron Walden's 47 points 1st Brian Newman 17lbs 8oz 2nd Phil Whitmill 8lbs 9oz 3rd Steve Foster 7lbs 11oz (all silvers and taking the silvers pool) 4th Clive Bradford 5lbs 11oz 5th Rob Calderon 5lbs 1oz

Rob's day Hi all At Bordeaux Pits today for an interclub match with Saffron Walden – weather looked good for a few fish – warm and overcast. We had 7 a side today so spread around the lake in pairs (carp today would need to be weighed in immediately) there was a payout for the top silvers bag so plenty to go for today. I drew peg 28 – didn’t mean much to me but looked ok with a bit of space. Set up a feeder rod, a couple of rigs out long for maggot and pellet and some margin rigs for the carp although the margins were very deep here – over 4 foot. Had a quick look on the feeder for no signs so ditched that and went onto the long pellet line – hard 4 mils. Heard a shout for scales to be brought to Phil’s peg, so a good start for us - turned out to be this 6lb plus carp Phil caught was the only one of the day! No bites on the pellet so swapped to maggot and after a while had a few bites from small roach and perch. No carp showing so decided to stay on the pole and maggot picking up a few fish but really small. Not a lot happening around the lake as far as I could see – Bill struggling from peg 25 to my left (narrow section opposite the island) but saw Tony land a 2lb F1 opposite on peg 10. Graham Carter next to him was having fun with the carp, losing a couple in the lilies. A few fish lost today including Barry also breaking his top kit! I was now getting a few small chub around 4-6 oz each which were more than welcome although coming in small bursts of 2 or 3 fish then disappearing. Did feed the margins and tried a couple of times for the carp – but didn’t see any signs. Back to the pole to finish and a couple of more chublets to weigh in a hard earned 5lbs 1oz. Elsewhere Brian Newman had top weight for SW from fancied peg 36 with 17lbs 8oz including 4 F1s and a tench. Bishops Stortford looked to have done ok with Phil weighing in 8lbs 9oz for second, Steve Foster having a good net of silvers, mostly small roach for 7lbs 11oz for third and my net coming fifth (default to 4th place as Steve took the silvers pool). Clive Bradford completed the frame with 5lb 11oz which including some good sized crucians. So, a good result for Bishop's Stortford, taking the match 59 points to 47 – well done to all in our team on a pretty hard day, and thanks to Fred for his hard work in organizing a good match. Today's photo is Tony in the distance - not the most flattering angle.

Club Match / Outing

Home Farm Small Lake

N/A

1st Rob Calderon 71lbs 14oz 2nd Gary Pickard 36lbs 11oz 3rd Phil Whitmill 32lbs 2oz

Gary's day Sunday saw us at Home Farm's small lake with a forecast of possible thunderstorms and rain for much of the day. Before the off we had sunny skies and carp cruising around but come the all in whistle the clouds had gathered and fish disappeared. I was in the middle of the lake today on peg 3 so with plenty of room but not one of the favoured end pegs. It was a very slow start for most of us with only Rob in peg 5 catching (or at least hooking) a few fish. The water was well down after our long dry spell. It was proving very frustrating. I could see fish were near my pellet feed from the bubbles and plumes of mud but I could not get a bite. Trying shallow got me one bite but it quickly fell off after charging across the lake. After a couple of hours I finally started getting the odd bite on paste but was missing too many bites and was having issues with foulhooked fish in the very shallow water. At least I was off the mark. Phil and Tony were also still struggling and Rob was still catching. A try down the edge early when I saw some signs of fish did not work so it was back long on paste. Another try in the margins finally got me a carp on corn but the bites were not coming. I decided to try paste shorter near the tree to my right on hopefully a less silty bottom and that seemed to work. I had a good run of decent sized carp with 90 mins to go but then I went back to bubbles and no bites with most fish coming off. A very frustrating finish for me. Rob was also slowing down but Phil was starting to catch a few. It was pretty obvious who was going to win today's match but not so clear on second and Phil had had a good finish. Given that Rob seemed to have a fish on every time I looked his way we all thought he had a lot more but still comfortably won with 71lbs with me just edging out Phil by a fish with 36lbs to Phil's 32 lbs. Today is my peg just before the off with the clouds rolling in.

Club match / Outing

N/A

His 'n' Hers Cup

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

Summer League 4 of 6

Low bank 1st Rob Calderon 81lbs 2nd Phil Whitmill 49lbs 5oz 3rd Tony Cruci 47lbs 6oz High bank 1st Richard Beeston 77lbs 11oz 2nd Graham Carter 70lbs 6oz 3rd Peter Green 56lbs

Rob's day Hi all Back to Beggars today for the 4th round of the summer league – 7 on each bank. I drew peg 13 – never caught much from this area – had Terry next to me on 12 and I had a good view to pegs 16 and 17 so thought at least I would see some fish although fisheries never seem to fish the same one day to the next. The levels are way down at the moment so had to set up in the water (and mud) in order to get the keep nets out. Margins here are full of roots and only a few inches deep. Set up a feeder rod and pole rigs for near the lilies in 5 feet of water and down the side – around 3 feet from the bank in 1 ½ foot of water. Wasn’t sure the carp would come in that close on this peg. Started on the feeder about 20 meters out and had a small carp half an hour in followed by a larger one around 7lbs. Had fed the lilies to my right heavily from the start with particles and notice a lot of bubbles coming from this area. Tried the pole here for one fish (F1/crucian?) and then hooked another that went straight into the lilies and came off. Decided to fish the feeder close in by the lilies and started to get several liners and one or two strange bites which resulted in a couple of more F1s (I think). Seemed that these smaller fish around 3lbs each were causing the bubbling. Amongst these also had a few good pull rounds for decent carp but also a few foul hookers and a couple that came off. Had to put a lot of pressure on when hooking to persuade them not to visit the pads. Into the last couple of hours – Terry to my right was struggling with one carp – Steve and Peter on pegs 16 and 17 were getting a few but not one a chuck. Not many fish showing today but did notice one tail in the margin so went down the edge. First on paste for a missed bite, then dead maggots for an instant bite and before I knew it the elastic was coming out of the lilies – another lost fish (around 10 today) managed to land one more from the edge before the next one trashed my rig so finished up on the feeder. Had another 3 fish including a couple of bigger doubles, before I blew the whistle. Finished with 81lbs – more than I thought I would get from peg 13. The lake fished well today all round with Phil coming second on the low bank with 49lbs 5oz from peg 6 and Tony Cruci third with 47lbs 6oz – peg 5. Tony Parker had previously weighed in a 15lbs carp in his 30lbs (2 fish). The high bank also produced good weights – Richard topping with 77lbs from peg 20, Graham Carter second with 70lbs 6oz from peg 18 and Peter third 56lbs peg 17.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

