With some time available to us both we decided to travel to Nykoping and view the match length . Mats had all the tools for what would be required as our initial work was to cut down all last years reeds and grasses which were brown and dead . So the more we could cut down now would be less to do in the coming weeks as the first matches are planned for the 6th and 7th of April.
Last years Nykoping champion Håkan
Because of age and agility and also possibly not having the best platforms it was decided that we shall run two matches on the same day (May 4th and 5th only). The new section closest to the car park will really be for the anglers who have stated about making the pegs easier for them due to their physical ability to get comfortable in the water . So we took their advise and now have a section which is primarily on shingle/stones and very light mud and also no need to venture more than 3m out from the bank.
NOTE : The map shown is a suggestion but the number of the pegs might change closer to the actual competition
(The picture above from Google maps obviously shows a summer picture with reed beds in abundance however come the matches on here gaps will be attained )
The other section is the normal match length but there again Mats who is the 'scrum master' of this section will determine the peg positions closest to the time for the match on May 4th and 5th.
NOTE : The map shown is a suggestion but the number of the pegs might change closer to the actual competition date
Arrival at the car park next to the Dog walking area
A couple of weeks prior Mats had made the journey to Nykoping for an early reconnoitre of the match length and what will be required.
So today with the help of Mats great tool collection we managed to clear several positions of last years reeds and grasses. With the ice melting quite rapidly it is assumed that the ice will have dissipated and the cut reeds will eventually sink leaving very little further work . However in the weeks up to the matches in April and May then small repair work will further enhance the pegs .
A gap ready for peg 5 and where i stand would be a box position
Mats standing on solid ice was able to hack the front end grasses and make a decent gap - at this stage i fell through the ice (only 50cm deep) but managed to stand up with slight ingress of water inside my boots .
Later we walked up to the swamp section where to our surprise we see that the section near the chairs has received attention from the local Kommune - nice !!
So it would appear that we have slightly less to repair on both sections
Mats and i will keep you up to date of all the bank maintenance in the coming weeks and also we shall fish it a little as certainly last year we both had early success with catches.
For last years matches and practice sessions on both sections please view ;
With slightly milder weather i decided to take a walk down at my local canal. I thought i would estimate the amount of viable positions to fish at if there was a potential competition of Feeder class.
A view from the last potential place to fish on this promenade.
From the picture above looking down the whole length towards the Gold putting area and Cafe
Just after the tree is a potential position about 20m from that first place.
Looking back from the first place
The next 50m was unfortunately three trees with small gaps so not useable . Then from the sunken tree was another section ..........
This looks like a section for at least 7-9 positions.
Last position of this section
Last position of that section
Next potential section is the signage stating the electric cable
This small area is worth 3 positions
The first position to fish could be here with the gold activity/cafe area
Round 2 of the LOUGHBOROUGH PAIRS CANAL LEAGUE and myself and partner Cliff are on the Swing bridge section . I have drawn peg 32 with a nice boat feature opposite and Cliff had peg 22 in the other section, will we both get into some fish ?
Further to my left
Target boat area
The match passed and my two fish weighed 3oz and Cliff had 7.5oz yet the Zouch sections blitzed the days proceedings with lowest weight being 2-10 and highest weight 10-14 !!! .......different planet !
Andy Astle with a decent Perch
RESULTS :
2 rounds complete , 2 more to follow , all to play for.
I decided to get some fresh air at one of my favourite venues as the weather went to a barmy 6 degrees! With the snow melting it was seeping into the river system and it was expected to be hard to fish , this it proved to be but the essential thing was to get out and cast a line even though i was only drop shotting.
As usual i ventured to the Fish pass weir but then perambulated up stream in the direction of the crazy golf . Half way along the tree line the sign then shown you can fish from .
This part of the river looks inviting however some space between the trees was hindered with low branches
Looking back towards the car park and fish pass
Walking back towards the fish pass ( Kayak white water dream )
Looking down to the basin area - my favourite place to fish
Shame you cannot fish from the building 😃
Moved into the town opposite the Bohman Hotel and took a coffee and macka
When arriving there was about 7-8 anglers and absolutely no takes so obviously the melting water had place the level up a good 90 cms .
Anglers came and went throughout the 3 hours i was there
Decided to travel home as clearly there was no fish takes but the result was i gained some vitalising fresh air and also met a really nice guy who was a Perch expert and held some records in his fishing expeditions . He fishes also in Holland and is travelling to Spain to fish for them . I hope to follow his exploits and list them on my FB pages .
