Terrorist and Cormorants - two of a kind

Words and Pictures Dave Moody

At this time when our thoughts are centred on the relatives of the dead and France as a nation; it is important to remember that we are never safe from the clutches of evil people.  This is not a normal part of my blog but I feel strongly that we should show support in any way we can.  Thank god for our own freedom and our own democratic right to choose our Government.  Not to have any type of control forced upon us.

Black Death from the sky

This now leads to our local terrorist who attacks daily in a bid to destroy our sport as it attacks our fish stocks.  The Cormorant.

Every year the Snake (in particular) is under constant attack from the Black Death.  This year Eastleigh have taken steps which I hope will stop this.  The entire snake has been roped off.  Each angler will have plenty of room to fish in any swim.  The ropes run from one bank to the other in an attempt to stop the low swooping landing of the Cormorant.

Today Thursday 19th November Ray Kelly, Rik Kajko and Clive Egerton (pictured below) came up and practised for the weekend match.  I am pleased to say the ropes gave them no problem.  All three caught Carp, Bream and Roach.

Two weeks ago over 500 lb of Roach was introduced into the Snake in the 3 - 6 oz Range.  It is this species that has suffered the most under the beak of the Cormorant attacks.  This fantastic investment in the future by Eastleigh should address the in balance of silver fish in the Snake.  If you are as old as me you will remember a time when 2 lb Roach were in every lake at Witherington.  Though I cannot promise a return to that level it would be nice to again catch some good size Roach.

Wild and Mild

The weather over the last few weeks, has been rather wild with strong winds and Heavy rain.  This has kept the numbers of anglers down at the fishery.  The temperature however has been on the mild side.  This has meant the fish are in abundance for the hardy sould and rewards are high.  Nigel Tupper has kept up his big fish catches on Barnmoor with another over the 30 lb mark.

Match weights have varied a lot.  Sometimes 40 lb + is a good weight and other times its 70 lb or even over 100 lb .  The last Reids Tackle match fished on Cottage was more towards the norm for this time of the year.  

1. Daryl Mayers 56 lb
2. Chris Opie 44 lb 2 oz
3. Gary Etheridge 44 lb

Silvers Dave Moody 9 lb 4 oz.

This weekend sees the first major drop in temperature complete with night frosts.  This coincides with Eastleighs first winter match on the Snake.  It will interesting to see what affect the weather has on the weights.

I know this Blog is about the Witherington Fishery, however it is also the time when the River fishing comes into its own and becomes very important for the angler.  Over the years there has been a decline in the numbers of anglers that float fish rivers.

This year we wish to address that with a good selection of stick and Avon floats available in the Witherington Farm shop Reids tackle.

Reids Open

Next Open match will be on Wednesday the 25th on Sellwood.  Draw 9 am Fish 10.30 to 3.30 £20 all in.  If your interested ring 01722-711616 (Reids Tackle)

Lakes closed next week

• Wednesday 25th Sellwood
• Saturday 28th Sellwood and Cottage / Barnmoor
• Sunday 29th all of the Snake.

Please , always check the Notice Board at the entrance for Barnmoor which shows all the closures on any given day.

Hands in pockets (Poor Dave H)

Despite the obviously cold weather, where everyone had to have their hands in their pockets, Dave H was getting ready to introduce 800 small Carp into the stock pond.  These fish are smaller than the last three years of introduction and may take up to 2 years before they enter the fishery.  I believe they will be destined for the rings "Topmoor lake" commonly known as the Snake.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Eastleigh A.C. for their brilliant work and stocking program.  They are turning Witherington Farm into a first class venue, the future looks very, very bright.

Tub full of the future

I managed to get a picture of the Carp in Mark Symonds well aerated container. What a great sight.  In two years time they will be putting a bend in our rods and stretching the elastic out of out poles.  Marks fish are without doubt a class above the rest and very pretty fish to boot.

Thanks to Dave Higgins and RATS (Marks Dog) the fish are now introduced into their new home.  Somehow Rats and Dave managed to keep their hands out of their pockets and get the work done.

White is more than alright..............

Barnmoors resident pure white Koi has come out at a new high.  At a couple of ounces just under 19 pound.  Nigel Tupper was again the man to bag this beautiful fish (on Monday) which is seen infrequently and caught even less. Carp of 31 pound and 19 pound respectively were also caught today (Friday).  It is nice to seem them again as the big ladies have been quiet for a while.

Stockies show in Reids Tackle match

Wednesday saw the latest Reids Tackle  mid week open match which was fished on Cottage Lake.  Despite the morning frost, the lake produced some good sport.

