Wingham Catch Reports and Thanks 2014

[Steve Burke]

Here's the final catch report. Please let me know of any corrections, or any that are PBs. For recording purposes these are just fish caught during the official times of the Fish-In, i.e. 7am Sat to 7pm Mon.

 

For the 3rd year running we've been hit by the weather, this time with heat and bright sunshine, and little wind and so almost no ripple. The Saturday started flat calm, and warm and oppressive with high humidity, resulting in low cloud until the sun broke though. However a sea breeze from the E eventually set up mid afternoon. On Sunday it was warm and sunny throughout. The nights were surprisingly a little chilly though, with a bright moon after midnight. The water temperature a few inches under the surface at 3pm on Saturday was 18.2C (63.8F). The barometer was high but falling, but it remained dry and temperatures peaked at 24C (75F) on Monday.

 

Mat Hillman (Brambles) - pike of 4lbs and 1lb, plus a 1-04 eel.

 

Dave Johnson (Backstage) - tench of 8-04, 8-00 and 7-14

Maddog (Back Bay Corner) - perch of 3-05 (a PB), 3-02, 3-00, 1-00 and a small one. All caught about 3 feet from the bank! Plus a pike c5lbs.

 

Tinca tinca (Tim's Point) - 1-0 tench

 

JK (Left Logs) - 6-08 tench

 

Steve Walker (Top Bay Entrance) - 4 eels c1 1/2lbs + a 0-08 perch

 

Haydon Bishop (Last Platform) - a pike of 7-8lbs

 

Vagabond (Left Grassy Bank) - several small perch

Tom Groombridge (Head Bailiff Terry's son) (Eggbox) - perch of 1-00

KAYC (Meatballs) - perch of 2-04, 2-00, 2-00, 2-00 and 0-08, plus 4 eels c1 1/2lbs

Anthony78 (2nd Platform) - 8-14 tench (PB) , plus perch of 2-06, 2-02 and 1-00

Cliff63 (Y Swim) - 5-08 tench

John Caddick (Quicksand Bay on the Carp Lake) - mirror carp of 36lbs and 20lbs plus a common of 15lbs. 3 others lost.All on zigs 18ins deep.

Dales (Skeltons on the Carp Lake) - 10-02 and 6-08 pike

Edited May 21, 2014 by Steve Burke

[Dave H]

Steve

What is your opinion on no decent eels in the carp lake?

Somebody has always caught a decent one let alone 3 or 4?

Have they gone do you think.?

[Steve Burke]

It's possible, Dave. Time will soon tell.

[tincatinca]

I always thoroughly enjoy and look forward to the fish ins and although the fishing was a bit difficult, the sheer ambience and natural beauty of Wingham never ceases to amaze me. When Steve told me that I was being put in Tims Point which is up to now my favourite Wingham swim I was delighted but unfortunately and no matter what I tried, I could not get the fish to co-operate finishing up with a small Tench around a pound and and losing a bigger fish most likely a Pike to a bite off about an inch from the hook. It was quite frustrating as I had fish showing in front of me on several occassions and at one time I disturbed something large right in the edge of the bank. I really enjoy the social aspect of the fish ins and the walk from the Clubhouse to my swim and vice versa usually took a long time with many stops to chat to both new and familar faces on the way.

I know it has been stated on numerous occassions but the effort that is put in to enable the fish ins to take place is imense and so I thank all concerned in making it such a fantastic place to be not only at the fish ins but also throughout the year so special thanks to Steve for allowing me to fish, Peggy for the excellent barbecue, Steve "Korum" Cambell for the excellent sausage and bacon sarnies, All the Bailiffs Terry, Glynn, Budgie and Eddie for their sterling work and great company throughout the year and for the majesty of Wingham itself for being such a wonderful place to be with its amazing sunrises, sunsets and wildlife with an example of a nice fiush in sunrise developing below.

