Diary of a Matchman.
Back by popular demand (unless you were unfortunate enough to get a mention)
It has been a while since I wrote any reports and round ups of the matches I have been fishing so with so many seasonal changes to the fisheries, it may be of some use to anglers who are considering entering matches at some of the venues I have attended. Throughout the winter months I have fished Docklow near Leominster which has been attracting some reasonable turnouts, but like most fisheries, it is well peggy when it is cold. Regardless of what method you fish, to win the match you have to draw well, which we all know, plays a big part in match fishing. I have had my fair share of draws, good and bad but I have had one of the most enjoyable winters ever this year. Not by drawing well, far from it, but by fishing for what is in my peg rather than trying to win from rubbish. Mostly, whenever I have drawn the wrong end of the lakes I have fished for roach and chub on the pole at between 13 and 16 meters. I have framed more by doing this rather than sitting it out for carp that sometimes do not show. The strange thing is that I have caught about six inches to eighteen inches deep and had some very impressive bags of roach and chub. I would say that from the majority of pegs I have weighed between 25 and 45lb which is usually enough to get some coin back.
However, now that the fish are moving around more, the draws is not quite as important. Many of the pegs now have carp in them at some point during the match - its just getting them out that some people have trouble with. I have won two matches recently by fishing down the edge with chopped worm and caster. They turn up late but if you can land them they really bump up the weights. Some of the carp in that match lake are big and I have had a few at 12lb plus and one at 15lb. I think I have gone wrong by fishing too heavy for them and lost three big fish in one match. I still won the match but instead of weighing 100lb plus I ended up with 78lb. I used a number 14 elastic which I think is too much for big fish in open water. They just pull against it until they break you or straighten the hook. I have only ever had the elastic bottom out on the heavier grades these days. It was interesting to note the comments since I have started to fish with softer elastics! " I have never seen you play a fish that long before" Well I don't on the rod but there again they don't come off on that. When you think how long you have waited for that bite, the extra minute or so you take to land it ensures it goes in the keepnet.
(I will accept bribes to conceal the identity of those who have fished less than perfect matches)
May to June. The Rabbit.
I seem to be fishing quite a lot of matches these days and it is noticeable that the fisheries are still a little unsettled due to the conditions. The fish actually spawned last weekend (12th - 13th May) so that will improve things soon. Lately, I have fished mostly at Docklow but I think it is time to move to different venues now. I have caught plenty of fish there and have thoroughly enjoyed the fishing but with the Talkangling League at Moorlands farm looming, I have decided to go there throughout the summer.
Docklow has a variety of venues and many different styles of catching fish and I would recommend a days fishing there to anyone. There are usually midweek matches, that get between 15 and 30 anglers. I will be going there again once the weather starts to cool down.
Throughout the summer, I will be fishing as part of the Talkangling team in the League organised by Gary Plant, which will raise some cash for disabled anglers. Our team will be Gary Plant, Clive Nixon, someone called Grant (I think he fishes at Whiteacres a bit) and myself. This Grant Albutt bloke won the Ultimate League final there last year so I think that's why he got in our team. With the first match due to start there on the 19th May I thought I better go to Moorlands and put some time in. (Started prior to going to print. . . .Ed)
The White Rabbit
I went there to try and sort out some kind of method as the place has changed now with pellet being allowed in matches. I decided to go to the Cost-cutter matches that John Talbot organises on Fridays. At least then you don't get 'shafted' by the local hustlers. The day started off badly, as on my way to the venue, I managed to get stuck behind some elderly type and his wife who obviously had some problem with going more than 40mph. I could see the road in front was clear but as I attempted to pull out, I noticed that there was a white rabbit in the road, running towards the oncoming traffic. I thought better of pulling out as 'speedy' in front was obviously going to swerve. I was waiting for the sudden change in direction but there was none. I wondered whether he had seen the rabbit so I flashed my lights at the guy. I could see him look in his rear view mirror so I gestured towards the oncoming rodent, which he must be able to see by now.
He then turned his head around to see what I wanted and at the same time, ran straight over the rabbit. It was a white rabbit but now it seemed to have a black stripe along its back. Completely squashed, there was blood and guts everywhere but I cannot help feeling slightly responsible in some small way. I am not one to dwell on self-blame so I didn't stop the car. It was his mess; he could clean that lot up. There was no way that Bugs survived the impact from Elmer Fud and his wife so there was nothing I could have done and vet fees ain't cheap. Me being a poor student and all that, so off I went.
When I got there I managed to draw peg 21 on the Meadow - Crap! You needed to be in the Fifties if you wanted some bites. I thought I would catch something so I bought some of the trout pellets that are on sale there. (You are only allowed to use these pellets) I cupped in about a quarter of a pint of them and went in over the top at 12.5 meters. I had a bite first chuck, which I missed. Next drop was the same and then the third bite I foul-hooked one in the arse. They must be using my pellets as suppositories I thought, better get some Preparation 'H' on them a bit quick!
I was feeding them over the top and I realised that the fish were coming up shallow to the feed so out went the rig. Ten pounder first drop.. Sorted! I caught steady on the shallow rig off and on all day by regulating the amount of pellet to keep them there. I was getting them really quick when the wind dropped but I was having a few come off the hook for no reason at all. I weighed 107lb and won the match not bad as I haven't been there for a year!
Simon Richardson was second with 104lb from peg 50 but he was well choked when he found out he was on the bonus peg. £500 notes would have been going home with him and my comment about him at least having a lovely days fishing went down like a does of rabies in a guide dog centre.
I won a few quid and really enjoyed it too so I couldn't wait until the next match.
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