Luckily the weather that storm Fergus had in store for the ten competitors held off long enough for them to enjoy the bacon rolls and adorn their Santa hats.

With the draw done the anglers made their way to their peg and set up ready for the ten o’clock “All in”.

Barry Clark sounded the all in and the anglers got to work trying to catch using their chosen methods. It soon became apparent the fish had other ideas and for most anglers bites were at a premium.

An hour in and the heavens opened and the wind gusted stronger and stronger just to add another degree of difficulty.

Whispers came from almost everywhere around the lake that fishing was hard, very hard.

Personally I hadn’t even had an indication with ninety minutes gone, I had expected a tough day due to all the cold water entering the lake from the weeks rain and my plan of catching Roach on either bread punch over liquidised bread or fluro pinkie over dark ground bait both proved a false hope. Not a bite…..

Rumours that Andy Mayhew was catching a few carp made me change my tactic so out with my 12 foot feeder rod, 30 gram method feeder loaded with a 50/50 mix of micro pellets and ground bait (gives a faster breakdown in cold water) and a long chuck to the edge of the island. Eight minutes on the stopwatch and the tip bent round in slow motion. Fish on and a few minutes later the net slips under the first of four carp.

Carp we definitely needed to make the frame and Andy Mayhew fished an absolutely brilliant match winning the match from the same peg he drew in a previous round. He caught 17 carp (even lost a few) to weigh just over 42 lbs, corn close in next to the reeds accounting for most, I applaud you, very well fished.

Graham Boylett managed 11 lbs of carp, caught on both pole and feeder for second and my four carp went 9 lbs odd for third.

It was also nice to see David LS catch a lovely carp of almost 7 lbs for fourth.

The results for the league finished like this…

1. Mark Hayley –  10 points

2. Andy Mayhew – 12 points

3. Graham Boylett – 13 points

The wooden spoon trophy went to David who had fished all the rounds and ended with 34 points made up with a tenth place, a blank and a fourth place.

A very special mention to Cameron Neave, fabulous job, you’ve really held your own and beaten some well accomplished anglers, I do hope you’ll attend the next series.

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all the members who attended the matches, thank you for getting onboard with “open for all” way I’ve run them, it’s been a real pleasure to run them for you and an even greater pleasure fishing with you.

Lastly a massive thank you to Dawn and Barry Clark for all the help and support they have given, it’s made a huge difference.

I have already started planning for four matches to be fished in the Spring.

Until then, happy Christmas to you all.

Mark.