This was helped by the appearance of the recently stocked Carp.  Didn't take long for them to settle in.  It resulted in a tight finish.

1st Gary Etheridge 77 lb 14 oz

2nd Daryll Mayers 77 lb 6 oz

3rd Rich Yeo          72 lb 9 oz

Top silver weight went to Dwayne Seed with 10 lb 6 oz of skimmers in his 4th place total 52 lb 12 oz.  He was more pleased with the £1.00 he took of me as he weighed in more than me.  I did however weigh in 51 lb for 5th place.  These kids are happy when they mug us old age pensioners.

Next Weeks Matches and the lakes that are closed

Wednesday 21st Cottage closed

Saturday 24th     Sellwood and Cottage closed

Sunday 25th       Sellwood, Cottage and the inner Snake closed

Words and Pictures Dave Moody

and for the editors Benefit one more close look at that beautiful fish

Its not all about the Carp

In today's modern fishing world one fish dominates.  The Carp.  However, there are many other species that do not seem to capture the thoughts of today's angler.  I think that is a little sad.  To catch a good Roach over 2 lb , once was the main aim of many anglers.Large Chubb, Tench and Mr Stripey were also right up there.  The Poor old Bream even back then was not high on the must catch list of many angler. As for Large Rudd they were not a species you could hope to catch locally (Wiltshire).

Crucian Carp over the 2 lb bracket were and still are possible in this area.  However, I do think sometimes we have gone Carp mad.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy catching Carp but then I enjoy catching all fish.

It struck home to me recently that I have not had the opportunity to get a nice picture of a bag of Silvers from Witherington (should have pictured the Ed's net from his recent win in the Silvers match).  This despite all of Withys lakes holding many different types of fish..  With this in mind I approached the Landlord Club, Eastleigh and Paul Sears for permission to use a keep net out side of normal match conditions.  It was Tuesday this past week that I fished peg 3 on the outer Snake.

Feeding Micro pellet (soaked) and a few 4 mill expanders, with 4 mill expander on the hook, I was soon into a good hand sized skimmer Bream. I let the swim rest and swapped to caster and dropped a lightly shotted 0.2g float on top of  a baited area, with double caster on the hook.

Bites were instant from Perch in the 4 to 6 oz bracket.  After 6 or 7 fish it went quite , so I went back over the expander line.  Loose feeding half a dozen expanders from a toss pot I had 3 to 4 skimmers when it went quite.  So back over the caster line to be rewarded with fish in the 12 oz to 1.5 lb mark.

Over the 2 hours I swapped back and forth between the two lines; to end up with 20 lb + of mixed species a thoroughly enjoyable spell of fishing.  Give it a go there are plenty of fish to be had; and at this time of year when its turning colder a great chance to catch a 2lb plus Perch as they begin to show.

Barnmoor produces 30

Nigel Tapper didn't concern himself with plenty of Bites.  He only needed one to produce the biggest Carp from Withy for some time with a 31 lb Fish.  The big fish scene has been a little quite, but this fish makes up for it.

Eastleigh stocking program enters third year

Wednesday saw the netting of the stock pond; where for over a year; a head of Carp stocked at a pound have been fed and brought on.  Ian (Chalky) White and Dave Higgins were trusted with the job of dragging the net out across the pond.

Then started the back breaking pulling the net in under the supervision and help of Dave Poole (Fishery Manager) for Eastleigh and RATS the dog.

Even Steve Pom and Gary Naylor where there when the wriggling mass of Carp etc were bought to the bank.

The trap closes and the fish are carefully collected for distribution around the lakes at the fishery.

Excitement mounts as the fish are weighed five fish at a time, and its with delight that the team recognize the good good growth with the average 5 fish coming in at 20 lb.

5 fish for over 20 lb four times their stocking weight a job well done.

Tony Beeney and Mick Illes then transferred the fish around the lakes as follows.

As follows:

• 50 Carp weighing 195 lb went into Cottage
• 120 Carp weighing 450 lb went into Sellwood
• 136 Carp weighing 453 lb were introduced to various areas of the Snake lake.

Despite all the efforts there are still Carp in the Stock pond , how they avoided three separate netting's mystifies me.

Matches and Lakes closed.

As we enter a slow down period for matches the pleasure anglers can now fill their boots.  With what looks like a changeable but mild time for the weather there is still stacks of great fishing to be had at Witherington Farm.

Closed on Sunday 11.10.2015 are Sellwood and Cottage.

