I had 2 difficult matches: on day 1 I drew at the Manor House on Lower Lough Erne and did not get a bite for the first 3.5 hours. Then I caught a big roach casting 70mts with a medium window feeder. 13 more roach followed before the final whistle, but I still managed 4,400 kg. These big Irish roach are beautiful fish!

On the 2nd day I drew a really tough peg at Ely Forest. It had blanked on the previous day. Casting a window feeder 70 mts for the first hour, to get a little feed into the swim, and then fishing over the top with a straight lead for the last 2 hours, I was rewarded with a perch and a bream and weighed just over 2 kg enough to win my 5 peg section. My 2 day aggregate was just over 6 kg, nowhere near enough for any prize.

Bob

Here some pictures:

Day 1

view from my peg at Manor House, day 1

my day 1 setup just 2 feeder rods

I had to stand up to cast 75 mts, day 1

at last after over 3 hours my first fish, day 1

a big Lough Erne roach I can hardly get my hand around it, day 1

my catch only 14 big roach for over 4 kg, day 1

Day 2

view from my peg at Ely Forest, day 2

a welcome bream on a tough day, day 2

Ely Forest the most beautiful place to be, day 2

Rainer Jager-Germany overall winner 3

After a massive first day weight of more than 43 kg, Rainer Jager (Germany) managed to hold on to his lead to finish well out in front with 57,340 kg and collect the £5000 first prize. Paul Clark (Birkenshaw) was 2nd overall with 45.930 kg after a strong 2nd and last day. Phil Bardell (Milton Keynes) was 3rd with 35,310 kg.

The Classic is one of the largest angling festivals in Europe, held over 3 days, on the lakes and rivers in and around Enniskillen, County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland with 214 anglers competing.

view from my peg at Dolans Ring, first day

cupping in,day 1.

I drew on Dolans ring on the first day, catching on the pole in the first hour and then a few fish on the feeder to finish with under 3 kg. Reiner Jager won the day from the Airport peg H9 with 43,250 kg.

cupping in groundbait with chopped worms and casters , day 2

a skimmer on the feeder, day 2

my day 2 catch just over 4 kg

Day 2 saw me on another difficult section Cornagrade peg number 25. It was a calm warm day and I opted to fish the pole. It was really tough, but I was catching a few roach and perch, cupping in groundbait with chopped worms and casters also loose feeding to draw some fish. I did switch to the feeder for about 30 minutes during the match and caught a good skimmer just over 400 gr. At the weigh in I had just over 4 kg enough for an easy section win. William Donaldson (Newtownabbey) won the day from peg A24 on Lough McNene with 21,670 kg.

view from my peg Broadmeadow 5, day 3

netting a roach, day 3

over 10 kg of beautiful roach, day 3

The last day was the best for me drawing on the Castle Wall at Broadmeadow peg 5. I had a great start catching some quality roach on the pole at 11 mts, cupping in groundbait and casters and also loose feeding maggots. The action slowed after 2 hours as I hooked a large pike. I still kept some fish coming until the end but it was never as good and I finished with 10,550 kg which was enough to win my section. Darren Cloran (Heywood) won the day from section O10 catching 15 tench for 19,290 kg.

My total weight of 17,580 kg was enough to put me 38th overall. It just shows what a difficult week it was for most anglers, but for me it holds so many special memories, I will be back.

Bob

my catch 5 tench for 8,550 kgs

This was the first big open match of the Irish Festival season, held in the rivers and lakes around the Enniskillen area of County Fermanagh Northern Ireland. 150 anglers were competing in a match held in memory of one of the most famous Irish anglers ever and it was fitting that another top Irish angler took home 1st place with a brilliant performance from Cathal Hughes on a difficult Cornagrade section catching 17,300 kg of roach on the pole from peg C15.

view from my peg it was a wild cold day

my 2nd tench about 3lbs

J. Margetts finished in 2nd place from Boa Island peg 10 with 15,050 kg of roach and perch on the feeder, 3rd overall from Protora was Phil Jackson with 13,550 kg.

another good tench comes to the surface

another tench just ready for the net

my biggest tench close to 4lbs

I drew peg 2 on Racecourse lake and was close to packing up and heading for the nearest McDonald’s, when the tip pulled round and I hooked into a good fish which turned out to be a 3.5lb tench. 4 more big fish followed during the day and I finished with 5 tench for 8,550 kg easily winning the lake as only one other fish was caught and to my surprise finishing 7th overall in the main list.

Bob

brilliant catch Bernie

Bernie had been out with me last year and is a very good angler. Today he was looking to improve his skills with careful feeding for silver fish and F1’s. The brilliant Decoy lakes was the chosen venue. Diane the owner had kindly allowed keepnets for the catch shot.

