Sunday 7 December 2014

Marsh AC Xmas Match Colemans Cottage Wood Lake 06 12 14

Why is it that Xmas matches always seem to be in December, when it is cold and frosty. Personally I think we should have one in June or July with a hot sun and longer days. I am sure attendances would be better as well.
Still, Mick and I had a score to settle, the MK Nugget has finally reached a stage where a decision is made. I am leading 12-11 with only this match left where we can both fish. After a year it has been close with Mick edging the Marsh matches to pip me to the league winners and my matches at Alders in the early part of the year getting me some vital wins. In fairness it has ebbed too and fro all year and a draw would be a fair result over the year.
Mick was driving today and as we circumvented the M1 & M25 quite comfortably it was a surprise to see the lights out in the café and Coleman's. Jayne was busying herself inside and with a flick of a switch it was open for business. A couple of full English's followed which were welcome on a cold and frosty morning. There would only be 10 of us today with a couple of late cancellations. With pools monies paid I let Mick draw first, his customary good peg came out along Barbel Alley on 12. I was not complaining though as peg 14 had stuck to my paw and at least I would be able to see how Mick was faring and adapt accordingly.
I set up four rigs today, two with white hydro, .16 Stroft. .4g MW Diamonds to a size 18 B911 for fishing at 12m and 14.5m. The other main rig was for a top three line straight out in 4ft of water. .18 Stroft to grey hydro and a .3g MW Diamond and size 16 PR36. Hopefully I would bag on this line. But I doubted it due to the clear water. I also set up a throwaway line a metre from the bank which I would feed at the start and have a look over in case any barbel are present.
At the all in I fed the throwaway line with micro's and maggot and tried the top three line with maggot on the hook. After 10 minutes I had not had any indications so fed a toss pot of micro and maggot onto the line. A look at 12m paid off as after 5 minutes a common around 3lb graced the landing net. No other bites so out to 14.5m I decided to feed this line, again with micros and maggot via a toss pot and all I had to show after an hour was the one fish in the net and a liner.
It was fishing harder than everyone expected and the only one on the lake getting a few fish was Tony on Peg 20. Simon had sneaked one in, but everyone else was struggling.
Still, I plugged away. I was rotating lines after around 20 minutes and feeding a pinch of micros and around 6 maggots each time in the hope that odd fish will pick up whilst I am in the area. I felt I was fishing well but the fish were not there but with Mick still sitting biteless, my one fish would get me the MK Nugget at least.
Hour two saw another carp in the net and another liner from 14.5m on double maggot dipped in Gel It and even giving maggots a squirt of Stinky Stuff never improved either the catch rate or bite ratio. Hour three saw me catch a small 2lb barbel, again on the 14.5m line. Hour four saw another smaller carp and that was my lot. Despite going through all areas of the swim and keeping an eye on those around me, I honestly felt I could have done no more, but that's winter fishing for you. John had caught late on and would win the match, with Tony second who had struggled in the last couple of hours.
Overall
1st John Holdsworth            36-00
2nd Tony Roberts                22-00
3rd Tom Exell                      13-00
4th Keith Ashby                   11-00
5th Simon Watkins                 8-00
6th Jim Boase                         5-00
7th Dave Collier                     3-00


Unfortunately there was 3 blanks in the match all in my section, so it had fished extremely hard, I think a mix of the lake having been limed recently, a really heavy sharp frost, clear skies and no breeze all contributing.
The MK Nugget is over now until the New Year with myself taking the honours 13-11. A very close season and an enjoyable one with plenty of banter between us.
Thanks must go to Dave Collier and Tony Roberts who put in a lot of time in making these matches what they are. A friendly bunch of lads who just go to enjoy themselves on venues they do not normally fish.