Happy new Year to all the TWATS. 

May 2024 be everything you hoped for and more. Tight Lines Lads.

Stupidity Free Zone 

We are proud it has been 1 day since someone in our group has said something stupid. 

Update from Ed 8/4/24

The start to 2024 has been wet, in fact it has been recorded as one of the wettest on record. 

'Some 1,695.9mm of rain fell from October 2022 to March 2024. This is the highest level for any 18-month period in England since comparable data began in 1836, according to analysis by the PA news agency of Met Office provisional statistics.' (Taken from the Independent).  This has made getting out on the banks difficult to say the least.

The TWATS have been busy in the background preparing themselves for the spring and summer ahead. 

Rob has a new bait freezer stocked with his syndicate's exclusive AM1s, Steve has made the purchase of a motorised Barrow to get his kit to the swim. Rob was gonna ask to borrow this but he though he'd better not push it.  Rob, Bob Steve and Mart have been putting the final arrangements to their trip to France in Autumn 2024 (Blavet Valley).

Mart has been out on the bank both Last weekend Easter weekend and this weekend 6th April 2024 he did two x 1 day at Lavender Hall Fishery  and spent time on Station Lake in search of a few lunkers.

In brief he turned out to be a BLANKER, however the water is still very cold and at least he was out there trying and dusting his kit off. PPPPPP Well done Mart! keep up the good work.

11th to 13th April 2024 Steve Fishes AM Syndicate at the Pit

Steve fishes from around lunchtime on Thursday to the Saturday afternoon at the Pit on the AM Syndicate. He takes the peg in the corner diagonally across for the car park at the bottom end of the lake. 

It's a slow start for Steve with even the Bailiff stating 'it is still cold.' with Martin and Rob making dire predictions, Mart recons Steve will bank 5 20lb the biggest, While Rob predicts Steve will bank 3 28lbs the biggest.  Steve reports on Friday morning to say no one is catching although he did have a few beeps on his alarms in the night.

After 24 hours of no bites Rob changes his prediction to one banked at at around 28lb.

it was still quiet with no fish taken later on Friday. Rob asks if this could possibly be a side effects of Steve's new medication?  WARNING may cause irritability and reduce your chances of catching fish. 

Steve is in good spirits thou he's very happy with his peg despite it being a good trek to the toilet and his PMA is high. He is fishing AM Boilies and one other. Reporting the water is high with an extra foot over the normal levels, but this makes fishing closer in to the bank possible.

Saturday morning early doors Steve is well 'Buzzin' has he has landed a 29lber plus a bit.

Steve gets a good response from Syndicate member with lots (20) of em sending congratulations as a 29lber for a first fish is in anyone's books a proper fish. Steve was of course hoping for a 30lber so he could make it in to the 30's club but with his PMA high he is quoted as saying there's always another day.

Noite to Steve , Don't pay any attention to Rob and Mart they were sat at home and not out there fishing.

To be fair to Rob he was closest with the prediction, Mart up your game, LOL

Nice Start to the year Steve, Well done Mate. ED

21st to 23rd Rob Fishes Helga's Creek AM Syndicate.

After Sunday Lunch with his mum daughter and partner Rob heads off to his syndicate waters at LS Helga's Creek in particular. He did want to fish Rosies but that been shut down while they remove some fish to another lake. On arrival Rob finds Mollies and Lols are busy with only one on Helga's so her sets up there. he is fishing by 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon and it is blistering hot. He sweats putting up his bivvy and making camp. His approach is said to be PVA bags filled with AM1 Crush and Pellets with a AM1 Popup on the hair. Rob is using a 'Bait Screw' on a rig similar to a Doddy Fartpants D Rig, Rob as used these a lot over the past 5 years and has a lot of confidence in them and given the number of fish he has banked I don't blame him using his go to rig to start this session. 

When asked Rob reported his confidence being akin to that of a four year old in a Batman outfit. 

As afternoon turns to evening everyone packs up and leaves. Rob is the only one on site by nightfall. 

