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24th April 2021 - Phyllis Lake

Match day 2 of the season 2021 was upon us and another new venue for us to try today

Today's match was in Sheffield at a fishery called Phyllis Lake.

Phyllis Lake is only two years old and was previously an over run hardly fishable lake owned by the Police. 

The two new owners have transformed the place and its now a beautiful fishery with 20 pegs in peaceful surroundings

Today's match was another seven hour match and the first 2 hours saw me catch a tiny skimmer and Big T catch 3 tiny silvers too.

Then........ I had a slow take on the yellow wowser bait I'd just put on. It felt like a foul hooked carp at first as it slowly pulled away then it took off and fast, my arm was starting to ache which is a sign of a good fish... After playing the fish for 10 minutes it became apparent it was a very big fish and after 10 more minutes passed the fished spashed to reveal its distinctive tail.. It was a Sturgeon. The others on the lake shouted the owners who came over with their huge mat and net and as other anglers came over to watch I felt under big pressure to land it. After a total of 40 minutes I finally got the fish on the bank to reveal it was the 31 lb 10 oz Sturgeon that resides in the lake. Wow!!!! A fish of a lifetime

A fish of a lifetime, a pb, my first sturgeon and a 4.1 win.

Brilliant

My hand was shaking 24 hours later!!!

I now lead 8.2 heading into match day 3

10th April 2021 - Leger Lakes (Pleasure Lake)

So, here it was, the 2021 season opener and safe to say its been an interesting off season. 

We had our baby daughter in the middle of a pandemic and life wasn't as normal as it would have been any other year. Having a baby makes you see life differently and priorities change for the better.

Nethertheless fishing was back and it was important to get off to a good start

The match was to be held at Leger Lakes on the pleasure lake, this was a venue we hadn't been to before

We got to site and the place was lovely, allebit very small.

Our lake had 20 pegs on and 4 were already taken so we chose our pegs on what was a frosty morning. 

I cant really write a lot about what happened because very little did happen. Dad spent the first 6 hours netting 3 tiny tiddlers for 6 oz whilst I was on my way to an opening session blank

Then............ with an hour left, my rod took off and after a fight I landed a huge 13 lb 5 oz common carp to save the day

Lovely little place and one we will be visiting next in the summer

4-1 win for me today as the 2021 season jumps into action

17th October 2020 - Oakmere Fishing Lakes (Gold Fish Lake)

So, the season finale was upon us and Big T was fishing for Pride. I had a huge lead and had already secured the title but today would still be fun, yeah???

We fished the Gold Fish Pond at Oakmere, a lake that is rarely fished and only has a few fishable pegs

The weather was quite mild and the match was a 6.5 hour match

I cant really write anything about this match as it was dreadful... I did not get a single bite all day. Big T caught about ten small fish to claim all 5 points 

So our 11th season is over and I won the league by 27 points, claimed the biggest fish of the year with a 12 lb 8 oz Carp whilst Big T's 73 lb 5 oz at Fourways was the biggest match weight of the season

Its been as a strange season, shortened by the Pandemic and most fisheries have fished poor this year but its been a blast as usual. Tackle is now washed and put away. Roll on next season

10th October 2020 - Moor Monkton (Match Lake)

Today was the penultimate match of the season and saw us head over to an old favourite of ours. Moor Monkton - Cyprio Lake. I was on Peg 12 with Big T on peg 13. An area of the lake we hadn't fished before.

It was a very windy, rainy day and the type of day that signalled the end of the fishing season is upon us.

The match was a dull affair and complete opposite of last week. We both struggled for the 5 and a half hour duration,

I won the match 5.0 with a total of 20 lb 5 oz for my four fish. Big T ended up with 11 lb 3 oz for his two fish. My 8 lb 15 oz Mirror Carp was the biggest of the day

The match was, however dangerous in a funny way. We were both sat under a huge Tree and were belted by falling Acorns all match hahaha

Last match of the season next week :-(

4th October 2020 - Owsten Ferry (First Lake)

Today was the third from last match of the season and the first since claiming the league title last week. I was now determined to kick on and finish with a huge margin of victory. 

Today's match was at Owsten Ferry and was a 7 hour match. The weather was lovely and quite a shock for this time of year. Would we have a good day or would it be grim like last week?..

Well.... the match was the best of the season in my eyes

From my peg (12) I had a cracking start racing almost THIRTY pound clear by lunchtime bagging six decent Mirror Carp including a season best of 12 lb 8 oz. Big T had just the two carp in the morning, both good fish though.

The afternoon was a complete role reversal. Big T suddenly had momentum and netted six in the afternoon to claw back my lead bit by bit and take the lead only for me to snatch victory by just one pound with only 5 minutes remaining. What a match!!! Both of us getting over 56 lb in October was some achievement

Great venue, great oweners, great match

26th September 2020 - Oakmere Fishing Lakes (Coarse Lake)

Could I finally get over the finishing line and clinch the league title today? After back to back defeats I was starting to feel the pressure (even though I still held a huge lead)

Today, we went to Oakmere Fishing Lakes for the first time in three years and chose to fish the larger lake on the complex. (Coarse Lake)

The weather had taken a turn for the worse this week with strong winds and temperatures had also plummeted

We cast in at 7.30am and within 10 minutes we both into our first fish. Big T with a 4 oz Skimmer and me with an 8 oz Skimmer

Was this the start of a good day, catching lots of fish............................ NO !!!

What followed was the worst match of the season as we both failed to net any other fish.

This meant that victory was mine by a tiny margin of 4 oz and although it was a garbage boring match I won the day 4.5 v 0.5 to regain the league title (The Wilkie Trophy)

3 matches to go in this enjoyable but strange season

Can't wait to display the Wilkie Trophy and hopefully some more of the trophies still to fight for in these last three weeks of the season

19th September 2020 - Fourways Fishery (Roadside Lake)

Big T's win last week cut my lead to 22 points but could I clinch the title today. I needed 2.5 pts

The match was at Fourways Fishery but on the small lake (Roadside), a lake we hadn't fished for 3 years.

We expected a match of silver fish and maybe a couple of little stockie carp. How wrong we were ...WHAT A DAY...

I got myself on peg 9 with Dad opting for peg 8 and the match was to be a 6.5 hour session.

The first three hours were insane... for Dad!! he couldn't stop catching and they were not silver fish either. Decent carp after decent carp graced his net as he raced into a 25 lb lead. I struggled to keep up with him even though i caught at regular stages. I then clawed my way back into the match and to within 4 lb of Big T with some very good fish including a 9 lb 15 oz Carp, however Dad raced away again as he continued to net some very good Carp. I had a good second half of the match finishing on a good 59 lb 2 oz for my 12 fish but Dad was on fire today finishing with a season best of 73 lb 5 oz for 16 fish

What a good day even though a bad result for me. Luckily my near double Carp got me 1 point.

4 matches to go and I still need 1.5 pts for the title but after back to back defeats is my bottle going again like last season.....

12th September 2020 - Willows Fishery

So, after 5 wins on the trot I had increased my season lead to 24 points. Could I extend it again today?

We decided to fish Willows Fishery in Hessay, York. It was to be our first visit to this fishery in five years and the place was always one of our old favourites

Today, it didnt take long to realise it would NOT continue to be one of our favourites...

Something has changed, no big fish could be seen, no one on the lake caught and the lake was full of tiny 1 lb F1 Carp. With F1 of this size they are obviously new and we got the impression that when the fishery went up for sale 5 years ago maybe the original fish were sold and replaced with cheap tiny F1's. We may be wrong but something was definately not how it used to be. It was once a great fishery with lots of different species and of a good stamp too. Now its a tired looking venue, with dangerous access paths and very dangerous collapsing pegs and... very little fish

As far as our match went today, it was abysmal. We both struggled all day

We both landed 11 fish, me for a shocking weight of 11 lb 9 oz, Big T on 12 lb 13 oz

I had the biggest fish of the day with a Common Carp of 3 lb 6 oz but Dad won the match 3.5 pts to 1.5 pts to stop the rot

5th Sep 2020 - Grange Farm Fishery - Monk Fryston

So, after 4 wins on the trot, my confidence was high. I went into todays match with a 19 point lead and with matches running out. 