Words and Pictures Dave Moody

Just for the Ladies

I am pleased to give any of our ladies a treat.  I was lucky to pictures of two of this countries biggest male models.  Pictures of these boys can fetch thousands of pounds; however they agreed to do a personal shoot for 2 pints of maggots and a few pop ups.

Number one Prawn Star Rocky Rupture showing one of the many Carp that he landed that day.

Also with Rocky was another full time male model and escort to many of the famous and beautiful women of the land.  None other than Justin Crev-ass.  I hear squeals of delight and as you can imagine, I had a hard time keeping resident females Rachel and Christine in the shop. Its not often they get a chance to witness such "Earthy" rippling torso's.

Carp News

This week has also been a cracker on Barnmoor Lake for big Carp.  Largest was a 29 lb 6 oz common caught by Steve Smith.  The successful bait being sweetcorn.  The corn was being fished on a waggler rig using 4 lb  line on Peg 4.  Well angled Steve

Nigel Tupper is a regularly in amongst the big fish , so it came as no surprise to me when after only 15 minutes of starting on peg 16 he landed another beautiful Common at 26 lb 12 oz.

However the epic battle of the week took place on peg 5 again on Barnmoor.  When Mark Cannings foul hooked a carp in the tail on the pole.  Using only white hydro elastic through his top three he eventually landed a mirror of 21 lb 3 oz.  I expected him to him still playing it the next morning.  They don't call him the Chinese puzzle for nothing.  He landed it and his mate Ivan weighed it before I cam back - so no picture.

Withy Escapees

I managed to get a few pics during that rare occasion the sun was in the right place, of the Bream that escaped in the floods.  Looking in from peg 9 and 10 on Cottage Bank.  You can see they have grown well.  I can remember seeing them when they were tiny now at nearly 2 lb they are a sight.  Fellow blogger Gary Williams also got a few pics a couple of weeks ago - they can be seen at " A river runs through it" http://midsectionblues.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/a-river-runs-through-it.html

Stocking in October

Next month will see the Carp being netted from the stock pond.  They will I believe mostly going into the snake with a smaller stocking in Sellwood and Cottage.  Dave Higgins has spent time stretching ropes across the lakes to stop the "Black Death Cormorants" getting at them.  They went in at a pound and will be coming out at 3.5 lb and they are beautiful examples of fish.

Pretty Boy still the best

Saturday saw the first round of the teams of 4 Championship fished on Sellwood, Cottage, and the Snake.  It was tight finish with Eastliegh and Reids Tackle tied at the top.  However there was no doubt who was the individual winner .

1st James Knight (on the Snake) 118 lb 4 oz 

2nd Pete Newman again on the Snake with 76 lb 8 oz

From the other lakes came the third place.  Rich Penney 

with 75 lb 3 oz.

Wetter than the fish!!!!

Wednesday saw a Silver fish only match on Barnmoor.  The heavens opened all day with torrential heavy rain.  The expected 30 lb bags went out of the window.  I had so much water in my ground bait bowl there were more Bream in it than in lake in front of me.

1st Place Dave George (Browning) from peg 12 with 18 lb 8 oz 

2nd Place Gary (Big Dog) Williams 17 lb 8 oz from peg 5

3rd James Carty (Thatchers) peg 6 with 14 lb 14 oz.

Full story for this with Pics can be seen at the following link.

http://midsectionblues.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/big-dog-silvers-invitationalfishing.html

See you all next week good fishing

Words and Pictures Dave Moody

A busy time at Witherington........

I must apologise as editor as this weeks blog is just a list of dates.  News from the past week was yet to be compiled by Dave Moody. Partly my fault for arriving on a Friday not the normal Saturday.  Whilst I had given notice Mr Moodys week had been busy and I caught him cold.

Never mind I will bring you up to date next week, when he has the time to collate the words and pictures.  Until then , if you are thinking of cashing in on the great fishing happening at Withy at the moment, please note the dates when certain lakes will be closed in the week ahead as more and more anglers visit the venue,

Wednesday 16th Barnmoor closed all day  Outer Snake closed

Friday 18th September Cottage Lake closed

Sunday 20th September All of the Snake closed, Sellwood and Cottage lakes closed.

More news soon..............

Barnmoor shows its potential

On Sunday Barnmoor hosted the annual Eastleigh committee and guests match.The fishing was first rate both Large Carp and skimmers and were on the feed.On the Big Carp front Gary Naylor had an epic battle with a common Carp of 28 pound 10 oz Gary had to use all his skill to bank the paste caught Monster.