Warm turns to a cold night with no runs and the next day is so different, Northerly wind makes it feel really cold and persistent rain albeit light at times continues for most of Monday. A Bivvy day for our Rob who only gets out to make a brew or visit a tree.

Although Monday is not a without some points of interest. Rob has seen fish showing where his bait is in the corner to the left. He also at least two big (35lb Plus) fish jump in or near his right hand rod. The other places he saw fish were at the tip of the spit and behind it on the far side f this small lake.

Before settling in for the night Rob re freshes his rod baits and recast both with a new PVA Bag. He knew it was gonna be tough but but not this cold and tough. 'Remember the saying North and East the fish bite least!' Chatting on Whatsapp with the lads Rob is still reporting high spirits, 'Jack Daniels' no doubt but that 4 year old is still running around in his batman outfit.  It's a night cap and bed for Robbie.

There have been reports in the newspapers of a a Black Panther (big Cat) Prowling around these parts when Mart Texts 'I wish I was there' , Rob texts back 'So do I Mate I can hear a Panther patrolling the perimeter fence!'  Asleep  he maybe but Rob is hoping to be woke.

After a decent fight this hits the back of the net like a goal by Wayne Rooney and Rob is sure its a 20lb plus. It was pristine in condition and Rob is reported as saying in that moment he though 'when this fish grows up it's gonna break lines, break scales, orbreak hearts poisibbley all three' a quick pic and on the scales it came in at 19lb 13oz DOH! Not a 20 but who cares it's still a beaut and means Rob will be going home without BLANKING!

Recasting before climbing back in his sack, Rob is hopeful of another before he heads home at lunchtime.  

Tuesday is different again with Overcast weather predicted Rob is surprised to wake up to nice sunshine and a warm feel to the day. He begins the task of packing u , Drying his bivvy out before taking in his rods at the last minute.  Well done Robbie it's a nice fish ED. 

Where's Bob?

with reference to those complicated and detailed, somewhat cluttered pictures  we were given at school with the instruction to find Wally? . Where's Wally?    Bob has announced he's off to Europe: Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Belgium, he is hoping to dangle a line in the Rhine while he is there. 

The TWATs hope he has a successful trip and manages at least a few days sat by a body of water in which there are fish.  Safe Journey and Tight Lines matey. Bon Voyage . 

ED and the lads.

Update, 25/5/24

Bob has been making his way towards Deutschland, he was reportedly sat in a quiet little town with  a beer. A bit worried he may not get to fish the Rhine has it's in full flood. Fingers Crossed for you mate. 

ED and the Lads

Update 27/5/24 

Bob has made it to Switzerland and is having another quite beer with the Eiger as view for the day.

I'm not sure about the 'Blues' flag Bob? I mean do they come and see you when your bad? I rest my case.

Ed and The lads   

Thursday the 30th May 2024 saw Bob taking a train trip in to Zurich. He wasn't impressed and said Luzern was much nicer.

Saturday 1st June  and reports come in her is wandering around the Black Forest.  (if you go down to the woods today!) LOL 

Boy does he get about a bit! Still it beats work. 

Keep on rollin Bob. Ed and the Lads.

Tuesday the 4th and Rob is reporting he can't fish the Rhine due to floods, he has even had to move campsites because of the heavy flooding.

Saturday 8th and Rob takes a wrong turn in Frankfurt and two days later he finds himself in Prague. 

Monday 10th and Robs walks up the mountains to Prague Castle before finding a suitable bar to rehydrate himself in. It is so important to keep your fluids up mate. well done.

Update on Bob, Trust me it is hard to keep up, He get about a bit, Following Prague he has been seen in  Berlin, at a bar just outside the train station. the next sighting was Hanover Station in the old part of the city,  Then he sent a pict from Arnhem which was a bridge to far. Reference to a film in there if you got it? On Monday 24th he was seen outside Central Station in Amsterdam.  He does like admiring the architecture  of old buildings and the inside architecture of any bar LOL.  Truth is I Were him I'd be doing the very same. safe travels Rob.  

