In July 2008, I decided to change my seatbox, I fancied the idea of the tray/modular type, so I could swap trays as dictated by venue. The Matchbox looked to be just what I was after, but with no local dealer I was reluctant to order online. After a phonecall to arrange it, I was on my way up the M5 to visit Matchbox, to see the boxes. As I arrived, the owner was setting off for a trade show and left me with Jane, who couldn't have been more helpful.
I had taken my boss box with me, to get a proper comparison and Jane put up with me disecting the matchbox (and kept me plied with coffee), trying all the accessories and trays, before deciding on my final options. She chucked in a couple of freebies and gave me a really good price. I then discovered that I hadn't brought a cheque book or enough cash and they couldn't take card payment. No problem, between us I paid using their PC, from my paypal into Janes own paypal account.
In November 2008, I wanted another tray, it was dispatched promptly and arrived safely.
I unfortunately lost one of the mud feet from my box on the way back from my last match. I rang Matchbox and whilst I was asking if they would supply just a mud foot (not shown seperately on-line), I also asked if I could have a mix/match of one of their standard trays. On the website they have a river winder assembly, which comprises trays for two sizes of rig, I wanted two trays of the 27mm rig size. They readily agreed to supply this, along with the mud foot, at a very good price including postage.
This phonecall was yesterday morning, this morning I received an email, telling me the package would arrive between 11.12 & 12.12, which it duly did. Well packaged, exactly as orderd, with the addition of a Matchbox cap. (Thanks Matchbox, my old ones are looking worse for wear).
I have the S range box and apart from 2 things, I can't fault it. 1st thing is the mud feet unscreww and they do work loose, although a dash of loctite or 10 mins with a drill and roll pins would sort it. 2nd point is if you buy one, I'd definitely recommend the side plate kit, even if you don't use the side footplate, fit the bars, it stiffens up the legs by a very noticeable amount. Although I now believe they come with the bars as standard.
In this day and age it's nice to receive good service, so thanks Matchbox.
Whilst on the subject of good service, I can't not mention Tony Rixon of Avon Angling, always helpful and willing to bring bait and supplies along to a match if I can't get into the shop - thanks Tony.
Showing posts with label Miscellaneous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miscellaneous. Show all posts
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Happy New Year
Well, the snow and ice have really hit the match calender, I've been fortunate enough to have spent some of December in Goa, basking in the sun (34°C), drinking Kingfisher and cocktails and filling my face with Goan seafood and curry. We even had three extra days holiday at Thomsons expense, as Gatwick was closed.
Anyway, Happy New Year to those of you that follow my inane ramblings, lets hope for plenty of success stories in 2011, I'm looking forwrd to April/May and the warmer weather already!!
Just a reminder, if anyone is interested, there is an open at Trinity Waters (Woodland Lake) on Friday 31st Dec 2010, 08.45 draw, fish 10-3, so plenty early enough to get home and start the New Year piss up. Ring me on 07973 790719 if you want to fish. (The forecast looks like we'll have had three days warmer weather by then)
Anyway, Happy New Year to those of you that follow my inane ramblings, lets hope for plenty of success stories in 2011, I'm looking forwrd to April/May and the warmer weather already!!
Just a reminder, if anyone is interested, there is an open at Trinity Waters (Woodland Lake) on Friday 31st Dec 2010, 08.45 draw, fish 10-3, so plenty early enough to get home and start the New Year piss up. Ring me on 07973 790719 if you want to fish. (The forecast looks like we'll have had three days warmer weather by then)
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Ramblings driven by boredom.
The operation on my wrist seems to have been a success, its still healing, but I did manage a few hours at Bullock Farm today - more of that later.
Wednesday 6th saw me able to drive, but with the stitches still in, not ready to fish, so I went and walked the match at Landsend, just to try and see what I'm doing wrong there. I learnt a few things watching Tony (Rixon) and Dean (Malin), but also saw others struggling as I have in the past - still not sure what the answer is, except to draw on a peg full of fish.
I have cleaned all my gear up, checked and changed as necessary all my topkit elastic, stripped all my rigs off and will retie some fresh ones, hooks are tied, tackle box has been emptied, cleaned and all items cleaned and returned to box. (Or binned, if I haven't used them in a coulpe of years.)
I use powerline and decided to get the micrometer out, its quite a revelation, the actual dia is way over the stated, I intend to try out some other lines for silvers/winter carp hook lengths, so mic'd up all the lines I had in the garage. This is how they came out.
