Summerhayes – Open – 23rd November 2025
It was back to Summerhayes the following day but on Longs this time and after my drawing arm had misbehaved yesterday, I was hoping it would buck its ideas up for this one. My name was near the top of …
It was back to Summerhayes the following day but on Longs this time and after my drawing arm had misbehaved yesterday, I was hoping it would buck its ideas up for this one. My name was near the top of …
Saturday it was a silvers match on Sellicks which had just received an injection of quality roach and skimmers from Big 8. I was really looking forward to it even though a few had fished it mid-week with just one …
Talking to Russ after yesterdays match he said I’d probably draw 39 today (as it seems to be a recurring theme that I end up on pegs soon after he’s fished them) and I was hoping that wouldn’t be the …
I say it every year but this is one of my favourite matches that I’d love to win although my record in it is quite frankly, pants! 19 anglers fishing today and when Pete announced the draw, he called up …
So far this year, my fishing has probably been more varied and challenging than ever before and although I’ve struggled I’ve also really enjoyed doing some different things. However, it has also made me realise my own limitations, to be consistently successful these days, realistically you have to concentrate on a few venues or a couple of methods because it’s no coincidence …
After re-visiting the Viaduct for the first time in years last weekend, I’d booked into another Stoke match, this time at Thorney Lakes. I have pleasure fished it a long time ago, with Arf if I remember correctly and we caught a few fish, mainly roach and the odd crucian carp. I’d seen some recent photos and captures on Facebook of decent …
I’ve known the lovely Steve Chant for longer than either of us care to remember and our paths have crossed on a regular basis during that time, fishing with Ilminster, Chard and Stoke clubs and also at places like Bearley and Covey lakes. After taking voluntary redundancy last year he decided to set up the Somerset Rig Company to tie hooklengths and …
I reviewed Fishing and Testicles by Billy Makin back in 2017, it’s a very funny read and you can see what I thought of it here, I mentioned in that review that I would love it if he ever wrote his autobiography so when I saw that he’d published The Golden Years: Match Fishing Memories, my prayers were finally answered! The book …
Another Bank Holiday means another match at Summerhayes and what a difference compared to the last one when the weather was bloody awful and the carnage caused by the wind resulted in Captain Morgan’s pole ending up in the pond and he had to launch the boat to retrieve it. The thirty or so minutes that followed were possibly the funniest I …
I booked into the Stoke match at the Viaduct and looking through the blog, I haven’t fished it since 2013! It was on Campbell which has been producing some cracking weights of silvers so hopefully we’d be in for a good day. Drew very kindly agreed to let us have breakfast at the bowling club and it was bloody fantastic, after we’d …
I’m pleased and excited to announce I’ve secured sole land based distribution for Makin books including his brand new title, ‘The Golden Years – Match Fishing Memories’ which is out NOW. Get your copy HERE. I reviewed Fishing and Testicles a few years ago and suffice to say it’s very funny, check out my review – here. You can also buy a …
I fished this event for the first time last year and although I enjoyed doing something a bit different and didn’t disgrace myself, I was a long way off qualifying and my lack of experience at Todber and catching big weights of carp really showed. Being realistic, the chances of me qualifying for the final are very slim unless I draw an …
For round two, we were a few down with several anglers fishing another Stoke charity match so it was down to me and my glamourous assistant, Fieldy, to arrange this one. Some really good news was that the bowling club was open again so we could go and sit down and have a proper breakfast. It was fantastic to be back and …
I haven’t done a ‘Random Ramblings’ for a while but two recent events got me thinking, the first was the latest Guru Podcast with Will Raison which was an absolutely brilliant watch/listen. I think this is the seventh one they’ve done and I’ve had a look at them all, if I’m honest, in my opinion some have been better than others and …