Breakfast was great and thanks have to go to the kitchen staff who looked after us all superbly. This was the last chance to discuss tactics and catch up with old friends before the serious competition of the day began. The draw, so often the make or break point for many a match angler but as we had little experience of the water it made absolutely no difference to our confidence, however, being unable to see the lake for fog did, were we in for an ice breaking session? Two lakes were to be used, Black Horse and Rocola and true to form we were drawn on different lakes, thank the Lord for mobile phones. After traipsing through the fields and contending with a very strange numbering system, peg 70 was next to peg 42, I finally reached my destination, peg 46 on Rocola. Neil drew peg 24 on Black Horse and as always he had to contend with an energy sapping two minute stroll from the van compared with my half an hour marathon trek which when laden with tackle and chairs is quite some distance. My initial reaction to my peg was favourable, slightly submerged trees to my right and a dying bed of rushes to my left but then I noticed the colour of the water, aaarrrggghhh!!!, it was a real dirty, reddish brown colour but if I’m anything I’m a trier and although the confidence was slightly dented I was still hopeful, after all the water temperature was 40 degrees which is a good deal higher than we had been experiencing in the North West over the last few weeks and we didn’t have to break the ice. I set up the rods, two North Western Pike Specialists with a 2.75lb test curve along with the new North Western Super Strong lure rod, however, with the water colour the way it was it was unlikely that I would be spending much of the day lure fishing. And so to the off, whole Mackerel on one rod and a roach on the other the rods were cast and the waiting began. Within twenty minutes the buzzers awful screech shattered the foggy solitude and we were in unfortunately in a matter of minutes we were out and the fish was lost but there is nothing like an early run to boost the confidence. At 11 o’ clock the phone rang, Neil had caught, a beautiful 10lb 5oz female had fell to a section of lamprey. Leeches were present on the fish and I knew they were lying deep. A heavier weight was added to the rig to reach the deeper channels of the lake, the roach was forsaken and a bloody piece of lamprey took its place. Confidence was higher than ever now but alas for us both the remainder of the match was to remain fishless as it did for a number of anglers. We chopped and changed baits, wobbled, jigged and spun but all to no avail, no one could ever say we did not try. The rest of the day was spent swapping tales with fellow anglers, the Irish lads I have to say were great fun and I particularly look forward to renewing that rivalry next year, I’m fairly confident I can match their angling skills but when it comes to the Guinness it will have to be another silver medal. The public who came along to support the event were great with their messages of good luck to one and all and I think they enjoyed and appreciated the time anglers gave to them to explain the ins and outs of various rigs and methods. A particular mention here has to go to John Wilson who concentrated more on chatting to the youngsters than he did on his own fishing, I’m sure you’ll catch next year John. And so three o’ clock and the tackle was packed away, it was off the clubhouse for a well earned Guinness and more angling chat. An auction and a raffle was held which combined with the match fees helped to raise over £3800 for the children’s cottage hospice. See, we angler’s do care.) Although I added another zero to the fishing chart an excellent day was had and the boys from the North did not leave empty handed as Neil finished third overall and also walked away with the trophy for the heaviest fish competition. Next year the Northern Raiders have their sights set higher, you have been warned. Colin Taylor. Results:
|