Sunday 5th to Tuesday 7th May 2024 

Rob and Steve Fish Helga's Creek at the AM Syndicate, LS, 

Arriving later in the afternoon on Sunday 5th May, the weather is warm with a few showers. Steve arrives first and pitches where Rob was on the 21st (see the post above), Rob arrives and pitches next to him near the gate and sign. The far side of the lake was already taken as is so often the case. 

Rob took a wander around to chat to the guy opposite 'Daz' who was originally staying overnight. I say originally staying overnight because one phone call from home later; and he is needed back at home before morning.  Mate the only people who could pull me away from my fishing are the grandkids! 'Enough Respect.' With Daz moving out Robbie moves in thanks to our Steve giving him an hand to move quickly as nighttime is calling 1 hour before dark and there is a possible shower of rain. 

Set up again and  exhausted Rob settled in to his new spot for a well deserved rest. YEAH RIGHT. Just 10 mins in and his rod is screaming away and after a fight well above it's weight, Rob lands a 20lb 2oz Mirror. Daz was just leaving when he saw Rob was in and stopped to see what was going down. PS Thank You Daz for the pic your a STAR! Not only did i jump i9n his swim, He gave me the heads up n where he had been getting runs from and finally her stops to take a pic for me. That's the beauty of syndicate. 

Fishing AM1's Rob took another Mirror at 19lb 10oz just in to dark.  It was a quiet night for both until Steve took a 19lb 5oz  midmorning (10:25) on BH Monday 6th May. (Soz No Pic but Steve had the interest of the fish at heart and returned it before it got distressed.) He did Say I'll get pics of those over the 20lb mark.

Their approach was similar with an AM1 in the Hair and a PVA Bag to protect the hook filled with boilie crush and a pellet. No other bait was offered at this stage.

 The rest of Monday was quiet and so was Monday night. Quiet but hot in the sun and Tuesday morning was no different.At least everything was dry. Bonus 

On Tuesday Morning Rob thought he would ring a few changes given he had not had a run since sunday night. He tried a 360 Spinner rig with a Pink Citruz Popup and a Crab Wafter on his D Rig going to the Stage in front of him. (you never know this might just get an instant bite?) It didn't and Rob and Steve were both packed up by 11:30ish before it got just too hot for hard work. Neither of them are spring chicken anymore. 

The rain forecast did not appear and the lads were able to pack up dry. Steve was seen demonstrating his new all singing powered barrow and boy is it an impressive piece of kit. It can take all your gear and no problem lugging it up the bank to the car park. Rob was well Jealous. 

In fact it reminded me of that old fishing shanty. LOL

He wheeled his wheelbarrow

Round lakes deep and shallow

Singing I caught cockles and muscles

Alive alive oh.

This was a learning session for the lads as every day is a school day and they are advised to use a bit of particle (Party Blend) on their next trip . They do love a party with an atmosphere. 

They both spoke to other syndicate members who are more than happy to share what they know about any of the lakes.  Until next time.

A good trip lads no blankers , well done. ED

PS news on the bank is the carp have started spawning just 3 days after the lads visit. Perhaps once this is out of the way they can enjoy some more time at this venue.

24th May 1 day (10 Hours)  on Helga's Creek at the AM Syndicate, LS,

Berty spent the day at Helga's Creek. Unfortunately he only had the day and was unable to do the 2 nights he had planned originally. The day was Overcast but warm S and SW winds very light. The wind was blowing in his face. Full Moon plus 1.

Arriving at 8am full of anticipation and confidence for a Carp or two, he was surprised to see he was the only one on the complex.  Given his recent successes on Helga's he thought he would try there again. He saw a fish show on arrival and this gave him a little lift.  No signs of Spawning on any lake.

He Tried a AM1 Boilie on the same spot he had taken 2 from on his last visit and he tried particles Hemp and Sweetcorn with a few AM Pellets in the corner spot. (always a PVA Bag filled with Pellet and AM1 Crush) to protect the hook as it settles. 

He later moved the corner rod to underneath the tree to his left. towards the end of his session for the last 2 hours from 5pm he changes this rod to  an AM1 Boilie and was casting it towards showing fish of the spit about 3 rods off. There were not many fishing at all, they were very few and far between. 

