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.