BAS Cut-Nutters vs Carp-Puddlers Challenge - Hall Lane

It was the oft-discussed and partially pratcised-for challenge match between the canal boys and carp puddlers yesterday.

There were two teams of seven anglers taking part and we were fishing on the single canal lake, which has yet to be landscaped.  This is in part due to the works still in progress on the new lake, which looks like being another good 'un (when it's finished).

I'm not sure whether any of us had previously fished the lake, so we didn't really knew what to expect.  With it being a canal-shaped affair with everyone walking on from one end, there were theories that the fish could be 'walked-up', something partially substantiated with the winning weight coming from the far end peg.  'Curly' Gilbert won the match with 18lb+ with Wrighty on the other end peg second and Aggo third.  It's probably too early to tell really, but with none of the bankside 'finishing touches' of the older lake next to it, but it should be an fair lake for matches as it matures.

It was a nice change from the scraping & scratching we've been doing over the 5-week Spring League on the cut, although I tend to agree with views that the place could do with  a few more fish.  The owner has obviously got some grand plans for the site and if the first lake is anything to go by, it looks like being a fishery which will be a cut above most in the North West.  Good luck to him, he's certainly creating a nice place.

On our match though, it seemed to be a process of catch two fish, wait half an hour in my peg and I know a few others had the same problem.  The orfe and goldfish love chopped worm as hookbait, but if you fed it it any quantity your peg went dead instantly.  I'm not sure whether the fish know what casters are, but they're slowly getting a taste for maggot, pellet & corn.  I'd go back again, but perhaps on the more established lake to see what that one fishes like.

In terms of the team result, the canal boys won on sections - 4-3, cue much celebration in the car park, which provoked the usual responses.  There was another run-down of what to do with van keys for Porky because it's that time again - the annual 'hunt the Merc vans keys Irish tour'.  I suggested to Andy that he put a GPRS tracker on the van so at least he could see where it was from over here in case Porky loses it  over there (always a possibility knowing Porkster...).

Dunno what next weekend will bring - but at least it won't be boats, dogs, walkers and bikes...