10 March 2024 4th Aggregate and Last Chance - Grove Pond
Great to be back
Well, it’s been quite a while since I’ve had the opportunity to comment on the match anglers' efforts to extract a few fish. Meteorological events conspired against all the best efforts to get matches back up and running but praise must go to those who worked hard on Saturday to get the pond ready (although much still needs to be done).
Despite the rain holding off for a few days prior to the match it was too much to hope for that it would stay dry on the day, and so it proved, but the forecast wasn't going to deter the nine hardy anglers who fished, and, joy-of-joys, there wasn’t a dry net at the end of the day.
Due to all the postponements this match combined the 4th aggregate (postponed from July last year) and the last chance match.
Top weight of the day was Bob Steele on peg 4 with four bream backed up with small roach and perch for a healthy 12lb 1oz. Bob also managed to lose two carp, one to a hook pull and the second was a foul-hooker as the hook came back with a dirty great scale on it.
Second place went to Nathan Steele, his 6lb exactly came from peg 1 and consisted of a single bream plus the usual accompaniment of smaller fish. Nathan managed to drop a bream but it wouldn’t have been enough to catch Bob.
Also with a tale of lost fish was third place Matt Andrew on peg 2 who weighed in exactly 2lb. He dropped a big bream right at the death, whether or not this would have meant he could have overhauled Nathan we will never know.
With 9 matches fished the leader board is topped by Tony Brooker with 143 points, he is closely followed by three anglers who are separated by just one point. Joint second with 137 points each are Vicky Knowlson and Matt Andrew, they are just a single point clear of Bob Steele on 136 points.
All these points are already adjusted to show the best 8 from 9 matches. This means that there is all to play for on the one remaining aggregate match of the 2023/24 season - Tony Brooker is not uncatchable!
The leader board is propped-up at the bottom by your loyal correspondent, but I supose that's what comes from only fishing two matches and blanking in one of them. Note to self: "must try harder".
10 December 2023 Christmas match - Grove Pond
A tight match
The water remains high so the 15 anglers were all pegged in a line on the track-side.
The fishing was tense, with only 2 ounces separating first from last, a single bite in the last few minutes could have propelled anyone to the top. However, it wasn't to be.
Top weight for the day was Phil Mansbridge, he took a single 2oz perch from peg 3, closely followed by Steve Ferris (coming second in consecutive matches) with a slightly smaller perch of 1oz. The weights were arbitrarily decided, neither fish moved the needle on the scales but Phil's fish was a few tenths of an inch larger than Steve's.
All other anglers blanked and came equal third (or equal last, depending on if you are a glass half full or half empty type of person).
Pity the anglers who splashed out on bloodworm and joker only not to get a bite. The weather wasn't too bad, and this was a disappointing match but it didn't dampen spirits at the following Christmas meal at the King's Head.
5 November 2023 9th Aggregate - Grove Pond
At least it wasn't flooded
There were a few WhatsApp exchanges with concerned members about the height of the water but on the day, despite the water levels being high, there were sufficient fishable pegs, however just because they were fishable doesn't mean there are fish there! As a few anglers found out.
Winner on the day, with a completely unassailable 12lb 12oz was Matt Andrew. Matt's catch included a lovely fully scaled mirror carp of 12lb 8oz taken on a single pinkie on a size 20 fishing in the margins whilst after small perch. It took him a full 40 minutes to land. When I say "Matt's catch included" what I really mean is that "Matt's weight was almost entirely made up of", but fair play to the man, just having the patience to hang on and hope it didn't find a snag.
In second place was Steve Ferris who fished a splendid match and winkled out 3lb 5oz of small fish from peg 7.
Taking third place, and the only other angler to weigh in more than a pound was Danny Dance from peg 2, with 2lb 3oz comprising one half decent skimmer and a few bits.
Matt Todd weighed in 7oz then 6 anglers took an ounce or less. Some fish were so small that they didn't register on the scales and were awarded 1/2 an ounce. The results table had to be updated to show these tiny weights. Three anglers didn't bother the scalesman.
This match has given the leader board for the aggregate trophy a refreshed look. Although Tony Brooker remains on top with 140 points Steve Ferris has leapt 4 places into second and is now on 121 points. Vicky Knowlson has gone up a place to third, just 3 points behind Steve. Unfortunately for Bob Steele, his dry net saw him drop 3 places.
