Today finally saw the final round of Stalbridge Angling's Winter league on the River Stour at Kings Mill. I didn't think it would be on as I had heard last night that nearby Sturminster Newton had changed venues from their stretch of the Stour to Park Lake at Todber Manor.
When I arrived I was told it was going ahead and that the platforms were underwater but only by half a foot. I unpacked my gear and loaded up my trolley thinking to myself that I just need to keep doing what I have been doing in the past. Draw time and I'm second in the bowl. I was praying not to get peg 8 (the point) and peg 6 as these have been throwing up awful weights this season and it was just my luck to pull out Peg 6! I could have cried but I stayed positive as conditions were different to past matches etc.
I sent up my box clear of the water and prepared my ground bait, Sonubaits Supercrumb River (my best friend this winter), and left it to stand. Other bait consisted of Maggot, Worm and Pinkies plus a tin of Hemp. Rigs on the day Tipo in 1.5g and 3.0g. 1.5g rig consisted of the float, 1.5g olivette and 2 number 10 droppers to 2lb Power Micron mainline and 1lb Power Micron hook length and 20 Super Match hook and a solid 4 elastic. The 3.0g was exactly the same only and 18 hook and solid 6 elastic.
5 minutes before the all in I was sitting top of the pile in the league and I knew if I framed and come above second I would win the league. I had a cup of coffee and sat on the bank and went through the match in my head before making up 3 balls of ground bait ready for the all in.
I started off really well catching Roach and an odd Perch quickly before bites started slowing up. I started struggling from then on and could only catch Minnows! I topped up with 2 balls of ground bait and went over with single pinkie but to no reward.
I had an hour and a half without a bite and I didn't know what to do. I was fishing lite, fed few maggots little and often but couldn't get a bite. The out of nowhere the float went under and I landed a Perch to 12oz. After that I didn't have a touch for the rest of the match.
Looking to my right peg 5 had caught 2 Perch of around 2lb so I knew I was in trouble. 45 bite less minutes later the all out was called. The form of Peg 6 kept up its run of poor weights with me weighing in 2lb 3oz for 5th overall.
I packed up my gear and started praying that 2nd had a bad day too. Back at the cars and the results on the day were not what I need with 2nd and 3rd behind in the table framing. The league results were then read out in reverse order and I had my fingers tightly crossed. 2nd place was myself with Rich Fripp pinching the league with 3rd on the day. He had narrowly beaten me to the title by 4 points!
I was gutted not to win the league but at the same time very pleased with how I fished and my 2nd place spot. I feel I have come along way in the past year and now my results are really starting to show this, I couldn't be happier :)
With the season fast approaching an end I feel that this one has definitely been my best by far. I've fished a great Club Winter League and done very well in the Dorset Shield. I have won another trophy and finished League Runner Up. Bring on nest season!
So now I have a 2 week break before I start a long 15 match league with customers from work that starts on March the 15th.I have the week leading up to this off work so I can fully prepare my new gear that I have ordered from my sponsors. Plenty of rig and hook length tying will be done as well as an elastic check etc etc. I'm looking forward to this league as confidence is high and my new gear will here which I have confidence in using so all that will help me get the results I need to do well.
Next Up: League Match at Summerhayes Fishery on Cellicks March 15th 2015
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