Ivy House Lakes

Peg 20
78lb 14oz
Won silvers
Second in match
16 fished

The first two hours of the match it was solid of bream and decent skimmers, smallest been 12oz biggest 3lb.  I had around 40lb in two hours, it was hectic.  But the wind got up, maybe coincidence, but the fish switched off, tried a few past bait, lighter rigs, changing mix, new lines result in nothing!?

Caught steady, not baggin in last hour.  had my first grass carp from this lake, which was 8lb 2oz. 

Fish O Mania - Woodlands View

Peg 50 Back Deans
19lb 2oz
Second in a ten peg section (21lb won it)

It was always going to be a tough day today with every peg in, (eight yard pegging).  Like alot of Fish O Mania matches you hope to get some room or a feature!!  Unfortunately I wasn't so lucky.  I caught in the first 40 minutes in the last 20 minutes.   I had 5 small carp and lost one in neighbours swim,  a carp swim 6 yards into his swim, despite saying "sorry mate, fish coming through" he struck it off.  On well, another 4 hours later the same again, got tangled, but got it free, but then the fish came off anyway.... I just laughed. To add salt to the wound, 21lb won the ten peg section and I had 19lb, and third was 18lb.  Our end of the lake was really tough, but there were some fish caught further up, a couple of 90lb weights.  I believe 160lb odd won it, by John Havery.    Congratulations to him for winning and I will see him there in the Fish O Mania final with Frank Donachie.  Fingers crossed for Frank, let's hope for some luck in the final.

Colmic CK - 5000

The New Colmic CK - 5000 is a pole that I got excited about, it comes with a nice rod bag, a spare power kit (hyper kit 2.95 meters long), a dolly butt and a £300 price tag?! Unbelievable value at 11.5 meters.  

Let's start with the negatives:

It doesn't come with a cupping kit.
The pole is slightly heavier than some of its rivals.

But these negatives can easily be turned around, a cupping kit can be purchased separately, it will cost you about £40 with cups.  This would be a good quality carbon!

Weight, there is a dolly butt which will counter balance your pole, this fits into the last two sections, this also will help to protect your investment.

Positives

The pole is very responsive, even at 11.5 meters, its does loose a slight bit of responsiveness, but nothing to worry about.  10 meters and less is easily manageable.

The hyper kit comes with reinforcements at the bottom of the female section, this means very hard wearing and will last.  I know, as I used my HM40 kits for almost three years every week!! Enough said....  There is reinforcement on the bottom of each section, so your sections won't go soft.

Top kits are long, and will be long enough for 90% of commercial fisheries. 2.95 meters long.  Also very little cutting back to fit the largest of bushes, therefore your pole stays at 11.5 meters!!!

The pole has a lovely smooth finish, not rough, glides through your hands easily.

Strength, well I can see why this pole can catch big specimen fish.  With weight, comes strength and longer wearing poles!

If you know me, then your know that I'm not afraid to fish really heavy and pull a bit, hopefully the pictures prove this.  I was pleased to fish with the pole at Ivy House Lakes, and I was lucky enough to catch quite a few fish on it and managed to catch I few proper angry carp.  One common carp 12lb, mirror carp of 15lb, and endless about of 4lb to 8lb carp. The pole managed with ease, even holding the pole up in the air at full length with an angry carp trying to get round the back of the island.  Many poles wouldn't cope with that, I know cause I've seen poles break over this weekend on these fish. 

I will take the pole to Rolf's Lake and South Cerney lakes for further testing.

If your on the hunt for a power pole, then I would strongly advise you to have a look!

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Ivy House Lakes

Peg 5

65lb

5th overall

Won silvers

21 fished

Ivy House Lakes

49lb

3rd overall in silvers

5th overall

21 fished

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Ivy House Lakes

Peg 27

54lb

2nd overall

3rd in silvers

My team mate won it, frank Donachie won it with 54lb!

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Ivy House Lakes - Summer festival

Day 1

107lb
Won silvers

2nd in section

Andy set a new record of 395lb 12oz

Day 2

Peg 19

94lb 10oz

Won match

Won silvers too

Day three

Peg 2

36lb

Won silvers

3rd in section.

My heart stopped when I drew peg 2, as this was going to be a mega tough.  Peg 2 has been good at Ivy House Lakes a few weeks ago, the place to be, but the wind off my back and no ripple down the edge, I'm in trouble.  Gary Etheridge on peg 9, Andy Llyod on peg 6 and Magoo on peg 41 I'm going to be trouble.  

And sure enough I was, I couldn't catch down the edge or at 6 meters.  All I could catch on was skimmers on my worm mix.  I had frustrating day and magoo's last minute carp cost me a point.

Day 4

Peg 43

53lb

Won silvers

Third in section

Congratulations to Mick Lane for winning with 4 points. Great result.

Special thanks to Andy and Karen for running the festival.  Next one is October.