White Springs
   Fishery

Pirates 2009 Champion Geoff Walker receives his trophy from White Springs Owner Vince Lloyd. Geoff totalled 99 Points from the 42 matches, with Gordon coming in second with 78 points and Tony on 76points.

Geoff also enjoyed sucess in the 6 week weds Pirates Club winter mini series winning with 7 points beating Gordon again by one point. Tony was 3rd with 10 pts Richard Lewis on 12pts Keith Tueson 13 pts, Ron Shipton 19pts Rob White 21pts and Mike Thomas 25pts

We wish the match anglers all the best in 2010.

Geoff Walker (69) was origonally from Stoke on Trent and he now lives in Talley, his personal best is 130lb which he managed to acheive whilst fishing the Match Lake here at White Springs itself. He likes to use the Pole and Paste as his favourite type of setup and he currently is using a Shimano Anteres 16M Pole with a Shimano Anteres Silk Shock Special Competition Line rated at 5.39lb and .140mm with a Kamason B981 Barbless Specimen Size 16 round bend hook. His Bait is expander pellets.

He has fished for approximately 60 years and got hooked on fishing by accompanying his father all those years ago, being both a keen fisherman and cyclist he regulary (at least once a week) used to fish the Trent and Mersey canals. He told me that he just loves to fish and just loves the thrill of catching that fish, never knowing what is going to come out. He enjoys making his own end tackle and is very profficient at making floats from balsa wood and has been doing this since his early 20's. He leaned over and confided in me that sometimes he finds the making of the floats more satisfying than the fishing itself though he did admit that there is nothing better than catching a fish from one of his home made and very proffesional looking floats.

Asking him what else he loves about fishing he told me that it was the social aspect of the fishing that he loved especially amongst the Pirates of which he is a founding member, amongst the Pirates he loves to wind them up and trade banter with them about the fishing and everything else.

Geoff told me what he loved about White Springs........ there is a good variety of lakes here at White Springs so it is good to be able to have a change as it saves you getting bored. It is convienant for me to travel to as well.

His most memorable experiance was one or two international matches where he got the chance to compete and win matches against some of the top anglers in the country, he nodded to me winked and pointed out one of the anglers opposite him, "Great guy he said and he fishes for Wales and I am in a competition with him what more can I say"

I asked him for some advice for any up and coming anglers and he told me that

You shouldn't be afraid to ask the more experianced anglers on the lake for advice, you will learn more in an hour of watching an experianced angler that you will in 12 months fishing on your own, so dont be shy to ask and watch the experianced anglers.

Sounds like good advice to me Geoff and with that we shall bid you good day and hopefully catch up with you another day. Good luck in your fishing in 2010 and congratulations on your results for 2009.

Tight Lines

Not a bad week as the weather has warmed up a little and the mid week Pirates Match was the first for this year , they fished the old canal with Jeff Walker taking the lead early on in the match and winning with the match with 74lb in cold winter conditions, Well done Jeff.

The first match of the Winter League was on the match lake and the Old canal, they also fished in very cold conditions but it didnt stop some good results from coming out.

Rob Jones took first place with 89-2, Lyn Jones on the canal took second with 61-12, Paul Phillmore took third with  52-8, Chris Hall Match Lake 51-01, Adam Jones Match Lake 51lb, good weights in cold conditions. Well fished guys.

Next sunday there is an open match on the canal run by Rob Jones for anyone that wants to test their angling skills all are welcome.

Last weekend saw the first open matchs on the match lake after the ice and big freeze had hit the country freeezing up lakes up and down the country, although most of White Springs is now thawed out there was still some ice still left in the match lake proving the conditions were still very cold with the temperature being about 2-3C at most. 19 anglers took part in these freezing conditions in an open match taking on the fish of White Springs when you would expect them all to be hiberbating, but even though some pegs did prove difficult there was an overall good result on the day and the winner of the day was Chris Hall on peg 24 fishing the pole and the method feecder with 76lb 12oz
2nd place went to Rob Wilshire on peg 11 with 60lb 12 oz and third place Rob Jones Peg 19 with 44lb 8 oz. 4th place went to Adam Jones on Peg 12 took 43lb 7oz proving that even in the worst of freezing conditions the fish still like to come out at White Springs and feed. Please note the photos below are not necessarliy of the winning pegs.

Chris Hall.

Rob Jones

Adam Jones

Our first match of the year 2010 was held on the pleasure lake as the other lakes were frozen on the day. 17 Anglers took part and fought it out in a very windy and cold winter conditions whilst the lake was actually freezing around them. Often due to the icy conditions they were reduced to using only 3 sections of their poles.

In first place was 14 year old Ryan Huwes who fished down the side catching Carp Raoch and bream to bring in a respectable 47lb in some of the worst winter conditions we have seen here at White Springs.