Bernie was soon catching tench

It was a cool windy morning. Horseshoe lake seemed to be well sheltered so I decided we would go there. Pole was the chosen method, feeding 2mm Van Den Eynde hard feed carp pellets and red maggots with a small pole pot. Hookbait was 2 red maggots at the start and Bernie was soon catching F1’s and tench. A second line was also fed with a medium size pot of pellets and maggots, switching between lines kept the fish coming all day. 4mm expander pellets was the best hookbait as the small roach were a proving a nuisance and taking the maggots on the drop.

feeding with a small pole pot

The last hour was hectic, Bernie had caught so many fish he had reached the keepnet limit and was returning the fish as he caught them. I was not really sure of his catch but I guess about 70lbs.

Bob

Some more pictures:

a good fish splashes on the surface

just about ready for the net

Yes, it’s mine!

an F1 well over 2lbs

a beautiful tench about 3 lbs

brilliant catch Phil

I had given a days fishing to the National Federation of Anglers to help promote funds to send the disabled angling team to the World Championships this year. The day was auctioned on ebay and Phil was the highest bidder. His friend Tony had also come along for the day.

first fish for Phil a 4lb common carp

The superb Decoy Lakes near Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire was the chosen venue. The owner Diane had kindly allowed the use of keepnets for the catch shots. Sunshine and showers was the forecast. The winds were light and so I decided that one of the strip lakes Oak, would be a good choice.

Tony with his first fish a 4lb mirror carp in perfect condition

Phil was soon catching carp feeding 2mm and 4mm Van Den Eynde hard feed carp pellets with a small pot on the pole, also loose feeding a few 4mm pellets, hookbait was a 4mm and 6mm expander pellets on a 16 Drennan carp maggot hook. Tony had never used a pole, so I set him up to fish in the margins loose feeding 6mm hard feed carp pellets with a Van Den Eynde Jellet on the hook. After about 5 minutes he was into his first fish a beautiful 4lb mirror carp.

it was an all action day

The action continued nonstop, Phil being the more experienced angler was catching really well and both of his nets had achieved the 50lb each maximum well before we were due to finish, so he was returning his fish as he caught them. Tony was catching more then he had ever caught before and also was having a brilliant day.

a rare ghost koy

We left the bank at about 4pm. I guess Phil with his 2 full nets plus the returned fish had caught close to 130lbs. Tony also had a great catch of around 70lbs. Thank you Phil for your ebay bid, it’s a very worthy cause.

Bob

A few more pictures:

the big carp were feeding well

I will help you with this one Tony

Yes, it’s mine!

another beautiful mirror carp

Phil nets another good fish

great catch Tony

brilliant catch Ian

This was a special Christmas present from Ian’s wife Ann. His good fishing friend Tony had also come along for the day. Both wives had also come along to supply refreshments and help with the photos. The wonderful Decoy Lakes near Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire was the chosen venue. Diane the owner had kindly allowed them to use keepnets for the catch shots.

a good barbel almost 2 lbs

It was a wild morning with strong westerly winds. 6 Islands lake looked quite well sheltered so I decided it would be the best choice. Pole was the chosen method, feeding 2 mm and 4mm Van Den Eynde hard feed carp pellets with a small on the pole and also loose feeding with 4mm carp pellets.

Tony with a 3lb F1

Tony was the first one into fish and caught 4 mirror carp before Ian had even wetted a line: Ian soon started to catch and was netting carp and F1’s at regular intervals. The best hookbait was 4mm expander pellets. The action never slowed as both anglers were catching really well. Ian was only on number 8 elastic and had a mighty tussle with a big common carp. Some barbel also put in a welcome appearance, they fight so hard for their size.

a big fish boils on the surface

Ann took the catch shots at about 4pm, only just in time really as the keepnets were at their limet of 50lbs each. I guess both anglers had achieved 100lbs each.

Bob

Some more pictures:

Ian with a beautiful 4lb mirror carp

another good fish comes to the net

Tony with a big mirror carp

biggest fish of the day this 8lb common carp

great fishing Tony

two good fishing friends together

brilliant catch Derek

This was a special birthday present from Derek’s partner Kelly, who had also joined him for the day. The superb Oakfield fishery near Kingswood in Buckinghamshire was the chosen venue. They have their own website if you would like to check it out. Adrian the owner had kindly allowed Derek to use keepnets for the catch shot.

feed was 2mm hard feed carp pellets in a small pot

Derek is such a loyal Browning fan. I just had to let him take the opportunity and use my new Browning Z12 pole.

the skimmers averaged almost a pound

After a severe overnight frost I expected a slow start, but within a few minutes Derek was into his first skimmer, feeding the fishery 2mm hard feed carp pellets in a small pot on the pole, hookbait was a 4mm Van Den Eynde RS expander pellet. More skimmers followed and then the first carp a mirror just over 2lbs. From then on the action was nonstop, with carp, skimmers and even a big bream coming to the net.

a 4lb mirror carp in perfect condition

After managing to prise my Z12 from Derek’s hands, Kelly took the catch shots and we left the bank at about 4.30 Derek having had a brilliant day catching over 80lbs of fish.

