Rob's day

We were at Beggar's Hall today – after some warm weather temperatures down a bit today with the promise of thundery showers. I drew peg 21 – the end peg today on the high bank, but a peg with bad memories for me. Last time I fished this I hooked a lot of fish but most ended up in the large bed of lilies to the left of the peg (hopefully that won’t happen today).

A bit of a strange peg this – quite deep close in and no real margin to fish to – just a stump close in to the left then deepening off to the lily pads. A quick look on the pellet waggler for nothing, then a cast to the left near the pads on the feeder. This brought a quick bite and a 10lb carp quickly followed by another around 8lb. Things were looking good and soon after had another couple of small fish – a 2lb crucian (I think) and a 1lb carp. No fish in the lilies yet but that was about to change!

Next four fish hooked dived straight for the pads and no amount of pressure could stop them. After another two lost fish tried away from the pads for no bites so back near the pads for another lost fish (and the second hybrid feeder lost) Also had a size 10 QM1 straightened! Half-way through we had the forecasted thunder showers (torrential rain) for a short while although still managed a savage pull round during this (also lost)

A quick try on the pole now – nothing to the right but an instant bite on maggots to the left. Fish hooked but despite 21 elastic, 9lb line straight through to a 12 hook – couldn’t prevent the fish charging into the pads. Couldn’t put any more pressure on as I thought something would break. Another couple lost on the pole had me throwing that up the bank. Back to the feeder and managed to land a couple and lose a couple more before admitting defeat and hoping never to draw this peg again.

Next to me Tony Heath had been struggling and had only one carp on the waggler. Elsewhere on the high bank Bill had done well from in form peg 19 and topped the bank with 62lb 13oz, Graham second 49lb 7oz from peg 17 and third from golden peg 18 Tony Parker with 44lb 6oz.

Some good results from the low bank with Mark Halverson winning the bank and having top weight on the lake from peg 4 with 67lb 8oz – some good sized fish caught on paste. Next on the bank Fred with 50lb 10oz from peg 5 just pipping Jeff who had 50lb from peg 10.

Nice to see some good weights coming from all over the lake today, not just the favoured pegs on the high bank. Today's photo is Mark.