Rd-14-2025-Summer League - 11th October Springvale - Newcastle Lake

[Leo Martin]

Big Bash Summer league round 14 Newcastle  Lake 11.10.2025

Depleted numbers once again entered Jaspers wheel of numbers for Friday night draw for various reasons. Exposed club finances had been reduced as Sue at Springvale had kindly allowed pegging to be reduced from 20 to 15 for which we are grateful however we could still only muster 11 to fish the match so it was a section of 6 and section of 5 which were to compete in the match. The lake numbers were 1 to 15 which are on the far banking. The lake was also shared with 2 other clubs so it was a fairly busy lake.

A cool Friday night with temperatures as low as 6.5 degrees as the weather transitions from our lovely summer to Autumn and what lies ahead. Loads of acorns and berries line the trees and hedges, could there be a cold winter coming? Driving over the Trent at Dunham bridge the mist was rising from the waters surface. Brings back childhood memories of wading in the warm Trent waters and trotting a stick float as the cold frost lined banks alongside the river meant the power station warmed Trent was warmer in it than out of it. Happy days.

Arriving at 8am to beat the fishery gatehouse queue, and I find most of our club already setting up bankside, all our early birds included John Lanelly who had took the early morning start and drive from his week at Docklow where he had been fishing their festival. I understand Richard Cooke also had an early starting drive home but is going straight and rehab with all the sharp objects removed from his home following another testing week down there.

Newcastle, one of the favoured lakes ( if there is one) at Springvale however today was to be a case of feast or famine. The ever present Ide were not to feed with very few silvers caught along the whole lake which is the first time I can remember this happening here. Anyhow not to detract from those who did catch and they had a good day although they also had a few periods of time where the fish went "missing".

Pegged 1 to 15 I will start the results from the bottom end this week for a change. Previous results normally favour the higher numbers so it had been pegged whit spare pegs in the lower numbers.

Section 2

Peg 15 Joe (end peg) Martin who whilst not in his usual corner was to draw the end peg and 5 empty ones alongside. This man can draw. Joe was to use various tactics and lines to catch 107-15. I think he said dead reds were his best bait as he continues to regularly feature in the results. Well done on your section win.

Peg 14 John Lanelly 73-8 and second in section. All fish except 2 off a method chuck to island fishery micros and 5mm wafter. Nice to see John rewarded with some fish following his long drive from Docklow to attend the match. Good reward as well after another hard week at Docklow, Well done mate and thanks for attending our match.

Peg 13 John Utting 28-14 and fair to say John struggled for bites and fish. His frustrating day was however entertained from a little match within a match with Scott on 11. Despite being 2 pegs away, they spent all the match engaged in banter and wind ups.

Peg 11 Scott Barker 37-4 and the valuable section point off Mr Utting next door. The danced celebratory jig following his weight beating John next door was something else. I bet he cold throw some shapes on the dance floor in his younger days. 

Peg 10 Steve Guy 25-8 and another angler who struggled for bites. Steve loves this venue because of its "busy fishing" and the illusive Ide would not have helps his day or reflect in his finished weight.

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Section 1
Peg 8 Jasper 65-11 was his return. Mostly on his beloved rods, one or two bites then nothing. Chuck out feeder a couple of times to deposit 2 loads of bait, cast over top  and get a bite, then move on. Speant all the match working chasing bites and fish.

Peg 7 Tracey Benson 87-1. I think Tracey spent all match on long pole line fishing hard pellet to amass his weight which again was primarily carp. Tracey who has been cleaning up the match results from Steve Gregorys Beehive lakes of late bringing his pole skills to the fore with a second in section and completing with the rod approach of his neighbours here at Springvale.

Peg 5 Steve Curtus 105-11and once again a section win. Peg 5 with a gap between the islands in front must have fancied his chances for his favoured method approach. Set off well however a few long biteless gaps in the match cost Steve the weight he required. Late on he did try paste for a couple of silvers but soon dropped back on the rods for a late run of carp.

Peg 4 Andy Waite 69-4. Again rods to the island approach was where Andy started and he was able to top up his net regularly. Then they went. Andy went on long pole with maggots to try a shallow approach and managed a few before they went again. Rods then pole then rods. He was struggling to  put a good run together and settled and ended his match on long pole with pellet at dead depth and having to wait for a bite. More frustration however for foul hooked fish  also trying to land fighting carp on  light elastic which was to coast him.

Peg 2 Leo Martin 15-9 and the booby prize. Sruggled and frustration bites is an understatement. Previous experience at this  end the feeder to island has not worked so I went onto pole line and maggot approach to kick off. 15 minutes in, not bites for Leo and Kev next door had 3, Andy W8 has 2 and Fishfinder also had 2 so pole went away and rod came out. Back on pole at 11.00 as not bites on my rod at all. Couple of decent Ide and then a few skimmers and nothing else so back on rods. Spent all match swapping and changing lines and baits and first wrap round and carp came in off rod at 2:45, then again nothing. Long day at the office however we move on to the next one with a smile again. That's fishing and not catching fish.

Peg 1 Kevin "Indian" Webster 124-8 Match win and signing off his summer season in style. Chucking across to the point of island and along end of island he was into a decent carp on his first chuck, and second and third. He spent an hour and half on this line before going onto his pole line and a maggot approach. Whilst I caught Ide and skimmers Kev caught some more carp. When the bailiff came around for his line and bait checks he suggested Kev chuck to reeds at end of lake and Kevin never looked back. Fish after fish came into his net, good fish. He did suffer the dreaded bite less extra net being added in scenario twice however only for 15 or 20 minutes or so then the bites returned. He also had to move along the reeds towards the aerator as well to keep the fish coming and his journey towards the match win. Well done and yes, I have a stiff neck this morning from watching you all day. It must be mentioned that he was helped out as he ran out of micros and Steve Curtis came to his rescue as he gave some of his. A great gesture from someone looking for section points well done Steve.

The close pegging of Newcastle gave way to some great banter this end of the pond from Steve down to Kev. We were entertained by Andy who gave us a good lesson on how to catch the overhanging weeds time after time. Best line of the day was to Andy, "Every time I get it to land in that spot the tip goes straight round". "Yes its called the water not the island".

So, a strange day at Springvale and I cannot remember when at least the Ide have not fed. It wasn't just us either as the match opposite (who were not shy of banter as well) also were commenting on lack of bites. It may have been the cool night, may have been the flat calm mirror water surface as we know Ide like ripple. Anyhow some caught and some struggled, thats life. Our match winner came off an unfancied peg, a good summer peg were his words. Well done mate and enjoy your jollies.

Our next match is in a couple of week's time and it is the last of the summer league. Lindholme and Laurels is the lake and the match will be followed by the AGM, please book and pay on to help admin. Also please add AGM comments on the forum (especially if you cannot attend) as we have some major issues to attend to.

Winter league membership also due and first match to pay onto please using my paypal account. Please be in touch if wanting to join the fun of sitting in the cold , wet, rainy winter season ahead.