Rd 1 Grange Park Curlew 2.11.24

[Leo Martin]

Big Bash Winter League Rd 1 Grange Park Curlew 2.11.24

The 2024 winter league season kicked off with a fantastic support of 16 members and 14 attending Grange Park Curlew lake. 

14 members in Jaspers Fridays draw, with 2 sections of 5 on the lower and higher numbers and a section of 4 across the roadside corner, very evenly spread around and we welcomed the generous pegging on the lake from owner Alan.

Peg 17 was my home office of the day with young guns Robson to my left on 14 and Lewis to my right on 19, great to have back in the club.
Plan for my day was feeder & bomb rod to island in front. Top 2 +1 line 1o'clock pellet line, 2 + 1 maggot line 11 o'clock both these in about 4 feet of depth, and a margin line to my right in 12 inch of  water at 2+1.  Recent visits to the lake have been around feeding regular 6 or 8mm pellets on the short line and they turn up. Even though accepting the cooler weather the weights from this fishery have been good as the fish are still in feeding mode.
Lots of fish showing at our end of the lake prior to the match starting, comments from Glen and John Utting that their end had no fish showing at all.  As usual the sound of Glens 10:00am whistle signals the fish to submerge and take cover.

Weather for the match was cool cloudy, very overcast and grey. There were some fleeting glimpses of sunshine, but they didn't last long. A cool wind was blowing across and whilst those on the lower pegs enjoyed the shelter offered by the fence and conifers, those on our bank sought jackets and extra clothing to warm up.

On the wildlife front, (more to fishing than catching fish) a covey of partridge flew down the lake, the honking of geese flying overhead as they flow in the long v lines seeking winter locations, and the lovely welcome sight of a kingfisher flew past into  the sedges between Keith and Robson. I  won't mention the squawking of the monkeys from the zoo.

All in whistle and Lewis first to land a small fish on his first put in on pole. Robson followed fishing shallow and Sam fishing 16m to island on peg 21. Lewis had some more small ones on short pole before following Sam out on long pole shallow.  Robson on 15 was enjoying success and had a really good starts to his match. Keith Smith on peg 14 on short pole, Gavin ( a big bash winter league stalwart) on peg 12 was chucking to corner of island and had a couple from there.

I started on the feeder to the island whilst it primed and prepped my 2+1 pellet line. Spent 30 minutes for no indications at all. I had seen Gavin land a couple from the edge of the island and the young guns were catching each side of me. Time for me to try my pellet line. 6mm pellet received silly knocks and bites however I did win a prize, a gold dish. Plugged away on this line exchanging pellet size 8mm, 6mm and even 4 mm but only located small baby carp from iffy bites. I went back on feeder and primed a maggot line. Feeder, again no bites so onto maggot line. This resulted in more baby carp whilst a much bigger stamp of fish was being landed all around me. Around 12 o'clock I decided to try 6mm pellet on bomb to island and 3 carp in successive bites was the result, glimmer of smile appearing however it was short lived as no more bites all time. Rotation was next approach, I set up a line at 2+ 2 in a little deeper water but nothing there. Swapping lines around the smaller fish remained closes in on my lines. I did have a few crucians on the 1 o'clock line but no quality carp at all. A couple missed bites on bomb and pellet again, nothing on small method feeder. Strange moody day as Jasper mentioned.
Alongside the above the pains returned from a kidney stone, after 4 pain free days. I am not sure if it was psychologically triggered with a pre match ailment catch up  discussion between John Utting, Glen and myself but the back pain started at 10am and slowly got  worse during the match till I called it  a day at 2pm so I could get home okay. Chucked back about 12lbs back but health comes first. Thanks for  everyone's concern. Today pain free, happy day again.

Lewis to my started on maggot short for a small stamp of fish, he went long shallow and quality improved but continued to rotate and swap lines, catching on most. His best spell came in the afternoon alternating between margins and short pole line where the stamp of fish improved as well. Ended on 36-3 for a second in section 3, well done.
Bagger Sam on 21 set off on long pole then came short pole and also ended his match in his margins. He rotated the lines throughout chasing and searching for the fish to weigh in 65-7 for first in section 3 and 3rd in match. Well done Sam.

Section 2 results
Robson on corner peg 15 had a really good start his match landing quality fish on long pole and short pole. Unfortunately the fish moved on for about 3 hours mid match and this has cost him some coin. He did manage to record a second in section with 35-3, well done Robson.
Gavin on peg 13 pushed Robson close weighing in 34-12. Gavin came strong towards the end of the match after some long lean spells between bites and rotating lines to seek the fish out.
Sat quietly on corner peg 14 was Keith Smith. A little pre match pep talk from his mate and venue expert Codders I think to help him tackle the match. Keith got  off to a slow start and persevered with his approach. He too had to rotate and swap and  change throughout the match and the dividend paid off in the last hour and half I  think for a strong finish to record 61-2 and a section win, and 4th in match. Well done mate.

Section 1 results
Match winner was Mark Radford from peg 6 and bragging rights in the household weighing in 75-9, well done Mark,
Section 1 winner was Paul Whitehouse on peg 4 recording 68-0, well done Paul.
Second in section and sat on golden peg was Jasper who recorded 51-15. I could see jasper start on his trusty rods and swapped and changed lines throughout the match looking for bites. I think his best spell came towards the end fishing to platform 5 and the margins. Well done mate.

Lots of weights around the lake between 30 and 40lbs although frustrating day as the fish just wouldn't settle however that is fishing and not just catching fish.

Special thanks to jasper once again for admin and organising the match. Glen for time keeping and also weigh in crew who I missed.

This promises to be a great winter league, exciting venues and great to have a lot of lads back in the group. We may hold some friendly knock ups as well during the winter so watch out and please indicate if interested.
The next match is on Lodge farm on Sand Martin in two weeks' time please book and pay on to help admin and organisation.