Gary's day

It was a cold and snowy start to the year at Beggars Hall with a day of rain forecast. At least though it was going to be a feeder dominated match so hiding under an umbrella would be easier. Out of the draw bag came peg 20 for me and a long way from the island pegs I wanted to draw.

Set up was quick and it was time to settle in for the day with a flask of hot coffee. Steve in peg 18 got off to a flying start with a decent carp within the first 10 minutes or so. Rob next to me on peg 19 then had a liner and the day was looking better than expected. When my tip went round after 30 mins and a carp of 10lb was in the net the day was looking hopeful for a few fish.

We were not the only crazy people out and about today as, about this time, the first of what must have been a hundred ramblers started walking / running past in little groups.

With no more fish on the feeder it was time to try casting a single hookbait around with a bit of luncheon meat to start. No luck on this. Time for a try on the feeder again with micros and a small wafter and round the tip went again at about 11. This time a smaller but angrier common. With 2 fish in the net it was looking promising. By 1 there had been no more signs for me and word came down the bank that Phil had a couple of good carp and Tony had 1. Then Rob had a good carp and it was getting very close.

The clock was ticking down and I could not get another bite. With 20 mins to go it was decision time for the last couple of casts. I flicked the feeder about 2 metres further and started packing up some bits now the rain had stopped. A big liner soon into the cast was a good sign but had it moved the feeder? If it had the carp did not mind and a minute later another smaller common was in the net. A quick recast on the same spot brought another quick bite and another carp. It was all going to depend on how many more Tony and Phil had caught.

Thankfully the rain stopped for the weigh in and it was close with that last fish making all the difference. 1st Gary Pickard 25lbs, 2nd Phil Whitmill 22lbs 7oz and 3rd Steve Foster 10lbs 10oz. Today's photo is a very soggy line of anglers huddled under their brollies.