I wasn't taking anything for granted though as Big T won last years title by overturning a huge lead so it wasn't over yet. But... a big win today would give me a huge lead...

Today, we fished Monk Fryston, but at the far end this time. The weather forcast was for rain, sun and wind so the pegs we chose were quite sheltered therefore removing any issues about the forcast wind...

The match was an 8 hour match (as we arrived very early to ensure we got on a good area of the lake).

The match started off ok for me, with a decent Bream first cast but almost straight away two guys came and fished where I was casting which forced me to fish only infront of the peg therefore limiting my chances. Big T on the peg to my right struggled. Even though he had two corners to fish to, including Lillies, nothing was biting for him in these early stages.

By Lunchtime, 5 hours later we were both having a shocker. This has become a regular thing during this strange season. No one was catching on the lake so my 3 Bream and a Roach maybe wasnt as bad as I first thought. Dad had only one tiddler in his net

The first two hours after lunch picked up slightly with 3 bream gracing my net and Big T netting two of his own, all be it small ones

We entered the last hour of the match with Dad back on 4 lb 2 oz and Me sat on about 10 lb.

The last hour was crazy.... well ... for me it was. The 2 lads opposite packed up so i could sling the small method to my left. I did that and reverted to hard pellets as my hook bait. BOOM what an hour...

With Dad blanking in the last hour, I netted 3 Bream and 3 Common Carp to win the match

I finished on 22 lb 10 oz for 13 fish, Big T on 4 lb 2 oz for 3 fish. My 4 lb 14 oz Common was biggest of the day and meant I won todays match 5.0

My lead is now 24 points as we enter a mid season break.

15th August 2020 - Elm Tree Fishery

 Match day 11 had arrived and with a 14 point lead I had nothing to fear.

It has been a strange season. The delayed start due to Lockdown, the fact nowhere has been fishing as well as usual and the bizzare ever changing weather all contributing to it

Today's match was at Elm Tree Fishery and having fished it a few times I knew what to expect.. We would catch all day but nothing over 3 lb. Would I be correct today??

We got to the fishery to find 18 pegs already taken by early starting Anglers, however the area we wanted to fish was still free so I got peg 23 with Big T on peg 22

Id like to now go on and write a long blog of how well we did, catching numerous fish but... once again I cannot. It was another struggle like so often this season

Big T did awful, only managing to bag 4 small fish for a total weight of 8 lb 15 oz. He did, however have a little fright when mid way through the match a grass snake swam towards him and up onto the bank.....first time he has seen one in all his years angling. 

No snakes for me, but I faired better in the match, finishing with 32 lb 8 oz for 13 fish but tbh it was hard work

I'm not sure why the fish are not feeding as much this season but looking online its a common pattern up and down the country.. Its just a poor season

We still have fun though and Its good to get out in the fresh air

Even better when you get a 5-0 win like I did today :-)

My lead is now 19 points with 7 matches to go. Id say I cant throw it away but I did exactly that last season so until I cannot be caught its not over..

Match 12 is at Monk Fryston on 22nd August...

2nd August 2020 - Lodge Farm Fishery (Top Pond)

Match day 10 of 18 and today we were back to Lodge Farm to fish the Top Pond again

We decided to fish a different part of the lake to the previous visit with me on peg 44 and Dad on peg 45

The sun was out, spirits were high and a good match was predicted

The match was unbelievable in a strange way...

The first 4 hours were abysmal. I struggled along catching fairly small stuff to sit on about 21 lb, Dad was way back after struggling even more. He sat on less than 10 lb

The last 2 hours 45 minutes was a completely different story...

Dad decided to fish corn in the margin and immediately hooked into a big Carp, he landed it and then a few minutes hooked another, but after a fight, lost it. I on the other hand was still netting smaller fish. Dad then hooked another big one but again lost it, snapped this time. I was panicking and switched to his tactic of corn in the margin. 2 minutes later I indeed caught a decent carp. Over on Dads peg, he landed another big one but again almost straight afterwards i did too. 

An unbelievable end to the match saw us both catch 2 big carp but unlike Dad who pretty much stopped catching, I continued to the end to win the match

I finished on 48 lb for 14 fish

Dad finished on 27 lb 1 for 9 fish

Dad got the biggest fish with an 8 lb 8 oz carp being landed

So i won 4-1 to extend my season lead to 14 points

25th July 2020 - Morndyke Farm Fishery

After a stressful 2 weeks I was looking forward to today.
Match day 9 at Morndyke Farm fishery in Thirsk

Morndyke has been passed down a generation and the new people have made improvements to the land building various huts, incorporating horse riding lessons, a kids section etc.
The lake though looked untouched which is a good thing as we previously, had some good days at this venue. (Not prolific by any stretch of the imagination but good fish caught...)

We arrived at the venue very early 5.55am and to our surprise there were already 5 fishing, including a guy on the peg I wanted..

We settled for two pegs next to the car park. I was on peg 9, Big T on peg 10

We cast in at 6.45am and .................................................... that was about it....

What an awful session. Big T caught two roach, I got a roach and a skimmer

I just won finishing on 1 lb 9 oz, with Dad on 1 lb 4 oz
The biggest fish was my roach at 1 lb 3 oz

I cant really write anything else, there were hardly any bites, nevermind fish. It was just one of those days. Tried allsorts of baits but with no luck

I will take the 4.5 v 0.5 win though and have now extended my season lead to 11 points

Roll on next week where we hope for a better day but .... we wont be returning to Morndyke in a hurry

13th July 2020 - Lodge Farm Fishery (Top Pond)

Match Day 8 was upon us and a trip to a try somewhere we hadn't fished before...
Lodge Farm Fishery

We chose to fish the Top Pond, the natural lake on the 7 lake complex.

After a quick look we decided that I would have peg 16 and Big T on peg 15. Both pegs were sheltered behind and had a tree at the side to fish to.

The weather was overcast and one of those days where it didn't know what to do. One minute rain, the next bright sun

We set up and cast in, in what was to be a 6 hour 15 minute match.

I was up for it, but nervous as Big T had cut my once huge season lead down to just 4 points so a win for Dad today would give him the lead in the race for the Wilkie Trophy

The first half of the match saw Dad catch two carp over 9 lb and two small Bream which wasn't bad at all (How he caught one without falling in I will never know as the Carp fight hard here)
I though had a great morning, catching Bream non-stop from under my tree to the right. Every Bream was a good one, averaging about 3 lb in weight. I also landed a Carp of just over 7 lb and a decent Roach. As half time loomed, Dad had about 20 lb but I was way in-front with about 37 lb

The afternoon was even better for me... Dad struggled on catching another 2 fish for a total weight of 27 lb 10 oz (6 fish) but my net pulled more fish out all afternoon. I landed another 10 Bream, with the majority over 3 lb. I finished with 64 lb for my 22 fish

Dad took the point for biggest fish, with me claiming the other 4 on offer

What a venue, what a day, what a result . I was buzzing....

My season lead up to 7 points. I've a feeling this season is going to be nip and tuck all the way

Next match Sat 25th July

11th July 2020 - Fourways Fishery (Laneside Lake)

Match day 7 had arrived and Big T had narrowed my lead to only 9 points so headed into today's match high on confidence

I chose Fourways Fishery for the match and Laneside lake on the complex. This lake was home to my PB so big fish was certainly on the agenda

I chose my favourite peg 27, with Dad on 26

The weather was lovely and warm with bright sunshine and with the match taking place between 9am and 3pm we would hopefuly bask in the sun and catch lost of fish

Was my prediction correction????

