Rob's day

At Hall Farm for the last Wednesday match before Christmas. Thanks to everyone for putting up with me at the draws and weigh ins over the last year and for the good turnouts this year. We started on a good note on a pretty cold morning despite the ice on the car this morning and mist driving in. Thanks to everyone who brought sausage rolls and mince pies and to Peter for his pre-match Gin.

Onto the fishing – I drew peg 20 in the middle of the high bank – thought there may be a few fish today with Gary’s 70lb coming off peg 18 on Sunday. Set up a feeder rod, bomb rod and a pole at 11m in about 9 foot of water. At the start went out on bomb and corn and second cast had a slow pull round and a 3lb F1 in the net. No more on the bomb so after an hour went onto the pole where I had been feeding maggots. After half an hour had 2 bites – a 4oz roach and a 6oz skimmer – then no more.

Alternated between the bomb/feeder and pole and eventually had a couple of carp on a hybrid feeder/wafter. Looking over to the far bank, Phil looked to be having a good day on peg 2 catching the odd carp on the feeder from the off. Apart from that very quiet on that bank although Jeff seemed to drop a carp off at the net near the end – no one likes to see that!

Whistle at my lips the tip flew around but to my surprise nothing on the end!! It was obvious that for some reason the fish wanted to be in the shallower water today with the top three weights coming from the car park end. Tony’s 29lbs 10oz from peg 24 beating Bill's 24lbs from 26 – Gary came third from peg 16 with 14lb 4oz beating my 12lb 6oz

On the low bank Phil’s 29lbs 5oz from peg 2 easily won the bank with the next best weight a solitary carp from Barry at 3lbs 5oz – Jeff only needed 2oz for third place. Some DNWs on that bank today. Photo today is Tony.

At the end a nice surprise with a collection handed to me from all the Wednesday club members – thanks a lot for that – much appreciated.