Whilst 19 points may seem a good lead for Tony he has fished all matches so far, whilst those in the chasing pack have missed at least one. This should start to prove interesting when the next match is fished in barely 2 weeks time (19 Nov) and the lowest points start to drop out (best 8 results only are counted).
15 October 2023 8th Aggregate - Grove Pond
It was difficult
It didn't take a genius to work out that following a cold clear night and bright sunny day this was going to be hard.
None the less, fourteen hopefulls turned out but weights matched expectations. Ray Rolfe won easily with 10lb 1oz from peg 20 with a mixed bag and a couple of bream, this was over 6lb clear of Matt Andrew who took 3lb 10oz on peg 11. Third with 2lb 7oz was Vicky Knowlson on peg 18.
There was only one dry net but with 6 other anglers catching less than a pound it was, perhaps, a day to forget.
Tony Brooker only managed to pick up 11 points this time but that is enough to keep him at the top of the leader board with 124 points. Bob Steele now has 114 points and had gone up to second place. Third is Ray Rolfe with 109 points.
However, this doesn't tell the whole story, Ray Rolfe has fished one fewer match than Tony or Bob so that could prove pivotal when the 2 worst results are dropped at the final count. Likewise the next 3 anglers on the leader board have all missed a match so their positions wil change once all matches have been fished.
30 September 2023 7th Aggregate - Whitehouse Farm
This landing net's too ******* small
Fifteen anglers fished this match on Stacey's fishing club's prolific Whitehouse lake. The weather was very good with hazy sunshine, a light breeze and no rain.
Everyone was hoping the carp would rock-up but the start was slow, Matt Andrew took first place with 56lb 4oz, he piled the bait in on the 13 metre line and had a few bream early on then lost a string of 5 carp, however, with 2 hours or so to go Matt started to take carp from the margins. This looked unassailable and so it turned out.
Bob Steele and Tony Brooker were pegged next to each other in the channel at the back of the island, they slugged it out carp for carp, taking 3 each, Bob Steele took 27lb 5oz for second, beating Tony Brooker by just a single ounce.
Commiserations go to by Vicky Knowlson, fishing opposite Matt she aslo lost 5 carp but failed to emulate him as she didn't land a single one all day.
Your correspondent was fishing between Matt and Vicky so saw the whole drama of stretching elastic followed by it springing back rapdily as cusses were issued. Matt needs a bigger landing net head as his quote "This landing net's too *******small" graces the sub-heading for this report.
I knew carp would be the determinant for this match so ignored the small fish and went all out for the carp. I had success in one way, I landed everything I hooked, the downside was that I hooked only 3, but one was a 2lb 8oz tench which looks likely to take the tench cup this year.
Tony Brooker's third place on the day and 20 points has consolidated his grip on the aggregate leader board, he now has 113 points, well clear of Steve Ferris in second with 100 points, close on Steve's heels is Bob Steele with 98.
10 September 2023 W&G Vs. The Plough, round 2 - Thames, Newbridge
The Plough takes its revenge
After 3 years of coming off second best in this 2 leg contest The Plough finally took their opportunity to post an impressive win on their home stretch of river.
The Plough took the top two places, Gary Cramp took 7lb 8oz from peg 7. Their chairman, Les Teale, was just 2 pegs below Gary and he showed his consistency on this venue with 5lb 1oz for roach for second place.
Nathan Steele for W&G crept into third place with 4lb 13oz from peg 4. This was about the only interruption to a near complete sweep of the top places by Plough anglers, the next 4 places all went to The Plough. It is an embarassment to say that Wantage and Grove filled 6 of the bottom 7 places.
The Plough won the day with 85 points to 51 and the overall contest by 140.5 points to 131.5.
Congratulations to The Plough but rest assured, Wantage and Grove will seek retribution next year.
Team Totals Match 1 Match 2 Total
W&G 80.5 51 131.5
Plough 55.5 85 140.5
3 September 2023 6th Aggregate - Thames, Newbridge
Once more unto the river
The river remains slow and clear with the associated problems with the weed growth causing a problem in a couple of swims.
On the day Daniel Brooks took top honours (and 22 points) with 7lb 9oz from peg 23 in the top meadow, second was Tony Brooker in the bottom meadow (peg 12) with 7lb 5oz. Third place, and 20 points went to Rob Wilkinson who was in peg 22 (one peg below Daniel) with 5lb 10oz.