Nope.....

A very slow day was had by both of us

I managed to lose 4 fish and only land 3 all day. Two decent Carp and a big Bream for a rubbish 20 lb total

Big T faired better though with 5 fish, including 2 of about 10 lb for a total weight of 38 lb 8 oz

A big 5 point win for Big T means my lead is cut to just 4 points after originally being 19 a few weeks ago

Big T is on a roll

Back to the drawing board for me !!!!

27th June 2020 - Murphys Woodside, Woodside Pond

Today was our 80th different lake, a trip to Murphys Woodhouse to fish Woodside Pond

We arrived there to find no one fishing and the full choice of the 15 pegs on offer so chose two in the wider area of the lake

The match was a 7 hour match and It would to be contested in terrible rainy conditions.

I had a strange feeling as the match started, I wasn't feeling it. I didn't like the look of the lake and wasn't confident. Luckily I held a 14 point lead so a win was not essential but I wanted to keep my good form going

The match was a dull affair....

I caught a dozen fish all in all which is not too bad, however they only averaged about a pound in weight. Small Mirror Carp, tiny roach and a small Tench gracing my net

Dad had a slightly better day, netting 15 in total for a total weight of 21 lb 7 oz.

Dad's 5 lb 3 oz Carp being the biggest of the day and gave Big T all 5 points

Not a good day at the office for me but I will bounce back!!! Although it will be a while before I venture back to Murphys Woodhouse... Not a fan...

Well done Big T on todays victory, it was well deserved and my lead is now down to 9 points

13th June 2020 - Grange Farm, Monk Fryston

Today was match day 5 and I headed into the day with a healthy lead for the season despite Dad's win last week

Monk Fryston was the chosen venue and was a lake we had never visited before

After a quick look around, we settled on pegs 4 (me) and 3 (Dad) and despite the horrendous weather of the past few days, match day weather was warm and sunny

The lake looked suited to all types of angling, but Big T fancied his chances on the Pole so set up both options whereas I settled on the trusty Method Feeder approach as always

The first couple of hours saw Dad catch constantly on the pole with small Bream and Roach being netted, however although I wasn't catching as many as Big T, my fish were of a much bigger stamp. Bream of around 2 lb gracing my net.

The middle section of the match saw me expand my lead on total weight and even draw level on number of fish with a purple patch that saw me net a decent Carp and two lovely big Chub. Dad also netted a carp and smaller Chub

The last few hours saw me go surge ahead in total weight and we were neck and neck on number of fish, however with only 8 minutes to go I netted what would be a clincher for the point for most fish.

A 5 nil win for me and a new fishery visited which I loved. I will defo be going back to Grange Farm.

My lead is now 14 points after winning 19.5 of the 25 points on offer.

Match day 6 is on 27th June

4th June 2020 - Riverside Fishery

Match Day 4 and a return to Riverside Fishery

The weather had certainly changed and it was freezing cold.

Although the fish had stopped spawning would they be on the feed in the cold conditions??
Answer .......... NO
What a terrible session...

I was on peg 4, with Big T on peg 5 and the first half of the match saw not a single bite for either of us.
The second half of the match saw me land a very hard fighting Carp of 8 lb 3 oz and then an hour later I lost one, when stupidly I tightened the line and the heavy feeling fish jumped off
Not long after and with only an hour of the match to go Big T caught what was to be the winning fish, a big Carp of nearly 11 lb

A 4.5 v 0.5 win for Dad means my lead is now 14.5 v 5.5 in the race for the 2020 title

31st May 2020 - Owsten Ferry Fisheries

Match day 3 of this delayed season saw me and Big T try a new venue, the 78th we have fished.

Owsten Fisheries was the venue and after originally getting lost on route we finally arrived on site and chose two pegs on the nearside bank. I chose peg 6 with Dad on peg 5.

The weather was already warm and with hot sun forcast all day we were high in spirits for a good day in the nice weather.

The match wasn't really a contest. I ran away with the victory netting 11 Mirror Carp (the biggest being 8 lb 8 oz) Dad struggled all day bagging just the three fish for a total of 18 lb 8 oz, although he snatched half a point equaling the 8 lb 8 oz largest fish of the day.

The venue is nice and peaceful and the owners seem friendly, we will definately return at some point

I now lead 14-1 in the race for the Wilkie Trophy..

23rd May 2020 - Riverside Fishery (Main Lake)

So, match day 2 was here and today's match saw us head down to South Yorkshire to fish Riverside Fishery.

The venue has just re-opened after being closed for over 6 months since the bad floods in November

Since all the lakes and the river flooded no one knows exactly what is in each lake since all the fish will have crossed between each lake so we were excited to fish the venue and also inrigued...

Gale force winds accompanied the sunshine so conditions were not great...

My start was, however great... First cast saw me land my second biggest fish of my career. A lovely 13 lb 3 oz Mirror Carp... what a start

30 Minutes later.... in again, this time a 5 lb 3 oz Mirror Carp

Another hour later, I netted another Mirror Carp, this time 4 lb 8 oz

Wow... what a fantastic morning. I had banked 3 fish and held a huge 22 lb lead over Big Tez

Just after Dinner, Dad was off the mark when he netted a Carp of 4 lb 4 oz and just 30 minutes later he landed again... This time a 7 lb Carp... Surely the comeback wasn't on...

Soon he was in again, this time an 8 lb Carp to close the gap to about 3 lb....

As we reached the last two hours I hadn't had a bite for ages and when Dads rod bent round I knew he was into a big one and one that would put him infront. I was right, he landed a 13 lb Mirror just 3 oz shy of my big one first thing this morning

FFS Dad lead by 10 lb and as time ticked on I was staring defeat in the face.

Last cast of the day, I put a wafter on and threw the feeder under a tree praying something would bite....

It did !!! My rod screamed and the fish took off, It felt like a good one, could I land it though?? It tangled on Dads line so I had to take the bale arm off and risk it getting off the hook as we got Dads line free from it. I quickly got the bale arm back on.. but was the fish on??? YES get innnnnn

As it got into the net I knew it was close to the 10 lber I needed to clinch victory...

It weighed 11 lb 12 oz and won me the match

What a great match that was and a good fishery too.

Mixed fortunes for Dad, he got his PB today of 13 lb but lost the match and broke his rod
I on the other hand was buzzing as I collected a 4.5 v 0.5 win

34 lb 10 oz for my 4 fish
Big T had 32 lb 4 oz for his 4 fish

My biggest fish of 13 lb 3 oz was the highlight for me, but on a day where we got three doubles between us and a last minute winner to decide the result there were many highlights all day

Roll on match day 3....
I lead 9.5 v 0.5 in the season now

15th May 2020 - Woodlands Lakes (Partridge Lake)

For the past couple of months the world has been in a strange place with the Covid19 virus hitting hard.

As a result of the lock down, Fisheries have been closed

This week they re-opened so (better late than never) it was time for the Season 11 opening match

The opening match was at Woodlands as I thought It would be safer to fish the biggest venue where social distancing could be easiest to abide to.. I was wrong... it was heaving with anglers on every lake.

We chose Partridge lake and settled on pegs 10 (me) and 9 (Dad)

The sun was shining and after 7 weeks of no angling I assumed the fish would be desperate for food... I was wrong again...

It was a hard day with not many bites but a match I won easily.

Dad caught two 2 lb Carp and foul hooked a tiny skimmer but I had six decent Carp to romp to victory. My 9 lb 4 oz was the highlight, however my other catches were all of a decent size too.

I finished on 36 lb 5 for my six fish compared to Dads 4 lb 2 oz for his three fish

A big 5-0 win to open the season so you would think I would be happy.... wrong again... I broke my net and lost my ring in the lake....

