The Build-Up
Following on from a couple of good results in my most recent matches, I decided that I would try something a little different from the standard matches where F1 or carp are the dominant species. This would come in the form of a silvers-only match at Hampton Springs Fishery in Malpas, Chester.
I had been meaning to make an appearance here before now but other matches or events had prevented me from making the trip. Instead, Helen Dagnall and Dave Brooks, who had been asking me to book on with them, just rubbed it in telling me how well it had been fishing!
However, a free Sunday and I booked myself onto the match.
Get Pinging! Jamie Hughes likes to keep in touch with the ever changing behaviour of fish. Here is why he thinks hard pellets are starting to rule over soft…
Pellets have always been the bait in which I have the most confidence. I have spent years perfecting the way that my bait is prepared and also the best ways of presenting the bait through my rigs. For a long time fishing with softened micros and a soft hook pellet/expander was the best way to approach most fisheries that I visited and at times is still a great method.
On Sunday I paid a visit to Heronbrook to fish the spring league with the Maver Bagem Lads, I was put on the bridge and new canal section. Didn't fancy it on new canal, as it has been struggling to compete with bridge the last couple of weeks. Guess where I was drawn? New canal, to be fair it was end peg 10, with loads of room, so did fancy it for a few bites.
Started on the pole at 9m fishing and feeding pellets, hooked a 7lb carp straight away, happy days, after that had a good run of stockies average about 8oz each, didn't have to wait long for bites, after two hours decided to have a go across at 16m on 6mm banded pellet, with hope of catching some decent carp, but yet again just caught stockies, decided to go back on the 9m line as the wind was starting to blow, had another good run of small F1s, with the odd 2lb pounder.
Jordan Hall has been a natural venue/silver fish convert over the past 12 months, but how would he fare on a commercial fishing for silvers when we gave him a target weight of 50lb? We joined him at Monkhall Fishery to find out.
We join Darren Cox on the bank to find out just how he won the Feeder Masters trophy.
As I’d fished my last qualifier this year for Feeder Masters 2017 I had resigned myself to not reaching the final – I was due on holiday and had no more chances left. However, a ticket came up for Bough Beech while I was away sunning myself with the family; it was only three days after we returned but I grabbed it. My partner in crime, Si Fry, also had a ticket so at least we could travel together.
Webb’s World
Excuse making is Dan Webb’s topic this month, an art he is particularly accomplished in…
You’ve just got home in a foul mood. You chuck your kit in the garage and kick the dog. The kids run away scared. As you crack open a cold one from the fridge the wife asks: “How did you get on today?” Why did she ask? She never asks! She finds talking about fishing as interesting as you find listening to her recall what Sharon from number 26 said to Tanya about Clare’s new hair! She most probably knows you’ve had a bad day and just wants to wind you up.
We join Des Shipp at Llandegfedd Reservoir, set in the rolling landscape of southeast Wales between Usk and Pontypool, for a feeder fishing session on this huge expanse of water.
Tackling Big Natural Venues
Match Fishing takes a road trip to bonnie Scotland, where Scottish international James Woodrow uncovers his tactics and tricks for tackling the daunting but beautiful Loch Ken…
You join me today on the banks of Loch Ken, a water we regularly fish matches on here in Scotland. Some anglers are scared of this venue, while others, myself included, thrive on the buzz of fishing it.
At over nine miles long it’s a colossal venue, and until very recently, legering has been the dominant way to catch fish on this vast expanse of water. In the last few years, the huge shoals of roach seem to have ventured much closer to the bank, well within reach of the waggler, pole, and even whip!
Of course, there are numerous daunting match venues like Loch Ken all over the UK, and getting the tactics right to draw fish into close range and then catch them, can be difficult.
Like many of you I love a gadget, fishing related or otherwise. I’ve been fishing for many, many years and have lost count of the number of reels I’ve filled with line or braid in my time as an angler!It was while looking in a tackle shop I saw a Daiwa Sensor Line Loader sitting on the shelf. I’ve managed without one until now I thought to myself…so left it where it was. You’ve probably done as I have; tie a knot to a fresh reel spool, then proceed to wind the new material on while allowing the spool to skip all over the front room entangling itself around almost everything - including family and friends!Like many I have also poked a Biro pen through the central hole in the spool and asked an accomplice to tension the line by bracing a finger against the spool.
The Man Who Could End Your Career!Allow me to introduce myself. My name is the Terminator, and over coming months I hope to offer an alternative view of the thieves, villains and ne’er do wells that inhabit the modern match fishing world. Let me start by running through the team who have commissioned me to write these pieces. They are, quite simply, the kind of people that others emigrate to avoid.
The Irish scene is booming now and with a festival-filled calender, there has never been a better time to book!
If you are looking to take part then Ireland Travel Plus can look after the travel arrangements for you www. irelandtravelplus. co. uk tel: 07711 607200
DATE
FESTIVAL
LOCATION
MARCH
17 - 19*
St.
