Due to shift patterns I have to try and get my match fix where and when I can. Finishing work Tuesday morning meant no Alders Farm match so both Mick and I decided on a trip to Oakfield for their open. Red Kite in winter is very much feast or famine, but no different to anywhere else. Ideally somewhere in the middle of the lake would suffice, always seems to be consistent fishing. The weather forecast was also not too good. Cold Rain planned from 0900 until around 1500 and a slight breeze bringing the temperatures down considerably.
Arriving nice and early I pulled into the car park to see Mick was already there and waiting for his breakfast. So I ordered a bacon sandwich and a mug of PG and joined Mick on the table.With everyone present and correct the 13 anglers drew their pegs. My home was to be peg 34, not where I wanted to be but fish swim so who knows. Mick had drawn peg 6, a little further up the lake on the opposite bank, although that bank did not produce much at the weekend.
I decided on fishing 3 pole lines, one at 12.5m another at 11m to the right and a margin line in front of peg 33's platform. I also set up a bomb rod thinking that with the cold rain going in, feeding the peg may be the kiss of death. I could always add a feeder if needed later on.Bait was meat, corn 6mm pellet and some dead reds.
I had Barry Eddy for company on peg 36 and we both started off on the bomb. I opted for hair rigged corn. After 15 minutes and no indications, a switch to 5 maggots and still no signs after another 30 minutes. I switched over to the pole at 12.5m, the wind was not too bad and with a .4 DT diamond I was able to fish it comfortably, however still not a sign of a fish. I could see the guy on peg 9 and Mick both have an early fish and after 90 minutes all I had was a slight dip on the float. A move to 11m with corn saw another dip on the float but nothing really positive. I played around with both depths and shotting to no avail.
After 4 hours with nothing to show for my efforts, I was getting desperate, I was soaking wet as I do not own an umbrella, I could not feel my hands that were red in colour and wrinkled. I started upping the feed down the edge. With 90 minutes left I had my first proper bite and with it a good size F1, only to lose it at the net. My day gets better. Feed again and back out and a smaller F1 around 1.5lb was on the card. Another couple of missed bites and a foul hooker gave me hope that they had moved in. Mick had snared a proper lump on the tip. And I do mean snared, he was wiping his hands dry and noticed the tip was round and bouncing.
Persevering in front of the platform, I sneaked in a couple of similar F1s around 1.5lb followed by a carp of around 7lb. A couple more foul hookers followed but nothing else came to the net.
My 4 fish went 13lb 10oz for nowhere, well beaten by those in the middle of the lake, Mick's 3 fish went 16lb, including a carp of 12lb which sneaked him into 4th place overall and the receipt of an MK Nugget. 48lb won the match, apologies for not naming the angler but I failed to get a photo of the weighing in at the end.
My doctors have said" keep your legs and feet warm". So after 6 hours in the freezing cold and rain, it has taken two hours to get warmth into my bones. Glad I went but also glad it is over.
Keith 1
Mick 1
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