Interesting day with ups and downs and great to be back on the bank.

Roll on next week when we head to South Yorkshire

26th October 2019 - Mccallums (East Lake)

So, here it was, the 2019 season ending winner takes all finale and it was held at Mccallums on the East Lake.

Dad came into the match on the back of four straight wins to force a decider. Could he win his first League Title since 2012 or could I get back on track and clinch the title after four terrible recent performances

The weather was horrendous, non stop rain, wind and freezing cold conditions

After a breakfast in the cafe we cast in at 8:45am and the match was to last 6 hours

After a fruitless hour my line suddenly took off. I knew it was a big one. After playing it for ten minutes it took me under some lillies and snagged me. Gutted !!!!
I decided I needed to cut the line, just then my phone rang. It was my baby Niece and my Girlfriend so I left the rod with the line still seemingly snagged.
After coming off the phone, I tightened the clutch ready to snip the line if I couldn't save the method feeder. Then the line started moving, bloody hell I shouted, I still had it on and even better the fish had come out from the lillies. Five minutes later I landed it. A lovely 10 lb 3 oz Common.
What a start !!
Fantastic.. Could I kick on??

Literally five minutes later Big T was off the mark netting a Carp of just under 4 lb.
Half an hour later, he was in again, this time a Carp of 4 lb 8oz.
I quickly followed this with a small Skimmer of 8 oz

So a third of the match in and I had a lead of around 2 lb

The next two hours were dull, I couldn't buy a bite, Big T landed a Bream of 2 lb 14 oz to take the lead..

The last two hours were a disaster for me. Still not a bite, however Dad pulled away with blistering spell where he landed fish a further four fish adding about 10 lb to his total to easily win the match

Big T finished with 20 lb 15 oz for seven fish with me back on 10 lb 11 oz for my two fish
4-1 to Dad on the day

So Big T wins the league title and takes the Wilkie Trophy home for a year.

I was freezing, wet through and defeated... Awful...

Fair play to Dad, he turned a seemingly hopeless task of having to win the final five matches into a successful chase and well done to him


I will get my title back !!!! Roll on March/April 2020 for the next season to start

20th October 2019 - Tyram Fisheries (Island Lake)

Three 5 Nil defeats on the trot meant we headed into today's match with me holding only a narrow two point lead

I could still seal the league title with a win however another defeat would put Big T infront with only one match to go

What was it to be?

We chose to fish Tyram again and set up with me on peg 8, Big T on peg 9

The weather was dry and overcast but deep into October meant there was a chill in the air

I got off to a good start banking two Carp of 5 lb 6 oz and 6 lb 4 oz. Big T then got off the mark with a lovely Mirror of 9 lb 1 oz to cut the lead to a slender 2 lb 9 oz

Dad then netted another big Carp, this time 8 lb 9 oz to build a lead of 6 lb but I hit back instantly with a Carp of my own that weighed 6 lb 3 oz.

With two and a half hours left to play I held a tiny 3 oz lead but then BOOOM.. Big T netted a double figure Carp of 10 lb 12 oz to regain the lead by 10 lb 9 oz.

I fought gamely at the end banking a 12 oz Bream and then in the dying seconds banked a nice 7 lb 12 oz Carp but it wasn't to be

Dad wins 4-1

We head into next weeks finale with twelve wins each this season and with Big T holding a one point lead

Winner takes all next week, what a season....

12th October 2019 - Norwood Fishery (Large Lake)

Another chance for me to win the league title, can I do it ??
I'd lost the last two matches 5-0 and had a shocker of a practice session on my own last week too so confidence was low

Today's match was at Norwood Fishery in Sheffield, a lake we hadn't fished for four years.

We started what was to be a six hour match at 8.20am and the weather was surprisingly mild and quite sunny
I was on peg 18 with Big T on peg 17

The first two hours were shocking. Big T managing to net three skimmers and me ...... Nothing !!!
After speaking to the owner we decided to move pegs to a wider area of the lake, I chose peg 26, Dad on peg 25

The next three hours were poor, Dad was doing okay bagging small fish but building a lead whilst I struggled landing two Carp and two Bream but as we headed into the last hour I had the largest fish so was on for at least the single point and not a whitewash

The last hour was terrible for me, I didn't land anything else and Dad landed three more fish including a 6 lb 5 oz Carp with 90 SECONDS of the match remaining to take all 5 points on offer and his third 5 Nil win on the bounce

What a horrible match for me and I feel I am bottling the league

I lead by 17 points last month and now I lead by just 2 with only two matches to go

It's going to the wire ...................

5th October 2019 - Nether Mill Fishery

Well, this will be short ...

Today was a pleasure session on my own.
With my Girlfriend going to her Sisters I chose a fishery within half hour of there and that fishery was Nether Mill.

I had fished the lake once before about four months ago and to be honest struggled so was hoping for a better day today

I fished for a total of four hours and had a mare. One bite, one fish and that was it.

The weather was overcast but the temperature was low which could be a reason for the lack of activity
I tried lots of different baits but it was just one of those days

Two visits to Nether Mill now and both poor so I doubt I will be back.
Its a lovely place and very scenic and quiet but the owner was overheard explaining how he lost thousands of fish a few years ago in a bad flood

Three more fishing trips left this season ............

22nd September 2019 - Pool Bridge Farm (Horse Shoe Lake)

With only a 12 point lead in the league and only four matches to go I could seal the league title today

We chose to fish The Willows Fishery in York, a venue we hadn't fished in five years.
We got to the venue at 7am, (opening time) to find the only suitable pegs already taken.... Gutted..
Back in the car we drove the short distance to Poppleton to find every lake on that complex matched up.... Gutted again.
We jumped back in the car and thought we would try Moor Monkton but ................ yep matched up
GUTTED again. FFS...........

Poole Bridge Farm was the 4th choice of the fisheries within a close proximity so settled on fishing the Horse Shoe Lake and after setting up we started on what was to be a five hour 45 minute shortish match.

I was on peg 28 with Dad on peg 29. I hadn't fished this peg before but was fairly confident

It was clear after only an hour how this match was going to pan out and for me it wasn't good..

Small skimmers and even smaller Carp were the only fish gracing my net.
15 fish in total for a very poor 22 lb 1 oz. My largest fish was only 3 lb.
What a poor effort from me. Nothing went right and thoroughly let myself down

Meanwhile next to me Dad caught constantly and all from a spot under a willow tree. Granted, he too seemed to only catch small fish but he caught all match with no lulls.
Dad finished with 24 fish for a very decent total weight of 54 lb 9 oz to hammer me and his biggest win for some time... His 3 lb 9 oz Mirror Carp was the biggest of the day too

So a 5-0 huge win for Big T now means I only lead by 7 pts with 15 points still to play for.
Its going to the wire....
I need to clinch the title on the next match or the league will go to the final two matches and the pressure will be immense.

7th September 2019 - Moor Monkton Pools (Front Pool)

Back to Moor Monkton to fish the Front Pool again today.
In July we had a good day so we were both hopeful for another good session on the bank

Kirsty had the car today which meant Dad had to pick me up and I got a little lay in

We arrived at the venue just before 7.30 am and I chose the end peg (65) with Dad on 66
After tackling up we cast in at 8 am in what were overcast conditions

The match was to be a 6.5 hour match

The first hour was slow for both of us with neither of us getting off the mark.

The second hour was amazing for me. I netted four good Carp (One was a cracking 7 lb 4 oz Common). Dad struggled again netting just the one Carp

The next hour was fruitful for both of us. Dad was now into good sized Carp and I managed another two including an 8 lb 7 oz Mirror Carp

The second half of the match .... well what can I say ??
I  had a mare banking only a small Carp and three silvers. Meanwhile Dad was brilliant, steadily catching a good stamp of Carp including a lovely double ..

