Summerhayes – Open – 1st January 2026
Summerhayes was the destination for my first match of 2026 and after a hard frost there was quite a bit of ice on Sellicks. With only eight of us fishing Pete said we could have a rover and choose where …
Summerhayes – Open – 1st October 2023
Sunday it was back to Summerhayes but on Longs this time, Nick and me had a lovely brekkie at the bowling club (thanks Charlotte) which set us up for the day (unlike yesterdays effort!). 17 fishing and the golden peg today was number 26, I got called up to draw and only pulled out the bonus ball again! It’s towards the bottom …
Summerhayes – Silvers Open – 30th September 2023
A double header at Summerhayes this weekend, starting with a silvers open on Sellicks. Nick and me stopped at the new McDonalds in Ilminster for breakfast which wasn’t great and didn’t really fill me up! Quite a busy car park again with 14 anglers fishing this one which is a decent number for Sellicks. Pete got the draw underway and when it …
Stathe Drain – Dave’s Match Cup – 24th September 2023
I’d really enjoyed fishing this match for the first time last year and managed a third place thanks to a late bonus tench (you can read that match report here). Dan Baldwin was the first name on the trophy with a lovely net of hemp roach weighing 16lb 14oz, so who would be next? The day started off well with a nice …
Acorn Fishery – Open – 23rd September 2023
On Saturday I was back at Acorn for the latest of Chris Fox’s matches, my last visit was six weeks ago but I’d been keeping an eye on the results and peg 40 has been the one to draw for silvers. After breakfast, Nick and me were at the fishery in good time to get some bait along with bits and bobs …
River Parrett – J. Irish Trophy – 17th September 2023
On Sunday we were back on the Parrett for the J. Irish trophy which was also the culmination of the Memorial Shield (six river matches with the best five results to count). This was my fourth year fishing it and since finishing second to Bob Newbury three years ago, I’ve been in the mix right up until the penultimate rounds when my …
Dorset Stour – Air Ambulance Open – 16th September 2023
One of my favourite matches of the year, I always look forward to this one, after meeting Nick we made good time and were soon arriving at the pub for breakfast followed by the draw. There was a great turnout of 60+ including lots of familiar faces including Steve Maynard who was on his way back to Cornwall after fishing the festival …
Coombe Farm – IAA Summer League 6 – 10th September 2023
Sunday we were at Coombe for the final round of the IAA Summer League (very kindly sponsored by the SPAR, Ilminster). After five matches, there were only two anglers in with a shout of winning it, Norts and Bagger Burton. If Chris won his section again, he couldn’t be caught but if he finished second and Ian won his three peg section, …
Summerhayes – Silvers Open – 9th September 2023
The forecast was for another scorching Saturday Silvers Open on Sellicks at Summerhayes! I met Nick and Jenny for breakfast and it was really disappointing so not the best of starts to the day. Only eight of us fishing today so we’d have lots of room, as Pete went to draw the golden ball, I predicted peg 17 and that was the …
River Parrett – Axminster Cup – 3rd September 2023
Only one outing this week, the penultimate match in Stoke AA’s summer river series at Parrett Works. The Breakfast Club were well looked after by Charlotte before we headed to Martock for the draw. I decided to delve in the bucket early this time and peg 5 was the result, it wouldn’t have been my first choice but it’s normally a fairly …
Jurassic Mountain, Thailand – August 2023
I haven’t been to Thailand (or had a holiday) since 2018 due to the pandemic and losing my dad so a break was well overdue and much needed. Since my love affair with the Land Of Smiles began in 2010 I’ve visited several fisheries all over this beautiful country but one I hadn’t been to yet was Jurassic Mountain near Cha Am. …