Almost a time for reflection on the 2008 season………what promised so much, failed to deliver time and time again and the majority of it slips away into the ‘disappointment pot’ :'(
From my perspective this is a brief summary of how I feel it went for me……..apologies in advance for any repetition…..
Match 1 River Trent Sharretts.
Was half looking forward to this, would be interesting to see how it fished ‘late in the season’ after some decent matches in earlier years, albeit in the autumn.
Well conditions were difficult – an howling cold down streamer coupled with clear conditions. Fished the Trent for 30 years, through out winters and never dried…………
Well I did on this one………along with most of the field as only 6 fish were caught by 5 anglers.
Smashed a no5 section in the process too
and wrapped up 5 mins later with an hour to go. What a great start to the season………….notMatch 2 Trent & Mersey Armitage
Plenty of roach on here. On paper we’ve had some good matches, with double figures of silvers needed to win and 8lb might get you in the frame. You need a high or a low peg and need to avoid the narrow middle section like the plague.
Well where did I draw…………no guesses.
Did a few lb but it was yet another personal grueller as Tigerbay will confirm who was on the next peg which saw us both down the pan on the points front yet again……… 
Match 3 Wyrley & Essington. Pelsall Common.
At last a ‘decent draw’ – well not the cock peg but at least in one of the areas I wanted to be in. Fate conspired against all the crew as a mini typhoon hit us just after the off, sending all sorts of tackle into the cut.
Scratted a couple of kinvers to avoid a dreaded second dry net……….
Match 4 Woodcote
Originally scheduled for just the Priory, this was actually fished across the 2 pools (incl The Willows) A few moans at the draw, but the Willows turned out to be the pool you wanted to be on, throwing up the top couple of weights. My draw?
Bottom right hand corner…………..as feared.
Scratted a couple of lb again to avoid the dreaded drynet, two of which were either side of me. Even worse down the pan on points front. But it ‘wor just me’ as similar drynets were recorded from these pegs when we revisited later in the summer ::)Match 5 Wyrley & Essington – Wood Lane.
A half decent draw as it turned out…….we’re still ‘learning’ whats good and whats ‘bad’ on the clubs waters. Fate conspired on the day. Framed but got wiped out for lengthy periods by a floating bed of cut down sedges.
On a positive, a couple of pairs of eyes were opened as members new to the section really began to appreciate the waters potential 
Match 6 Curborough
Apparently not a brilliant draw, peg 35. Other than big Col – venue regular - running away with the match, the favoured pegs proved why they were the ‘cock’ pegs. Caught most of the match, but very small stamp of fish…………but learnt a lot from this first visit to the pool which I felt would stand me in good stead for a possible revisit next year. All appeared to wish to come back.
Match 7 Passford.
Think I had a decent draw, but probably realised that the way I was going to fish wouldn’t win……..but sod it, I do my thing these days, those days fishing to team instructions are long since gone. There again, is there a poor peg on the pool - decent weights came from all around it? Did aok, but would have different rigs in tow to fish the place on a revisit, which I’m sure would bump my silver weight up.
Match 8 Originally Coppice Lane, but trans to Curborough
This match was a late change due to ‘a problem with the pool’ believe it or not several anglers drew the same peg as on their last visit……….me included. Lesson learnt from that peg 35 to squeeze narrowly home adding nearly 15lb to last weight there. Hum…….things are looking up………..cant continue can it?
Match 9 Woodstone Manor
It certainly couldn’t…….
Pegging played a critical part here – with several of us in the lh corner. 5 or 6 (yawn) carp for nearly 30lb saw decent points, but certainly a venue I’m not in a hurry to revisit.
Match 10 River Trent Bayleys Meadow
Missed this one and ended up getting knocked out of the semi final stage of the 'knock out'
Match 11 Heronbrook The Wergs.
Private club water - never set eyes on the place before. Had a bit of info from BAC which proved useful in learning species/methods etc, but it daint work for me! :-/ Having said that, indications doing it during the first 10 mins let to a change in tack, which resulted in enough bits in the onion sack for maximum points.
Match 12 Woodcote – Priory only
Still couldn’t draw on the Japanese sniper pegs on the car park side. Average draw saw average points with just a couple of those yawn yawn carp………..still learnt a load about the use of Corcatchacold’s SB ;)
Match 13 River Trent Bayleys, trans from Broadholme, but swapped to the Extension
Severe rain falls and flooding saw a late switch to the cut. The prospect of high winds influenced thoughts of fishing the clubs cut, so we went to the more sheltered Extension. Poor draw given the cut colour suffering from rain inflow off the road.
But again, those on the boatyard saw a bit of action and a couple of positive comments received from anglers fishing the place for the first time.Match 14 River Trent Sharretts
Enuff said in the last write up……………..
So come on guys………….lets have some of your thoughts –dont keep them all to yourselves - although I don’t expect to hear from Phyllis.
, but sometimes you cant always accomodate every suggestion or request