Powerline:
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.05.......0.0584.....10oz
0.06.......0.0685.....12oz
0.07.......0.0889.....1.0
0.08.......0.106.....1.12
0.09.......0.116.....2.02
0.10.......0.127.....2.10
0.11.......0.142.....3.06
0.13.......0.162.....4.12
0.15.......0.180.....5.14
0.17.......0.205.....6.12
0.19.......0.231.....7.06
0.21.......0.256.....8.15
Ultima Silk
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.10.......0.104.....2.01
0.12.......0.127.....2.08
0.14.......0.152.....3.08
Middy Lo-viz
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.12.....0.132....3.2
0.14.....0.157....4.4
Browning Cenex
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.14.....0.139.....4.0
Daiwa Sensor
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.205.....0.205.....4.0
0.235.....0.231......6.0
Shimano Technium
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.26.....0.279.....8.0
Maxima
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.15.....0.157.....3.0
0.17.....0.203.....4.0
Told you I was bored.........
I've bought one of those Preston Monster Carryalls, that fold out and hold all rollers etc, it's certainly cut down on all the loose luggage, although it hasn't a side pocket for trays etc. Time will tell if it's a good buy. I've also ordered a set of Halkon Hunt Goretex waterproofs after getting wet at Viaduct a few weeks ago, thay won;t be with me until November, as they have pretty full order books.
Sunday saw me at Trinity Waters, Woodland lake, walking the Clevedon club match, It's painful to watch the method feeders going in, even more painful to see the fish being caught on them..... The Northerly wind made things tricky, that and a monster hangover for Paul Faiers. Dave Baker won with 98lb odd from peg 10ish, Kev Perry second from peg 23 with 60lb+ and a couple of high 50's made up the frame. At least the fish were caught up in the water and the margins later in the match, with the method chuckers failing to keep the fish coming.
Stitches came out Tuesday, so I thought it maybe best to pleasure fish Wednesday, I ventured to Bullock Farm today, it was pretty busy, but a new platform was just being finished on peg 24, so I jumped on that. Keeping it simple I had soft pellet, maggot and a tin of corn, I set up one rig, a MW slim on 0.13 powerline to a 0.12 Middy Lo-Viz hooklength and a 6313 size 18. (Thats my first time with the Lo-Viz and it seems OK, but I was using light elastic (doubled No5) so we'll see how it stands up on a couple more trips).
Fishing at a comfortable 11m, I had a double figure carp on the first put in with 4mm pellet - much to the annoyance of the rest of the anglers on the lake, who hadn't caught whilst I was tackling up....
What was nice to see, was the 25lb net of silvers I had was made up of 50% skimmers, up to 2½lb, these fell to red maggot, whilst the crucians and fantails would only take the 4mm pellet, a 6oz roach and a couple of goldfish completed the species.
I had several other carp up to 8lb and ended the day with around 65lb, not bad in 5 hours, stopping to rest my wrist and to rescue the No5 section of my pole, which fell off behind me. (For those that know peg 24, you ship back over the lake behind you.)
Worst bit is back to work Saturday, what with the operation and holidays, I have only worked one day since Sept 9th, its going to be a bit of a shock!!
Lastly, Paul and myself have decided to run the Kev Perry series again in 2011, see seperate post for details.
Wednesday 6th saw me able to drive, but with the stitches still in, not ready to fish, so I went and walked the match at Landsend, just to try and see what I'm doing wrong there. I learnt a few things watching Tony (Rixon) and Dean (Malin), but also saw others struggling as I have in the past - still not sure what the answer is, except to draw on a peg full of fish.
I have cleaned all my gear up, checked and changed as necessary all my topkit elastic, stripped all my rigs off and will retie some fresh ones, hooks are tied, tackle box has been emptied, cleaned and all items cleaned and returned to box. (Or binned, if I haven't used them in a coulpe of years.)
I use powerline and decided to get the micrometer out, its quite a revelation, the actual dia is way over the stated, I intend to try out some other lines for silvers/winter carp hook lengths, so mic'd up all the lines I had in the garage. This is how they came out.
