October matches continued to disappoint with few carp being landed

A chilly October day for Match 3

Only four members drew Station Road swims. There was a distinct chill in the air and overcast conditions prevailed. A northerly wind increased soon after the match began at 8 am. The sun broke through at 11 am to warm the competitors for about 30 minutes before retiring behind the low, grey cloud. It was more late November than Indian Summer October.

As seems to be the current trend at the Pond, sport proved to be slow. The total weight landed was a meagre 20 lbs 8 oz., giving an average of 5 lbs 2 oz per competitor. Float fished maggot or bread punch caught fish, whereas feeder tactics were unprofitable for most. However, Andy Weavil used bomb and various hook baits to encourage a bite. Despite being in shadow on swim 13 for all the match and 'shrammed', he did hook a carp almost at the last whistle. He recorded a total weight of 6 lbs 3 oz. for second place.

"Prof." Moriarty on swim 17 caught bits with the odd good roach or skimmer to 4 ounces or so. He fished whip style, having no success with the feeder, and weighed in 6 lbs 13 oz, ensuring first place. Steve Edge on swim 15 landed 4 lbs 8 oz of small roach, the odd rudd and 2 small perch for third. He was waggler fishing at mid distance as feeder fishing was uneventful. Chris Shepherd fished against himself in the Associate Cup to weigh in 3 lbs of silvers. He fished at distance on the waggler from swim 14 to catch most of his net although the odd fish was landed using micro feeder tactics.

Sadly, a cold, dispiriting match.

High hopes for Match 4 but few fish showed

A mild night preceded this match and there were high hopes of some good weights. The forecast was for sun and a calm day. Five members drew swims and it was agreed to fish in the warm, so only north bank swims were used.

Chris Shepherd again fished solo for the Associate Cup amassing 4 lbs 10 oz of silvers from swim 9. He didn't see any carp show but was warmed by the bright sun. Swim 1 started well with a carp first chuck but then no action until the last hour when Roger Pilling landed three more. By then Roger had been in full sun for 4 hours and was melting. He weighed in 9 lbs 5 oz for first place.

Andy Weavil on swim 3 had high hopes for carp, but sadly not one caught. In fact, despairingly for him, no bites all morning. He did not weigh in....but was very warm. Swim 4 saw Steve Edge land nothing from the feeder but 2 lbs 11 oz of bits when switching to float tactics. "Prof" Moriarty mirrored the action but from swim 6. He had nothing on the feeder or bomb but 2 lbs 8 oz using his short pole/whip style.

Another disappointing match with just 19lbs 2 oz weighed in. We expected more carp to show as the weather had been warm during the week.

December & January activities

The 2018-19 Match Calendar is up on the website and a copy can be downloaded for reference.

Joining the Club

If you are interested in joining the club please contact our membership secretary Cathy Naylor on 07934-895513 for an application form. Alternatively, applications can be made by downloading a membership form from the website and sending, with an SAE, to our membership secretary (details above and on the web site). The membership year runs from mid-June.

Membership is open to anyone who lives in Bishops Waltham, plus a number of Associate membership places (for those living outside the Parish). Priority is given to Parish membership (especially juniors), but anyone living outside of the Parish wishing to join should contact Cathy for an Associate Membership place.

Club web site

For more information about the club and its activities, the club's web site can be found at: www.bwpfc.org.uk

Steve Edge and Barry Jerome