The Christmas match was held last weekend, as ever a great day out for all. 16 people fished on either the Canal at Enborne, the River at Hambridge Road or Willows lake. The day started with bacon rolls in the Lamb pub on Enborne road, then the anglers made their way to their chosen swims. The anglers who fished the Lake had a mixed day. Some did not catch but Les Durnford found some carp and weighed 41-14-0. However that was not good enough, Jake Heaver had the sun in his eyes so he moved to peg 28 with sun behind him and on the water in front of him. He found the fish in front of him and with carp and a bream of over 7lb he weighed in 68-3-0 to win the hamper for the Lake. 2 anglers on the River had a much closer match. Josh Purton fished above the road bridge and caught dace, roach, chublets and grayling as well as some trout (which do not count), to weigh in 6-14-0 to just beat Dave Smith who had a similar net to weigh 6-12-0. So the spoils in the way of a superb hamper (created by our Treasurer, Alison Durnford) went to Josh. On the canal Dave Chandler went above Guyers lock to peg 10 and caught bream, roach and perch to weigh 11-6-0 and win another hamper. Having had a good days fishing all retired to the pub for a hearty meal and a prize for everyone who took part. It is just a surprise that with such good fishing (wherever you want to) a good meal and a prize for everyone, all in very good company, not more people take part and support the club. Put it in your diary now for next year!
The Club Championship entourage descended on the Enborne Canal on 18 Nov to find that the canal was 18 inches down due to a leaking lock and the water was a horrible colour, there had been a mild frost the night before and the wind was out of the east. But theydidn't think it would be this hard! Les Durnford caught a big perch and a little perch and the rest caught a few "eyes". It looks like Les is creeping up on the rails with 2 matches to go, and must be a contender for the series based on the earlier scores. Full result:
Les Durnford 2-2-0
Jake Heaver 0-12-0
Dave Chandler 0-8-0
Here is the result of the Over 60's match on Alders on 11 Jul. A tight match for the minor places but with the hot weather the big Bream did not show. The weights were:
Brian Cripps 9-12-0 5 nice Tench from peg 6;
Bill Bowsher 3-11-0 peg 18 one bite one nice Tench;
Henry Sadler 2-5-0;
Here is the result of the first club championship match of the season on the Kennet at Speen Moors. A very encouraging result from a river that has flattered to deceive for several seasons. Lots of small fish roach and dace were caught. Roach to 12ozs for some and the top weights each had a bonus fish either a bream or a perch. Dave Chandler was on the Green Bank 2 pegs up from the bridge. Dave Smith was on peg 30 on the main River with Brian Cripps on peg 7 and Roger Durnford on peg 41 on Parliament Draught. The weights were:
Dave Chandler 8-12-0;
Dave Smith 6-14-0;
Brian Cripps and Roger Durnford 6-4-0;
Her is the result of the final Twilight match on Willows on 10 Jul. After a tight series, Dave Chandler and Dave Smith have tied on points, both have 1 match win so the deciding factor is overall weight, so Mr Chandler wins. The match weights were:
Dave Chandler 40-8-0 5 Carp peg 26;
Jake Heaver 22-14-0 3 carp peg 42 1 Carp weighed 14-2-0;
Roger Durnford 15-6-0;