Powerline:
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.05.......0.0584.....10oz
0.06.......0.0685.....12oz
0.07.......0.0889.....1.0
0.08.......0.106.....1.12
0.09.......0.116.....2.02
0.10.......0.127.....2.10
0.11.......0.142.....3.06
0.13.......0.162.....4.12
0.15.......0.180.....5.14
0.17.......0.205.....6.12
0.19.......0.231.....7.06
0.21.......0.256.....8.15
Ultima Silk
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.10.......0.104.....2.01
0.12.......0.127.....2.08
0.14.......0.152.....3.08
Middy Lo-viz
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.12.....0.132....3.2
0.14.....0.157....4.4
Browning Cenex
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.14.....0.139.....4.0
Daiwa Sensor
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.205.....0.205.....4.0
0.235.....0.231......6.0
Shimano Technium
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.26.....0.279.....8.0
Maxima
Stated.....Actual.....Stated BS(lbs)
0.15.....0.157.....3.0
0.17.....0.203.....4.0
Told you I was bored.........
I've bought one of those Preston Monster Carryalls, that fold out and hold all rollers etc, it's certainly cut down on all the loose luggage, although it hasn't a side pocket for trays etc. Time will tell if it's a good buy. I've also ordered a set of Halkon Hunt Goretex waterproofs after getting wet at Viaduct a few weeks ago, thay won;t be with me until November, as they have pretty full order books.
Sunday saw me at Trinity Waters, Woodland lake, walking the Clevedon club match, It's painful to watch the method feeders going in, even more painful to see the fish being caught on them..... The Northerly wind made things tricky, that and a monster hangover for Paul Faiers. Dave Baker won with 98lb odd from peg 10ish, Kev Perry second from peg 23 with 60lb+ and a couple of high 50's made up the frame. At least the fish were caught up in the water and the margins later in the match, with the method chuckers failing to keep the fish coming.
Stitches came out Tuesday, so I thought it maybe best to pleasure fish Wednesday, I ventured to Bullock Farm today, it was pretty busy, but a new platform was just being finished on peg 24, so I jumped on that. Keeping it simple I had soft pellet, maggot and a tin of corn, I set up one rig, a MW slim on 0.13 powerline to a 0.12 Middy Lo-Viz hooklength and a 6313 size 18. (Thats my first time with the Lo-Viz and it seems OK, but I was using light elastic (doubled No5) so we'll see how it stands up on a couple more trips).
Fishing at a comfortable 11m, I had a double figure carp on the first put in with 4mm pellet - much to the annoyance of the rest of the anglers on the lake, who hadn't caught whilst I was tackling up....
What was nice to see, was the 25lb net of silvers I had was made up of 50% skimmers, up to 2½lb, these fell to red maggot, whilst the crucians and fantails would only take the 4mm pellet, a 6oz roach and a couple of goldfish completed the species.
I had several other carp up to 8lb and ended the day with around 65lb, not bad in 5 hours, stopping to rest my wrist and to rescue the No5 section of my pole, which fell off behind me. (For those that know peg 24, you ship back over the lake behind you.)
Worst bit is back to work Saturday, what with the operation and holidays, I have only worked one day since Sept 9th, its going to be a bit of a shock!!
Lastly, Paul and myself have decided to run the Kev Perry series again in 2011, see seperate post for details.
Friday, 22 January 2010
On the bank at last
Just a quick thank you to those who have messaged or rung with condolences, special thanks to Kev Perry, who spent a long time on the phone one evening. Dads funeral was Tuesday the 19th, he was not a fisherman, but took me all over the Bristol Avon and Somerset area when I was a youngster. He was a bowler and held office with Somerset County and was very proud to be a a member of the Barbarians.
It was great to get back on the bank today, for the first time since 3rd Jan, I decided that Huntstrete would offer as good a chance as any, of catching a fish or two, so renewed my Bathampton ticket and bought a pint of maggots and a pint caster.
The forecast was for grey and overcast, but when I got up and took the dog for a walk, I was surprised to see the ice in the fields. Back home for a leisurely breakfast, couldn't see the point in rushing off after a night below freezing.
Arriving at Huntstrete, I could see that Bathampton have been busy, with trees being cut down around the complex. I could see the wind pushing across the main lake, so opted for a shelterd peg on Bridge Pool, No 20 is a lazy sods peg and well sheltered from the wind, so that was my choice.
I had some corn and pellet in the bait bag, but it was only along for the ride, as I fully intended that the pint caster was the main feed, with the maggot for hook bait and the odd offering in amongst the caster. The pole was to stay in the bag, the water was fairly clear, so I set up a 13' Normark Microlight, a TDR 2508 reel loaded with Xedion 0.14 line and a 2AAA crystal wagggler. hooklength was 0.07 (or 1lb) powerline attached to a No 24 swivel, with a 24 Gamma Green hook.
