RD-10-2025 Summer League-16th August-Lindholme -Willows

[Leo Martin]

Big Bash Summer league round 10 Lindholme Willows 16.8.25

Midway through another heatwave and the temperatures lowered slightly for our match with the day starting at 21 degrees. A cool wind blowing down towards strip lake, cloudy and overcast most of the day so sunburn was off the agenda. Most of the Bashers now looking a lovely healthy bronze colour from the summers fishing to date.

19 bashers entered Jaspers Friday night draw, a good turn out and only one unpaid peg in the bag. The whole of Willows lake kindly donated by Aaron and pegging spaced out a lot further than was expected, everyone had lots of room.

Peg 48 was to be my home office, last point peg Laurels side, I fished this last time and was disappointed at its depth to be honest, that is without the drought conditions so I guessed I was in for a long day. Mr Utting my close neighbour on the point, with Smiler on point opposite, Cookie in corner of bay opposite and Joe. in yes a corner, on opposite side to Cookie. Chit chat and banter guaranteed. Oh and it was to be another Big Bash day for frivolities and our memory book of laughs.

First bite of the day was to be on my left calf as I was unloading my car from one of Lindholme's finest flying insects. What is about these things and my left leg? Grrrr

First set of shenanigans. Smiler pulled his car near me and was debating walking to his point. I said which one are you one, middle one and I think you are correct, ill park in top car park so off he goes. 5 minutes later he has rod bags in hand and striding happily to his peg when the guys on Laurels side point said where you going? Peg 14? Oh dear, you are on the wrong bank! Smiler quickly retreated hoping no one had noticed and drove to other bank and the middle arm point peg. Smiler as we know has history in this department and I blame his chief carer for lack of guidance, or was it drink related and looking at the lake plan upside down?

Tackle to my peg, plumb up and yes 2 feet deep 2+2, 2+4, margins approx. 2.6" deep approx. I had received some kind information to fish 2+2 using red 6 or 8mm pellets on the hook whilst feeding fishery 4s,  this was the plan A. my second Plan B was fishing paste in front and margins and Plan C Bomb rod to open water as per previous visits to the lake and this peg. The space allowed this as well.

Everyone had dried their nets an hour before and 10.00 soon came around. Head whistle blower Mr Gino Lanelly, whose hat choice today was a standard issue Big Bash peaked version and not the sunscreen one, gave his toots and away we go.

Second shenanigans around 12 o'clock and a look of dismay from Cookie across who pointed out that his top kit had detached from his number 4 section and was cruising around the bay with fish taking the lead. The top kit then headed in my direction, so I chose to try a catch it for  him as I was fishing my bomb rod and happily catching one or two fish. I tried to cast across it but failed to hook the elastic or line. The fish swam further out and went into next bay where Smiler had took up the task with his bomb rod as the fish went towards Mr Utting. A bored and biteless Andy Waite came wandering around to join in and help retrieve Cookies top kit, and Nigel was getting ready to depart his peg as well. The fish turned again and decided to come in close to my peg, and the tree to my right which on the 3rd attempt Andy managed to engaged with my landing net. A couple more grabs and Andy managed to grasp the top kit, with fish still on. It then took Andy what seemed an age, loads of laughter and splashing, to bring the fish under control and we were able  to net the 3lber between us whilst Nigel strolled around to see the fish. In the words of the great Jim Bowen, he was shown the fish and it was a case of "come and have a look at what you could have won". Fish safely released and Nigel a happy bunny as he had his top kit back intact although I am not sure if Andy had nicked a few of his stots from the rig as we know what he is like?

Third round of shenanigans around 1pm and Nigel excelled himself once again. The top kit had once again found freedom from the 4th pole section however no fish this time, it got off and the kit was in front of him in the water. He tried his best to silently retrieve this, but Eagle-eyed Joe was soon to make me aware and the camera was out to document the proceedings. Nigel didn't hold back on entry to the water, and not having the longest legs in the club, he slipped into the water. Although shallow has some silt on the bottom and Nigel soon sunk up to his chest, for others it may have been their waist, but he strode out regardless, top kit target in his focus,  His stomach acting as a buoyancy aid helping him as he waded across as the bright Yellow Leeds hat on his head helping the camera lens focus and zoom in. I was sure he was going to stand in a deep hole and the bright yellow hat would float off but no, the depth was good and he managed to stride out and grab his top kit to go back to the bank. Next issue was Scrambling out and second attempt he was safe on dry land for a change of clothes and foot ware then back to sort his gear out.  Meanwhile Jasper and Smiler fished on oblivious to Cookies plight.  Well done mate, unfortunately no water note today though, you have to stay till the end at 4pm.