For the aggregate, Tony Brooker's 21 points on the day has consolidated his position at the top of the leader board, he now has 93 points after 5 matches, Ray Rolfe and Steve Ferris are tied in second place with 87 points. There's then a drop of 10 points to Bob Steele.
Those 4 anglers have all fished all 5 matches to date, Vicky Knowlson, with 71 points, leads the charge of anglers who have missed one match so far.
19 August 2023 Memorial match - Grove Pond
A quiet match for most
Only 8 anglers turned out for this Saturday morning match, 7 of whom took fish to the scales at the all-out.
Top angler on the day was Matt Todd who had a mixed bag for exactly 18lb from peg 15, Tony Brooker was second with 13lb 7oz from peg 20, then there was a drop to 5lb 11oz from peg 11 by Steve Ferris.
And the angler who failed to bother the scales . . . . the wooden spoon goes to Rob Wilkinson.
13 August 2023 5th Aggregate - Thames, Newbridge
A least there were no dry nets
With all the recent rain the river, for once, had a bit of summer flow, rather than being reduced to a stale canal at this time of year. However, despite the flow the water was very clear and with a lot of streamer weed present through the stretch making some swims awkward to fish, especially on the feeder.
Les Teale was top weight on the day with a hempseed caught bag of roach for 7lb 14oz from peg 12. This was the same tactic that earned him second place in the match on this fishery in September 2022.
Taking second place and three pegs downstream of Les, in peg 9 in the first meadow was Daniel Brooks with 6lb 7oz. Almost at the far end of the fishery, in peg 23, Tony Brooker was third with 4lb 10oz.
Eleven angler fished and all weighed in, the chub were noticeable by their absence, which, given the bright day and clear water was understandable, there was nothing caught over about half a pound.
For the aggregate, Tony Brooker's 20 points on the day has propelled him to the top of the leader board with 72 points, he leap-frogged over Vicky Knowlson and Ray Rolfe, who share second place, just one point behind, on 71 points.
23July 2023 W&G Vs. The Plough, round 1, Grove Pond
A tenner on the side
Battle was once again joined between The Plough and Wantage & Grove in the first leg of this 2 leg competition. The eight a side invitation teams met on a cool, blustery day at Grove pond, given the weather the day before all anglers were happy not to be sitting under torrential rain during the match, and the odd shower was merely a little irritation by comparison.
The match was won by Nick Ponting, fishing for The Plough, he had 6 carp, a chub, tench and a few bits from the newly refurbished (and now very comfortable) corner peg 11 for a highly respectable 27lb 2oz. He picked up the top 16 points for his team.
However, the next 5 places all went to the home team. Leading the charge was Jim Routledge who took second place with 26lb 10oz from peg 6. Just to make things interesting, Nick and Jim had a tenner on the side, it was a hard fought little contest and Nick prevailed by just half a pound.
Third on the day was Nathan Steele on peg 20, his bag of 20lb 13oz was also dominated by carp and he would have won but for losing “a few” carp.
It was pleasing to see that there were no dry nets, the 16 anglers weighing in a total of 121lb 9oz.
Honours on the day went to Wantage and Grove with 80.5 points against The Plough’s 55.5 points, whilst this may look like a commanding lead it is almost identical to last year’s result after round 1, and The Plough nearly pulled it back in round 2, losing overall by just a single point, so there is all to play for when the teams meet again on the 10th September, the venue has yet to be confirmed (either Hanney pond or the Thames at Newbridge).
9 July 2023 4th Aggregate - Grove Pond
Postponed due to low oxygen levels
1 July 2023 New Forest Challenge - Orchard Lakes, New Milton
Call the AA, Danny, call the AA
It’s time once again for the annual New Forest Challenge. A few members gathered on Friday for a friendly fish-in, the weather was mixed, we had sun, rain and wind that tried to blow from all directions at once. However, we found the fish in remarkable mood and it appeared whatever you put in as bait something would grab it within seconds.
The evening was spent at a local hostelry, we all settled down to a well-earned pint and a meal but were concerned for Matt’s health, he’d spent part of the day asleep in the car behind his peg and he didn’t look good (well, worse than he usually looks, but you know what I mean).
Saturday started with breakfast in the on-site cafe where Matt took a call from Danny Dance who phoned to say he’d broken down within 10 miles of the fishery – “call the AA Danny” was the heartfelt response - he managed to limp his car home but totally missed the match.