1st Gary Pickard 119lbs 11oz 2nd Peter Green 53lbs 8oz 3rd Jeff Pearson 47lbs 4oz

Gary's day Today we were over at Hall Farm's large lake with a cooler start forecast. A welcome relief after the recent hot spell. Out of the draw bag came peg 1 for me, a flyer so the pressure was on. On plumbing up I was surprised to find so little depth with 1-2 foot at most but it did not seem to be putting off the carp that were cruising around the area. It helped cut down the prep though as my shallow rig could fish on the deck. I spent the first hour or so fishing shallow trying to mug the odd carp cruising past. It was a steady start with every carp going nuts when it was hooked and charging over towards either the lillies to my left or the weed bed in front. After an hour I had half a dozen small carp - slow but steady. To my right on peg 2 Tony was busy catching roach and rudd with the top end of the lake seeming fairly quiet. The middle of the match was much the same but feeding a few 6mms seemed to help. A quick try on the method feeder midday allowed me time for a bite to eat. I had a couple of carp on this but getting them past the reed bed on the left was tricky with a shorter rod. By now the pegs up the lake were starting to wake up with the occasional net going out for a fish. It was time to give paste a go again and this time they seemed interested. And that was pretty much it to the end of the match alternating pellets or corn as feed. There was the inevitable spells of missed bites and lost fish but, thankfull, more stayed on than came off. The middle pegs of Mark, Jeff and Peter also looked to be having a good finish too. With the sun coming out and the temperature rising the final whistle was welcome. I had had a busy day and I finished with just under 120lbs for 1st. The rest of the lake had also fished pretty well and it was all down to who had managed to land the carp they had hooked. Peter managed to nudge Jeff into third place with 53lbs to Jeff's 47lbs with Mark and Fred nipping at their heels. Today's picture is Tony with a tidy net of silvers.

Club Match / Outing

Malcolm Barker Lake

N/A

1st John Carter 9lbs 9oz 2nd Bill Beston 9lbs 3oz 3rd Dennis Gowlett 4lbs 4oz 4th Peter Green 3lbs 15oz

Rob's day Hi At Barker's today – a good turnout of 14 although that meant a few “dodgy” pegs needed to be put in – although the weed had been professionally treated and Gary had done a good job getting weed out of some pegs a couple of weeks ago, this was going to be an issue for some. Drew peg 16 in a reasonable area although no lily pads here apart from the ones in the middle opposite peg 17. Set up a waggler rod and a couple of pole rigs for short and long. Fed a couple of balls of groundbait on the long swim and started on the waggler. No bites after 45 mins so went on the long pole line with maggots. Apart from a couple of tiny rudd, no bites – weed being a problem getting hooked up nearly every put in. Nothing close in so tried the waggler shallow for a few small rudd. Meanwhile Dennis on my left had a few better rudd and perch then a tench around 2 ½ pounds. On the other bank Bill on fancied tench peg 3 had a couple of tench and looked to be leading – adding one more before the end. Decided to fish the long pole line for the rest of the match and a couple of hours to go had a good bite that turned into a small tench around 2lb. No more bites though. John Carter then landed 3 fish (2 bream and a tench) in quick succession on the feeder in peg5 and Peter next door had landed one bream. At the weigh in it was close between John and Bill – John’s 3 fish going 9lbs 9oz to Bill's 9lb s3oz. Dennis was third with 4lbs 4oz and Peter's fish going 3lbs 15 oz for fourth. Although the weed is still causing problems to some, better catches today with some nice bream and tench.

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

Ralph Jarvis Rose Bowl 1 of 2

1st Rob Calderon 170lbs 7oz 2nd Peter Green 97lbs 8oz 3rd Phil Whitmill 38lbs 14oz

Sorry not a lot of detail for this one at the moment as I was away on holiday. It looks like the carp decided to feed at Beggar's Hall with Peter just falling short of 100lb with 97lbs 8oz but still a long way behind Rob who weighed in 170lbs 7oz to up the lake record again. Amongst those were 2 rather large carp with one coming in at 23lbs 11oz. Most frustrating match went to Tony who had a hard time landing the carp he kept hooking in peg 18. 1st Rob Calderon 170lbs 7oz, 2nd Peter Green 97lbs 8oz and 3rd Phil Whitmill 38lbs 14oz. Sorry no photos either.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

Over 65s Cup

1st John Carter 129lbs 10oz 2nd Graham Carter 87lbs 4oz 3rd Phil Whitmill 70lbs 2oz

Rob's day Hi All Back at Hall Farm today for the over 65s match – a warm day expected with apparently light winds. We had 9 at the draw today so decided to put in all 12 low bank numbers and see what comes out. Peg 10 for me not where I wanted to be in the first few pegs. In fact after we drew the three numbers left in the bag were 1, 2 and 3. Maybe though this would be a fairer match although John Carter on peg 4 would seem to have the best draw with all the lake to his left free. Set up some pole rigs for close in at 6 foot, further out at 9 foot, margin and shallow, although the margins are not great here – a few inches at 1 ½ foot then slopes sharply down into the depths. No bites on the pole short or long so decided it had to be shallow although not many fish showing. Took a while on the jigger to get the first fish, but started picking up a few. The wind was proving an issue now though, difficult to hold the pole out at 13m – a couple of times almost blowing into Tony’s peg to the right. Still getting a few though – mainly small carp and F1s. Jeff to the left had a few carp short on the pole – Tony struggling on peg 11 – couldn’t see anyone else although Peter Green appeared half way through to say the early pegs were doing well (no surprise). Into the last hour and tried the margins – had one carp on pellet to my left before trying the paste. Not easy as the float wanted to disappear down the slope but had 3 better carp in the last 15 minutes to weigh in just over 60lb. This was never likely to compete with pegs 4, 5 and 6 though and this is how it turned out to be. John topped the weights with a great 129lb from peg 4, Graham Carter second with a creditable 87lb 4oz peg 5 and third Phil with 70lb 2 oz for third from peg 6. Thanks for everyone who turned up and congratulations to John Carter.

