The venue for todays match was the popular Shiplate Fishery which has recently been sold for 1.8million and contrary to the rumors it was not me who purchased this as I could only raise the 1.6million but it could be a joint effort of Steve Warren and his dodgy banking deals and John Wolstencroft following them taking a nice early retirement payout. The main lake was our home for the day with other fishing clubs on the snake lakes.
In what could be the last matches of 2020 due to the announcement made by the Government on the evening before the match we had 17 booked in for today, then a last minute drop out put us down to 16. The weather on Friday predicted heavy rain and windy conditions but cometh the day the winds were moderate and only a couple of showers were forecast and everyone was upbeat. Everyone was there nice and early and Steve gave the payouts to those who framed last week.
George, his normal happy self on a Sunday morning (needs to go to bed earlier on a Saturday night ) was moaning about anything and everything and was once again the brunt of the banter. It was funny how all the framers from the previous week mentioned to George (obviously social distancing comments) about him not having a nice envelope and Danny, in the thick of things taking his pound off of George for the past 15 weeks was laying into the old Bolton Bottler. It was great banter to be part of and to be fair to George - he wasn't moaning - much!!!
Now for someone who wasn't moaning who drew peg 14 he wasn't happy, although for all the times I've fished at Shiplate, he's reminded me that he held the Silvers record from this peg up until recently. He was armed with 3 cans of sweet corn today put he didn't mention if they were full or empty.
The draw was done on Friday evening with the normal suspects around to witness the draw and Bob was owning up to buying a new rod ready for Sunday. Phil who was self isolating was also making notes even though he couldn't attend.
Golden peg was drawn - nos 8. This has been producing well of late which won again on Wednesday with around 100lb.
Peg -
1 - Paul Bowyer
2 - Dave Tunstill
3 - Tony Fry
4 - Bob Pascoe
5 - no show
6 - Tony Newell
7 - Rich Coles
8 - Eric Searle
10 - John Bradford
11 - Steve Warren
12 Danny Donahay
12a - John Wolstencroft
13 - Martin Western
13a - Steve King
14 - George Fletcher
14b - Nige Coram
15 - Dave Allen
Now I thought I got to the fishery nice and early and was walking around the far side only to find that those anglers from pegs 12A - 15 were already at their pegs. They must have had some inside information and filled with hope they must have run around - with the exception of Martin who I couldn't see running anywhere to be honest.
A quick hello to Dave Allen on the end and he had that smile that he was happy, didn't need to say much, just the smile. Next to me was George who from his walk had a mood change. He was happy as Eric gave him some casters and even Steve couldn't wind him up on the Corona Virus Tongue that started this pandemic. So lots of time to set up, have a cup of tea and a natter, then the thud of heavy feet or was it a heavy foot and George showed ne the caster that Eric had given him which were all floaters, good one Eric. Not to be deterred, he gave then to Danny who never refuses free bait and the smile was back on Georges face.
Results
Overall
1st - Steve King - 125lb - 06oz
2nd - Dave Allen - 107lb - 07 oz
3rd - John Wolstencroft - 105lb - 03 oz
Silvers
1st - Martin Western - 28lb - 10oz
2nd - Dave Tuntsill - 26lb - 03 oz
3rd - Rich Coles - 23lb - 12 oz
So some very good weights today from all over the lake which in contrast to how the fishing has been in previous weeks and especially last week its good to see the fish on the munch before they also go into lock down.
I would like to say next up is Avalon; however with the guidelines of only 1 person seeing 1 other outside of households then its very unlikely and I can not personally see the r value coming down that much that we will be back before the new year, but i would like to be wrong.
In the meantime, please keep an eye on the blog, as when I receive any info I will update. In the mean time, stay away from those illegal raves and keep safe.