Second PLace went to Bob Giles who after breaking the ice fished 10ft in front of him and went on to catch 38 1/2 lb.

Third Place went to Ian Exall with 37lb who again had to break the ice and managed to catch his fishing down the side.

White Springs would like to thank all who took part in the match in some very cold and icy conditions.

Tony Wale (70) is originally from Devon and is currently residing in Llandybie where he is heavily involved in various good works within the community and a man that likes to keep himself very busy. He enjoys in the fishing world a personal best of 240lb overall weight and his favourite method of fishing is down the edge. He enjoys fishing whilst using his trusty Garbolino G995 Pole and his powerline line with a B911 Kamason Size 8 Barbless Wide Gape Swept Point hook and likes to spend as much time as he can on the bank.

When I caught up with Tony he was in the middle of a match with the Pirates and although he was busy he still found the time to speak to me about all manner of subjects and I managed to speak to Tony for some time about his current involvements and other bits and bobs. With regards to fishing this is what Tony had to say on Baits whilst having a huge grin on his face a winking at the same time he said........

"My favourite bait to use it sweetcorn. I like tesco's because it is cheap  I don't think that the carp really cares which shop it comes from, they don't know if its from tesco's or its jolly green giant until it is in their mouth and then it is too late, they are hooked, I think it applys to most baits like sweetcorn"

You gotta admit he makes a good point!

Asking him why he started fishing he told me without hesitation that is was due to ill health and he revealed that some time ago he had suffered three brain haemorages and had been told by Doctors that he had to lead a less energetic life in order not to futher damage his health and he had to take things a lot easier than he had for up until then Tony had lead a very energetic and atheletic career which included honary titles such as Captain of the British Orienteering team and he had ran against the top runners from the likes of Wales and Scotland for his home team in the top competitions several times quite sucessfully as well, he had also ran cross country for the 17 years when he was in the army which is no mean feat in its own right  and something that only the top atheletes would be able to do for that length of time, you must admit some great acheivements in his lifetime and something to be proud of.

I asked him since he had started fishing what was he loved about it and he told me....

" Its the old hunting instincts, they never leave you, it's a sport that you will never stop learning and you will never beat it, thats why I love the challenge of it.

Asking about what he loves about White Springs he told me that he...

"....loves the variety of fish at White Springs, the different challenges of the lakes and the fact that you can use your keepnet here when you are pleasure fishing, If you wanted to come here with your wife or friends and have a friendly little competition amongst yourseves fishing you can. Most fisherys will only allow you to use a keepnet in matches, here it is a relaxed atmosphere, they treat you like you are a responsible fisherman and you can fish here without having loads of rules being thrown at you, you are left to your own common sense, without the owner breathing down your neck and just left to enjoy your fishing in peace."

"So what was your most memorable fishing experiance Tony?" I asked.

"Catching my first 20lb'r at Broadwater, Godalming, It was my first 20lb Mirror Carp and I was relieved to get it into the net as I thought I was going to lose it, it fought me hard for about 15 minutes but I got it in the net relatively easy after that and my adrenalin was pumping, I used a rod and waggler at about 13-14 metres and it was some fantastic fishing."

Have you got any advice to any up and coming anglers Tony?

Read as much as you can about fishing, Learn as much as you can and listen to the other fishermen.....Don't believe all they say but keep an open mind, there is masses and masses of information out there and you got be able to sort it out and do things your way, make your mind up on what you are going to do and get out there and do it, that is what will give you the satisfaction in fishing, well it is for me.

Well said Tony and White Springs wishes you all the best fishing in the world.

 Tight Lines mate. 

Gordon (The Pirate) Furlong (62) is originally from Somerset and is currently living in Glyneath he has an impressive overall weight PB of 170LB

His favourite setup is on his favourite pole which is a Shimano Exage Ax on which he uses a 012 Line with a 18 hook and a KC Carper Float 4g and Ringers Pellets and he is a match angler through and through. He told me he has fished since he was 17 and used to fish a lot with long time friend Colin Lockyer with whom he shared many great adventures.

Asking him about why he loves fishing he told me....

"The thing I love about fishing is the fish, I just love the fish, its the unknown factor with fishing, pitting your wits against the wily old fish and just being outdoors in all weathers, I love the challenge and also the banter with the boys in the matches, the friendly competative nature come win or lose its just good company with the boys fishing here."

Asking him why he loved White Springs he told me......

" Its everything here, the variety of fish here, with the different lakes and all the different silver fish here and also the specimen carp,"

He tells me that he has great respect for Mr Lloyd and loved the very friendly and relaxed fishing here at White Springs. What more can you ask for.

