I thought horseshoes were lucky

In theory the weekend was scheduled to be a complete success after the disaster of 2013 festival. Nico on time and kit packed swiftly into the new Nicholls Touran. Optimistic but realistic. Nico played at DJ and Nicholls moaned about the lack of 80's classics. The miles soon vanished as debates were had about methods, baits and banter. Time for a boost of the energy levels with coffee and double mc sausage and egg. Spring Lea loomed and the lads spotted the welcome sight of great white hope - the van and magnum ready, willing and waiting. No fuss straight to Orfe. Playing cards pulled for the draw of pegs and a very focused session started. Magnum still learning the rules like his timetables and Nico with quick fire gags at the expense of his competitors. Feeders up for Nico and Nicholls, magnum still unsure of the rules headed for the pole at 10 metres. Then nothing. Followed by nothing. Then all go Magnum the rules master was into a large carp, bullying it in, the hook pulled. Cup in and wait. A few small fish to Nico and Nicholls. Again magnum whilst learning the rules was into a decent carp, but no the monster escaped. A few more smaller fish followed. Lads arrived with tales of 80lb bags, Nicholls actually stuck at the 3 hour feeder and Nico pretended not to be catching IDE. Magnum revisited the rules, completed a small test on them and opted for the feeder. A few fish followed. Nicholls a 4.5lb carp. Nico continued to not catch IDE and magnum was now reciting the rules, all catching a few fish. Steady fishing, fish were not big but constant. But the wind blew and the temperature was autumnal. But the fish still came, skimmers, invisible I'm not catching any IDE and roach. The carp were on a half day like the cob van. At 5pm the all in left the anglers wondering.....

2014 Monkey Tennis Cup Festival Spring Lea

Official rules for the 6th Festival 2014 Saturday 30th August 2014 PLEASE READ CAREFULLY 1. Start 9am each day 2. £6 entry fee 3. Pegs drawn both days 4. Minimum of 3 hours over two days on feeder 5. 1 point for each of the following - total weight - most species - largest fish - carp weight - silvers weight Max 5 points over the day - total Maximum score 10. 6. All out agreed before start of each session. 7. Two nets required - carp and silvers.

Nico managed to snag a few bream late on to avoid the blank. Coot catcher with a long hard fought battle with this 13.5lb carp plus a few bream. Highlight of a generally poor session for Butterley given the conditions and time of year.

Smelt like teen spirit

Butterley res pegs in the corner. Early jack pike 2lb Smelt Good to branch out into something new with Nico New area of tackle purchasing A big one will come rather than these small teenagers.

Nico 1 Run Nicholls 0 Runs

Fished the high bank and the rocks. Only some movement on rocks - was it a run? Nico went for a 10 k run and I had nothing. Tested new kit. My time will come!!

Wind down and hit it

Butterley Very mild January day - around 10 degrees At points very bright. Fished high bank about an hour then moved along to the small outlet Fished into the bay and had this 3lb pike fairly quickly

Exciting stuff - float buried - could have been a monster. No one else doing anything Baliff advised fishes better for pike when colder!! Good confidence boost that more can be had. Only fished for 2 hours tops. Enjoyed it I'll be back to tempt that creature from the depths. Wheres Nico? Wearing that thermal suit to bed? 2014 - Personal best carp, pike and roach from Butterley.

Breaking Bad

Butterley Cold as the images shows. Really basic kit. 2 hours. Fishing through ice.Good to test kit. Wrong pegs due to match on res. Lesson learnt. Aim at least one pike this winter!!