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.

Did you miss me?? (Don't Answer)

Sorry about last week with no report but I was fishing for three days at the Viaduct in Somerton Somerset.  This is an annual 3 day event Eastleigh v Isle of Wight.  Thanks to everyone it was brilliant three days and despite strong winds on the Wednesday it fished well.

Congratulations to Graham Tappenden who came third overall.  There were quite a few weights over 100 lb, however my best weight was only 95 lb 12 oz .  This did include over 65 lb of skimmers and Tench.

Pretty Boy still number 1

Before leaving for the Viaduct we completed the evening series on the Tuesday night.James "Pretty Boy Knight" dominated from the start to the finish.  Well done James you are a class act.  Mark "the Volcano Blake" was second showing consistency throughout the 8 match series.  The upset in the form book came from Dave "the walking dead" Moody who turned the clock back to days gone by when he picked up third place.

On the night the overall winner was Ray"Happy" Kelly  with 35 lb 10 oz, second Pretty boy with 35 lb 10 oz.  Second section winner Kev "Ce lo Green" Downer 28 lb 4 oz, 2nd the walking dead with 25 lb 12 oz.  Well done to all who took part.

Charity Match boost for Cancer Research

The annual Charity match for Leukaemia research was held on Saturday on Cottage  and Sellwood lakes.  The match is run by Colin and Lyn Sellwood in memory of their son Christopher.  Over £900.00 was raised by anglers and the raffle.

A great effort and well done to Colin, Lyn and Paula for all their efforts.  Results on the day are as follows 

Cottage Lake:

1st Malc Peppperell 62 lb 10 oz

2nd Martin Rodgers 52 lb 4 oz

3rd Colin Sellwood  46 lb 12 oz

Sellwood Lake :

1st Brian Shutler 37 lb 10 oz

2nd Paul Barnard 37 lb 8 oz

3rd Geoff (Speed) Andrews 25 lb 8 oz

Terry tames the Monster

On the big fish front Terry Neville was the man to watch this week.  On Monday from the top bank of Barnmoor he banked Carp of 29 lb, 20 lb, 19 lb, and 17 lb.  I managed to get a picture of the 29 lb Common well done Terry

Lakes closed this week.

Saturday 15.8.2015  Sellwood Cottage and Inner Snake.

Sunday 16.8.2015 Sellwood, Cottage , Inner snake, and Outer Snake pegs 23-41

Time for a change

August though still in the middle of summer always seems to change the fish behaviour.  All the baits that worked well through the summer months of June and July, will still catch but the rate will slow down and a reduction in the hook bait (size)  is a good idea.

Reduce your pellet in size, and try a single grain of corn instead of multiple grains.  Maggot or worm are also worth a go it is surprising how big carp love small items of feed. Remember without anglers baits the Carp would be eating blood worm and snails.

Fish Care

Please remember if you are aiming for big Large sized Carp be in possession of a Carp Mat.  These come in many sizes and designs.  Please make sure you use them.

Reids Tackle Wednesday Open

The match was fished on Cottage Lake and was a match of two halves. The bottom end of the lake pegs 3-8 fished well, however from pegs 9-16 top weight was 47 lb 4 oz. 

Individual winner was Paul " the Hoffmeister" Hough from peg 3 with 86 lb 2 oz.  Well done Paul.  Pegs 5 and 6 had a tight fight for second and third Daryl Mayer sneaking it with a good weight of 68 lb 14 oz and third from Peg 6 was Gary Etheridge with 60 lb 10 oz. The next match will be on August the 19th (Wednesday) Sellwood and Cottage the venues.

If your interested ring Reid's Tackle on 01722 - 711616.

Much ado about nothing

Sorry readers the author has been on a jolly boys short holiday to fish against the Isle of Wight with his Eastleigh colleagues to the viaduct in Somerset.  To that end has not prepared notes or stories for editing / blogging.  I am sure this short interruption in service will be over soon; and you will be updated with the results of the Evening series last match etc. Did Pretty Boy win I hear you ask!