Inter Club (Abbey Cross)

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

Bishop's Stortford won with 44 points to Abbey Cross' 34 points. Low bank 1st Peter Green 72lbs 14oz. 2nd Martin Adams 65lbs 11oz 3rd Phil Whitmill 47lbs 4oz High bank 1st Bill Beeston 71lbs 7oz 2nd Rob Calderon 45lbs 15oz 3rd Fred Hunt 40lbs 5oz

Rob's day Hi All At Hall Farm today for another Interclub match with Abbey Cross. We had 8 on today to Abbey's 6 so would discard 2 weights – Abbey discarding 2 pegs. After the heat of the last few days, a completely different day weatherwise with rain forecast for most of the day and temperatures 10 degrees lower. I drew peg 19 – not the best and up against the better pegs in the 20’s but who knows. Started on the short pole with pellets and had a good start with 3 F1s in the first 20 minutes. Had a couple more after an hour or so, but fish were very small at all under 2lbs. Bites faded so tried shallow on the jigger for a couple more but thing were getting harder. Into the afternoon and a couple more small carp – struggling to land fish trying to thread the pole and landing net through the brolly and railings! Luckily the rain subsided and the brolly could come down. Onto the margins but these were a disappointment, a couple of foul hookers on paste before hooking and landing a couple of better carp, but no more bites on paste. Tried hard pellets down the edge but nothing. Couldn’t see anyone on my bank but a few fish coming out opposite. I could see Tony Parker and Phil on pegs 1 and 2 getting a few – also Martin on peg 4 after catching silvers in the morning was now getting into the carp. Ray also getting a few on the feeder, but best of all Peter on peg 6, who looked to have a slow start but was now catching one a chuck on the feeder. Had one more on the feeder down the margin and ended the match with 45lbs 15oz. Not bad for peg 19 but thought I would be beaten by all to my right. As it turned out the high bank did not fish great – although Bill made no mistake from peg 26 with top weight on the bank 71lbs 7oz. My weight second and Fred third with 40lbs 5oz Some good weights on the low bank, notably Peter's winning weight of 72lbs 14oz. Martin did well to finish second on 65lbs 11oz from peg 4 and Phil third with 47lbs 4oz. It ended with Bishop's Stortford winning with 44 points to Abbey Cross' 34 points. Good to see weight coming from most areas today although as expected the shallower end fishing better than the deeps – thanks to Martin for weighing in the low bank.

River Stort Canoe Club event

River Stort (main river)

N/A

Club Match / Outing

Malcolm Barker Lake - venue change

N/A

1st Gary Pickard 9lbs 6oz 2nd Mark Halverson 3lbs 9oz 3rd Tony Cruci 1lb 10oz

Gary's day Today was a very hot day at MBL with the temperature climbing to around 30C by the end. We were going to be pretty well spread around the lake and I ended up on peg 3. A good peg but with a horrible high bank behind which makes shipping a pole hard work. The main plan was to fish to the lilies in front for tench on the pole and to the left of the lilies with a waggler for small fish. I also set up a pellet waggler rod in case the carp decided to feed. I had a good view of Mark over on peg 18 and he was going to be my gauge as to how well the lake was fishing. Rob was to my right on peg 2 - a hit and miss peg. The start was encouraging with a few roach and rudd on the waggler with maggots but they were quite small. After about 45 mins I tried the lillies but could not get the bait to bottom for small fish. Back to the waggler for a few small fish but the bites were tailing off and the fish were hanging out closer and closer to the cover of the lillies as the sun got higher. On the rest of the lake Mark was getting a few small fish but Rob was struggling and so was Tony on 28. With some bubbling coming from near the pads it was time to try for a bonus fish again. Whole worms still caught roach so I gave an expander a go and the float slid under and I was into a better fish and a 4lb tench was soon in the net. It was a frustrating day with lots of bubbling near the pads each time I dropped in some groundbait but bites were hard to come by. It was still just the odd roach until I had a brief encounter with a carp about 12.30. I managed 1 more tench at about 2 just after Mark lost a good fish over on 18. After that it was a slow finish - even the bubbling stopped in the last hour with just the odd roach going in the net. Rob also lost a decent fish towards the end, however, it had been a tough day on peg 2. It proved to be a hard day with bonus fish making all the difference. 1st Gary Pickard 9lbs 6oz, 2nd Mark Halverson 3lbs 9oz and 3rd Tony Cruci 1lb 10oz. Picture today is me with my best tench and a curious neighbour in the background.

Water booking (until 12 noon)

Hall Farm Small Lake

N/A

Water booking

Hall Farm Small Lake

N/A

Interclub (Saffron Walden)

Beggar's Hall

N/A

Bishop Stortford won with 58 points to Saffron Walden's 47 points 1st Rob Calderon 80lbs 5oz 2nd John Carter 64lbs 8oz 3rd Steve Foster 51lbs 10oz

Rob's day Hi all At Beggar's today for the first Interclub match of the season with Saffron Walden. We had 9 on the match today to Saffron Walden’s 7 so would discount 2 of our weights. With 16 there were a few not so great pegs in today – Fred drew the odd numbers so maybe we would have the best of the draw. Luck has it I drew 18 so knew I would be on a few fish. With the weather to be hot today, and a few fish showing on top I started on the pellet waggler – also setting up a bomb rod, method rod and a couple of edge rigs for the pole. A bite on the second cast brought a 6lb carp – a few minutes later foul hooked one in the tail – which turned out to be the really fat carp with a bent tail – now over 10lbs – bit of a struggle but somehow managed to get it in the net. No more bites on the waggler so tried the bomb over the same line – but nothing. Onto the banker line – to the right on the feeder. Another fish after about 20 mins so stayed on that having a good run a couple of hours in so at halfway had around 50lbs. Started feeding the margins, thinking a big weight was on if they turned up there, but in the end the margins were a disappointment, a couple of fish seen on the feed, but only managed a carp of around 7lbs on the pole. Back to the feeder for a couple of more fish, but the second half of the match was not as good as the first – the temperature had dropped a bit in the afternoon – sun really hot around midday, wishing I had kept my long trousers on and not exposed my knees! At the weigh in I had 80lbs with the rest of the bank fishing ok – Steve Foster doing well from in form peg 22 with 51lbs for third in match and Fred 48lbs for Fourth from 17. I had decided for this match to not split the banks and just pay out the top 5 so it was good to see some decent weights coming from the low bank, notably John Carter’s 64lbs from peg 12 for second in the match – maybe the best weight I’ve seen from that peg, also a 36lbs and a 27lbs from pegs 3 and 5. Bishop Stortford won the match 58 points to 47 – thanks to Fred and his team for the help in weighing in today. Picture is Ray with a shy carp.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

Malcolm Barker Rose Bowl 1 of 2

1st Gary Pickard 100lbs 11oz 2nd Mark Haleverson 89lbs 2oz 3rd Fred Hunt 65lbs 15oz

