Match Report

The main canal was absolutely clear so we moved up to the basin, even the section above the bypass bridge was fairly clear and as we had twelve competing we had to put some pegs in this area. The weather was awful with probably some of the strongest winds and heaviest rain that I have fished in for a while.

Dave and Sandy from Portsmouth didn’t bother with brolleys and must have got soaked. Alan from Portsmouth also decided to use his brolley as a boat, he was on the end peg down the canal stretch and his brolley was blown all the way to the basin and was heading for the roadside when it tipped up and almost disappeared, about 6 inches of the pole remain above water and it sat there for the rest of the match. We did offer to hold his shoes while he waded out to get it but he decided it should stay there!

Vince was drawn in the basin just to the canal side of the steps and fished the waggler with red maggot about half way across. He started off really well with half a dozen skimmers but then the fishing slowed and the skimmers would come back and then move away again. In between times he did pick up a few roach and rudd and then 3 or 4 skimmers whenever they came back. His total of 9 – 5 – 0 was however enough for first place.

Steve was drawn to Vince’s right virtually on the corner of the basin / canal and fished the waggler about a third of the way across and alternated between single and double pinky, starting off with a few roach and then picking up the odd skimmer with a couple of the better ones he had a total of 8 – 6 – 8 for 2nd place.

Tim Coombs from Portsmouth was in the canal section just above the pontoon and he decided to fish the pole down the middle, which given the wind must have been quite a feat. He put together a good mixed bag totaling 8 – 3 – 0 for third place.

After 2 legs of the canal series Steve is in front on 19 points with Vince and Rab equal 2nd with 16 points.

Vince with his net of Skimmers and Roach.	Steve, 2nd on the day but still 1st overall.