Gordons most memorable fishing occasion came from a trip in Denmark where he was catching approximately 150lb of roach a day, he said it was out of this world, he has had bigger weights come in but that trip was something special. Fond memories.

I asked him for some advice to up and coming anglers

"You have to keep thinking, to make things happen. Keep things simple and use a variety of things and if it isnt happening then keep trying different things, you must have adaptability and versatility and confidence in what you are doing and the determination to suceed."

I think that sounds like good advice especially when he added....

Enjoy your fishing, go when you can and life is for living.

Certainly is Gordon, certainly is, thank you for our chat and I hope that you suceed in your fishing and find the enjoyment that comes with it as so many do at White Springs.

The Pirates have started a mini series of friendly match competition which started today in not the best of weather conditions, yes it is official winter time is here, yet these hardy anglers came out to brave the cold and the rain for the first of their mini series matches on the New Canal. These fun loving bunch of anglers will be using a different lake per week. There is a list below of dates and lakes. The matches are a very friendly affair with lots of banter floating around from the lads who enjoy winding each other up as much as they enjoy the fishing and everyone is welcome to participate so if you are looking for a challenge, a friendly competition with some very experianced fishermen then this is the place to come.

The Pirates name originated from Gordon's favourite football team which are the Bristol Rovers who are apparently known as the Pirates and every match they fly the Pirates flag which comes with them every match religiously. I am told that the winner of each match in this series will have the privilege of the flag flying behind them in their swim in their next match. 
If anyone would like to come down and pit their wits against them both in banter and fishing the matches are listed below

 11th Nov New Canal, 18th Nov Old Canal, 25th Nov Match Lake, 2 Dec New Canal, 9th Dec Old Canal, 16th Dec Match Lake. Fishing Match times will be 10.15am - 3.30pm

The results are on a point system at a cost of a £3.00 weekly pool per person, £2.00 paid out each match with £1.00 carried over for the series winner. On top of that the overall series winner will receive free 2010 White Springs Membership from our host Vince.

The winner of this match was Rob Jones who has seen more than his fair share of matches after fishing for the Welsh Team for more than 8 years a very experianced angler indeed and a worthy opponent. Here he is being congratulated by Gordon Furlong after coming first in the first of the mini series matches. I wasn't there to grab the weight results due to absence however I will try and get them for you when I catch up with Gordon next.

I did however during the match manage to interview some of the original Pirates who started the group and those interviews will be going out weekly, with the Gordon Furlong interview, being the first person I interviewed posted out shortly. Good luck guys and I hope to try and catch up with some more of this wily bunch on their next up and coming matches and get some interviews with them as well.. 

Here come the Pirates who attended this match.

The White Springs Pirates are having a six week series of matches which are starting 

11th Nov New Canal

18th Nov Old Canal

25th Nov Match Lake

2 Dec New Canal

9th Dec Old Canal

16th Dec Match Lake

Fishing Match times will be 10.15am - 3.30pm

The results are on a point system at a cost of a £3.00 weekly pool per person, £2.00 paid out each match with £1.00 carried over for the series winner. On top of that the overall series winner will receive free 2010 White Springs Membership from our host Vince. 

There are spaces available still to join this friendly group of Pirates and if you would like to pit your skills in a friendly match with a good bunch of lads then please contact Vince or Gordon Furlong at White Springs.

The weather was good for a change and the team was out in force to see who could catch the most silver fish from the Specimen Lake in an open friendly. More details including the names of the anglers participating the winners results and catch weights will follow soon but for the moment here are some of the photos of the match for you to enjoy from the photo album.

http://www.whitespringsfishery.co.uk/apps/photos/album?albumid=6890469

The guys ventured out in some pretty rough conditions on Sunday.

The match lake was the venue for this weeks match, which saw a good crowd of fellas turn out for their weekly onslaught .

Conditions for the days match weren't great, with very strong cross winds and wet weather making pole fishing incredibly difficult, yet bag weights still broke the 80lb barrier!

Results:

1st Howard Green (peg 7) 81lb 4oz

2nd Ryan Thomas (peg 16) 79lb 8oz

3rd Adam Jones (peg 13) 68lb 4oz

4th Gavin Jones (peg 10) 68lb

Very warm conditions today with another good mid-week turnout. weights were again exceptional with at least 2 anglers breaking the ton.

The match lake provided all the action for the day with cracking weights of carp and skimmers finding the keepnets of all the competitors.

Results:

1st Nick Williams (peg 11) 135lb 4oz

2nd Ryan Hughes Jnr (peg 20) 129lb 2oz

3rd Brian Bevan (peg 18) 98lb 12oz

4th Tony Whale (peg 14) 84lb 1oz

The weather was again very fine and hot for todays match and we were presented with yet more cracking weights of fish!