Gary's day Today saw us at a hot Hall Farm with 27c+ predicted but cooler than the day before. It was peg 4 for me, at the right end of the lake so I was looking forward to a few fish. It was going to be hard pellets on the deck long, a go at shallow and then down the margins later with paste or corn. I had a good start with 2 early small carp in the first 15 mins but then started getting bites I could not hit. I finally hooked what was causing the problems - a small gudgeon taking a liking to 6mm hard pellets. With the bottom being solid with small fish it was time to try shallow. Just as the wind picked up. I ended up fishing closer and closer as the wind strengthened with it changing directions every few minutes. A couple of hours in I was struggling. Above me Mark on peg 8 had 7 or 8 carp and Tony a few but Fred on 2 had a slow start A change to loose feeding 4mms got a bit more activity shallow but it was hard work with the arms feeling it by the mid point. At this point I had maybe 40lb in the net so was having a steady day. With the wind not dropping it was time to try the edges which were a little calmer. A few indications led to a couple of carp on paste but that swim went quiet. A try on pellets and corn to the other side got an instant response. I ended up swapping left and right to the end with a couple of fish before it went a bit funny each time. Fred on 2 was having a good finish fishing a method feeder and Tony was still catching. Mark was out of sight behind a couple of trees. At the weigh in I just snuck over 100lbs but it ended up being a lot closer than expected as Mark's 65lbs went 89lbs including losing a few pounds when he went over on one net and Fred in third not that far behind with 65lbs. With the lowest weight coming in at very respectable 44lbs the lake fished really well despite it being its third match since Weds. Photo today is Mark with his smaller net of carp.

Charity match (BHF)

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

Water booking (until 12 noon)

Hall Farm Small Lake

N/A

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

Summer League 3 of 6

Low bank 1st Jeff Pearson 69lbs 2oz 2nd Tony Cruci 55lbs 13oz 3rd Ray Gibson 33lbs 11oz High bank 1st Graham Carter 49lbs 2oz 2nd Rob Calderon 46lbs 12oz 3rd Fred Hunt 43lbs 13oz

Rob's day Hi all It was Hall Farm today for the third round of the Summer League, with a hot day forecast and with little wind blowing towards the car park bank, it was clear the draw was going to be crucial today – no one wanting the pegs down in the deep water. I drew 22, apart from 26 and 24 maybe the best peg on the high bank. Set up shallow, margin rigs and for the bottom, short and long. Started short on the pellet for an early carp but no more so went on the jigger at 13m. A few fish showing on top but not as many as I thought there would be, most fish swimming around in groups. Managed 2 F1s and a carp but no more on top so went onto the deep rigs. Meanwhile a few splashes from my right, Graham on 24 and Fred on golden peg 26. One splash unfortunately was Fred's top 3 disappearing into the lake attached to a carp. At halfway now and a lot of fish now showing in the margins, but seemed spooky, coming in on the feed but swimming out quickly. Had a couple on pellet but was having trouble getting clean bites (wished I had brought paste, that might have worked!). On the other bank Jeff looked to be getting a few carp now after spending the first half of the match catching silvers and Tony was having a great run on peg 4. Into the last few minutes and it proved to be a frustrating day with fish there but couldn’t hook them, although at least we were at the end of the lake with a few fish, people struggling at the other end to locate fish. Ended with one down the edge on the feeder to weigh in 46lbs 12oz enough for second on the high bank pipping Fred but not enough to beat Graham (fishing his first match with us) who had 49lbs 2oz for a good win. Well done Graham showing us how its done! For a nice change, top weight on the day came from the low bank, Jeff's 18lbs of roach topping his weight to 69lbs 2oz – Tony’s run of carp getting him second on 55lbs 13oz and Ray from peg 2 making third with 33lbs 11oz. All 6 places today coming from the early pegs, 26, 24, 22 and 2, 4, 6 those on the higher pegs struggling especially on 12 and 13. Today's photo is new boy to the Weds Club Graham Carter.

Club Match / Outing

Wickham Hall

N/A

1st Rob Calderon 13lbs 9oz 2nd Jeff Pearson 4lbs 9oz 3rd Gary Pickard 3lbs 9oz

Gary's day It was going to be a hot but windy day as we headed to Wickham Hall. At the draw I ended up with last choice in the walk off and decided to fish the far right corner with the wind blowing in. Having left most of my feeders at home that narrowed down the choices for the day: a pole rig for on the deck in 10ft; a whip in case it was difficult and I needed a bite from anything; and a feeder rod. Rob was into a carp on the feeder pretty much before I finished feeding my swims. A first drop in on the deep pole rig with a couple of dead maggots had the float dancing all over the place as they were attacked by small rudd. Time to try a piece of corn instead - not a sign. About this time Phil had a bream of about 2 1/2lbs on the pole and I was falling behind fast. A quick try on a cage feeder had no signs and I seemed to be hitting a weed bed on the retrieve. It was time to get something in the net. A go on the whip to my right in more open water on maggot was worryingly quiet with just the odd micro rudd. I had been trying to avoid feeding maggots to my left nearer the weed because of this but when Rob landed another carp and Mark over in the other corner lost one it was Plan B time. As the day went on the fish got closer and closer to the weed and I ended up needing to set up another pole rig to drop in right on the edge of the weed later on. Apart from a dozen or so fingerling chub that maybe made an ounce each it was a day of catching small fish for me. Rob was today's runaway winner with 4 carp for 13lbs 9oz, 2nd Jeff Pearson and 4lbs 9oz and then I just Phil to 3rd by 1oz with 3lbs 9oz to Phil's 3lb 8oz. Picture today is Rob's winning ner.e

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

N/A

Low bank 1st Phil Whitmill 16lbs 4oz 2nd Bill Beeston 8lbs 60z 3rd Barry Cornell 1lbs 7oz High bank 1st John Carter 50lbs 5oz 2nd Rob Calderon 41lbs 5oz 3rd Richard Beeston 28lbs 5oz

Rob's day Hi all Back at Beggar's Hall today - 13 of us hopefully all catching a few fish although most places still seem to be fishing hard at present. Last out of the draw bag I drew peg 18 so a good chance of a few fish. Had set up a pellet waggler but a strong breeze blowing into my bank would have made it difficult and impossible to see any fish on top, so started on the feeder. No bites after an hour made it clear it was going to be a hard day. Rich on my left had one carp – I think on the waggler, and Bill over on peg 5 one carp also on the waggler. Apart from Bill, I could only see Tony Heath on 3 Fred on 4, and Barry on his own on 13 and they all seemed quiet. Managed another Carp on the feeder before hooking another and losing it when the hooklength snapped on the marginal weeds. Had been feeding the right margin and to the left alongside the reeds, but only saw one carp come in so stayed on the feeder as the wind continued to blow in. Managed one more carp before trying the margin again. After missing a couple of bites hooked and landed a carp around 8lb. Trying the reeds to the left caught one roach about 3oz then a 2lb jumping bream. Kept feeding the margin to the right but little activity apart from one carp that had been cruising around the keepnets all day. Hooked one more carp a long way down the right but I think foul hooked and came off. Down to the last minute, I had packed away most of the tackle just leaving the feeder rod. Noticed the carp still down by my feet so dropped in the feeder down a foot out, not expecting anything and looked for the whistle. Looked up and the rod had bent over! – while blowing the all-out, played and landed the carp – around 10lbs. At the weigh-in the lake had fished difficult, especially the low bank and also pegs 16 and 17 – Tony and Jeff weighing 1 carp between them. Phil topped the low bank with 16lb, Bill second with 8lb and Barry third with 1lb 7oz – a few DNWs today. John Carter had done well from peg 22 to top weight with 50lb – my 41lb good enough for second on the bank and Rich 3rd from page 19. Seems that the fish are favoring the car park end at present? Photo today is Rich Beeston.

