Fourth of five Winter matches and today it was slightly more like Winter with a frosty nip in the air and a temperature of just two degree's which warmed up throughout the day to a massive six degree's. We did however have wall to wall sunshine throughout the day which was very pleasant.
Getting a consistent turn out this Winter league as yet again we get eighteen anglers making the trip to Staffordshire for this match.
Thanks to all at Heronbrook as we had the pool to ourselves and was able to peg the whole pool which was great and a first this season.
First job of the day was to have breakfast in the cafe which opened for food at 8.00am and it was like a Leman's start as soon as it opened, but hey, we are all healthy boy's (and girl), so after the breakfast experience Alan and James checked the pool out, got the peg numbers off the bailiff and we were ready to draw.
Golden Peg today was drawn by Neil Davies and everyone thought there was a good chance of it going, but for the 'curse of the Golden Peg', which raised it's head yet again and at the all-out, condemned Neil into a creditable fourth position.
All anglers caught today and as is usual bait varied depending on where you were. Our eventual winner Mark caught most if not all of his haul on dead red maggot, while others succeeded on pellet, Caster, Maggot and Worm.

After the first hour a slight breeze picked up which caused some members grief as holding the pole at length and getting presentation right proved a little difficult. John Bryan on peg one was one unlucky angler as he destroyed a top two when he snagged a tree and a gust of wind took his pole at the same time and the unstoppable movement smashed his top two in four places.
Others faired better, particularly those who were in more sheltered positions.
The match of course was the usual five hour duration and fishing took place between 10.00am - 3.00pm.
The all-out duly sounded and the weigh-in completed. The results you can see for yourselves below, well done everyone and of course our top three of Mark, Neil P and Frank who were our top three today. To top it all Mark also caught biggest fish so far this season with a 10lb 8oz Common Carp, we will have to wait and see how long it lasts, surely we will beat that between now and next September??
The final match concluding this season's Winter league is at Meadow View in four weeks time on the 7th December at Meadow View and this is also our 'fur & feather' match, so we can all those fishing if they choose, can look forward to a nice carvery at the Walton Arms pub.
On that note, it's goodbye from us, hope to see you at Meadow View for the final match and a result which will cement the places in this year's Winter League which are still up for grabs, so can't wait!

That's it for now, see you on a match soon...

......Tightlines.....