Rob's day

Back to Beggars today with the forecast of thundery showers that never materialized. Eleven on the match today – six on the high bank and the rest on the low. I drew peg 10 – good in the winter but not so sure this time of year. It was also golden peg along with Tony Cruci on 18. I set up a pellet waggler rod (only a couple of casts due to the conditions), a feeder rod and a couple of pole rigs – one for up to the lilies and one for paste down the left hand margin under the willow.

Started on the feeder a had a small carp around 3lb after 45 mins followed by a small crucian. Things went a bit wrong after that – when hooking a larger carp by the island trees, I had left the line clip on and the carp decided to bolt of round the island. Before I had a chance to take the clip off the hook link snapped (took the clip off after that). A bit later another carp hooked and for some reason pulled out of that one. Then another that stayed on around 6lb

The wind had picked up now blowing right to left and also bringing a load of leaves/pads etc down causing issues even when sinking the tip underwater. Also a bit cold – any sun obscured by the willow. Carried on with the feeder – hooking one more when sinking the line – but this also came off (probably foul hooked). With an hour to go only had about 13lb and a bit behind Peter who I saw had at least 3 fish on the pole on peg 6. Only other person I could see was Tony Parker on 16 who looked to have a couple of carp.

Into the last 30 mins and after trying the pole – no presentation due to the wind, decided to finish on the feeder down the edge. Lifting out to recast – somehow was attached to a carp – thought it was foul hooked but in fact was hooked perfectly in the mouth? With 5 mins to go the tip flew around and landed the best fish of the day – around 10lb - on the whistle. Ended with 30lb 11oz for second on the bank behind Peter who had 42lb 6oz. these were the only weighs on the bank with pegs 3, 4 and 5 blanking.

A bit better overall on the high bank – with Tony making no mistake from peg 18 with just 4 fish for 40lb. Fred second from peg 22 with 37lb 3oz and third Bill with 27lb 5 oz from 20. Fancied pegs 16 and 17 not fishing well lately with more fish from 18 upwards it would seem.