The water temp was 4°C, so I was fairly surprised to get a roach first put in. Peg 20 has a few variations in depth, as it is level wth the end of the island, the end of the island protrudes out into the water a fair distance as a sloping bar, I had fed so the caster was falling near the bottom of the slope, hoping to attract roach and skimmers.
Caster didn't produce any better fish than maggot and involved a longer wait for bites, if I had fished the pole, I may have had a few more fish, but I enjoyed the session on the waggler. The fish never went mad, I had bites throughout the day, the highlight being a 4lb+ seasonal tench, along with skimmers, hybrids, roach, perch and rudd, to make up a mixed bag of about 8lb.
Roll on next Wednesday, when I can fish a match...
Todays Catch
It was great to get back on the bank today, for the first time since 3rd Jan, I decided that Huntstrete would offer as good a chance as any, of catching a fish or two, so renewed my Bathampton ticket and bought a pint of maggots and a pint caster.
The forecast was for grey and overcast, but when I got up and took the dog for a walk, I was surprised to see the ice in the fields. Back home for a leisurely breakfast, couldn't see the point in rushing off after a night below freezing.
Arriving at Huntstrete, I could see that Bathampton have been busy, with trees being cut down around the complex. I could see the wind pushing across the main lake, so opted for a shelterd peg on Bridge Pool, No 20 is a lazy sods peg and well sheltered from the wind, so that was my choice.
I had some corn and pellet in the bait bag, but it was only along for the ride, as I fully intended that the pint caster was the main feed, with the maggot for hook bait and the odd offering in amongst the caster. The pole was to stay in the bag, the water was fairly clear, so I set up a 13' Normark Microlight, a TDR 2508 reel loaded with Xedion 0.14 line and a 2AAA crystal wagggler. hooklength was 0.07 (or 1lb) powerline attached to a No 24 swivel, with a 24 Gamma Green hook.
The water temp was 4°C, so I was fairly surprised to get a roach first put in. Peg 20 has a few variations in depth, as it is level wth the end of the island, the end of the island protrudes out into the water a fair distance as a sloping bar, I had fed so the caster was falling near the bottom of the slope, hoping to attract roach and skimmers.
Caster didn't produce any better fish than maggot and involved a longer wait for bites, if I had fished the pole, I may have had a few more fish, but I enjoyed the session on the waggler. The fish never went mad, I had bites throughout the day, the highlight being a 4lb+ seasonal tench, along with skimmers, hybrids, roach, perch and rudd, to make up a mixed bag of about 8lb.
Roll on next Wednesday, when I can fish a match...
Todays Catch
Friday, 16 October 2009
The Best Laid Plans......
.... OK, the title is a bit of an oxymoron where I am concerned, being one of the least organised and forward planning men in the country.
On Thursday evening, I was in position to book a match on Sunday (having worked 7 nights, then 6 days and being bloody knackered), I also wanted the latest info on the Kenn (the venue of Sundays match - a charity event) so rang Paul Faiers. He hadn't fished the river this week, but was planning to have a session today (Friday). I was up for a practice and told him, I'd see him there.
My 13 days of long shifts had their toll and I awoke just after 09.00, so I'd be a bit late, not to worry. Once the two spoonfuls of Nescafe had started coursing around the veins, I loaded the car and then picked up on the news that the M5 was closed for a 30 mile stretch - this wasn't good news - any M5 closure ends up with Bristol gridlocked.
As I set off, more in desperation to get a few hours on the bank, rather than in hope of a fruitful practise, it soon became apparent, that my quest to get across town for maggots and casters was doomed. I called in the local shop (Bill Pugh on Red Lion hill) and he had no maggots, the delivery lorry was stuck in the traffic chaos. So, was it back home and spend a few hours tying rigs and then an early visit to the pub?? ..... No, the fishing took precedent, after so many days at work and I bought a ticket for Huntstrete.
This entailed a visit home, the gear in the car was all for tackling the Kenn, grabbing some micro pellet and expanders, sorting out the rig boxes and changing direction to Huntstrete, saw me arrive about 11.50.
In total laziness, I choose peg 20 on Bridge, its an easy walk and there was no one too close - or so I thought.