Club Match / Outing

Home Farm Small Lake

N/A

1st Gary Pickard 43lbs 6oz 2nd Phil Whitmill 41lbs 3oz 3rd Fred Hunt 18lbs 2oz

Gary's day Today was back to Home Farm and it's small lake. It was a little cooler than of late with a breezy but dry day forecast. It was peg 1 for me today so a bit of long pole work to start and hopefully the margins full of carp later on. The start was slow but steady with a few bites coming on 6mm pellets and after an hour I had 4 smaller carp in the net. Fred at the other end of the lake sounded like he had had a good start but the middle pegs were fishing hard. After that first hour my peg just seemed to switch off and the odd cruising carp and patch of bubbles I had seen disappeared. Long, short, middle, on the deck and shallow were all tried and the only bites were from roach. With 90 minutes to go the odd carp showed on the top. They were very spooky but a couple took the pellet I dropped in front of them. Then they disappeared as fast as they surfaced. A try in the middle on corn found a couple of roach but nothing bigger. Phil in the middle sounded like he was now getting a few bites but the trees blocked me seeing him. With 20 mins to go another try down the margin finally produced a bite on paste which I missed. Next put in though I hit that bite. I snuck 1 more carp before the end. The carp here really seem to know typical match times as they were all down the edge as we were packing up! It was a very close finish and the few silvers I popped in the net may have made the difference. 1st Gary Pickard 43lbs 6oz, 2nd Phil Whitmill 41lbs 3oz and 3rd Fred Hunt 18lbs 2oz. Picture today is Fred with a very scaly mirror.

Interclub (Abbey Cross)

Hunters Hall (Abbey Cross water)

N/A

Abbey Cross won the day with 53 points to Bishop's Stortford's 25 1st Martin Adams 15lbs 10oz 2nd Barry Cornell 14lbs 10oz 3rd Alan Fox third 8lbs 2oz

Rob's day Hi All Today we fished an Interclub match with Abbey Cross at their Hunters Hall Fishery near Epping Green. We had 8 fishing for us – Abbey only 6 so two of our weights would be discarded. Weather not bad but a coldish wind was blowing away from the car park end. I drew peg 15 – the first stage on the right hand bank – has been a reasonable area for bream lately so hopeful of a couple of fish. At the whistle fed a few small balls of groundbait at 13m and a couple at 9 m – then went out on the feeder with maggots. No bites after an hour so went on the 13m line. Wind was causing a problem holding the pole as was gusting across the lake on our bank. Still no bites so tried the 9 m line for nothing. On the other bank, Alan Fox had netted a bream, also Ray and Tony on peg 4 looked to have landed bream. News also that Barry had landed a large carp of around 20lb on peg 22 (weighed in at 12lb 11oz). Alan Fox to the right then caught a couple of tench under his feet, so things were not going too good for me, still with no bites. It seemed the bream were not feeding properly today with several seen cruising around at the top – maybe post spawning? Tried close in on maggots near the lilies both sides but ended the match biteless. Martin won the match with a creditable 15lb 10oz, Barry second with 14lb 10oz thanks mostly to his carp, and Alan Fox third with 8lb 2oz. Abbey Cross easily won the match 53 points to 25 with most of their side catching bonus fish. Thanks to Abbey Cross - Martin and Alan for hosting the mach.

Club Match / Outing

Beggar's Hall

N/A

1st Gary Pickard 160lbs 14oz 2nd Mark Halverson 92lbs 15oz 3rd Rob Calderon 46lbs 6oz

Gary's day After a hot couple of days it was a cooler visit to Beggars Hall today with it being forecast to be a bit breezy. It was another trip to peg 16 for me today. With quite a few carp thrashing around in the reeds on the walk to the peg thoughts were on it being a hard day if they were spawning. With the hot weather I was hoping the carp would be feeding in the upper layers so a day on the pellet waggler with a finish down the margins. Whilst getting set up I saw the odd cruising carp but they were a long way out at the island. At the all in I had a few chucks towards the island and was surprised to bump a fish after a couple of casts. Maybe they would be feeding today. Rob over on 17 was soon into a carp fishing a feeder down the side so I was one down. But only briefly as the float went under a carp was heading to my net, I was off the mark. As the wind picked up I tried a feeder to the island whilst feeding shorter. I had no signs on the feeder but Rob was getting bites and I was behind again. Slowly a few more carp started showing near the surface and the bites picked up. As the day went along the carp started focusing on the feed area. Although not the biggest fish in the lake the bites were coming quickly and the weight ticking up. By the midway point I was well into my second net and it was going to be a special day if the waggler line held up. Rob was now struggling to get bites but a lack of any rumour from the other end of the lake suggested they were having a good day. With the wind picking up a bit the bites slowed but were still coming quickly enough that I never bothered with the margins. At the all out I was glad for the rest after a very busy day. Despite our fears at the beginning of the day about the carp being too busy spawning to feed they seemed to have changed their minds as there were some pretty good weights. 1st Gary Pickard 160lbs 14oz, 2nd Mark Halverson 92lbs 15oz and 3rd Rob Calderon 46lbs 6oz. And an honourable mention to Tony who had a 6lb+ bream.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake - venue change

N/A

Low Bank 1st Ray Gibson 46lbs 10oz 2nd Phil Whitmill 25lbs 4oz 3rd Peter Green 23lbs 1oz High Bank 1st Rob Calderon 75lbs 5oz 2nd John Carter 3rd Gary Pickard 36lbs 5oz