Results:

1st Simon Hughes (peg 20) 108lb

2nd Chris Hall (peg 15) 96lb 2oz

Our regular weekly Wednesday match saw some cracking weights again taken from the Match lake.

The weather was very warm and the fish were just on the backend of their yearly spawn so it was expected things may be a little tougher than usual....this certainly wasn't the case with all anglers bagging good weights of fish!

Results:

1st Ryan Hughes (peg 13) 105lb

2nd Geoff Walker (peg 10) 98lb

3rd Nick Williams (peg 5) 92lb

 The canal was home to this weekends match. The weather was against the competitors from the off, with some terrible wet and windy conditions making the fishing very tough!

Albeit there were the usual suspects on the top of the table and although the weather was rubbish the fishing certainly wasn't!

Results

1st Howard Green 71lb 13oz

2nd Chris Hall 53lb

3rd Adam Mitchell 48lb

4th Micheal Williams 39lb

2 eventful days saw nearly thirty anglers battle it out for the top prize of a cool £1000!

The match and canal lakes were to be home to the event with each competitor drawing a peg and fishing alternate pools over the 2 consecutive days fishing.

The weather was still a little up and down over the course of the weekend but, it appeared all of the competitors seemed to thoroughly enjoy the whole event.

The fishing was hectic to say the least with some astounding weights coming from all the pools.



The event finished with a buffet and prize presentation which saw the following scoop some nice sums of cash!










Event winners.......

1st Nigel Morris 2 pts total weight 170lb 14oz
2nd Howard Green 3pts total weight 151lb 9oz
3rd Luke Sorokin 3pts total weight 139lb
4th Adam Mitchell 3pts total weight 129lb 14oz
5th Mike Williams 3pts total weight 128lb 4oz

1st Mike Williams 57lb 14oz

Section 1 Rob Wiltshire 47lb 12oz Section 2 Shaun Wilson 53lb 6oz

Section 3 Pete Edwards 37lb 12oz

Section 4 Simon Jones 32lb 8oz

2nd Howard Green 55lb 6oz

3rd Rob Dyer 53lb 15oz

4th Eane Exall 44lb 8oz

1st   Adam Mitchell    60lb 4oz (peg 14 Canal)
2nd Chris Hall            53lb 8oz (peg 4 Canal)
3rd  Eane Exall          50lb 8oz (peg 20 Match)
4th  Rob Wiltshire      50lb 4oz (peg 18 Canal)
5th  Gary Mitchell      34lb 2oz (peg 7 Match)
6th  Andrew Crocker 33lb 9oz (peg 16 Match)

With the weather being some of the coldest experienced in this country in the last 30 years, it wasn't surprising that it took over 2 days for Vince to clear the Ice from the Match pool.

Albeit he managed it and was able to accommodate some regular faces for a cold battle on the Match lake.

The hardcore anglers went for it on the silvers and managed some very good weights considering the overall conditions for the match.

Results........

1st Shaun Wilson 10lb 7oz (Peg 10)

2nd Rob Wiltshire 6lb 2oz (Peg 23)

3rd Adam Mitchell 4lb 14oz (Peg 21)

4th Mathew Morgan 3lb 3oz (Peg 24)

An exceptional turnout to the season finale for the Sirhowy Club fishing on both the Canal and Match Lakes. The weather was slightly milder today than it has been.

A good match saw once again many exceptional top weights from both lakes.

A fantastic prize table and buffet was supplied with everybody taking home something!

Top of the ranks for today were Mark Goodall with 47lb from the Match Lake and Simon Jones with 81lb from peg 20 on the Canal pool.

Well done to both of the lads and a special congratulations go to Simon Jones who also scooped the club champion trophy's for the year!

It froze again overnight and left 90% of the match pool frozen solid. The usual suspects still turned out and pegged sensibly as they could considering the dreadful conditions again.This didn't seem to harm the fishing itself though as most of the lads were into fish from the whistle.
Fishing the pole through small slithers of gaps amongst the ice made things very interesting. Unfortunately one of the poor fellas went for a swim, headfirst whilst positioning his keepnet at the start!We wont embaress the individual in person, but needless to say everybody was keen to give him a hand........of applause that is! ! !
Needless to say......a spare pair of boots was lent out,some dry clothes adorned and off we go again.Anyway, a cracking day was had by all and weights were no less than astonishing considering the conditions and the fact that we're in the grips of some of the coldest weather conditions for some 30 years!Result...........

1st Nigel Morris 73lb 7oz (peg 14)
2nd Micheal Williams 71lb 6oz (peg 11)
3rd Mark Goodall 64lb 6oz (peg 24)
4th Ryan Hughes 53lb 4oz (peg 9)