Rob's day

At Hall Farm today for an Interclub match with Abbey Cross. 17 on the lake today so pegging a bit tight at places. Lake looked ok – a bit clear but temperatures around 14C promised and little wind to start, so hopeful for a few fish to come out today.

Drew peg 9 on the Low Bank – not the best peg and not usually put in being at the start of the deeper water. Thought it would be difficult to match the end pegs – 1, 2 and 12 and that’s how it turned out to be.
Set up a feeder but would concentrate on the pole at 9m where it is around 10 foot deep. Also a couple of rigs for closer in with 4 foot in case the carp came in. Started off getting instant bites, mostly from gudgeon and perch but with a few better roach. One hour in hooked the first carp and hoped this would be the start of a few, but sadly not. The wind then increased blowing left to right making things difficult. Had one more carp on this line but no more.

Elsewhere all looked quiet on the far bank with most of the lower number pegs struggling, although Gary after losing a couple (looked to be on a relatively light elastic) landed the next 2 or 3. The odd carp also being landed although couldn’t see up to the car park end pegs.

Tried the short line and after a quick carp and then losing one (foul hooked) no more bites. Ended the match with 13lbs 2oz. As expected, pegs 1 and 2 dominated with Phil’s 34lbs 12oz from peg 1 just beating Peter’s 33lbs 11oz from the next peg. Steve’s 28lbs 6oz from peg 12 getting him 3rd place on the Low Bank and included one carp of 12lbs 8oz (pic) caught near the end of the match.

Unusually the 3 top weights on the Low Bank were the best on the lake with the High Bank (especially the higher number pegs) not producing as normal although Bill did well to top the High Bank with 27lbs 10oz from peg 25 – Martin 2nd with 20lbs 13oz from peg 22 and Gary 3rd from the usually unfancied peg 15 with 20lbs 2oz. Team wise Bishop's Stortford came out top 57 points to 70 (lowest points total wins)

Well done to our team for a solid performance and a thank you to Abbey Cross for the match and Martin for helping with the weigh in – assisted by Gary I believe.