After missing last weeks match at Martin Hall (where if you haven't heard - Breamcatcher came last!!) due to a life threatening dose of man flu, I was really looking forward to this weeks match. It was decided that this would be a charity match in aid of Wigan and Leigh Hospice, a very worthwhile cause for a great institution in Wigan looking after those with little time left here and what a great job they do to! Hopefully I will never require their services personally! So a great day was in prospect as we began at 7:15 at the White Lion on Mossy Lea rod for a cracking Fry Up - breakfast of champions. One nice thing was I believe all that committed to fishing turned up meaning no charity money was wasted covering for no shows. The match was at Wrightington Fisheries, a place I've never been today but is a lovely water - especially on a sunny winters day! The day was to end with a raffle and auction for plenty of fishing gear supplied by local shops and businesses! Great to see everyone chipping in during these strained times financially! Also before I carry on, a HUGE thanks to Dave for organising a great day.
I was always destined to leave the match an hour before the end to attend the Wigan v Hull game (Breamy told me not to bother as it would be a walkover...how wrong???). Anyway, the draw was made just after 8 and we were spread over 2 lakes. On one lake would be us MD'ers fishing for points and on the Horseshoe would be a few not in the lead and a delegation from Platt Bridge Tackle and Bait (68 Warrington Rd, Platt Bridge, Wigan WN2 5JA 01942 864777) who along with their 'leader' Gary Smith raised a huge amount toward a total - a HUGE thanks to them too! I drew peg 13 (I think anyway - I'm writing this a week later and my memory is a blur). I knew nothing of the peg other than I had the longest possible walk to get there - and when I got there discovered I had Breamcatchnowt (Wokkie christened that one and I like it!) was my partner.
My peg didn't look too bad. I had an island at around 30 yards, a pallet to my right to fish up to and plenty of open water in between. Early signs were good as while tackling up Breamy had a nice little carp stuck on top of his keepnet - thought he'd resorted to trawling early! Also I landed my plummet directly on a fish on my first put in - but first impressions can be misleading. I decided on a small pellet method feeder (cheers to the Big Dipper for the loan - mine were at home DOH!) to the island in front. I then decided on 3 lines, 13m straight in front was a level bottom at just over 6' deep so I decided on a 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock swim fishing pellet and caster. Float was a 4x14 pencil float to 0.14 line to a 0.12 hooklength and B711 size 19 hook. At 7m I had 5' so decided on the same rig but a 4x12 float. I also had a swim 9m to my right in front of the next pallet at 3' deep with a small 4x10 margin float to 0.14 straight through.
I began by potting in 2 small pots of micro one the long line, a pot of maggot/caster on the short line and a cup of 6mm soaked expanders to the pallet next door. I then decided on 30 minutes on the long line on 4mm and 6mm pellet. Immediately to my left, Matty fishing long pole to the island had a small card first put in and a couple down the right hand side were bringing carp in on the bomb rod. After 30 minutes, I hadn't had a bite and all around me was looking slow. Those that were catching were close to the island so I decided to have a go on the method feeder with pellet hookbait. I stuck this out for an hour but only managed one liner. So I decided on going back on the pole and tried the short line on caster - nothing. Back out on the long pole fishing 4mm expander and feeding small amounts of micros wasn't working when I witnessed the strangest site in fishing I have ever witnessed. Bernard to my right struck into a fish that didn't move then took off in front and then went right. I then watched Martin next to him strike into a fish before one of them joked "we've got the same fish"...which they had!! I think Bernard had it through the dorsal but not sure where Martin hooked it. If it was through the mouth that is one dumb bream! Turned out to be a nice fish over 2lb I would have said.
In an attempt to get 10 points rather than 12 I put on a single red maggot and decided to go over the short line for some small roach. Which came but man were they small!! Breamy was also struggling and only managed to get 1 roach in the net of a similar stamp to mine. Around the lake there were pockets of pegs catching but on the whole it was slow all round. I packed up at 1:45 and left my net in for Breamy to weigh in for me. I finished with I believe 7 fish for 4oz! Not good and I have now dropped 25 points in 2 matches which after being in the top 5 is a little gutting! But you never know what lies ahead!!
I missed out on the auction but believe it was a great success with the overall total for the day over £1100!!! A great result for 40 blokes on a Sunday!! Congrats to all involved - a great day out! Off to Horns Dam next week a lovely 4 acre lake I have fished a few years ago and am looking forward to it! Lets hope this sunny weather stays in for then!!!
