Pretty Boy Knight put to sword by the Walking Dead

In the third round of the Withy Evening series all the form book favourites failed to show on the leader board.  On a night that promised only Paul (Barney Rubble) Barnard showed his class.  Easily winning his section by catching the top weight overall of 56 lb 2 oz.

Second in that section was Martin (The Terminator) Rogers with an excellent 38 lb 14 oz.

The shock of the match came from the top end of the lake.  Dave (The walking Dead) Moody won the section with 23 lb 12 oz beating the odds and Withys number 1 angler James (Pretty Boy Knight) by 7lb of the next peg!!  Dave did have a better peg.  Second was Super Ray Kelly also known as one of snow whites dwarf's "Happy"  he had 20 lb 4 oz.

The Walking Dead

This has tightened up the series considerably, which should make next weeks round on the outer Snake interesting.  One interesting trend is that the on most occasions the evening matches .  None of the lakes fish as well in the 3 hour evening matches as they do when fishing a 6 hour that will finish at the same time.

Reids Open Wednesday

The following day saw the Reid's tackle open fished on Selwood and Cottage.  This really did show the type of good weights that can happen when a good angler draws on the fish.

Top weight on Cottage was Gareth Boycott (above) with a great 116 lb 2 oz from peg 15.  Gareth caught on the method feeder  ( or was it the pellet feeder!?!? sneaky) for the first half of the match, the down the edge for the second half of the match in front of peg 16 plat form.  A ton weight is always a class match weight from any venue.

Second in the match was Graham Tappenden from peg 12.

Tappy weighed in a nice weight of 64 lb 8 oz mostly close fishing on maggot.  He is without doubt a master at close in fishing.  3rd Paul the hoffmeister Hough closing in on Graham with 60 lb 2 oz.  Paul too doesn't enjoy getting his whole length out and likes to fish close down the edge.

Sellwood was won from peg 6 with 91 lb 4 oz  caught by Dwayne Seed again some out by the island on the method and the rest down the edge to next platform on his pole

In fact Dwayne caught all day long.  Second was in form man Barney  from peg 9 with 83 lb 14 oz.  The bulk of Pauls weight came from 6 meter's in front of him on Paste and pellet. A brilliant display of angling.

Third was Gentlemen Johnny Grey with 57 lb 14 oz. Johnny caught out on the island at 14 meter's of pole.  If he had caught as many carp as Dwayne he would have set a lake record but unfortunately the majority of his impressive weight was skimmers.

Big Fish Scene

Barnmoor has produced a lot of big double fish this past week but none of them have topped the 20 lb mark.  Or at least none reported.

Not just Carp for those of you who like your Roach big; again on Barnmoor Roach are also showing.  A lovely specimen of 1 lb 14 oz was caught on dendrobeena over caster up in the water.

A deadly bait for any fish that swims.

Match dates for the week ahead and waters that will be closed.

Sunday 28th Whole of the Snake closed.

Tuesday 30th June Outer Snake closed (and the boys are back in town)

Saturday 4th of July - Cottage Lake and the Inner Snake are closed

Sunday 5th of July Sellwood lake, Cottage Lake and pegs 35 - to - 55 on the Outer snake will be closed.

Cafe news

Witherington Farm Cafe is going great guns as well with its excellently priced menu.  Not just breakies, but other meals as well.  Plenty of drinks, chocolate and crisps etc, to make all the ingredients of a great fishing day / picnic.

With the weather due to hot up summer style, don't forget Witherington Farm is a great day out for the family with day tickets on sale in the well stocked shop.  Why not bring the family along sit enjoy the sun the peace and quite and the wildlife on show.

Words and Pics by Dave Moody

The Glorious 16th and a New Season

As I write this June the 16th has come and gone already.

The older anglers amongst will remember the joy of the 16th and that since March 14th no one would have been fishing for course fish.  This is still true for those fishing rivers as their first choice in the hope of catching a glorious Chubb or Roach.

 
The magic of the 16th is now only a memory, good or bad life is always changing.

Like life the weights are also changing at Witherington Farm.  After spawning and few lean weeks the weights are definitely on the up.

Sunday saw the final round of the Toyota Super League fished at Withy on Barnmoor, Sellwood and Cottage.  Yet again the overall winner was Pete Newman; and as Gary Naylor said when presenting Pete with his prizes.  "Either he is good or the rest of the competitors are rubbish"  Perhaps he is good and lucky.

Top bloke Pete Newman winner of Toyota League

The rest of the Toyota results:

Top 3 on each lake 

Cottage Lake.  1st "Super" Ray Kelly with 59 lb.  Ray below with his adoring fan watching on.

2nd Dave Higgins 54 lb 12 oz; and 3rd Clive Egerton 54 lb 4 oz.  One average Carp between them all a tight match.

