We have got away with mostly decent weather so far but it did look threatening for Sunday! I gave the option of starting 15 minutes earlier so we could spend a little less time in the threatened storm but, hardy souls you boys are, you opted to go 10 till 3 (2E did say it’s still light at quarter to four but no takers for that!!).
Welcome back Roger after his recent operation. He looked fighting fit and ready to face peg 10 again but, oh b……r, it was drawn for me!! Roger was gutted and had to be consoled as well as having to set up rigs for his new home, peg 13. Eric was handed 14. The current main contenders for top spot in the league ended up as follows; Craig drew 11, Paul B got 17 but the major draw bags – Mark Chippie and Ryan – ended on 22 and 4 respectively. Both on a potential shed-full again. Gary also displayed a golden arm pulling out peg 15!
Spare a thought, however, for Three-Turds Thommo (thanks Scotty!!) who drew peg 28. For those of you who missed the Christmas Knack-up, Dave drew peg 16. He was unfortunately suffering from some form of Delhi Belly and spent more time off his box than on it, having to visit various parts of the Birkwood area to deposit the contents of his bowel (thinks! here’s an idea for Preston Innovations – a true On-box – a platform with built in commode, s..t where you sit. I think they’d also need to design a bib and brace with an arse flap that could be quickly raised – could be an emergency – in order to do the deed. It would certainly give new meaning to “fishing on the drop”). Anyway Three-Turds said he should have been on (as well as off) peg 28 on that last match – the closest peg to the loo!!!!
We got underway at 10 and it was a slow start. Wind blowing more or less south to north. How come every other week peg 10 is in a calm area but when I draw it the wind is smack in my face! I set up three rigs; one for just on and off the deck, one for a foot or so shallower and one fairly shallow, intending to fish caster for the duration and hope for one or two roach. On all three rigs I used Durex floats (as they are the MOST sensitive) in sizes ranging from “What a Whopper” (4 x 16 year-olds),” The Savile” (4 x 12 and still counting) and finally the “Tiny Tim” (3 x 8’s with its 2mm long tip – sometimes known as the “Paedo”). All rigs were set up on Pretty Polly 20 denier nylon to 10 denier hook-lengths (my missus will kill me when she goes to her tights drawer!) with spaced no.9 Styles to size 18 Tubertrix UTR69 barbless hooks. Elastics were M&S number 3 full bloomer strength (my missus will kill me when she goes to her knicker drawer!) – Right, no more of the technical stuff but that should be enough to support an article in Match Fishing!!
Byron Baggins (peg 7) was in fine form – “I haven’t had a bite yet”, “I’ve just missed a bite”, “I just lost a fish”, “I haven’t even got a pound yet”, “I’m going to be last in section – again”. I’m going to ask Marjie to fit him with a silencer before the next match!!! Banter rained to and fro across the water: DP – keep out of my peg Syndrome, 2E – Byron used to be a bricklayer for Lego, Everybody – who’s peg did Ryan just blag that carp from? All – mine!!!!!!! And so on……….
But Ryan was catching carp on the bomb and so were Roger and Chippie. Others who were getting among one or two were Gary, Knacker-Tapper and our guest, Mick Pegg. But most had to settle for the odd brown vermin (sic – BD) or just the silvers.
Eyes were on the storm clouds throughout but only a little light rain had bothered us till about 10 minutes from time. Then bigger drops started to appear but fortunately went as soon as they started and we escaped a soaking yet again. At the weigh-in (surprise, surprise) Ryan weighed in with just over 30lbs of carp and Chippie followed in second (both also one-two in section A) with just over 29lbs. Third and fourth were Gary and brother Roger (sounds almost saint-like!!), who weighed in nearly 23lbs and just over 19lbs respectively. Roger also won section B. Second in B section was Paul Brown with nearly 18lbs of all silvers – a darn good net full. Craig won C section with an all silvers net of 16lbs 2oz with Mark Firth taking second spot from peg 6 with 11lbs 4oz.
Team winners on the day were Craig, Chippie and Mick Pegg putting together just 6 points.
There are now early leaders in the league with Ryan, Craig, Paul B and Chippie currently vying for the top spot.
Looking forward to round 6 on 19th January. See you then.
Des
PS: Byron Baggins weighed in 10lbs 9oz and was NOT last in section!!!!
