Rob's day

We were at Hall Farm today for an Interclub match with Abbey Cross. Bishop's Stortford had 9 on the match today to Abbey Cross’s 5 so we were to discount our bottom 4 weights. A definite advantage, although Abbey could remove 4 of the 9 pegs they were allocated.

The lake is now full but the water does have a rusty tinge to it. We were promised decent temperatures and some sun in the afternoon, although this never happened and there was a chilly easterly breeze coming across the lake. I drew peg 25, one off the in-form peg 26 which Martin Adams drew. Set up a couple of feeder rods and the pole for out at 11 meters and close in. A slow start for most – not Ray on peg 1 who hooked his first carp after about 30 seconds and landed a good fish around 8-10 lbs after a few minutes. Martin then had one on the tip casting to the reeds opposite – the first of many I thought he was going to land.

After around 45 minutes I had the first bite on the maggot feeder – carp around 4lbs then another. Ray was on number 3 by then. Martin then had another couple. After around two hours another bite and this fish felt a lot bigger. After several minutes and a spirited fight, I managed to get the carp (looked to be over 10lbs) over the landing net – then disaster! The hook link snapped – me and the carp looked at each other for a second then it jumped out of the net and swam back into the depths. After a lot of sulking managed a couple more small carp and that was it from me – nothing on the pole – the lost fish was going to be costly.

Martin had a couple more on the tip – not as many as I thought he would get but the lake looked to be fishing hard for most. Not Ray who finished with around 8 carp for 33lbs 3oz and the top weight on the day. Peter had one carp and silvers for 9lbs 11oz from peg 2, Graham one carp from peg 4 and Jeff 12lbs 14oz from 8. A couple of DNWs on the low bank but Tony on peg 12 managed a few good carp for 26lbs 1oz and second on the bank.

On the High Bank honours went to Bill with a good 31lbs 2oz from peg 15 with Martin second with 17lbs 2oz – my fish going 13lbs 5oz. Good to see some fish coming from the bottom end of the lake today pegs 12 and 15 getting in the frame.

Team results were Bishop's Stortford 36 points, Abbey Cross 18 – thanks to Martin for helping with the weigh in. Today's photo is winner Ray.