Rob's day Hi all At Hall Farm today with a good turnout of 15. Warm day with the prospect of showers and a moderate wind blowing towards the car park. Luckily, I drew peg 26 – always some fish there and helped with the wind coming into the corner. Started on the feeder towards the reeds and had a couple of early small carp. Not quick but the tip went round a couple more times before I went onto the pole at 10 meters where I had been feeding hard pellets. Had one carp then no more bites so alternated between the feeder and pole for next couple of hours picking up a few fish. Halfway through had a good run on the pole including a couple of good carp for Halls at around 7-8lb each. The promised showers then came and didn’t seem to help things – tried down the margins where I expected to catch on paste, but apart from one fish on the drop no bites. Could only see the other bank, but Ray on peg 1 seemed to be having a good finish, looked to be quiet elsewhere. Wasn’t sure what was caught on my bank but apparently John Carter on golden peg 22 had a good run in the margins after the rain – Gary also catching a few from 20. The pegs up the far end struggling today on both banks – the majority of the fish up the shallower end. Finished by catching a couple on the tip in the left margin – nothing today from my right. At the weigh in the low bank was won by Birthday Boy Ray on peg 1 with 46lbs 10oz, Phil second from peg 6 and third Peter Green from 4 which again included a good bag of silvers. On the high bank my 75lbs 5oz was just enough to beat Johns 62lb 13oz and Garys 36lbs 5oz. Many thanks to Gary today for doing all the hard work at the weigh in. Today's picture is Jeff with just under 12lbs of silvers for his weight.

Friendly

Hall Farm Large Lake

N/A

1st Peter Green 73lbs 5oz 2nd Fred Hunt 42lbs 2oz 3rd Mark Halverson 41lbs 9oz

Gary's day Today was the last of the friendly knock up matches before we head into the new season and, after a reasonably warm week, I was looking forward to getting a few fish at Hall Farm. Drawing peg 10 in the deeps was not the start I wanted with a warm wind blowing in to the shallower car park end. After seeing a few bubbles whilst setting up I decided to try the feeder to start with. 30 mins later that plan went out the window as I had not had a sign. Worryingly not many others seemed to be getting any bites either. I finally had a bite at about the 1 hour mark on hard pellet into 7+ft of water (at 3 sections) and a 2lb f1 promptly fell off at the net. It was going to be one of those days. Just before 12 I finally had another bite this time on paste down my margin and this stayed on into the net - blank saved. Down our end of the lake it was fishing badly and Mark, Tony and Phil were now fishing for silvers. I had been feeding a shallow line from the off with 4mm pellets and kept giving it the odd go when the wind dropped enough so I could hold the pole out there. Apart from a few rudd bites it was empty until I finally hooked something about 1pm. Straight away I knew something was wrong - the line had tangled round the pole tip with the wind. It was soon carp 2 Gary 1. The cold rain shower did not help lift my spirits at this point. In desperation I dug out a very old pot of worms I had with me and popped a worm head on the hook just to get some bites. At last the float was moving and the odd roach and rudd heading to the net. And then the float shot under and a very angry carp was on and heading across the lake - carp 3 Gary 1. The roach bites slowed and the float shot under again - this time the carp made it to the net - carp 3 Gary 2. With time slipping away and the odd carp now getting caught it was time to gamble and so it would be paste until the end for the last hour. With about 15 mins to go the fish suddenly switched on but they would not stay on the hook and it was a very frustrating finish to the match for me - time to rethink my tactics for Weds when I will be sneaking onto the mid week match with it being half term week. Peter was today's clear winner with 73lbs 5oz of peg 2 but then it was ounces between Fred Hunt on 42lbs 2oz who had had a few fish all day and Mark Halverson with 41lbs 9oz who had a frantic finish with most fish in the last 30 mins. Pic today is the lake from peg 10 just before the all in.

Club Match / Outing

Beggars Hall

N/A

High Bank 1st Tony Cruci 40lbs 2nd Fred Hunt 37lbs 3oz 3rd Bill Beeston 27lbs 5oz Low Bank 1st Peter Green 42lbs 6oz 2nd Rob Calderon 30lbs 11oz

Rob's day Back to Beggars today with the forecast of thundery showers that never materialized. Eleven on the match today – six on the high bank and the rest on the low. I drew peg 10 – good in the winter but not so sure this time of year. It was also golden peg along with Tony Cruci on 18. I set up a pellet waggler rod (only a couple of casts due to the conditions), a feeder rod and a couple of pole rigs – one for up to the lilies and one for paste down the left hand margin under the willow. Started on the feeder a had a small carp around 3lb after 45 mins followed by a small crucian. Things went a bit wrong after that – when hooking a larger carp by the island trees, I had left the line clip on and the carp decided to bolt of round the island. Before I had a chance to take the clip off the hook link snapped (took the clip off after that). A bit later another carp hooked and for some reason pulled out of that one. Then another that stayed on around 6lb The wind had picked up now blowing right to left and also bringing a load of leaves/pads etc down causing issues even when sinking the tip underwater. Also a bit cold – any sun obscured by the willow. Carried on with the feeder – hooking one more when sinking the line – but this also came off (probably foul hooked). With an hour to go only had about 13lb and a bit behind Peter who I saw had at least 3 fish on the pole on peg 6. Only other person I could see was Tony Parker on 16 who looked to have a couple of carp. Into the last 30 mins and after trying the pole – no presentation due to the wind, decided to finish on the feeder down the edge. Lifting out to recast – somehow was attached to a carp – thought it was foul hooked but in fact was hooked perfectly in the mouth? With 5 mins to go the tip flew around and landed the best fish of the day – around 10lb - on the whistle. Ended with 30lb 11oz for second on the bank behind Peter who had 42lb 6oz. these were the only weighs on the bank with pegs 3, 4 and 5 blanking. A bit better overall on the high bank – with Tony making no mistake from peg 18 with just 4 fish for 40lb. Fred second from peg 22 with 37lb 3oz and third Bill with 27lb 5 oz from 20. Fancied pegs 16 and 17 not fishing well lately with more fish from 18 upwards it would seem.