Peg 2 Lewis Fox 43-13               2nd in section
Peg 5 Paul Whitehouse 32-3
Peg 7 John Lanelly 28-14, wishing he had stayed on his bomb rod which was his most productive method
Peg 9 Joe Martin 67-10                1st in section. Joe caught off and on most of match. Rotated methods, short pole, long pole, shallow, long to sedges and Russian roulette with trying to get them out, bomb to bank edge on left hand side as well. There were some long gaps between fish however I think he will be happy with the result.

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Peg 12 Nigel Cooke. 63-9           2nd in section. Despite the distractions of 2 lost top kits he easily fished a steady match and could have won the section easily exceptional performance. Again, Nigel had to swap and change his lines and methods to keep the fish coming in. Short pole, long pole, shallow and dead depth. Fishing to sedges on his right and also in front of peg 12 platform, both these last 2 lines gave him the best results. Nigel also lost a lot of fish which was to cost him, however his pension money does not need to stretch to new top kits as they were retrieved. Well done mate.
Peg 14 Paul Smiler Atton 35-9    Paul had a difficult start to the match with 2 small skimmers in his net I think at 12 oclock. Andy Waite then advised him of a change which was to turn around Smilers match. Fihsing his bomb, Andy suggested a different location, a "deeper hole" to the right side of his swim and this was to prove rewarding and he found the F1s. Paul kept on this most of match to increase his weight.
Peg 16 Jasper 50-8
Peg 20 Indian 69-2       1st in section
Peg 22 Steve Guy  21-8     A little dispute at the end of the match with his chuckle brother buddy.  Steve saying he is not paying Smile the golden pound to Smilers dismay. I am not sure if we need to fly Airforce One in with Trump on board to resolve, or it was sorted outside the Anglers Arms over a pint?

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Peg 23 Dave Fox,34-12      2nd in section
Peg 27 Richard Cooke 17-9    Rich had managed to retrieve an old float and rig which he kindly handed to Andy Waite so he could salvage the float the rubbers as he does.
Peg 31 Mark Radford 50-14       1st in section
Peg 33 Tracey Benson   29-13
Peg 38 Steve Curtis   115-0     Match win   Steve had 4 big old warriors which must have weighed over 40lb to help boost his net. Not to shabby a result off a good winter peg.

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Peg 40 Scott Barker 15-4 an unusual quite Scott who kept his head down to catch fish amid his frustrations. Net made up mostly of silvers and perch as he struggled for F1s. Scott did wake up vocally on the weigh in as the banter flowed. All primed and ready for his journey home in the van with Joe
Peg 46 John Utting 27-13    1st in section. A very frustrating match for John who at one stage early afternoon looked around and said, I don't know what to do to get a bite? Persevered and swapped and changed all match. Was rewarded with a 12lber having lost one earlier from chucking into corner to his right. 
Peg 48 Leo 21-15    2nd in section. 11.10 before my first bite and having tried pellets on 2+2 and per plan A I had switched onto paste as plan B. A solid fish hooked and I broke down to my top kit  and started to tighten the lacy before the fish woke up and sped to my left. Added 2 pole sections again but it went around the point, past peg49 and under tree to snag in weeds and I had to leave my peg to pull for a break. Doh. First fish an F1 at 11:20 then nothing so I went on the bomb chucking to my right in gap between points and this is where most of fish came from on 6mm, 8mm fishery pellets. Also, robin reds and sensate reds. I set up another bomb line in front which also produced a few and rotating these lines gave bites. Only one other fish on method dropped short on my 2+2 line. Sum total nothing at all on pole lines using hard pellet, Paste bites were very iffy, like small fish playing. Margin line not a single bite. Bomb saved the day however miles from where I needed to be. I think I should maybe have set up another one or two lines for the bomb and this may have enabled further rotation. The lines I was using were rested whilst I swapped back onto to Pole lines with pellet, pole lines with paste and even method chucked out.  Its fishing and not catching fish I guess.
Peg 51 Michael Roche DNS I Hope all is okay mate.

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A difficult day again fishing however with the Big Bash AC, the laughs are never ending. Well done to everyone sticking out the day and task in hand.

Mondays festival on Willows the weights were very good, Friday similarly 100lb + weights on several pegs speaking to Chris Dawson after the match with 16 on the lake. We struggled with everyone rotating lines and searching for bites.

Many thanks to Jasper for his organisations skills and running the show. Thanks you Gino Lanelly for his fine timekeeping. I am sure if he had extended the time, all would have been very pleased and let him know. Last but not least, thanks Steve for the weighing in and assistance from Andy W8 on the scoring, he didnt even need Indians help offering all external appendages to assist in counting his weights

We look forward and move onto the next League match which is back at Grange Park August 30th on the prolific Heron Lake. Alan has given us the full lake for booking 20 pegs so loads of room for Big Bash members and some guests.  Please be in touch to book on to help match admin.

Big Bash Wrinklies have a fully subscribed small knock up on Wednesday August 27th Lindholme Laurels Oasis side. Details on Forum.

Please add your match comments , what worked, what didn't on forum for future reference.