I  finished with 44 lb 1 oz for my 10 fish with Big T miles ahead on 71 lb 3 oz for 13 fish
Dads 10 lb 4 oz Carp winning the biggest fish point too


Dad wins 5-0 and well deserved too

My lead is cut to 12 points with 5 matches to go ....

3rd September 2019 - Woodlands (Skylark Lake)

Woodlands was today's venue and finally a chance to fish the Skylark lake. I have wanted to fish this lake for nearly ten years and today I was finally getting a chance

I chose peg 16, Dad was on 14 with Ethan joining us for the session on peg 15

The match was a 6.5 hours match and with overcast conditions we all expected a good day

Well....
All three of us had contrasting days...

Ethan had a shocker, struggled for bites all day and finished on a terrible 9 lb 9 oz for his five fish

Big T had a poor day too. He managed to get a big Carp of 7 lb 9 oz which would win him the point for biggest catch of the day but he didn't really do much else and finished on 25 lb 4 oz for his nine fish

I had a fantastic day.
I caught all day and a good stamp of fish at that...
I netted sixteen fish in total which included a nice Ghostie and nice Koi
My total weight was a good 71 lb 5 oz

I win 4-1 to extend my lead to 17 points with six matches to play...

2nd September 2019 - Lindholme (Willows Lake)

Today match was back at Lindholme in what is turning out to be our favourite venue.
Willows was the chosen lake, (a lake we had never fished before)

The match was to last six hours and I chose peg 23

The match was dire. The weather was ok apart from breezy winds but the fish didn't want to know. Well they didn't on my peg. I tried all sorts of baits but had no luck

I did manage 13 fish but they averaged out at less than 2 lb each
I finished on a poor 23 lb.

Meanwhile next to me Dad was also struggling until we reached the final hour of the match

With the total weights nearly identical Dad had an unbelievable last hour netting fish after fish to run away with the victory
Dad ended up with just over 42 lb and took all 5 points on offer

31st August 2019 - Rising Sun (Lake 2)

Today we chose to go fish Lake 2 at Rising Sun Fishery.
We hadn't fished this lake for three years and the last time we did fish it, Big T fell in …

Today was another seven hour match
I was on peg 2, with Dad on the end peg (peg 1)

It was a very poor match, both of us struggled all day but whereas Dad couldn't get anything over 2 lb, my stamp of fish was a little better

The first six hours and 30 seconds saw us both net eleven fish in total but with only 30 seconds on the clock left, I netted a small Ide to claim the point for most fish.
I've lost count of how many times I catch fish in the last minute or two when we go fishing and today was just the same

The biggest fish of the day was a beauty.
Nestled in-between the twenty two small fish we caught between us was a lovely 8 lb 5 oz Mirror Carp that I caught which earned me the point for the largest fish

My 26 lb total beat Dads 14 lb 11 total to get me the three points for total weight too

A 5-0 win for me today extends my season lead to 19 points

28th August 2019 - Lindholme Lakes (Strip Lake)

Todays match was back at Lindholme on what is rapidly becoming my favourite lake - "Strip Lake"

The match was a seven hour match and I went into it with a ten point lead over Big T

I started off on peg 17 with Dad on 16 but a guy chose to fish bang opposite us for some reason (even though he had the full bank to choose from!!)
As a result of this we only fished for two hours before moving pegs.
These two hours were productive for me though with three Carp netted (two over 6 lb).
Big T also had three fish but were a lot smaller

We moved pegs where I settled for peg 23, (a peg I'd fished before) and Dad on peg 24 (the end peg)

The next five hours were unbelievable. I caught another thirteen fish, with seven of them over 6 lb. One was a brilliant 9 lb 7 oz Common Carp.
Dad also caught another thirteen fish but of a smaller stamp

The small F1 I caught on the last cast was enough to get the share of the point for most fish, my big 9 lb 7 oz Common got me the point for largest fish and although Dad finished with a very respectable 48 lb 8 oz, I finished with a huge 82 lb haul to get the remaining three points to win 4.5 v 0.5

My lead extended to 14 points...

27th August 2019 - Lindholme (Loco Lake)

We fished Loco at Lindholme today and I went into the match holding a slender five point lead for the season
Todays full match also featured Ethan and Cawood Dave however me and Dad would have the contest between us too to count for the season

The match was a slow one really in baking hot weather.
Cawood Dave and Big T only caught two tiddlers each but Ethan and Myself did quite well
Ethan got a Roach and three very good Carp (all over 9 lb, infact one was a huge 12 lb 8 oz)
I managed six fish including a double of my own (10 lb 13 oz)

Ethan won the overall match by a clear 7 lb with me behind in 2nd. (Dad and Cawood Dave performing terribly)

More importantly for me was the 5 points I gained in our league

I now lead by 10 points

3rd August 2019 - Forest Lane Fishery (The Don Lake)

Today was a chance to fish the highly respected lake "The Don" at Forest Lane Fishery in Alne.
We had fished it once before but its a lake that is always matched up on a weekend so when a club had cancelled on them we took advantage and chose the lake for mine and Big T's latest battle

I went into the match with a ten point lead so no nerves for me, however Big T knew only a win would do for him as we come to the crunch end of the season

After setting up our tackle and a bit of brekkie we started what was to be a six and a half hour match and with plenty of fish showing we were both confident of a good day.
The weather was warm and bright and surprisingly the lake was quiet with fellow anglers

The match was a strange one. It was very slow for me, with very little to shout about. I caught some good fish but only eight in the net in total was disappointing. I did manage five different species amongst the eight fish, a Common of over 7 lb my highlight and I lost what felt like a huge fish.

Dad had a much better day, he caught ten fish but of a much better stamp meaning he finished with a total weight of 47 lb 14 oz which swamped my 33 lb 4 oz. His biggest catch was a nice Mirror Carp of 8 lb 8 oz. Dad also lost about eight fish, taking his line and then jumping off. Taking this into account the win could have been by a much wider margin had he landed any of the eight he lost

So a disappointing loss for me but a huge 5 point win for Big T. Just what he wanted and needed and it means my lead is now cut to a narrow five points.


This is going down to the wire...I can feel it

The 2019 Docklow Trophy - July 6th to 13th

So here it was, the wait finally over.

The Docklow Trophy was up for grabs again...
After winning the first one in 2016 by the closest of margins, I was well and truly beaten in 2017 and thrashed in 2018 so I was desperate to regain the prestigious award.
I also headed to Docklow with a narrow three point lead in this years league standings too so I knew a heavy loss at Docklow would put Dad well in front and on course for the league title too.
The pressure was on...

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MATCH 1 - Figure of Eight Lake - 4 Hours 30 Minutes match - David on peg 4, Big T on peg 5

The opening match was a short match of less than five hours and a match we didn't start until Mid Afternoon. The lake we chose to fish was the figure of eight lake, a lake we had never fished before so it was into the unknown for both of us.
The weather was warm and muggy and a slight feel of rain in the air.
The match was a tight affair that could have gone either way. I caught a lot more fish than Big T (I landed 12 compared to Big T's 5) however a lot of mine were small skimmers. I did manage three Carp though, two of which were over 5 lb for a total weight of 19 lb 7 oz. Dad finished with 12 lb 5 oz but the match will be remembered for the fish lost rather than the fish caught. I was snapped in the lillies twice but Dad lost FOUR so if we had landed all these lost fish the result could have been reversed but I will take an opening win. My Common Carp of 6 lb 4 oz helped me take the further point to win 5-0. Brilliant start for me

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MATCH 2 - Match Lake - 8 Hours 45 Minutes match - David on peg 8, Big T on peg 7

Match 2 was held on the Match Lake, a lake we had done well but also very poorly on previously.
It was warm and sunny today so we were happy
This match was even tighter than the previous days match.
I landed 15 fish, one shy of Dad's total of 16 and I was under 3 lb short of Dads total weight too (I weighed in 33 lb 12 oz to Dads 36 lb 7 oz)
I did however get the largest fish of the day. A huge 4 lb 6 oz F1 winning me a solitary point
Dad wins 4-1. Back to the drawing board for me ….

