Hard day on the banks

Have you ever heard the saying “A bad days fishing beats a good days working”?
With this in mind Roger headed to work on Tuesday 27th December feeling disgruntled while Stuart headed to Sherwood Forest Farm Park Fisheries.
Stuart was accompanied by his son Nile, Rogers’s son Robert, young Tommy Davenport, Wayne Brunt and his son Thomas.
All the youngsters were in a high state of anticipation and couldn’t wait to try out the new tackle that Santa had brought them despite the cold conditions and the promise of snowstorms.
Many days of cold weather meant the water temperature was well down and a quick survey of the fisheries showed a lot of the waters were frozen over so they decided to fish the Langton Channel after consulting with co-owner Brian.
With such weather conditions the fishing was always going to be challenging, but they managed to put 29 chublets, small skimmers, roach and perch in their landing nets using pole fished maggot.
Wistfully looking out of the office window 20 miles away Roger was wishing he was sat on the bank.
However, that soon changed when the snow started to fall driven by a biting north-easterly wind.
But it says something about the mentality of anglers that instead of packing up, this intrepid bunch continued fishing throughout the day in conditions that only be described as positively arctic.
When Roger turned up at 3.30pm to help pack up after a leisurely day in a warm comfortable environment he was confronted by a group that looked like half a dozen yeti like figures, but that is what winter fishing is all about.

CLUB RESULTS
Greyhound AC were at Lodge Farm to fish their first match of the year on Monday 2nd January where they fished the Lily Pond.
Tracy Dickinson was top rod on the day with a weight of 19lb 1oz using the groundbait feeder with a pinkie hookbait from peg 80.
Arthur Bird claimed second position with 5lb 14oz taken on the ground bait feeder with maggot hook bait from peg 99 and Andy Brooks made up the frame with 4lb 4oz using the same method as Arthur from peg 96.

Lakeside round-up
Club Triana fished the Match Lake on Tuesday during the snowstorms but this did not deter Mick Shanks from putting a winning weight of 14lb of skimmers on the scales off peg 38 using pole fished maggot.
The aptly named Terry Winter claimed the runners up position in a tight match with 13lb 15oz off peg 31 with Steve Thompson taking third place with 12lb 10oz off peg 36.
The following day D. J. Angling Centre of Barnsley held their match and despite the motor boat smashing the ice before fishing commenced, the waters froze over again during the course of the match.
Andy Barker managed a respectable winning weight of 21lb 6oz off peg 13 using the groundbait feeder and Dave Lang claimed second place with 18lb 2oz with Dave Lakin third with 16lb 13oz.
On the Strip Lake Rowley Hill of Worksop landed 17 carp to 6lb and also goldfish using pole fished corn.
While over on the trout lake ‘Skip’ from Barnsley landed 30 trout on pink buzzer with J. Hall of Worksop having an excellent day on the 23rd December landing 21 fish using segmented bloodworm.

DAIWA HALLCROFT ROUND-UP
Daiwa Hallcroft Tournament League
Friday (23rd December) – Croft (22 Pegs). 1. P. Bagshaw (Maver Barnsley) 39lb 10oz, peg 7; 2. N. Speed (Merlin Baits) 35lb 8oz, peg 21; 3. S. Gray (Hallcroft) 29lb 14oz, peg 19; 4. K. Pacey (Crooked Billet) 24lb 0oz.
Saturday – Bridge/Reed (47 Pegs). 1. J. Masson (Maver BCUK) 59lb 15oz, peg 6 Reed; 2. M. Brumpton (Sun Inn, Tuxford) 48lb 2oz, peg 52 Outer; 3. G. Lilley (Leegem) 35lb 12oz, peg 16 Outer; 4. A. Kinder (Maver) 34lb 8oz.
Monday – Boxing Day Pairs, Moat Outer (28 pegs). 1. D. Nuttall (PAC) 62lb 12oz, peg 23; 2. J. Skipper (Crooked Billet) 48lb 2oz, peg 25; 3. N. Vernon (Crooked Billet) 29lb 1oz; 4. G. Hopwood (Hemsworth) 20lb 12oz.
Wednesday – Moat Outer (21 Pegs). 1. S. Richards (Peg One) 46lb 10oz, peg 98; 2. G. Hopwood (Hemsworth) 38lb 12oz, peg 16; 3. A. Tait (Hallcroft) 36lb 10oz, peg 13; 4. N. Vernon (Crooked Billet) 27lb 8oz.
Saturday – Moat Outer (40 pegs). 1. J. Thomas (Peg One) 55lb 0oz, peg 16; 2. G. Smith (Hemmingfield PO) 23lb 4oz, peg 103; 3. G. Needham (Bircotes, peg 11), N. Speed (Merlin Baits, peg 98) and G. Hiley (Hallcroft, peg 29) all 7lb 14oz.

Lodge farm round-up
Vale AC of Bolsover fished Lily Pond last Monday where Garry Hazlewood pole fished pellet on peg 66 to amass a respectable winning weight of 43lb 1oz.
On peg 52 venue regular Kev Dack fished the mag and wag method to put 39lb 13oz on the scales for second place with Derek Meeds weighing 32lb 4oz for third place off peg 56 using the maggot feeder.
Bill informs us that during colder days on the carp lakes the fish are generally at full depth but on milder days they are responding to light and regular feeding to bring them up in the water.
He also tells us that on the Top Pond the skimmers are still being caught in the deeper water but the roach and rudd can be taken at half depth with an ‘on the drop’ rig while constantly feeding lightly.

Through the grapevine
With the coast producing good catches of cod and whiting, the scene is set for the British Beach Open that will be fished on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February from Bridlington to Spurn Point.
This year there is a massive £20,000 in prize money on offer with £1,800 for the biggest fish caught on each day plus an additional £1,800 for the overall winner, giving a potential of £5,200 to one lucky angler.
There are a large number of other cash prizes on offer including biggest flat fish, biggest other fish (normally a stray bass), junior and ladies prizes.
Ticket prices are £10 per day when pre-booked or £13 per day when paying on the day.
Tickets are available from most coastal tackle shops or from Paul Rogerman, County Hall, Beverly, HU17 9BA.
Cheques should be made payable to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council with the competitor names and addresses on the reverse. Please do not send cash.
For additional information contact Paul Roggeman on 01482 391668 or email paul.roggeman@eastriding.gov.uk
Our area has a proud tradition in this event having produced overall winner, ladies individual, junior winner and runner up all in the last few years.

Roger Green informs us that predator specialist Roy Coupe had a brace of pike in the doubles from Woodsetts over the holiday period.
The first, a pike weighing in at 11lb 8oz, fell to sprat while the second, an old esox of 25lb, was taken on half mackerel.
Roger also had a pike of 13lb on paternostered deadbait at Woodsetts. Well done lads!

Mick at Sherwood Forest Farm Park Fishery has asked us to let you know that there will be a pairs series which starts on Sunday 26th March and runs for 10 consecutive Sundays until May 28th.
Entry is £50 per pair and £20 each for the first six matches with the last four free. The draw is at the cabin at 9am fish 10.30–3.30pm.
With the best seven individual match points counting it is limited to 20 pairs only and you must fish at least seven matches.
The winning top three pairs all win a trip to White Acres, Cornwall to fish the Maver Festival starting 30th September. For further details contact Mick or Brian on 07721 316334.

The Worksop Disabled Anglers are holding a meeting on Thursday 19th January at Manton Miners Welfare, starting at 7pm, where the subs will be taken for the 2006 season.

Worksop United AGM is to take place on Monday 9th January at the Horseshoe (formerly known as the Flamingo) starting at 7.30pm. All members to attend.