River Isle – IAA Winter League 1 – 20th November 2022
I always look forward to our winter league on the Isle, round 1 was cancelled due to low flows and leading up to this match, we had torrential rain and I was sure we’d be on the pond today but by Saturday the river was nearly back to normal levels. We all met at the bowling club and were well looked after …
Summerhayes – Champion of Champions Silvers Final – 19th November 2022
Another of those matches I would dearly love to win but to date, fifth is my best result from the first time I qualified in 2017. Waking up to a hard frost was a bit of a rude awakening and the drop in temperature wouldn’t be doing us any favours today. I met Zooner for breakfast in the truck stop (when I …
Hebditch’s Pond – Ruthie’s Cup – 16th November 2022
It was the third and final match for Ruthie’s Cup on Wednesday and I could get used to this fishing three times a week! We all met at Cartgate for breakfast which was good although there was some confusion with several of the orders! Then it was time for the draw and it was my turn in the middle section. Pegs 5 …
Summerhayes – Open – 13th November 2022
It was back to Summerhayes on Sunday with the match on Sellicks this time. We had a cracking breakfast at the bowling club again (thanks Charlotte) before heading to Bridgwater. Twelve anglers fishing today which is a good number for Sellicks. Nick gave Pete a hand to do the draw and first up was the golden peg which was number 9. I …
Summerhayes – Charlie Barnes Memorial Match – 12th November 2022
One of my favourite matches of the year and one I managed to win for the first time last year so I would be trying my hardest to defend my title. The final IAA Summer League match at Coombe was also rescheduled for the same day which was a bit gutting as I was in with a good chance of a top …
Trinity Waters – 6th November 2022
The next Stoke match was at Trinity Waters and it was also the final match to decide the Club Championship and Rosebowl competitions. On paper I was lying in second place in both but realistically with dropping the worst results, I was way behind and the only chance I had of winning either was if the leaders blanked, fell in or both! …
Ilminster Angling Association – The Chub Cup
The last of the clubs ‘species’ trophies is the Chub Cup but I couldn’t actually find the trophy itself! It’s awarded for the best weight of chub during the river series. I managed to put together a list of most of the winners from various paperwork and AGM minutes. 1976-77 – P Austin – 10lb 6oz 1977-78 – G. Bulgin – 9.5oz …
Summerhayes – Open – 30th October 2022
With the match on the Isle called off, we booked into the open at Summerhayes. 21 anglers were fishing this one so a decent size match. While we waited for the draw, Parker ‘The Pole’ modelled his posh new set of waterproofs. As always, Pete pulled out the golden ball first and this week it was number 30, a good area. I …
Ilminster Angling Association – Aggregate Shield
The Aggregate Shield was for the highest combined weight from our river matches and was presented to the club by Mr R. A. Dyer. 1972-73 – T. Payne – 12lb 13oz 1973-74 – R. Payne – 17lb 2.5oz 1974-75 – R. Russell – 20lb 1975-76 – R. Russell – 15lb 7.5oz 1976-77 – R. Whatley – 28lb 15.5oz 1977-78 – D. Isaacs …
Ash Ponds – 23rd October 2022
The next Stoke match was at Ash Ponds which I’d only fished once before in the Xmas Fayre last year. We fished lakes 2 and 3 then with the latter being more prolific, Dan Squire had the top weight on the day with over 150lb from lake 3. I was on lake 2 and had a really enjoyable day catching carp and …