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MATCH 3 - Farmer Jack Lake - 9 Hours 30 Minutes match - David on peg 43, Big T on peg 42

Match 3 was on Farmer Jack, a lake I can never get the better of Big T on....
I was desperate for a win or doubts would start to set in. I felt under so much pressure as the match started.
A nice Common Carp was my highlight with the 5 lb 6 oz fish going on to win me the point for biggest fish.
I netted constantly during the match, F1's being the majority of the fish I bagged.
I landed a total of 20 fish for 49 lb 8 oz.
The match like the previous two was nip and tuck all day and with 3 minutes to go I was holding on...
Then disaster!!!! Big T bagged the 3 lber he needed to win the match. After netting it, the match was over...…
No way!!!!! Dad wins 4-1. Terrible night ahead for me, surely this wasn't going the same way as the previous two years.... I was in trouble

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MATCH 4 - Stock Pond - 10 Hour match - David on peg 4, Big T on peg 3

Match 4 was on the Stock Pond, another lake we hadn't fished before but one I had always wanted to. Previously the lake was "Float Only" but was now any method.
This match was unbelievable...
The match just like the last three days was nip and tuck with the lead changing hands several times whilst we both caught lots of fish.
I caught 34 fish, most small F1's but a nice Common of 4 lb 5 oz was enough to win the biggest fish point.
Big T landed 40 fish though to win the other single point.
The total weights were Dad a very good 72 lb 14 oz but a huge weight of 80 lb was my total so won me the 3 points for biggest total weight
The match only really swung in the last 90 minutes when I forged ahead. It was a fantastic match and possibly my favourite of the 4 years at Docklow
A 4-1 win for me was much appreciated
I now lead 11-9 for the week. It was still all to play for

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MATCH 5 - Mickey Mouse Pond - 9 Hour match - David on peg 29, Big T on peg 28

Match 5 was on Mickey Mouse Pond, a lovely pond unfortunately spoilt by too many lilly pads. Of the 50 or so pegs I reckon only a dozen are fishable.
We chose pegs on the roadside and like the previous days the weather forecast was for warm weather and sun.
Would the match be like the last four days, very close??
Well.....Yes it would
I once again caught pretty much all day, mostly silvers though but they all add up...
After the 9 hours I had caught 25 fish for a total of 37 lb 11 oz. Dad meanwhile caught a lot more than me (38 fish) but of a much smaller stamp. He finished with a total weight of 34 lb 6 oz. Very close considering he lost THREE fish in the final ten minutes....
Could that be his chance gone??
My 4 lb 14 oz Common Carp was the biggest catch of the session however Dads perfect 4 lb Perch was the highlight of a good days fishing.
4-1 win for me again meant I now lead 15-10 and needed only 3 points from the remaining two matches.. Could I really win back the trophy? Could I win it tomorrow with a day spare??

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MATCH 6 - Tench Pool - 9 Hour match - Both on roadside pegs (un-numbered)

Match 6 was on the Tench Pool, a lake we hated last year when we first fished it, but could today be any better? Could I win the trophy today??
The weather for the first time this week wasn't great. It was warm but overcast and a couple of downpours albeit not for long meant we fished under the brollies a couple of times.
The match was atrocious...
Big T caught 15 fish including a nice little Barbel and I caught a couple of really nice Tench in my total of 8 fish caught but it was a very slow, long match with not much excitement
Big T was infront all day and it stayed like that as he closed the match out with a total weight of 18 lb 9 oz. My fish weighed a rubbish 13 lb 9 oz but 3 lb 10 oz Tench was enough to at least get me the one point
Dad wins 4-1. We go to a final day decider....

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MATCH 7 - Moby Dick Lake - 9 Hours 45 Minutes match - David on peg 35, Big T on 34

Match 7 and the Trophy decider.
It all came down to this after 6 previous days of titanic battles on the lakes
I lead 16-14 coming into the match so I could afford to lose 3-2 and still win the Trophy but a 4-1 or 5-0 defeat would spell disaster for me and a win for Big T
The weather was good and we chose pegs on the opposite bank to where we normally fish.
It was a double peg and we both had the same island infront of us and trees to either margin.
The pressure was unbearable and Big T raced into a 12 lb lead with some great angling in the opening part of the match.
Before lunch I had fought back, caught the biggest fish of not only the day but of the week (Common Carp of 7 lb 2 oz) and we were basically level at the break
This was unbelievable, the last match, a finale to decide who wins this years trophy and it was going to the wire.
After dinner I upped my game and targeted the silvers, netting them for fun in a fantastic 2 hour spell to get infront. The silvers meant I had a lead of about 6/7/8 fish so that point was looking safe. Could I get the other point I needed though? My 7 lb 2 oz was still the biggest fish and the total weights were within ounces so Dad needed the big one... Could he get it??
We entered the final minutes of the match with Dad desperately trying to snare a big one that could win the match and trophy but it never came. I held on Yessssssssssssssssss
My total weight of 45 lb 7 oz was just over a 1 lb infront of Big T's total weight.
I finished with 30 fish to Dads 22 and my big Common meant even though it could have turned in the last second I actually got all 5 points today to win 5-0

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Chuffed to bits to win back the trophy I last held in 2016.
The final score being 21 points to 14 points

A fantastic week of not only fishing, but good food, drink and fantastic company. It was a great laugh and I enjoyed every minute of it. Hope to go back and put the title on the line again in 2021 after a year out next year

BRILLIANT

29th June 2019 - Nether Mill Fishery

Match day seven and a match I needed to win
I went into this match with an 8 point lead but with Docklow next week I wanted to go there holding a big lead as I normally struggle down there

We decided to fish Nether Mill Fishery, a lake in Penistone I had looked at a few months ago

We got to the venue and Big T loved it. It is a very picturesque fishery consisting or one lake with 3 Islands down the middle. Flat banking made fishing comfortable and this well kept lake held some big fish aswell as a lot of smaller stuff so I fancied my chances.

The sun was beating down early in the day and 30 degree was forcast for later so the suncream was packed

The first couple of hours was nip and tuck. I bagged seven small fish for a total of 7 lb 12 oz and Dad bagged 6 fish for 6 lb 10 oz

The next couple of hours couldn't be further away from "nip and tuck". I struggled badly managing only a couple of small fish but Big T netted twelve to build a lead of around 10 lb

The next couple of hours were similar to the previous two. Big T landed another twelve fish whilst I netted only three so he extended his lead to 11 lb

The last hour was truly abysmal for me as I couldn't muster so much as bite.
Over on the next Peg dad got another five fish and another 7 lb or so

I finished with 12 fish for 14 lb which was very poor
Dad finished with 35 fish for 33 lb for a much deserved win. He also got the point for the largest fish too to claim all 5 points available and cut me lead down to a slim 3 points

Docklow week coming up next. Cant wait for it (even though I usually struggle there)
If I struggle this time round, Big T could be set for not only the Dockow Trophy but he will have sights on the league title too

24th June 2019 - Tyram Fisheries (Island Lake)

Match Day 6 today and a last minute change of venue.
We were originally going to go back to Lindholme but we decided on Tyram instead

I set up on peg 15, with Big T on peg 14 and with the weather forecast also changing at the last minute from storms to just cloudy we were hopeful of a good day

The first couple of hours was all me as I stormed into a big lead. I landed four Bream and a good 6 lb Carp whilst Dad had the solitary Bream of 3 lb 8 oz

The middle section of the match saw Dad try to fight back but I extended my lead. I bagged three Bream and a big 8 lb 12 oz Carp. Dad netted three Bream and two Carp

The last couple of hours were poor for both of us. Dad blanked whilst I caught tiny Mirror Carp and a tiny Roach

Tyram is a really good fishery with friendly staff and a good cafe and we will definitely be back. Unfortunately the really big fish eluded us again today but still a good enjoyable day even though I did nearly fall in the lake after slipping in the mud

I finished with eleven fish for 34 lb 10 oz. Big T caught six fish for 13 lb 7 oz
My 8 lb 12 oz Mirror Carp was the best of the day

So a 5-0 win for me saw me stretch my lead to 8 points for the season

Next week we travel to Nether Mill Fishery and then it will be only days before the Docklow Week

Game on ...