 

 

 

[Dick Dastardly]

Well I had intended to pack up and come home on Wednesday but decided to call it quits after all the guests had left Monday a a few last minute chores done. I started on Thursday night as I was delayed by being sent the wrong prop shaft for the wagon and after getting stuck in the ford twice last week wasn't going to take any chances for the weekend!

 

As most know despite having little interest ion our carp lake I usually go on it on the Fish In to make a bit more room on the Coarse Lake. No longer being that interested in Carp I usually target the Eels as in previous years weve had some remarkable results with most fish being a good size (3lb+) Sadly not a single eel and every morning totally intact works coming back. Only time the alarms sounded was when the off bottom rigs were wiped out by half asleep Mudpigs banging into them! Dint even have the decency to take the worms and fool me into thinking I had a lump of an eel like previous years!

Lots of my eel mates were offering suggestions by FB and Text suggesting that they were preoccupied with moping spawn up....but sadly the carp havnt even started thinking about it yet let alone having done it! Kind of underlined it when Dales arrived and put in his nights as well. Andrew was targeting the carp this year but took a kind of 50/50 approach with his maggot tactics and he never had one either.

 

Right might sound very arrogant (ie I couldn't catch them so they cant be there!) but Im afraid Im now very worried that the Carp lakes eels (all much the same size so most likely same year class) have upped and gone swim about to the Sargasso! Was a full moon period (which in my experience trashes most fishing) but it was just so dead for so long. Be a great shame if I am right but hey this is the nature of eels and as such nothing can be done other than feel very grateful I had the opportunity while it lasted.

Second week of blanks on the trot (other than two small eels I blanked whilst Tench fishing on the week before the fish in!) so Winghams not quite so magical for me as normal at the moment! LOL But hey other than my inability to catch anything I enjoyed the Fish In despite the work. Always good to see old faces and meet new.

 

We don't seem to be having the AN Fish Ins like we used to so think we should kick start the whole thing again. Remember ANYONE can arrange a Fish In its hasn't got to be on a top syndicate like Wingham just a venue you know well and can sort the details on. Preferably something a bit different or themed.

[Dave H]

The AN fish in has to be remembered as ‘Free’. I think if you go it has to be seen as 3 days of socialising and peace and quiet from the hassles of life and it fits the bill for that and if you catch a few fish that’s a bonus. I didn’t get in this year due to Appling a few days before i think but i had realised that it would not be a great session but a peaceful one which after just moving was just the ticket!

Reading the results they are exactly what i expected although the eels on the carp lake were surprising tinged with a sense of sadness as it sounds that they have buggered off.

An AN fish in elsewhere i think has to fall into the admin and mods hands and those with big influence in the fishing world. I know you can hire out fisheries and if all swims are taken a good discount can be had.

My opinion is that is the way forward now if you want more fishing but if you want a camping holiday with a few rods out hoping and possibly getting a good fish Wing ham is still the way forward

[Steve Burke]

It's time for me to add my thanks.

 

Firstly, to Steve Campbell (Wyeknot) who every year provides breakfast for the early arrivals on Saturday plus brings beer, all at his own expense.

 

Secondly, to my wife Peggy who does a lot of work behind the scenes plus of course the wonderful BBQs. This year she had to cope with the heat, and in fact ended up burnt both days.

 

Thirdly, to Dave Park (Vagabond) who kindly donated some classic items of tackle to auction in aid of the bailiffs. Hopefully this'll now be a regular event.

 

Fourthly, to the bailiffs themselves. Without them there simply wouldn't be a Fish-In and you wouldn't be reading this. This year, because of the flooding and having to do the barley straw, there was even more work to do than usual. Just a few weeks ago I was considering calling off the Fish-In, but the lads vowed to get done in time and somehow they did!

[Worms]

Well done all...one day I'll make it to Wingham...I hope, looks and sounds a great place to fish!

[Anthony78]

Sorry Steve but I also caught an additional perch Monday morning weighing 2-02. Will post report and pics soon.

[Steve Burke]

Sorry Steve but I also caught an additional perch Monday morning weighing 2-02. Will post report and pics soon.

 

Added!