Despite all his efforts Rob Blanked and was quite despondent as until this trip he did believe he was starting to 'unlock the code'.  Clearly not hey Rob?

Still at least you were out there trying, and that deserves praise. 

23/6/2024 to the 25/6/2024  Two nights on Arrow Big Pit

23/6/24 Rob and Steve head to Arrow Big Pit for the first time, this lake has only been open since April and is in the main part an unknown. 

The pegs on the bank nearest the car park are open, inviting, and lacking in any cover or shade. Given that sunshine with temperatures in the 80s is forecast the lads decided to opt for shade over sunstroke.

It was hot, very hot indeed.  The first full day was overcast in the main turning sunny later. Day 2 was just hot from sunrise until the lads packed up at midday to avoid the 80 degree afternoon. the wind was SW and the breeze when it was there, was nice if short lived.

Not to be put off and to make the best of the session Rob decided  on one short Heli rig to go fairly marginal to his left with a boile approach while his other rod went out 6 rods or so to the right of visible weed with a Chod rig and an AM1 Popup. 

Steve was doing something very similar but the other way around his marginal rod was on his right.

The second night saw rob changing his tactics slightly by introducing particles (hemp, Sweetcorn and some AM Pellet) to his marginal swim. He also tried a pink, bright popup on his chod rig which he cast a little shorter  based on seeing the only signs he saw of a carp on this session. Cast to showing fish is an effective tactic at times, just not on this occasion. Both Rob and Steve BLANK! 

After packing up an on the way to their car they spoke to the bailiff who had caught two around 16lb but other than that none of the 7 anglers fishing at the same time had managed to catch. The bailiff was pretty much using the same tactics as the lads which made them feel a bit better and less incompetent. 

like i said at the start this lake is largely unknown with a lot of weed in some pegs particularly at the far end of the lake near the point and those down the left side.

This is a nice lake, very big and a bit daunting. Rob said this is the biggest lake he has ever fished by some distance and if it was not so hot he would have chosen the pegs nearest the car park as thy looked very inviting indeed. Steve and Robbie agreed they would definitely return either early in a season before the weed or later in the season during the winter months when its died back a bit. 

7/07/2024  'Young un' goes to Barston Lakes

Martin spends the day at Barston, where he reports 6 fish banked 8lb being the biggest. 

He's not 100% sure but believes he caught the same ghosty carp 3 times in one day. Most of his fish were caught on Baitworks Pineapple and one caught on Creative Baits 'The Flying Dutchman'.

Mart stated the rain was not an issue as such for his Tracker Brolly  but he feels it would benefit from some Fabsil. Now I may be wrong but when he says 'the rain was not an issue as such for his Tracker Brolly  but he feels it would benefit from some Fabsil' I think he means it was leaking? 

Some of the fish were also showing signs of wear and tear from spawning with the odd scale missing. It's a good job he carries a Carp Care Kit as standard.

I bet it was nice just to get out. Well done Mart , good things come to those who bait.  This does of course break his run of blanks. ED. 

Malvern View Syndicate lake. Ledbury. 

Arriving late on Sunday afternoon around 4pm the first thing on the agenda was a little walk around the lake to see what is about. With no visible fish showing and no signs of fish the lad decided to start in two pegs that looked well used.

There was a splendid view of the Malvern Hills with the Camp right in front of the lads.

It was hot very sunny, and the next day Monday had the potential for some showers and being a little more overcast. the wind was in general coming from the south and west.

There was rain through the second night into Tuesday morning but once the sun came out and dried everything off the lads could pack away their bivvies by lunchtime. 

Rob did a bit of leading around before settling on a particle spot about five feet out near some lilies and the baited rig would be in 4 to 5 feet of water. The Bailiff who was happy to share his knowledge later explained thar he feeds near these lilies and sees big carp traveling through this area between them and the bank.

Rob's Other Rod in the corner was moved as Rob thought this area was a bit risky given the farmer came twice a day to draw water out of the lake. The bailiff explained this was not too much of a concern, but he also gave information on alternative spots to aim at, so Rob took his advice and recast.

