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.