The draw was at 8:30 and we fished from 9:30 – 3:30, the first hour saw some light squally showers but the weather brightened as it went on.
The day was won by Martin Bennett on end peg 6 with 48lb 9oz, he started quietly but got the carp going in the margin in the last couple of hours, even so, one third of his total weight came from silvers (mainly barbel).
Nathan Steele, on the flyer peg 18, was second with 45lb 13oz, mainly F1s taken shallow. Peter Constable (your modest correspondent) was third with 3oz under 40lb. These fish came in bursts of 3 or 4 fish, then the swim would die (unlike Friday, where bites were constant) switching between method feeder across or pole in the margin on a top-2 only kept a steady, if unspectacular, flow of fish to my net.
I was definitely sandwiched at the unhealthy end of the pond, to my left was Matt, who was not well, and Pascal, who fainted clean away a couple of hours in, collapsing off his seat and breaking a pole section. I would like to boast that I beat those near me, but I’m not sure that’s really fair, given their issues.
In addition to the overall weights there was a separate sweep for silvers only, this was won by Bob Steele from end peg 22 with 17lb 6oz, closely followed by Martin Bennett who was just 6oz short, but as Martin had already won the overall match it seemed fitting that the silvers pot should go elsewhere. The silvers results are below the overall weights on the results page.
Post Script: Matt really was unwell, on arrival home he was taken to the JR where he was admitted for a couple of nights. At the time of writing (Monday 3 July) he’s home and hopefully making a rapid recovery.
18 June 2023 3rd Aggregate - Walter's lake, South Cerney
At least it didn't rain
We all arrived (well, 11 of us did) full of expectation for a glorious day’s fishing at Walter's Lake, this is a commercial full of potential but, as you will see from the results, that potential wasn’t lived up to.
The day was hot and sultry with storms forecast for the afternoon. By the time we’d all got our kit together and gone through the net-dipping process we were a bit late for the draw, Jim Routeledge drew the flyer end peg B10 and was grinning from ear to ear as he hot-footed it down the fishery. The all-in was called at 9:15 but the fishing got off to a slow start and for most of us didn’t get any quicker.
The honours for the day went to Gerry Austen who was on B10, effectively an end peg although some pleasure anglers did start fishing a few swims to his right later in the day. He weighted exactly 40lb, mainly of carp taken on the method fished tight (really tight) to the far bank, backed up by a few skimmers and roach. I have it on good authority that Gerry caught some of his carp with the unusual tactic of leaving his rod to fish for itself whilst he wandered around chatting to others or packing up his pole as he felt there was no point continuing with that tactic.
Second was Steve Ferris who had 4 carp, all on the method, from peg W16, weighing 15lb 9oz. Jim Routeledge was third from B19. With just 40 minutes to go Jim had just 3 small perch to show for his efforts, however, by trickling bait in the near margin most of the day and leaving it alone until the last hour he managed to take 3 carp from it to bring his weight up to 13lb 5oz.
Both Danny Dance and I were fishless at the end of the day, I fished hard until the all-out was called as I knew weights were low and I only needed a good half an hour to rescue my blushes, but, alas! It was not to be and I remained a total blanker.
The forecast of storms proved unfounded and at least it didn’t rain, that would have added insult to injury.
Vicky Knowlson remains top of the leader board after 3 matches with 56 points, however, her tally of 15 points for the day has allowed the chasing pack to close the gap, Ray Rolfe had 19 points on the day bringing him within 3 points of Vicky, then there are 3 anglers just 1 point behind Ray, Bob Steele, Tony Brooker and Steve Ferris all have 52 points.
I know this was a tough day but the venue normally fishes so much better, 50lb to 60lb is usually needed to frame and winning weights can top 100lb. This was just an off day, the weather probably didn’t help. Whatever the reason it should not deter the club from going out to different venues to bring some variety to the match angling offered.
Next it’s the New Forest challenge at Orchard Lakes, there’s a social fish-in on Friday 30 June followed by a friendly match on Saturday 1 July. Maybe there I can catch a fish!
4 June 2023 Committee Cup - Grove Pond
Oh! these carp are doing my head in!
Of the 18 invited to this invitation only match just six anglers turned out.
Vicky and Bob were not well so Andy, our new assistant match secretary, stepped up top the plate and organised everything very well.
At the draw it was almost all over before a line had been wetted when Jim Routeledge drew the flier on peg 1, put a good angler in a good peg and fish will come out, so it proved as he took 31lb 13oz to storm first place. With over 19lb of carp he didn’t even need to add the 12lb of silvers to win.