8th June 2019 - Moor Monkton Pools (Front Lake)

Match Day 5 and a trip to Moor Monkton Pools, but unlike usual when we go to this venue, today's match was to be on the Front Pool.

We haven't fished the Front Pool before so after doing a bit of research we decided on pegs 67 and 68 (with me on peg 68)

The lake is quite small with only 18 pegs but with plenty of vegetation and two central islands its quite an inviting water

The match was due to be a 5 hour 15 minute match and with heavy rain forcast we had the brollies at the ready

The match got underway with me needing a win.
Last weeks victory drew me level on 10 points each but with Docklow Week only round the corner and Dad prolific there I need a lead for when we go

The first hour was insane for me. A Carp of 4 lb was followed by three more over 5 lb each whilst Dad had a solitary Carp of around four and a half pound. Wow... what a start

The second hour was all Big T's. He landed four Carp including a 6 lb 11 oz (which would turn out to be the biggest of the day). I, on the other hand netted a Carp of 5 lb 11 oz which was my only catch during this second hour of the match

The third hour saw me pull away again as I landed two decent Carp of four and five pound whilst Dad managed just a three pounder

The fourth hour saw Dad net a small Carp and me blank

The final hour started with me holding a lead of over 8 lb so the pressure was somewhat off and with the rain hammering down I bagged a nice 3 lb Bream to finish the match off

I finished with 8 fish for 37 lb 7 oz with Dad back on 26 lb 4 oz for 7 fish.
As I mentioned earlier Dad bagged the biggest fish of the day

So, a 4-1 win today and for the first time this season I hit the front.
Brilliant...

Two matches in one week are next...
June 24th and June 29th

24th May 2019 - Lindholme Lakes (Strip Lake)

Practice session day today and it was back to Lindholme once again.

Every lake bar Bonsai was available so I chose to fish the Strip Lake like last Saturday.
Was last Saturdays good day a one off or was this lake really that good?

Kirsty had the day off today and with hot and sunny weather forecast she came along for the day out.

We arrived at a very quiet Lindholme at 7.30am and decided on peg 23 (the other end of the lake to what I fished with Dad the other day)

Today was going to be a 6 hour session.
Six hours sat in the sun in my shorts fishing. Girlfriend sat beside me reading her book. This beats work any day....

The day started with a bang as I landed a Carp of just over 7 lb. Wow.... this lake is brilliant I thought to myself.
The first two hours of the session saw me land that 7 lb Mirror Carp and a further five F1 Carp

Just short of 23 lb in the first two hours was a fantastic start to the day

The middle two hours were just as good as I netted four more F1 Carp, another Mirror Carp, a Common Carp and a Bream so another 23 lb in the bag.....

The last two hours died a bit with me only landing three F1 Carp and a tiny Common Carp

So 17 fish for 53 lb.

I really do like this lake but............. note to self..... "remember sun lotion next time" ouch....

19th May 2019 - Lindholme Lakes (Strip Lake)

Match day 4 and going into this match I trailed Dad by 10 pts to 5 so needed a win.
I'd started the season very poorly so required not only a win but a good performance too

Today's match was back at Lindholme and was originally to be held on Beeches lake.

We arrived just after 7am and when paying for our day ticket we were told that Beeches "may not be available to pleasure fish today". Oh no.... we both thought as we obtained tickets for the un-fancied Strip lake

We started our match at 8am and within 5 minutes, on his first cast Dad hooked and landed an 11 lb 1 oz Carp (a PB for him) but 2 minutes later I unbelievably bettered his effort by netting an 11 lb 5 oz Mirror
The next half hour saw Dad bag a 10 lb 14 oz Carp and I landed a huge 11 lb 11 oz Mirror Carp. (We Both also landed a small F1 too)
What an opening hour including 4 doubles between us and after this first hour Dad lead by the tiny amount of one ounce

The next two hours were fruitful too with Dad netting another small F1 and a Carp of over 8 lb meanwhile I landed four F1s and a couple of Common Carp. I now led by about 3 lb after the first three hours of the match

The last hour before lunch was quite even with Dad getting another Carp of over 8 lb whilst I netted two small F1s and a nice Ghost Carp to extend my lead to roughly 4 lb

The first hour after lunch saw me bag two small carp and Dad one small Carp so my lead increased to 6 lb with just one hour of the match to go. Was this 6 lb going to be enough?? On a lake where doubles had come onto our banks I wasnt too sure...

The last hour fortunately for me went my way too with two small Carp and a 5 lb Carp coming into my net whereas Dad has a solitary F1 of around 4 lb

Yesssss
A win for me in what was a fantastic match

I finished with 17 fish for 63 lb 8 oz
Dad had a total weight of 51 lb 6 oz for his 8 fish

My 11 lb 11 oz Carp was the biggest of the day

A 5-0 win for me brings me level with Dad for the season on 10 pts each.

Next match Saturday 8th June  but first I have a session on my own next week. Roll on next Saturday

28th April 2019 - Lindholme Lakes (Loco Lake)

Well today was match day 3 with Dad and we came in to the day level at 5 points each

Today's match was to be held at Lindholme on the Loco Lake, a lake Dad had fished once but I hadn't.
There are huge fish in here so we were both hopeful of a good day and a good match

We got set up with me on peg 43 and Dad on 42 and cast in at 8am. This was to be a 6 1/2 hour match

There isn't much I can write about my day. It was truly abysmal and my worst performance in years. I caught one 1 lb skimmer and that was it. No bites, no knocks, not even a line bite. Shocking !!

Dad had a better day but still not very good. He ended up with 4 Carp for 15 1/2 lb

5 points to Dad and a big win to lead 10-5 in the season

My confidence shot to pieces after this past couple of days Angling but as Arnie once said "I'll be back" !!!!

27th April 2019 - Winfield Lakes (High Lake)

Today was a practice session

Dad was involved in a match at Cawood and Kirsty was working so I thought why not, will be better than staying indoors...

I was wrong !!!

I got to Winfield Lakes to be welcomed by Strong Gales and lashing down rain. It was bitterly cold too.
I lasted all of 4 hours in horrendous conditions and although I caught eight fish, five of them were smaller than what I have in my fish tank at home...

I fished peg 19 and ended up with 8 fish for 16 lb in the 4 hours I fished

I was disappointed with the chopping down of a lot of the vegetation at the fishery. The central island was cut down to only 2 foot high and the perimeter bushed that lined the lake chopped down too making the lake look a bit bare to me

I will be back in a couple of years to see what the place looks like as its currently for sale again

Today was a bad day at the office !!!

13th April 2019 - Elm Tree Fishery (Horseshoe Lake)

Today was a practice session for me.
A solo visit back to Elm Tree Fishery in Hooton Roberts.

I'd fished this lake twice before so knew it would be a good day to catch fish, (although mostly small F1 Carp)

I got to the venue at 8.30am and found the ground covered in frost, however the water was ice free.
I was to fish 6 hours today and after setting up on peg 21 I cast in at 8.50am.

I was using the day to get used to a rod I struggled with on this seasons opener at Tyram and also a chance to hopefuly catch using some of the baits I'd not really done well with previously.