Sellwood Lake next

First on this lake was Mick Hawkins with an excellent 98 lb 8 oz.  Second place Rich Penney 60 lb 12 oz; and Mark Cannings sneaking in with 56 lb 10 oz.

This result gave Mark Cannings First place in Div 2 of the League.  What Mark was doing in league 2 I do not know.  Lets see how he gets on next year now hes promoted to Div 1.

Finally the Barnmoor weights.

First Mark Illingworth with 82 lb and 8 oz, second Dave "the walking dead" Moody 49 lb 8 oz; and in third place with a creditable 24 lb and 4 oz Jem Turner.  Below the ever present and like able Dave Carver is pleased with his Reids voucher.  Well done Dave.  Look forward to more jokes about Acrington Stanley FC

Round 2 of the Evening Series

Tuesday night saw  the second round of the Witherington Farm summer evening series.  Fished on Sellwood lake; the match ran a little closer to the expected form book.

First place, Mark "the Volcano" Blake with 39 lb and 4 oz

Second place, James " Pretty boy" Knight closing in with 35lb 6 oz

and in third Place, Dave "the Walking Dead" Moody with 25 lb 12 oz

The Carp had spawned that day on Sellwood so not all were feeding, so it fished hard.  Big Skimmers and the odd carp made up the weight(s) .  What happened to Gary "the fish" Etheridge, he did have a bad match.  He did say afterwards in the words of the Terminator.  "I'll be back"

Post match note: The Fish smashed everyone on the Canal at Milk house (Pewsey) the following evening, in no mood to take prisoners.

The Big Fish Scene

On the big fish scene the big girls from Barnmoor are still recovering from spawning and keeping their heads down.  Big fish angler and regular at Withy "Brillo" took a rest from his recent run of Tench to catch his preferred quarry by landing a splendid 19 lb 1 oz fish.

If you would like to appear in this blog then catch a Carp over 20 lb and you will make the page(s).  In the interest of big fish care then don't panic Dave and James Moody are on hand to assist; and have a Tracker retention sling on hand to care for the fish. Take your time enjoy the moment get a good photo and care for the fish at the same time.

Tip of the Week

Its still soft baits doing the business.  Corn, meat and worms.  But as it heats up the hard pellet will come in and Paste will come to the fore.  Just need it to continue to stay warm.

Upcoming fixtures.

Witherington continues to be popular yet still find room for all.  That's the advantage of large car parks and loads of variety.

Tuesday 23rd June Cottage closed. 

Wednesday 24th June Cottage and Sellwood closed . 

Saturday 27th every thing open 

Sunday 28th June. The whole of the Snake Lake inner and outer. Closed

Wherever you fish this coming week, enjoy your fishing, tight lines, stretchy elastic and full keep nets to you all.

Words and Pictures Dave moody

Kev ruins favourites opening night

Tuesday 9th June saw the first round of the annual Witherington Farm evening series.  The match was fished on Barnmoor lake on a evening that seemed more like mid March than mid June.  By mid Match most of the anglers were in coats or wind proofs. So how would it fish in such unseasonal weather?

Favourite for the series at 2/1 is James (Pretty boy) Knight.  The best angler in the area.  Weakness none.  Can fish any method.  There is a newly opened small chink in his armour this year. James has just become a father to baby Jack in addition to getting engaged to the lovely Amy.  H e now has two things in life that are more important than fishing.  Congratulations to James and Amy from all at Witherington Farm.

4/1 Gary (the Fish) Etheridge.  In a previous life Gary had to be a fish as he always where they are in his swim and when and they will feed.  Weakness Tourettes can take hold if things go bad or he loses his concentration.  That said this is rare.

5/1 Mark (the Volcano) Blake.  Ultra confident knows the venue well.  If he gets in the groove he can fill a keep net faster that your wife can fill a shopping trolley.  Weakness if it goes wrong watch the Volcano erupt.

The match was destroyed by a strong northerly wind.  Bites and weights were well down on recent weeks.  Best on the night was Kev (CE LO GREEN) Downer with 4 Carp and two skimmers for 19 lb 4 oz.  Second was Pretty boy Knight with 16 lb 2 oz.  Third Mark the Volcano Blake 14 lb 4oz.  Kev won section 1 with Gary the Fish and Dave (the walking dead) Moody tied second with 8 lb 8 oz.

Section two 1st James Knight, Second Mark Blake.  Round two next week on Sellwood lake.

What a difference a day makes!

Wednesday and Reid's tackle open on Cottage Lake.  Still a strong wind but much warmer.  Again it was a slow start and even by the mid point weights were on the low side.  However the last2 hours saw the Carp start to feed; which pushed the weights back up to the norm.