I'll take this off at a tangent, why do the 'carp' anglers feel the need to erect tent cities, when the lake is only open from 07.30 - 18.30, why do they think its acceptable to cast into a peg (ie. over half way) that is occupied. Why is it acceptable for me to pay my annual and daily fee, which I have no problem with, yet I only ever fish my peg, usually with a pole, but not exclusively. Although, always only one rod (or pole) in the water at one time.
The angler on peg 16 today was fishing peg 15 and peg 17 (these two pegs are quite far apart due to the shape of the lake) he did not have a bait in his own peg. I can appreciate that pleasure fishing does not have the same rules as match fishing, but where the bolt rig cowboys are concerned they can fish any swim in the lake from their peg.
Enough moaning, I tried to turn the session into a learning exercise, as I find expander pellet, a bait I struggle with. It took ¾ hour for the peg to get going, the first fish being an immaculate conditioned 5 or 6lb vermin of the common variety.
The next 3½ hours saw me net a few skimmers (the intended quarry). a nice bonus Tench and another vermin that took 17 minutes to land on white hydro, although the fat water pig was in excess of 10lb.
The lack of a single maggot or caster saw my final net, devoid of roach, but it was decent enough net of skimmers, bolstered by the bonus,late season Tench add up to about 12lb, the water pigs which ruined the peg at various points through the day, added another 30lb.
Once I got home I rang Paul, to see how he'd got on on the Kenn, what had happened only helped to confirm my thoughts for Sunday, the river is gin clear, Saturday night is due to be frosty, with bright sunshine on Sunday.... anyone got any spare B & J ??
On Thursday evening, I was in position to book a match on Sunday (having worked 7 nights, then 6 days and being bloody knackered), I also wanted the latest info on the Kenn (the venue of Sundays match - a charity event) so rang Paul Faiers. He hadn't fished the river this week, but was planning to have a session today (Friday). I was up for a practice and told him, I'd see him there.
My 13 days of long shifts had their toll and I awoke just after 09.00, so I'd be a bit late, not to worry. Once the two spoonfuls of Nescafe had started coursing around the veins, I loaded the car and then picked up on the news that the M5 was closed for a 30 mile stretch - this wasn't good news - any M5 closure ends up with Bristol gridlocked.
As I set off, more in desperation to get a few hours on the bank, rather than in hope of a fruitful practise, it soon became apparent, that my quest to get across town for maggots and casters was doomed. I called in the local shop (Bill Pugh on Red Lion hill) and he had no maggots, the delivery lorry was stuck in the traffic chaos. So, was it back home and spend a few hours tying rigs and then an early visit to the pub?? ..... No, the fishing took precedent, after so many days at work and I bought a ticket for Huntstrete.
This entailed a visit home, the gear in the car was all for tackling the Kenn, grabbing some micro pellet and expanders, sorting out the rig boxes and changing direction to Huntstrete, saw me arrive about 11.50.
In total laziness, I choose peg 20 on Bridge, its an easy walk and there was no one too close - or so I thought.
I'll take this off at a tangent, why do the 'carp' anglers feel the need to erect tent cities, when the lake is only open from 07.30 - 18.30, why do they think its acceptable to cast into a peg (ie. over half way) that is occupied. Why is it acceptable for me to pay my annual and daily fee, which I have no problem with, yet I only ever fish my peg, usually with a pole, but not exclusively. Although, always only one rod (or pole) in the water at one time.
The angler on peg 16 today was fishing peg 15 and peg 17 (these two pegs are quite far apart due to the shape of the lake) he did not have a bait in his own peg. I can appreciate that pleasure fishing does not have the same rules as match fishing, but where the bolt rig cowboys are concerned they can fish any swim in the lake from their peg.
Enough moaning, I tried to turn the session into a learning exercise, as I find expander pellet, a bait I struggle with. It took ¾ hour for the peg to get going, the first fish being an immaculate conditioned 5 or 6lb vermin of the common variety.
The next 3½ hours saw me net a few skimmers (the intended quarry). a nice bonus Tench and another vermin that took 17 minutes to land on white hydro, although the fat water pig was in excess of 10lb.
The lack of a single maggot or caster saw my final net, devoid of roach, but it was decent enough net of skimmers, bolstered by the bonus,late season Tench add up to about 12lb, the water pigs which ruined the peg at various points through the day, added another 30lb.
Once I got home I rang Paul, to see how he'd got on on the Kenn, what had happened only helped to confirm my thoughts for Sunday, the river is gin clear, Saturday night is due to be frosty, with bright sunshine on Sunday.... anyone got any spare B & J ??
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