Rob's day

Back to Hall Farm today after a lot of rain recently and into a cold snap – 2 degrees this morning driving in and was met at the lake with a cold wind blowing into the car park.

A good turnout today again with 14 on the bank – I drew peg 18 in the deeper water but maybe that’s where the fish wanted to be today. Started on the feeder but no signs so went onto the pole at around 7 meters on maggots. After a few small perch I hooked and landed the first carp at around 4lbs. The wind at the start was not so bad (although pouring with rain and sleet) but an hour into the match it started to really blow and made the pole difficult at any length. Back to the feeder and had a few liners followed by a carp.

Looked to be difficult over the low bank – especially the deeper pegs – Phil on peg 1 seemed to be getting a few though – even though this peg at the moment is very shallow – less than a foot off the reeds. A few early baths today as the wind was not getting any better and feeling really cold. Talking of early baths, bit of a disaster an hour or so in – a strong gust lifted my brolly up and deposited it in the lake. After a quick rush round to the margins I managed to grab hold of the brolly's pole before the brolly sunk into the depths. Not easy to drag out as it filled with water but wading up to my knees just managed to save it. Spent the rest of the day with a boot full of cold water – not ideal.

Anyway, back to the fishing – back on the feeder and a run of 3 carp in about 15 minutes cheered me up a bit. Alternating with the pole when the wind dropped a bit bought a couple of more carp – including one good one around 8lbs – but getting presentation right was difficult. One more carp at the end on the feeder short put my weight to 40lbs 10oz – pleased with that with the conditions – but sure there were more carp on the pole line if the wind had dropped.

On my bank a mixed bag with 4 DNWs but Gary doing well from dreaded peg 13 (least a bit sheltered) with 26lbs 12oz for third and Steve taking second place with 31lbs 6oz from peg 22.

Same story on the low bank – but maybe the fish wanted the shallow water today – Phil weighing in a good 65lbs 4oz to easily win the bank and get top weight on the day. Next to him on peg 2 Jeff secured second spot with 24lbs and Tony’s solitary carp of 8lbs 4oz gave him third place from 12.
Hopefully next time we come to Hall Farm the wind will be a bit kinder. Todays photo is Peter with one of the larger roach – weighed 1lb 2oz