Best of all the Bream weight was from peg 13 where Graham Tappenden netted exactly 39 lb (2nd).  Individual winner Dave Poole had three carp and 30 lb + of Bream from Peg 11 for 57 lb 7 oz.  Third place went to Dave Moody with 3 carp + 12 lb Bream for 36 lb.  Dave Poole proved what a good angler he is.  Recently he started a new business venture which has curtailed his angling time; but I remember winter leagues when you didn't want to be drawn next to Dave.  He was equally at home on canals, rivers or lakes; float, pole or feeder / lead he could fish any method a true all rounder.

Seven Lucky Carp

Having worked most of the bank holiday it was great to get out on Tuesday and Wednesday on the lakes for two pleasure days. Peg 93 on the Snake was an easy walk and the Carp and Bream were in a feeding mood with 27 Carp and a load of Bream it was time to go. Best Carp of the day was 11 lb 7 oz

Wednesday peg 6 on Cottage was home for the second day.  When the sun was out the day was very warm.  Once the cloud came over and the wind came up it required a jumper.  So the jumper was off and on all day.  The fishing was initially slow.  Only 2 Carp and 6 skimmers in the first two hours.  Feeding pellet little and often changed things, 17 Carp and some size able Bream.  Four of the fish were over double figures with the best 14 lb 7 oz.

The monster Burger meal has gone down well in the Cafe. Its a real food filler. Even Kev (Celo Green) can manage 3 at one time!!

Feeding is the key

I have already mentioned the need for feed.. Little and often to keep the bites going this time of year.  All species of fish need need to be kept interested by regular feed.  Its important to keep the regular feed in a small area. Some times you do this by hand at close range; but if the wind is strong or the distances long you need to use a catapult.  Catapults come in a range of sizes for the distances they need to reach.  The mesh type are the best for pellet, caster, corn and maggot.

The big plastic pellet poults are better for the larger baits and heavy feeding when its required.  Or there are other methods such as skywinder spods etc.

News gets around.....

Despite the changeable weather, the news that Witherington Farm is fishing well on all fronts has got around.Even the possibility of heavy rain and thunderous clouds on the horizon ,

 the anglers are here in numbers.  The Car parks are filling up.

This man is no "Monkey"....

To most people the name of Davy Jones will be associated with the lead singer of the rock 60's rock group the Monkees.  However he had many other credits including Coronation street, Z Cars and the Brady Bunch. In addition he was voted Teen Idol of all time by American TV channel FOX.

To us though at Witherington "our" Davey is the method king from Cranbourne.  He can often be found emptying the complex of lakes of its Carp population.  Davey is "I am a believer"in his style of fishing and you won't catch him on the "last train to Clarksville" because when his wife calls he packs up and goes on home.

 Words and Pics 

Dave Moody

Tip Master needs the Pole

Geoff Rowland who has won a few good matches recently is known for his prowess on the method feeder; came to Withy recently to practice his favourite method on Barnmoor Lake.  Fishing peg 16 on the point he did catch Bream and skimmers with corn.  However the Carp wouldn't play ball.

But as any good angler knows you cannot put all your eggs in one basket.  Geoff decided to fish the inside line in the margin to his right still with corn.  Not long after lowering his pole rig into the baited area, he hooked a large carp.  There then followed an epic battle with Geoff (the honey monster) Rowlands the one who  triumphed landing a carp of 25 lb 4 oz.  I arrived too late to get a picture for the blog; but did get a picture of the honey monster trying to repeat the feat.. Sad to say he couldn't repeat the performance and returned to the method to plunder the Bream shoals.

Well done Geoff.

Drowned on Wednesday

The latest Reids tackle open was fished on Sellwood and Cottage this past Wednesday.  It rained and rained and rained and rained.  In addition the wind was unseasonably very strong.  Andy Potter and I on pegs 2 and 4 Cottage, resembled the crew of the fishing boat in the George Clooney film "The Perfect Storm".  Andy being far more intelligent than me, packed up with an hour to go.  With 10 minutes to go the rain stopped and wind dropped, isn't fishing fun!!!

Cottage

1st place Paul Barnard 97 lb 8 oz

2nd place Barry James 78 lb 4 oz

3rd place Brian Darcy 74 lb 12 oz

Brian was in from Barnsley on holiday with his wife visiting her parents.  Everyone in angling knows anglers from Barnsley are good, and Brian proved that with his first time performance at the venue.  Not only that a really nice guy to boot, well done mate.

Sellwood

1st Dwayne Seed 93 lb 8 oz

2nd Daryl Mayers 74 lb 3 oz

3rd Ian Heydon  52 lb 2 oz

Dwayne's top weight came from peg 10 not always a good peg. Another very good performance.