Friendly

Home Farm Big Lake

N/A

1st Gary Pickard 68lbs 7oz 2nd Phil Whitmill 56lbs 6oz 3rd Fred Hunt 47lbs 1oz

Gary's day Today was a rare visit to Home Farm's Big Lake as the Small Lake was already booked. This lake has a lot of smaller carp and F1s so can turn into a bit of a fish race if they are feeding well For my third trip to the venue I drew peg 7 up in one of the top corners. With pretty generous pegging on the lake it was going to be hard pellets long on the pole and the margins later on paste or corn. Rob on peg 6 got off to a flyer with a small carp before I had a rig in the water. I soon had a bite and a small carp on pellets and then a chunky roach but that was it for the long swim for the rest of the day. Apart from Rob, who was still getting bites, everyone else seemed to be struggling although Fred and Phil on 3 and 4 were tucked around the corner so I could not see them. I had some luncheon from the bottom of the freezer so gave this a go a bit shorter on the pole and finally had a few bites. A lot were from off small roach but the odd carp and F1 was also feeding. By the midway point though it was not going well. Rob was still catching the odd fish and Fred and Phil were strangely quiet suggesting they were doing well. A change to paste near a tree to my left had the float wobbling all over as it was mobbed by small fish but then it flew under and I was into. .... a bulrush root. This was not the only bite of the day to end in a stick or lump of reed. A quick try on the right margin with meat got me one small carp but too many small fish were an issue. Back to the left margin I finally found a couple of carp before a foulhooked carp killed the swim for a bit. A try elsewhere to rest the left swim produced nothing but a bumped fish. The last hour to the left was like fishing in a new lake with the paste not hitting the bottom a couple of times before a fish was on. A hectic finish but Rob was also catching a few fish too despite getting impaled in the finger by a pole float.w With Phil admitting to 30lb and Fred having "had a few" it was going to be down to the scales as I could not see what they had been catching. The last 45 mins made all the difference and got me over the winning line with 68lbs 7oz to Phil's 56lbs 6oz and Fred's 47lbs 1oz. Today's photo is Fred with a pretty little Koi - it was a lot more orange in real life.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

Summer League 2 of 6

1st Bill Beeston 49lbs 2nd Barry Cornel 40lbs 3oz 3rd Peter Green 32lbs 4th Fred Hunt 31lbs 15oz

Phil's day Morning to all, the Weds Club fished its second round of our summer league at Hall Farm. I needed to draw well due to a very bad leg on the last one but no joy as I pulled peg 13. If the carp are not down that end you're in trouble and they weren't and I was. I baited 3 swims and a feeder line with pellet and corn and red maggots but I could only get bites on silvers on reds and they were few and far between. I did manage late on to catch 2 small carp to weigh in with 8lbs 10oz and came 2nd from last never mind another day their I would have had 60lb but not today. Results are 1st Bill Beeston with 49lbs , 2nd Barry Cornel with 40lbs 3oz , 3rd Peter Green with 32lb with only one small carp in that weight , 4th Fred Hunt with 31lb 15oz , pic is my peg 13

Friendly

Beggars Hall

N/A

1st Gary Pickard 88lbs 6oz 2nd Mark Halverson 43lbs 15oz 3rd John Todd 18lbs 9oz 4th Phil Whitmill 18lbs 1oz

Gary's day The good weather is back with us. A little chilly at times still overnight but today was going to be hot and sunny at Beggars Hall. It was just a few of us today which was a good thing as the lake filled up as the day progressed. It was peg 16 for me - one of the more open water pegs with it being a good 30m+ to the island. With lots of carp cruising around on the top as we set up, the pellet waggler rod was the first out of the bag along with a feeder/bomb rod and pole for the edges. I got off to a great start with a carp in the net within 5 mins after it took a liking to an 8mm pellet. And then it was steady for the next hour or so with the odd carp going for the pellet I cast towards them. Mark on 17 was having a slow start and there was no news from the other end of the lake. The wind then picked up and it became difficult to see the fish and present the bait well. A try on bomb and pellet under my feed and a method over by the island were a waste of time with no bites. The next few hours saw me swap between feeder and waggler when the wind dropped enough - I never did get a bite on the bottom. Mark was slowly getting a few bites on the feeder but I was now struggling. A try down the edges with a couple of hours to go saw no signs. Back on the waggler grabbed me a couple more fish and big ones at that. The last hour was hard work with just one more fish from the edge and one lost. Putting in the third net was fatal. It is amazing how often that seems to happen. Despite the lack of many fish in the second half I had done enough and some of the fish were real lumps with the biggest going 19lbs 10oz. 1st Gary Pickard 88lbs 6oz, 2nd Mark Halverson 43lbs 15oz, 3rd John Todd 18lbs 9oz and 4th Phil Whitmill 18lbs 1oz. Picture today is my lump of a mirror carp.

Interclub (Abbey Cross)

Beggars Hall

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Abbey Cross won with 65 points to Bishop's Stortford's 52 points High Bank 1st Bill Beeston 47lbs 3oz 2nd Peter Green 39lbs 5oz 3rd Barry Cornel 6lbs 1oz Low Bank 1st Tony Parker 14lbs 10oz 2nd Bob Fox 13lbs 13oz 3rd Tony Cruci 11lbs 13oz

Phil's day Hi to all, the Weds club fished its monthly match against Abbey Cross on our lake at Beggars Hall and the extreme cold nights in the last few days had taken its toll on the fishing. I drew peg 4, not a bad peg and I have had some good catches in the winter from this peg but that was then and it all changes by the month. I made 3 lines and a feeder for a bit further out to open water ..Fed red maggots and pellets for some silvers just for the points and the feeder for the carp well that didn't work and I had no bites on the feeder all day and by 1.30 pm I decided I need to catch something so onto reds to catch a few perch and you never know I might hit a carp. I did manage a few rudd and a very small carp of 6oz for a total weight of a pound. There were 2 sections of low and high bank. High Bank 1st Bill Beeston with 47lbs 3oz, 2nd Peter Green with 39lbs 5oz and 3rd Barry Cornel with 6lbs 1oz. Low Bank 1st Tony Parker with 14lbs 10oz, 2nd Bob Fox with 13lbs 13oz and 3rd Tony Cruci with 11lbs 13oz. Abbey Cross wins with 65 points to Bishop's Stortford's 52 points. Pic is my peg with a lone duck she had 10 chicks but they scarpered when it was time to take a pic.

Friendly

Hall Farm Large Lake

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1st Phil Whitmill 64lbs 2nd Rob Calderon 44lbs 9oz 3rd Fred Hunt 43lbs 4oz