Second was Matt Andrew, he was under the trees in peg 20, taking 16lb 6oz consisting of a couple of decent bream and a backup of skimmers and other silvers. The match could have been his but using consummate skills he managed to lose no fewer than 7 carp, as he said after losing the fourth “Oh! these carp are doing my head in!”.
Third was Nathan Steel in peg 18 with 11lb 2oz, again a couple of bream and silvers, he also managed to lose a carp early on when it flew straight into the lily beds as soon as he hooked it.
Regrettably, your humble correspondent only managed fifth, which out of six, was not the result hoped for, but it's the taking part which counts, right? ---The heck it is!
It must be said that the weather played its part, it was cold overnight but the skies were clear and once the sun got fully onto the water bites dried up. It was, however, an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning.
28 May 2023 2nd Aggregate - Grove Pond
Bream on, sunshine!
We seem to have been stuck under this high-pressure weather system for ages, giving bright sunny days, cold winds and cool nights, never a good mix for fishing but at last the pond seems to be switching on. Average weights were nearly three times those of the first match and every angler weighed-in (even our new assistant match secretary).
Top honours on the day went to chair Matt Andrew on peg 21, with an impressive bream haul plus a few other silvers, for 30lb exactly. Vicky Knowlson was second with 5 bream for 19lb 2oz from peg 16. Ray Rolfe managed third place on peg 3, taking a couple of bream plus bits for 10lb 9oz.
Only two anglers caught tench and no carp showed at all – I suppose that at least saved anyone from the embarrassment of losing it.
The aggregate list is far too early to call, but Vicky Knowlson, with an impressive third and second in the two matches so far, is in pole position.
The next match is the invitation only committee cup at the pond on 4th June. Then aggregate 3 is at Walter’s lake, south Cerney on 18th June, anyone wanting to fish this must book a place with Bob or Andy.
14 May 2023 1st Aggregate - Grove Pond
Monkeys and sticks of dynamite
The new season’s matches kicked off in fine style as 17 anglers descended on the pond. This meant that some of the swims on the east bank that were - how can I put this? - "a little damp", had to be included. There was the usual banter, made louder when Danny drew peg 20 and had to don his boots to make it round. It was probably fortunate that more anglers didn't attend as a couple of swims remain underwater.
Expectations were high but overall the fishing was poor, possibly partly due to a cold clear night and then bright sunshine, also, the frightening sight of all that carbon waving above their heads would put any fish down (nothing whatsoever to do with the quality of angling on display).
Top honours went to Derek Wilby who managed to take a mixed bag of 12lb 9oz from peg 1, claiming his 22 points. He was over 4lb clear of Stuart Harrop with 8lb 1oz from the far end of the pond on peg 9. Vicky Knowlson managed third, her 5lb 15oz from peg 15 edged Bob into fourth by just 3oz.
Unfortunately our new assistant match secretary, Andy Moody, dry-netted in peg 5 (but the less said about that the better, eh?).
With just half an hour of the match to go Danny Dance, in peg 20, hooked a big carp, probably over 10lb, managing to lose it at the net. Comments about his fish-playing skills resounded around the pond, highlighting a certain lack of finesse, the comment “Looks like a monkey with a stick of dynamite” will stick in the brain for some time. With that lost fish went his chances of winning.
Some very strong anglers finished well down the field but I’m sure they will come to the fore as the series progresses. It’s back to the pond in two weeks time for round 2.
New Match Calendar 2023/24
Well here we go again, a new year and a new match calendar. There are a couple of fresh venues that should give some exciting fishing.
Walter's lake (18 Jun) in South Cerney is a dedicated match lake and Whitehouse Farm, (30 Sept) part of Stacey's Fishing club in Tadley, both are a 40-45 minute drive away.
In addition there's the annual social fish-in on Friday 30 June, followed by the New Forest Challenge match at Orchard Lakes on the Saturday (1 July). If you want to fish Walter's, Whitehouse or Orchard there's a £10 deposit required, talk to Bob (or use the web contact page) to book your place.
Lastly, two of the aggregate matches are to be held on The Plough's section of the Thames at Newbridge, otherwise matches will take place at the pond.
Lastly, let us all hope that covid, drought, floods, freezes, Thames water contractors or any other issue doesn't cause interuptions and rearrangements.