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!