Originally Posted by gman

Thanks Ray, nice to fish the canal again even though I got the peg I most dreaded! No excuses though cos Rich got the other one and won it. Well done Rich, I was far too bold on my feeding from the start after the previous week's 'Skimmer bonanza' at Claverton. The colder weather suited your cautious 'little n often' liquidised feeding.
On a different note I'd like to pick up on a chat I had with Rich on a series of 'specialist' canal matches for the future. I really don't think Bathampton realise what a gem of a venue they have at the moment. When Will Raison comes down and fishes three matches in a row and proclaims it's the best canal venue he's fished I think we should feel proud, but also take note in the interest from across the country. I spoke to the Starlets and Shakespeare guys at the AT semi's this year and all of them had noted the results on the venue as Rich say's he had.
I've been thinking about our conversation Rich, and I think it could be quite plausible to have a series on the canal for 'specialist' canal anglers. Rumour has it Dorking wanted to field a team in our Comercial House league next year which will be opposed because teams have to be local and have two members working for the company represented. But this shows the interest. Bathampton would be well represented by anglers who all fancy their chances on the venue and the Thatchers boys all did well in the winter/Commercial leagues so I imagine they would be up for an individual league. The Blackmore Vale crew have shown in the AT semi's that they know the canal well and Diddy and co have framed at our end as well. A few of the Thyers crew are seasoned 'punch' anglers who would be well up for the challenge, Tony Goodland framed in every Winter/commercial league match on the canal last season.
It's just an idea after our conversation at the end of last week's match but I think a series featuring a couple of matches on our end, Pewsey,Whadon and maybe one on the Bridgwater/Taunton to attract the Somerset boys might be a realistic propostition for those of us who don't adhere to the 'peg number blah blah' will win it today Commercial scene monotany. I'll speak to my Bathampton team mates and chat to you again at the AT finals in Peterborough or the Huntspill opens this year but I really think the potential is there to get a serious canal based league going while The K & A is showing such great form at the moment.
Well done again, I was battered on my own patch, but such is the elusive behaviour of those 1lb+ skimmers down our end at present!!