Steve was having a whale of a time catching DUCKS. Two ducklings early on in the session and then a third run that snapped him. That was unlikely to be duck.

The lads had plenty of time to sit and watch, observe, and take it all in. They spoke to the bailiff who called around most days walking his dogs and was happy to chat. They even spoke to two other syndicate members one of whom had fished the lake before. The lads learnt a lot but nothing to help on this occasion and they both report a blank.

Unlocking the secret to these lakes is proving difficult but they are out there trying, Rob should definitely stick with his particle approach for a while as this could be a winner.

Steve liked this lake and is sure to revisit again, he was talking and considering ground bait. Just a little to see if that adds anything to the situation and helps turn the key to success. He did have one run which suggests he is doing something right.

Even the bailiff said it can be a challenge and moody lake to fish.

13th Sept to 15th Sept 2024 Martin Visits Norton Disney Pettitts Lake

With anticipation high, Martin packed his gear and headed down to Embryo Angling Pettitts Lake in Norton Disney. He is quoted as saying my goal is to land a 40-pounder. However, Rob wisely suggested he temper his expectations and aim for a 30-pounder which is a little more realistic.

Arriving early, Martin chose peg 5, anticipating a change in wind direction. The bailiff guided him to the prime spots, and he used his lead to locate a few weed-free areas. Following the bailiff's advice, Mart employed PVA bags filled with a mix of pellet, pineapple boilie, and glug. He also used a Pango Iso wafter boilie on another rod and placed 8 spombs over the top of his casts.

Rob recommended using 10 kg of boilies and fast-breakdown pellet on one spot, but Mart opted not to follow suit, believing that everyone else was doing the same. Rob thought this was a key strategy and should have had more consideration.

One highlight of the weekend for Mart was meeting the legendary Richy McDonald. His mentorship was invaluable. He is a true legend in the sport with over 50 years experience dating back to the 1960's.

Although the wind calmed down on the second night, only three carp were caught across the weekend, and unfortunately, none were Marts. Despite not landing any fish, he is quoted has saying "I learned a lot on this trip. I even got Tom Dove and Neil Spooner to sign my hat"

As for his approach, I believe it aligns with the TEFCAS model of learning: Trial, Event, Feedback, Check, Adjust, and Success. While he didn't achieve immediate success, I'm confident that these lessons will pay off in the future, and success will come in time.

Mart is also quoted as saying  "I'm definitely considering a return visit to either Pettitts or Turners."

Well Done Mart , 

ED

Martin on Bishops Bowl Fishery 4th Oct to 6th Oct 2024.

Mart spent the weekend at Bishops Bowl on Greenhill Lake. He reported that the pegs were well waterlogged and waders or tall wellies were a must.  His mate had stuck a drone in the air and they had seen fish cruising the surface layers, Mart had also worked out where the drop offs were at about 17.1 wrap out where it dropped a meter and then another before diving off in to the real depths. Mart was fishing the shelf at about a meter down. Mart was originally fishing with sweetcorn on the hair but later changed to a Krill boilie. 

It was Saturday morning around 10:30 before he got in to his first and biggest fish of the session weighing in at 21lb 4oz, here went on to take another later in the afternoon at 3:45 ish and another around 5:30 pm. These fish were 18lb and 16lb respectively.

Mart reported 7 fish at the end of the session on Sunday. This is a result Mart even if the fish didn't get bigger, a 20 is proper fish in anyone's book.  Well Done Mart a great result. 

Mid October at Blavet Valley for Birmingham Bob.

Mid October and Bob is the only to make it Blavet Valley,

The weeks begins with it blowing a hoolie and *issing down, Bob is finding the going hard in Boulders Peg. There is one other fisherman on the lake dead opposite Bob and they are both fishing open water and the same margin to the left of Bob.

The gent opposite as far as Bob can tell catches 7 to 8 fish in the week.

Bob does get a PB as he catches his first ever Sturgeon, ok so it's not very big but it is a fish and with an eel and a perch Bob ends the week on 5 fish.

This ends the Fishing Blog for 2024.

END OF Fishing in 2024