Bob

Some more pictures:

Derek hooks into another good carp

almost in the net

a beautiful 5lb mirror carp

the number 12 latex was working well

some serious elastic stretching

Kelly looks on as Derek nets a big fish

just about ready for the net

Derek with a beautiful 5lb mirror carp

Derek with another beautiful mirror carp

about 100lbs of fish no wonder John’s smiling

This was a special 50th birthday present from John’s wife Mandy, The wonderful Decoy lakes near Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire was the chosen venue. Diane the owner had kindly allowed keepnets for the catch shot. The strip lakes are always good and after a quick look, I decided that Oak would be a good choice.

John with his first fish a 3lb mirror carp

It was a cool morning with some sunshine and very light winds. Pole was the chosen method feeding 2mm and 4mm Van Den Eynde hard feed carp pellets in a small pot on the pole, also loose feeding 4mm pellets over the top. The margins are the same depth as 10mts out, so a second line close in was also fed with 4mm and 6mm hard feed carp pellets.

Van Den Eynde 4 mm carp pellets

A big mirror carp was quick to take the double maggot hookbait. 2 more quickly followed and then the small roach started to be a nuisance. A switch to Van Den Eynde natural jellets on the hook solved the problem. John was catching really well, and then a change to the margins was even better, as several common carp and small barbel came to the net.

a 3lb mirror carp in perfect condition

We did the catch shots and returned the fish at about 4pm. I guess John had just topped the 100lbs and he had enjoyed himself so much decided to fish on for a while.

Bob

Some more pictures:

concentration

the barbel love pellets

16 hollow elastic was working well

the carp fight really hard here

almost in the net

biggest fish of the day this beautiful mirror carp

brilliant catch John

fantastic catch Scott

This was a special Christmas present from Scott’s wife Jean. His brother Craig had also come along for the day. The wonderful Decoy Lakes near Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire was the chosen venue. There are 12 various lakes to choose from. After a quick chat with the owner Diane, who had kindly allowed us to use keepnets for the catch shots, we decided to go on one of the strip lakes called Cedar.

Scott was soon catching carp

It was a bright cool day and there had been an overnight frost, so a careful approach to feeding was important. Feeding some red maggots and 2mm well soaked hard feed Van Den Eynde carp pellets in a small pot on the pole, plus loose feeding a few 6mm carp pellets over the top, hookbait at the start was 2 red maggots on a size 16 Drennan Carp Mag hook, within a few minutes both brothers were netting carp. It was a strange day really, after about 1 hour of catching well on maggots it was necessary to switch to Van Den Eynde Natural Jellets on the hook to keep the fish coming. Then in the last 2 hours 4mm expander pellets were much better, so although the action was almost nonstop, a bait switch kept the fish coming whenever the bites slowed.

Craig with a beautiful 6lb common carp

We did the catch shots at about 4pm. Both Scott and Craig had a brilliant day, catching close to 100lbs of fish each.

Bob

Some more pictures:

it’s good here both brothers are into fish

I need some longer arms

just in the net

a 4lb mirror carp in perfect condition

a beautiful 5lb common carp

a beautiful 5lb ghost koy

the big carp were feeding well

brilliant catch Craig

great catch Matthew

This was a special Christmas present from the girls, Zoe (wife and mum) and Eleanor, for the boys, Matthew and Harry. The wonderful Decoy Lakes near Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire was the chosen venue.

a beautiful big mirror carp for Harry

As it was Easter Sunday the fishery was really busy. Diane the owner had kindly saved us 2 pegs on the day ticket lake and also allowed us to use keepnets for the catch shot.

Matthew and Eleanor with a small goldfish

Loose feeding 4mm and 6mm Van Den Eynde hard feed carp pellets at 4mts soon had the carp feeding and a very excited Harry quickly netted a small F1. Eleanor was also catching a fish every cast, while Matthew was netting fish after fish. Hookbait was 6mm Van Den Eynde Halibut jellets. 

Eleanor decided she would like to fish as well

I am not sure who caught the most fish, as all three never really stopped catching. Only a short break for lunch slowed the action. Zoe took the catch shots at about 4pm. I left them still fishing, I guess Harry and Eleanor had caught about 30lbs of fish, Matthew also had a similar weight.

Bob

Some more pictures:

this must be a big one

biggest fish of the day a beautiful ghost koy

Harry gets ready with the net

yes it’s in

well done dad

brother and sister with their brilliant catch