The final match of this year's Winter League went down to the wire. The venue was Spring Lea Fishery's Mallard Pool and the scene was set for myself, Ken Arnold and Clive Biddulph to do battle for the league title. The weather was forecast to be cool and overcast, but the day turned really warm and sunny for those of us on the south side of the pool, whereas those under the trees on the north side were in the shade. I started to catch from the off on the pole with pellet at about 10 metres. A couple of small carp and then skimmers. I managed to keep this going for the first couple of hours, but then the line died, so I switched to the tip and method feeder. Nothing doing. So I then switched to the margins that I had been feeding. Lost the first two carp, but then managed to hold on to a couple. Then back to the 10 metre line for more skimmers. Bob Smith, in the peg to my right, was catching a better stamp of fish out at 16 metres. Ken Arnold, in the peg to my left, was catching steadily after a slow start, both of them using pole and pellet too. Gordon Bradley, pegged in the middle of the south side of the pool, was getting to grips with this pole fishing lark, instead of his favoured feeder fishing. However, at the death he foul-hooked a big carp and just managed to net it within the 15 minutes allowed after the match. This fish put him in third place with 30 Lbs 8 Ozs, just missing second place which went to Ken Arnold with 30 Lbs 10 Ozs; but in top spot was Bob Smith with 44 Lbs 6 Ozs. I missed being in the money by just 5 Ozs, putting 30 Lbs 3 Ozs on the scales. But this was enough to win the league by 7 points with a total of 70. Having come second a couple of times, I was really pleased to have finally won it! Despite only being able to contest 9 of the 10 rounds, Ken Arnold still managed a worthy second place with 63 points and Clive Biddulph, despite leading the league for the first few matches, came home third just one point behind on 62.

Thanks must go to Will Carr, our Match Secretary, for booking some super venues for this year's league. I'm sure that everyone enjoyed fishing them.

For the full result, please click on the link.

Winter League 10th MATCH 2019 SPRING LEA (1).pdf (35.52 kb)

Just a gentle reminder that if you can help, even for just a couple of hours, you will be very welcome on Sunday 2 June at 0900 Hrs to meet Keith Bowers at Peg 2 in Cressage Meadow.

For those of us that are fishing the extra match at Boldings on this date, I look forward to seeing you on the 9 June at the same meeting place at the same time. Of course, all members will be very welcome to help too!

We do have some tools, but if you have a brushing hook, strimmer, saw or spade, please bring these with you.

Hope to see you there.

An extra match has been booked for the 2nd June at Boldings Pools, Chestnut pool. To be known as the "Will Carr Appreciation Match" the pool has been paid for by Brian Tinman. So it will be just £10/head for pools. We are planning to meet up for breakfast at 0800 Hrs if you want to join us. The draw will be at 0900 Hrs and we will fish from 1030 - 1530 Hrs. If you haven't booked your peg yet, give Will Carr a call. Those of you that have let me know you're coming don't need to, as I have let Will know. Remember to bring 3 keepnets and your landing net head!

Bernie