Rob's day

At Beggar's Hall today with the temperatures much lower than has been recently, but water levels very low at present as with most fisheries. The priority was to make sure the keepnets were submerged today – ok on the low bank as most pegs had a ‘beach’ but trickier in some of the high bank swims. No problem for me as drew peg 10 and easy to get into the water.

Plan was to start on the feeder across to the island and by the pads and then the margins on the pole. Had around 1 ½ foot close in both sides deepening to 4 foot a couple of meters out. Also set up a deeper rig by the lily bed further out in around 6 foot. No bites on the feeder at all so a quick go on the deep pole rig bought a nice roach, a rudd and a carp around 3lb. Couldn’t see much from peg 10 but Graham over on 16 looked fishless and Tony Heath on 12 seemed just to have one fish.

Into the last couple of hours and after feeding the margins noticed a few swirls from good carp close in. First try to my left under the willow produced an instant bite and a decent carp around 8lb. Strong gear on the pole prevented any chance of the fish getting near the pads. More fish seemed to be on the right margin so concentrated on that side. Couple of bites produced two good carp – both doubles. Nothing on paste or corn today – all on dead maggots.

Graham across looked to be having a good finish on the feeder near the island, not sure about anyone else. Finished with two or three decent carp by the edge – not too many fish today but of a good size. Just one fish lost today in the pads.

Weighed in the low bank first – Tony Heath 17lb 13oz, mine going 58lb 9oz, enough to top the bank, Bob Fox on peg 6 38lb 10oz for third which included 3 or 4 bream, Tony Cruci on peg 5 weighing 28lb 4oz, but had lost several fish today. Further down on 4 Peter weighed 23lb 13oz after a good start and Phil on peg 3 had a good match weighing 54lb 8oz for a close second on the bank.

Also close on the high bank with all catching a few, Tony Parker on inform peg 19 first with 49lb 6oz, second from peg 17 (again) Ray with 42lb 3oz and Fred third from peg 21 with 41lb 10oz.