1st was Dave Self who pulled out a credible weight of Carp and Skimmers on the pole 78 lb 8 oz. 2nd Martin Rogers with a good weight of 68 lb 2 oz on the pole and waggler , banded pellet.  The very method mentioned in last weeks blog.

3rd was Rich Self with 56 lb.  Rich switched between "the method" and pole and fished corn down the edge.  4th Place went to Gary the Fish Etheridge with 47 lb 2 oz, and 5th the old fella Moody with 44 lb 12 oz. 6th Place Dave "Georger"George 38 lb 15 oz.  It just shows how the weather effects Withy.

Same day saw 50 + anglers from Army group 2 on the outer and inner snake.  Results can be found at fellow Blogger Gary Williams "midsection blues" blog http://midsectionblues.blogspot.co.uk/

Tip of the week

As the temperature starts to rise and the Carp begin to feed in earnest.  You need to give your ground bait, bait, PVA bag mix or method feeder the edge.  There are plenty of different attractors on the the market.  Find the one for you and the fish will follow.  Always check the liquid are PVA friendly.  Your local tackle shop can give friendly advise

PVA solid bags are best when using baits that are soaked in liquid.  Funnel web are designed to be used a dry mix.

Remember that the longer the and stronger the PVA is soaked in oil base liquids, the longer the bag takes to break down.  This is the same when using high oil pellets.

Match dates and lake closures for the week ahead

Tuesday the glorious 16th of June - Sellwood closed

Saturday 20th June - Inner snake closed

Sunday the 21st June - Sellwood, Cottage and Inner Snake closed.

Editor,Words and Pictures by Dave Moody

PS.  Wherever you fish this week ahead may your elastic stretch, rod bend and your nets be full.  most of all enjoy your fishing

Packed Witherington enjoys a great Sunday

A favourable southerly summer breeze brought Witherington to life today.  The venue was heaving with pleasure match and Carp specimen anglers. The Cafe was buzzing too and although I only wanted a cold drink and a sandwich I had to take my place in the queue.  Popping into the tackle shop that too was doing steady trade.  I had the time to stroll the site so I did.

Match guys were busily preparing for the battle ahead.  Pleasure anglers were bent into fish or enjoying the day.

 

The Fish were less laid back those that were not feeding frenziedly were up to no good with each other as some areas of the Snake were literally milky with milt and eggs as the Carp went through a spawning frenzy.  They had no shame as they went at it hammer and tongs crawling all over each other the lake looked like a jacuzzi.

I was not surprised to see so many of my angling friends sneaking in a little practise ahead of Wednesdays match.  Making the most of this beautiful day everybody, yes everybody seemed to be enjoying fishing and why not.

Away from the angling this lovely venue also provides many wildlife, flora and fauna watching opportunities and it was great to see Rudd, Roach, Perch, Chubb and Skimmers in the feeder stream shoaling up to do that spring thing.

Bird life too got in on the act with Swallows and Swifts picking insects of the water, and mud from the car park puddles, to build there nests in the multiple roosting spots.  I am looking forward to coming back soon.

Sizzling June begins

I would have liked to start this weeks update with a list of big fish and huge catches that have been caught on all lakes; but as is normal in the ten days that follow the Festivals things slow down a little.

So it has been quite slow.  The majority of the Carp have not spawned and seem reluctant to feed.  There have of course been plenty of Carp landed but the big old "girls" have been noticeable in their absence.

The Snake has fished best for Carp with Sellwood  and Cottage producing good bags of Skimmers.

Well known local ex Hells Angel "Brillo" has had a good run of Tench from Barnmoor.  He has always been known for catching loads of Tench, the trouble is he is actually fishing for Carp at the time.

"Brillo" our little Tinca

Next week the are very busy with matches as follows:

1. Tuesday 9th Barnmoor closed for the first of the Evening Series
2. Wednesday 10th Snake and Cottage closed
3. Thursday 11th June outer Snake closed
4. Friday 12th Sellwood closed
5. Saturday 13th Sellwood and Cottage closed
6. Sunday 14th Sellwood , Cottage, Barnmoor and inner Snake closed

If you work it there is still always somewhere were you can get in for a few hours or on a day ticket; and the following week there is no where near the volume of matches as the fishery returns to normal jogging with plenty of room for all.

Weekly Tips section.

With the warmer weather the fish start to fish up in the water and a good tip is to fish the banded pellet on the waggler as tight as you can get to the island (s).  Best pellet are the 6mm and the 8mm coarse pellet light in colour and try to use the same pellet as your feed.  Using this method feed regularly with a catapult say 4 to 6 pellets every 20 to 30 seconds or so.

If you have a problem tying the bands on the hair rig then there are plenty of ready tied rigs in the onsite tackle shop.  The most popular at the moment being the guru range.

