Rob's day

Hi all

First round of the summer league today at Hall Farm, although it didn’t feel summery being overcast with a cold wind blowing down the lake. We had 14 on the lake today so 7 each bank with the corner pegs having the best form of late with the middle pegs struggling. Decided to split the 2 banks up for the Summer league points – so winner of both banks getting the full 12 points – seems to be fairer that way as possibly the high bank pegs around 22-26 may dominate this summer – we will do the same at Beggars.

I drew 24 not far off the corner but with Fred on 26 next door and on a Golden Peg. Started the match on the feeder and got 2 quick pull rounds for a couple of small F1s then nothing for the next 45 minutes. Fred also seemed to get off to a good start casting to the reeds across. Fed the 10m line from the start with hard 4m pellets so went on this after an hour. Had a couple of missed bites before connecting with a 2lb F1 but bites were far apart and only slight dips on the float. Stayed on this for the next 3 hours and with 2 hours to go had around 25-30lbs.

Elsewhere Fred put in a second net (kiss of death) – and had a poor last 1 ½ hours. Wasn’t sure what was being caught to my left – although John Todd on 22 had a couple – on the other bank it seemed to be fishing hard with just a few carp being caught – did see Tony Parker land 3 though on the feeder and Terry one carp and a few roach from pegs 2 and 1.

By about 1:30 the sun tried to make an appearance so with it warming up a bit I fed the margins (around 3 foot deep) with groundbait and dead red maggots. Went on this at around 2 and after a couple of roach caught a 3lb carp. Could see the carp coming in and out of the peg but they were cautious and bites were just small dips again but eventually they seemed to move in and I had a good last 45 mins landing around 8 more carp – some a good size. Ended up with 71lbs

Fred weighed in 42lbs for second on the High Bank with Bill third with 32lbs 9oz from his favoured peg 20. (Shortly before drawing Bill did say if he drew peg 20 he’s going home!) On the Low Bank Peter was top weight with 24lbs 4oz from peg 6, Jeff second with 17lbs 11oz and Tony Parker 13lbs 10oz with his 3 carp.
Hopefully as the weather warms the carp will start feeding all round the lake.