Octogenarian Legend at Withy

Tuesday the 18th of August saw my mate and fishing legend Mic Maidment.  Mic was here to celebrate his 80th Birthday on the banks of the snake lake.

A group of us came along to celebrate with the man I call " The Legend".  When I first started fishing in the early 1970 (Ed comment more like 1870!).  One man stood out. Michael Maidment.  Match after match, when the results were called out his name nearly always on top honours.  

I don't want to knock the matches of the today but back then a lot of matches regularly had 100 hundred + anglers and it was very difficult to win or gain a top three place.  Mic however proved the adage that cream comes to the top.  It was hearing his name time and again made me realise.  If you work really hard at angling you could become a winner.

I have over the years had a good record but it pales in the face of what Mic has achieved. NO ONE has a bad word about or for Mic and I am very proud to call him a friend.  I look forward to sharing the bank for many years to come with The Legend

On the day Mic brought his mates and one of them Tony supplied a wonderful cake in celebration of the birthday.  Complete with appropriate numbered serviettes a cake cutting ceremony took place and the beautiful cake was shared around.

Lakes closed next week

Tuesday 25th August  Cottage

Sunday 30th August Cottage 

                                  Sellwood

                                  Inner and Outer of the Snake

Cafe News

The Cafe continues to supply a superb service to all that come to Withy.  They continue to keep the menu fresh and varied.  The latest offering are some scrumptious meal deals that are fantastic value with drinks included.

Rachel and Glenn are happy to cater for passing walkers , cyclists and those that just want tasty good value grub. Served with a smile come on down.

Words and Pics D Moody

Wherever you fish this week fill your nets and tight lines.

Saucey Thief

I start this weeks blog on a sad note. Some low life has stole the Tomato and Brown Sauce from the Cafe. Both bottles were taken from the cafe late on Wednesday afternoon.  I know the cost of the bottles is minimal and it isn't the crime of the century, but it is the principal of the thing.

If some low life individual can stoop low enough as to take small value items that don't belong to them; then they will steal anything.  I would ask the culprit to mend his or her ways and rejoin the human race.  To take themselves away from the scum race they a present member of.  Honesty is one of the things that should separates us from other animals.  Be a Human not an Animal.

Stock Carp Growing Fast

The beautiful stock carp growing on the stock pond are increasing well in size.

The picture above was taken in March  only 5 months ago.when they were introduced. The fish have grown onto an average size of around 3 lb. The original number of 400 fish will improve sport even more; and will go in around the complex in late Autumn.

Thanks to Dave Higgins (above pic) for his and Mark Summers efforts.

23 lb Carp makes an appearance

I am composing this masterpiece on Friday 14.8.2015, and can report a 23 lb Mirror has come from Barnmoor today.  Once the heavy rain had ceased around lunchtime.  A few anglers ventured out. The 23 was the pick of the bunch from several doubles that came from Barnmoor and Sellwood.

Autumn on the Horizon

As mentioned last week smaller baits have been producing better results this week.  8 - 10 mm pellet have been responsible for quite few double figure Carp caught this week.  I hope I ma wrong but nature is showing us we may be in for a cold winter.  There are an enormous amount of Berries and other hedgerow fruit in and around the trees.  I took this picture of the Sloe (Blackthorn) drupes from the bushes around Witherington Farm.

There are far more berries than last year.Likewise the Blackberries though far from ripe are showing a large potential harvest.  The old adage is a large crop of fruit means a cold winter I hope I am wrong.

The Weather dictates

Lets hope the weather at the back end of summer is of the Indian summer variety and autumn doesn't rush to meet us.  It does surprise me how the weather has so much of an influence on our sport.  When the sun shines the anglers are out in force, only for inclement weather to make the numbers plummet.  I can remember reading books by Dick Walker and Peter Stone (who you might say, but I had the pleasure to meet him).  They always stated the best weather was warm and cloudy.  Something I have found to be very true and factual.  Yet in recent years have missed the best weather in preference to topping up their tans.

On Thursday this week we had perfect weather, ideal conditions I should say.  There was the odd shower, but it was cloudy and warm.  Barnmoor looked like fishing heaven but not a sole in site, what a shame to watch this perfect fishing day go to waste.  See below and I rest my case.

Witherington Lakes for the week ahead.......

Waters closed this week are as follows:

Wednesday the 19th August Sellwood and Cottage

Thursday the 20th August     Cottage

Sunday 23rd August              Cottage, Sellwood and Inner snake

Tight lines and see you next week.