Gary's day It has been a funny old week weatherwise from 25C+ down to a chilly 12C or so over the bank holiday weekend. A cooler start saw us on Hall Farm this week with 8 of us squeezed along the low bank. Out the bag came peg 8 for me - one I seem to draw a lot and not a favourite peg as things get warmer. It was going to be out at 5 sections in 9ft of water with hard pellets and then down the edges (in nearly 5ft - it is rather deep down this end) later on cubed luncheon meat. Well that plan did not work and an hour in saw me with no signs of a bite on pellets and it was slow going for most of the rest although Jeff on peg 10 snuck an early carp and Peter on 9 was busy catching plenty of roach and rudd as he was keen to snare a few more big roach after getting one over a pound in the Weds match. Thankfully I had some maggots and decided to join Peter catching silver fish and hoping some carp or F1s would rock up - and promptly missed the keepnet with the first roach I caught (spoiler alert - that and some other misses were going to be costly). An hour in the roach bites were slowing and then the float went under and something more solid was hooked - and promptly came off after charging cross the lake. I did get 1 small mirror that took pity on me on the shallow line but it was going nowhere. A few tries down the edges was also producing nothing. By the midway point Phil on peg 2 had been catching steadily and Fred on peg 5 was admitting to 6 carp. A F1 finally felt sorry for me on the long hard pellet line but that was the one and only bite on this so it was margins or bust. Nothing to the left which looked the better side. A bite to the right which I missed. With just over an hour to go things were not looking good but then the lake finally seemed to switch on for us in the deeps. It was then a case of swapping left and right and the peg was getting better although the carp and F1s were small at about 2lbs a piece but each one was very very angry. A 2lb+ koi was a nice surprise (sorry no picture) and the bites were finally flowing just in time for the whistle to blow. Apart from Phil who had a clear lead on us all the results were very close: 1st Phil Whitmill 64lbs; 2nd Rob Calderon 44lbs 9oz and 3rd Fred Hunt 43lbs 4oz just beating me by 3oz. Pic today is Fred not yet knowing he had ounced me.

Club Match / Outing

Hall Farm Large Lake

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Low Bank 1st Phil Whitmill 39lbs 11oz 2nd Peter Green 28lbs 15oz 3rd Terry Moranda 20lbs 5oz High Bank 1st Fred Hunt 49lbs 12oz 2nd Bill Beeston 38lbs 14oz 3rd Rob Calderón 21lbs 4oz

Rob's day Hi all Today we were at Hall Farm's Large Lake in the middle of a mini heat wave with temperatures heading into the 20s. Hoping for a good day with maybe the fish feeding in the warmer water prior to spawning. Twelve on the match today, I drew peg 13 – not one I have fished before but with some form. Arriving at the swim several carp could be seen cruising around – mostly in pairs or groups and, as it turns out, mostly not interested in feeding. I started on the pole at 10 meters on hard pellets and a few minutes in had my first carp around a pound and a half. This was the last fish on this line so concentrated on the reedy corner to my left. Eventually had a bite and landed a 3lb carp – hooked in the chin. This was a clue what was to happen later! Half way through the match I was on 3 fish – losing a couple. Phil opposite on peg 12 had a slow start but was starting to catch a few. Couldn’t see too much as to what was happening around the lake, but also seemed slow for Peter and Tony on pegs 10 and 8. With plenty of fish swimming around the margins, decided to get the paste out for the first time this year and after an hour realized why I don’t like using it!!! Plenty of bites, but not clean ones and after an hour using it landed one fish and lost 8. Obviously not hooking them properly. Thing got worse with the hook length snapping on the next one hooked, then completely tangling the rig when pulling out of another. In frustration decided to pack the pole away and just chuck the feeder down the margin for the last hour. Didn’t help with the line somehow tangling around the inside of the reel and had to cut off and re-set up. Had one more carp at the death on the feeder and ended with 5 fish for 21lbs 4oz. Elsewhere on my bank, Fred had a good day weighing 49lbs 12oz for top weight, Bill with 38lbs second from his favourite peg 20, and my 21lbs somehow good enough for third. Pegs 26 and 24 did not fish well for some reason. On the Low Bank Phil had a good last hour with some nice carp to top the low bank with 39lbs 11oz, Peter came second with 28lbs 15oz which included 15lbs of roach and one fish just over a pound. Terry finished third with 20lbs 5oz from peg 2. Maybe have to rethink the paste tactics, rigs etc for coming summer. Pic today is a very happy Bill.

Friendly

Beggar's Hall

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1st Gary Pickard 115lbs 3oz 2nd Mark Halverson 23lbs 4oz 3rd Phil Whitmill 19lbs 5oz

Gary's day Summer seems to be arriving slowly with a hot and sunny day for us at Beggar's Hall. With carp cruising and little wind it looked to be a day on the pellet waggler. Out of the draw bag came peg 18 for me which gave me plenty of water to try and chase down some fish. As usual, come the whistle for all in the carp had decided not to swim too close to the bank so that was the mugging on the pole sidelined. Feeding one area with pellets and then casting at fish I could see got me an early bite but it quickly fell off. Peter on peg 20 was having a good start with a decent carp in the net after 15 mins or so. Another 15 mins later I had another chance and this one made it to the net as did another for Peter. Phil on peg 21 was having a frustrating start with plenty of fish cruising amongst the lillies but not wanting to come out to be catchable. Mark on peg 17 and Tony on 16 seemed to be having a slow start. My day turned out to be very simple in the end: casting at showing fish with a pellet waggler; and a couple of fish on a method feeder where I had been feeding pellets when I saw fizzing there. Peter was struggling after a great start with Phil now admitting to a couple of fish and Mark now looking to be catching. Tony was not having a great day. The last hour was trickier with a bit of a breeze and the sun behind me making spotting fish harder. A couple down the margin to finish after bumping a couple of carp had me ending with 13 chunky carp. The carp were a bit bigger than I expected bringing me over the 100lb mark with 115lbs with Mark's 4 carp coming in at 23lbs and Phil just edging out Peter with his 2 carp. Picture today is the island from my peg before the all in. I think you can just about make out a couple of carp cruising on the edge of the reflections.

Club Match / Outing

Malcolm Barker Lake

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1st John Todd 13lbs 1oz 2nd Peter Green 7lbs 3rd Terry Moranda 6lbs 9oz 4th Phil Whitmill 2lbs 5oz

Rob's day Hi All Today we were back at Malcolm Barker Lake hoping for a few more bites and a few less blanks than last time. Forecast was heavy rain for most of the morning but thankfully stopped before we started and although a bit chilly with a cross wind coming from the carpark end, the rain didn’t return. Eleven of us today, I drew peg 6 and knew it wasn’t going to be a good day when, as setting up my box, one of the front seat box legs disappeared into the deep margins never to reappear despite use of the rakes at the end. That was about the most exciting part of the day with the next 5 hours watching a motionless float – mainly maggots at 11 meters – also a go on the waggler without any signs. Steve to my left had an early tench on the feeder and elsewhere Peter had a couple of tench on 28 and also Terry on 8 a couple on the pole. On the other bank John Todd looked to be having a good day with a bream and at least 2 tench, Barry one small tench and Phil with a solitary bream. Resigned to another blank on Barkers, Ray came down for a chat and my waggler shot under and I was briefly connected to what must have been a carp. After being dragged through the weeds the line parted above the float and I was left watching the float drift down the lake. Luckily Terry retrieved the float as it passed him, minus the carp. So now 18 hours on Barkers without a fish, but at least a few more fish showed today with John Todd an easy winner with Peter second, Terry third and Phil Fourth. Picture today is Peter with one of the lake's very green tench.