Once again I got a lucky at the draw, picking out the golden peg number 6, although this has started to become a bit of a curse in previous matches, such as the 2011 Christmas match at Farleigh Wood!
Having got to my peg, I was pleased with my draw, with a fallen tree to my right and some clear water in front and downstream to my left.
With fish topping early on and a few splashes right in front of me, I set up my tackle a little way back from the water's edge to avoid spooking my potential catch.
My favourite method for this stretch was the straight lead or small feeder (maggot or cage) but to give myself a chance, I also set up a shallow pole rig and an old cork stick float for trotting.
The pole rig was tested first in a patch of still water by the fallen tree and straight away the float started to dip. Once missed bite later and I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice, striking into a nice little chublet that stretched my No.4 elastic.
First out was a small roach, followed by another and then the brown trout moved in. The next few hours saw several more roach landed and a half decent brownie to 3/4lb.
As midday came and went, the temperature started to dip and the bites became few and far between.
A gudgeon and one or two more roach were added plus a bonus brownie before the swim simply packed up. Despite alternating the feed, swapping rigs and varying hook sizes, nothing was going to tempt those fish for the last few hours.
With a few anglers still catching, all I could do was hope for the best that my morning session was enough to see me place.
When the final "All-Out" was called and the first 3 anglers had weighed-in, I knew it was going to be close.
Peg 7 next door had plucked some sly roach from the swim unnoticed and bagged 2lb 10oz.
My turn arrived and with my fish in the sling, all I could do was wait for the decision. Too close to call, a decision was given for the same weight of 2lb 10oz and a joint lead. Only two more anglers stood a realistic chance of beating us and with one falling short of the 2lb mark, the angler from peg 4 emptied his net, the scales swinging round to 2lb 1oz.
A tough battle and close call but joint 1st and my name back on the trophy was pleasing enough. I managed to avoid hearing "what I could 'ave won" from the golden peg pot and went home with a smile on my face!
Check out the KAA facebook page at www.facebook.com/KeynshamAA for the club's full match report.
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