The Pirates took part in Thames Water Shield at Farmoor yesterday, conditions were overcast early then brightened up considerably later on, stiff westerly, quite cool but not freezing, warmed as the day went on.

All four of us headed for the south bank, Bart & Charlie near the bus shelter, myself and Phil on the south east corner, wind coming from left to right for all of us.

I had two fairly quickly but the Queen Mother chap to my right had his 8 in the first two hours, fishing a Di7 with a short leader and two coral boobies.

I had on a Di7 40+ Expert with a longer 12ft leader and two Cat boobies (Black & Green and White & Green). My leader was just too long and the running line on the 40+ was being caught in the wind as I cast out and just not sinking fast enough, causing a big bow in the line when it had finally gone down.

I chopped down my leader to 6ft and changed to a standard Sixth Sense Di7, allowing me a straighter line and deeper flies.

Method was to give the line a couple of minutes to settle and see if you could pick one up on the ledger, then twiddle it back slowly. Ledgering caught but that can be a bit boring.

I ended up with 6 fish for 15lb, team had 24 in total and we came 3rd behind Queen Mother 2 in 1st and Queen Mother 1 in 2nd.

Best fly for me was the Black & Green Booby and when Phil shortened his leader and stuck on two Black & Greens, he went from 2 fish to 8 fish in next to no time.

The fish are cracking, excellent condition, even the fresh ones are over 2lb, Farmoor has increased their stock size somewhat and once they have been in a wee while they are solid well mended great fighting fish, I had 2 at just under 3lb each that ran and took me down to the backing, what a buzz.

Fish were caught anything from 35 yards out to 5 yards out, they are everywhere, so even novices will be covering fish.

Had a great day out, I love Farmoor, pity its just a bit too far for me when I have all the Anglian waters within 20 mins, which obviously keeps me closer to home for most of the season.

Highly recommend giving Farmoor a visit this Winter.

The Pirate.

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Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

http://www.soniksports.com/

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines...unkistbob.html

....and Charlie was such a weewee taker when I told him he'd see his backing

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Roy

This was Farmoor 2 Roy, and the fish are a much better stock size than they used to be. Farmoor 1, I would imagine, is even better as the rod average there right now is ELEVEN

Like PP says, just a shame it is not closer................

Charlie

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Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates

I just wish I could have taken you there this Winter mate.

The Pirate.

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Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

http://www.soniksports.com/

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines...unkistbob.html

What a nice thing to say Pirate, it's true, you are a good and kind person. Take care.

Billy.