Against Men and Fish

After a mild week all the signs looked good for this match although there was a rather keen chilly wind. I drew the second bend above Redbridge, a swim I’d never fished before but Justin had caught three chub and lost one the last time it was fished. Also in the same section was my nemesis Janders who I really needed to …

I woke up to be confronted by the heaviest frost of the year so far and coupled with the river being low and clear all the signs were for a hard match. At the draw the turnout for Ilminster AA’s Open was poor with only twelve hardy souls awaiting their fate for five and a half hours. Before the draw I said …

In a complete turnaround from last week, this week was going to be bright and mild after a frosty start. Would the fishing be better for me too? At the draw everybody wanted to get Isle Brewers and nobody wanted peg 17 and how I laughed when my nemesis Janders drew it! Martin Heard drew cock on with peg 125 at Isle …

The forecast was atrocious for round six with very strong winds and heavy rain predicted. I was praying for a good peg and pulled out 124 at Isle Brewers, a good peg which has won a couple of matches. The trouble is you are perched on a high bank and exposed, I also had Martin Heard in my section who is hot …

Everything looked in place for a good match on the river this week, the weather was gorgeous and with no rain the river was in perfect nick. The anglers were split into two sections per usual and this week the sections were at South Bradon and Redbridge, the latter section hadn’t been fished for a while and was expected to be hard …

After another week of rain I was convinced we wouldn’t be on the river but apparently the river was up and coloured but fishable. I really wanted to draw Isle Brewers but pulled peg 14 (the tank traps) out of the hat. I wasn’t too upset as I normally do well off this peg, I also had the scales but only had …

After the Xmas break I couldn’t wait to get back on the river and some much needed rain promised to put some colour in the river. Even a frost couldn’t put a dent in my hopes. Eight pairs had signed up for this one and my partner was club chairman, Pete Lonton. My usual partner Justin (or should that be Judas?) was …

The day started in the worst possible way when I received a phone call from Robin Cox to say that Barney Crockett had passed away this morning. Robin was going to cancel the match but after speaking to the family they said he would have wanted us to fish. Before I tell you about the match I must just say a few …