The day went as I expected. I caught at a constant rate all day.
12 F1 Carp, a Skimmer and a Crucian

Elm Tree is a lovely peaceful fishery, I just wish it wasnt one of those lakes where you know what you will catch. Everytime the rod bent round I knew a 2-3 lb F1 was coming in...
I will be back in a few years time once Ive explored "new to us" fisheries during the next 2/3 seasons

5th April 2019 - Lindholme Lakes (Bonsai Lake)

So match day 2 and a quick turnaround after yesterday so a chance to get on the league table I hoped...
We chose Lindholme Lakes, a fishery we hadn't fished before
Bonsai Lake on the complex was the lake we decided on, Lindholme's flagship lake on the complex
We got to the site at 6.50 just before opening time and started setting up with me on Peg 70, Dad on peg 69. (These were the best two pegs on the lake I had been advised..)
Whilst I finished tackling up Dad went to pay and was giving a talking to by the strict staff member. "We have been watching you on camera", "you came in before 7am", you cant just go to the lake before you see me first" etc etc
Ok.. For starters its the first time we have been to Lindholme so weren't aware of these rules and secondly, you are "telling us off" for not coming to the shop first before going to the lake yet you dont even have DIP nets.. Come on get your priorities right....
Anyway, with the wind behind us and the sun shining we knew today would be better than the previous day.
The first half of the 6 hour match was fairly even with me keeping infront but not by a lot. I had two small Mirror Carp and two F1's whilst Dad had a small Common, a small F1, a small Tench and a tiny Chub
The second half of the match saw me pull well clear... Whilst Dad could only manage a skimmer and two small Common Carp, I had a good Mirror Carp and a good F1 which totalled about 10 lb between them and then I followed it up with two very good Common Carp. Firstly one of 6 lb 5 oz and then a fantastic 9 lb 10 oz beauty
This meant that I finished with 8 fish for 34 lb. Dad ended up with 7 fish for 15 lb 8 oz

A 5-0 win for me meant after 2 days we were level with 5 points each

Bonsai Lake at Lindholme was a brilliant lake and we will definitely be back to fish not only this lake but also a few of the others on the complex too

Tyram yesterday was difficult but again its a lovely fishery and we will be back when the better weather comes

4th April 2019 - Tyram Fisheries (Island Lake)

Its here, finally the 2019 season :-)

Two days off work meant a double header to open the season and match 1 was to be at Tyram Fisheries in Doncaster.
This is a lake we hadn't fished before so we were both excited to see what the day would bring.
I had been given the heads up that the lake had been fishing brilliantly over the last two weeks so could we carry this good form on?
Well, we got to the venue and set up our tackle. The Wind was horrendous and it was apparent straight away we could be in trouble
The match was to be a 5 hour 30 minutes match and the first hour went by with not even a bite for me, whilst Dad lost one.
After breakfast we tried to up our game but the wind was getting worse. We couldn't cast properly and seeing bites in these conditions was nearly impossible.
During these next two hours I managed to net three tiny skimmers whilst Dad faired better bagging a decent Tench, a skimmer and two Carp
The remainder of the match was fished in Gale Force winds and freezing cold conditions and saw Dad net a Roach to rub salt in my wounds...
Very disappointing day and a bad start to the season

I finished with three fish for 1 lb 4 oz, Dad had 5 fish for a total weight of 7 lb
Dad's Tench was the biggest fish of the day

Dad wins 5.0

Oh dear I hope I fair better tomorrow I thought as we headed home...

2019 season baits

After months of research these are the hook baits I have settled for for the forthcoming season.

Less than 3 weeks until the season opener :-)

https://www.facebook.com/david.carney.33633/videos/274035430140398/

A J Fishing Tackle (Middleton Park, Leeds, LS10 3ST)

This is a very small fishing tackle shop and is definately a throwback to yesteryear.
It is on one floor and is of tiny size.
Due to its small size it doesn't hold a vast amount of tackle although its adequate for nipping in if you're passing and running short of something
There is no website for the shop

4/10

Supreme Angling Ltd (New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4QD)

This is a fairly new tackle shop, only opening in 2014.
The shop is a high street small tackle shop on two floors.
The shop is what I call an "old school" tackle shop where you are greeted by one or two regulars stood chatting to the owner. This gives the shop a nice friendly atmosphere.
The shop gets new tackle and bait very, very quickly which is admirable and the owner and staff are on hand to help with any queries
Supreme Angling has an adequate website

The only negatives I can think of are :
It is sometimes difficult to get parked with it being on a busy road and due to the shop being small the choice of goods whether that be bait or tackle is obviously not as good as bigger stores

7/10

https://www.supremeangling.co.uk/

BobCo Fishing Tackle (Torre Road, Leeds, LS9 7QL)

This tackle shop is a Superstore.
Its a huge store measuring 15,000 square feet and based on two floors.
The store caters for every type of fishing, from fly fishing, to carping to general coarse to piking etc etc.
The stock this store holds is very good offering lots of tackle, clothing and a massive amount of bait.
The staff are very good and advice is on hand from the many staff walking the floor.
BobCo has sales at various times of year (usually Bank Holiday) where a lot of the goods can be bought at 20% discount.
There is a card (points) scheme too where you get points when you spend instore which you can then spend later. This works in a similar way to petrol cards a lot of people use.
The store has plenty of car parking which is good as its a busy store almost every day.
Sometimes the store has famous Anglers in to showcase new tackle or bait as its released which is then broadcast on Social Media
BobCo has a good website

The two negative things about this store :
I've found them very slow obtaining new baits. The smaller shops I frequent are much quicker in getting new stock out on the shelves
They seem to let stock run out before replenishing it. Ive often gone in for hooks or method feeders for example and they have "run out". A week later there are still none on display so I've had to go to the smaller shops again

All in all BobCo is a very good tackle shop with a huge variety of goods and is an Anglers dream, however they need to be a bit quicker to get the new bait out and need to fill the shelves before waiting for things to run out.

9 out of 10

https://www.bobcotackle.co.uk/

Nearly fishing season .......

45 more days until the 2019 fishing season starts and I cannot wait....

I plan to fish 24 times with Dad this coming season and also go once or twice on my own.

I am hoping to make my debut on 10 lakes I've never fished before which would increase the total number of waters I've fished up to 77

Docklow week is booked again and will take place in July

Dynamite have listened to the public and are releasing their durable hooker range in a new size (8mm) which should be great for the forthcoming season



Roll on April 4th for the season opener

2018 Season Results

I cant believe how quick these seven months have gone and what a season.

I had three good sessions on my own fishing at Elm Tree and Raker Lakes however the 20 matches in the league with Dad were fantastic 

MARCH

Winfields (High Lake) - David won 4-1

APRIL

Plainville - Big T won 4.5-0.5

Birkwoond (Main Lake) - Big T won 5-0

MAY

Risby (Folly Lake) - David won 4.5-0.5

Mccallums (East Lake) - David won 4-1

JUNE

Morndyke - David won 4.5-0.5

Woodlands (Kestrel Lake) - David won 5-0

Gilmoors (Bottom Lake) - David won 4-1

JULY

Docklow (Match Lake) - Big T won 3.5-1.5

Docklow (Tench Lake) - Big T won 4-1

Docklow (Mickey Mouse Lake) - Big T won 4-1

Docklow (Farmer Jack Lake) - Big T won 5-0

Docklow (Match Lake) - David won 5-0

Docklow (Moby Dick Lake) - Big T won 5-0

Risby (Gorse Lake) - David won 5-0

AUGUST

Fourways (Laneside) - David won 4-1

SEPTEMBER

Riverside (Large Lake) - Big T won 4-1

Poppleton (Horse Shoe Lake) - David won 4.5-0.5

OCTOBER

Moor Monkton (Cyprio Lake) - Big T won 4-1

The Oaks (Maple Lake) - David won 4-1


FINAL SCORE
David 54.5
Big T 45.5