Rob's day

At Taylor's Top Lake today for an inter-club match with Abbey Cross. Good conditions with it being reasonably warm, overcast and little wind, although most venues are patchy at the moment with some good weights and some blanks. It was going to be the same today.

We had ten signed on to the match today to Abbey's seven, so lent them Gary Pickard today with the instructions not to catch too much (obviously wasn’t listening).

I drew peg 36 today next to Peter on 37 – normally a good area for a few fish. Just set up the pole today at 13 meters with a light rig and one a bit heavier as a few pads had started to emerge.

The start of the match saw some action with in-form Ray picking up a couple of F1s from corner peg 38 and across from me Alan Fox had a couple and lost one. I then had a quick bite before I knew it was embedded in the lily pads – at least I got my rig back. Peter then lost one before I had another bite and this time bullied away from the pads and landed an F1 around 4lb. Half an hour later another bite and a 4lb bream gave up quickly and cruised into the net. Sadly this was my last bite.

The Lake seemed to switch off (never came on for most) and we all seemed to sit biteless with the exception of Gary on peg 52 not following orders and went on to catch 3 good bream – fishing 14 ½ meters on the pole.

The weigh in showed only six people caught – well done to Gary winning the match with 10lb 10oz, Alan Fox second with 9lb 2oz, Ray's two fish went 8lb 9oz for third. I came fourth with 8lb 1oz and Bill completed the frame with a late F1 for 6lb 8oz.

Team result – Abbey won 45 points to 42 – not too many fish today but those that were caught were a very good quality. Thanks to Abbey Cross for hosting the match. No fish picture, but my swim across to Tony on peg 44.