The type of the waggler you use is also important.  Don't use the thick pellet type waggler for Witherington farm lakes.  You are advised to use straight or thick insert wagglers. The majority of shot needs to be around the base of the Waggler with very little shot down the line; just allow the weight of pellet to sink and cock the float.

In other news;

Behind the scenes Eastleigh club continues in its club plan in carrying out various tasks.  Such as the replacement of the ageing platforms.  Lots have now been replaced with solid spacious stages essential for the volume of kit we take and the comfort of the angler.  Adding to the pleasures of the day.  Along with the 5 year stocking plan Eastleigh and others at the fishery are really turning it around and its a delight to hear so many complimentary remarks that are gratefully received.

Will sign of with the promise that I'll be back next week with a raft of stories and results from the week.  Hope to see you soon but wherever you fish enjoy the weather and tight lines , stretchy elastic and full keep nets to you all.

Welcome to Withy Focus a new blog

The aim of this blog is to inform anglers of all description young, old, Carpers, Match, and pleasure anglers; of the fantastic range of facilities and lakes at Witherington Farm fishery.

In addition there will be up to date news of all the latest captures of big fish and match results.  There will also be a regular posting of upcoming matches at the venue.

The advantage to this will be that all pleasure and club anglers can plan their day in advance knowing what is open.  Day ticket anglers and those wishing to show their club book will find, the opening hours of the superb Tackle shop and Cafe.

To increase your enjoyment and the chance of a big catch.  Experienced and friendly staff in the on site well stocked tackle shop.  Will freely explain the latest up to date news on tactics and the bait of the moment.  

 

Why not come and enjoy this improving family friendly fishery.  There are toilet facilities and loads of parking space; leaving only short distances to walk and in some cases parking virtually on the bank.

The Cafe which has a varied menu from meals to snacks and ice creams is available 6 days a week and can be booked for special occasions.

So whether you are a pleasure angler, a keen carper, or enjoy the competition of matches. Come and enjoy Salisbury's premier fishing venue

Festival weekend a huge success

The traditional end of May 3 day festival of fishing was again a huge success.  For the third year in a row two different festivals were run concurrently. 


The original Salisbury Open festival run by Paul Barnard which accommodates 20 anglers shared the lakes with Mark Blakes festival which was set up; to give the opportunity to those anglers on the waiting list for "Barnies festival" a chance to fish a similar event.  Marks anglers which numbered a dozen shared the three original lakes at the venue - Barnmoor, Selwood and Cottage.


Day one of the event was hot and sultry with blue skies, with days 2 and 3 overcast but still warm.  The anglers which ranged from the superstars of the past to the superstars of today, battled it out for the excellent prize money and the bragging rights of festival champion.


Winners of Barnies festival were as follows:


1st Paul Barnard - Salisbury AC
2nd Graham Tappenden - Eastleigh AC
3rd James Knight - Reid's Tackle


Best result over the three day festival was James Knight with 204 lb from Cottage lake. Biggest fish (Barnmoor) Gary Wright 29 lb 8 oz Common Carp on the pole.


Winners of Blakeys festival were as follows:


1st Dwayne Seed  - Cormorant's
2nd Dave Moody - Reid's Tackle
3rd Mark Blake  - Freelance / Reid's tackle


Best result (s) over three days Dwayne Seed 109 lb 4 oz from Selwood and Daryl Mayer with 144 lb 4oz from Cottage. Biggest fish Barnmoor again with the hoffmeister Paul Hough catching a 14 lb Carp.


........................


On the pleasure side Simon Gillingham has caught a 30 lb Common Carp and a 28 lb Mirror Carp.  Nigel Tapper has had a run of 20 lb plus Carp on Barnmoor and one from Cottage lake.


On the famous Snake lake Eastleigh club had a club match with good weights from all areas and the winners being:


1st Mark Illingworth 82 lb 4 oz
2nd Dave Self 60 lb
3rd Brett Cooper 56 lb 12 0z


Forthcoming matches for the weekend of the 6th and 7th of June booked at the moment.  Saturday all lakes open for day ticket pleasure and club anglers.


Sunday the 7th Selwood, Cottage and the inner ring of the Snake lake are in use for matches.  Which leaves great fishing available on Barnmoor and the outer Snake. 


Wednesday the 10th the whole of Snake inner and outer is booked for a match; and an additional
 " open to all"on Cottage lake   Draw and match brief at 1pm fish 2.15 pm till 8.15 pm. Results on the bank. Book in with Reid's Tackle - Dave Moody 01722 711616 who will also brief you on any special rules for the match.


So with the weather due to hot up why not come along and enjoy the fishing in pleasant conditions at the venue where the float dips regularly and the tip or bite alarm react to the hard fighting fish.