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.