WEEKEND JOLLY TO WORCESTER, 12,13,14th September2014 ~ Expectations met.. who knows?

The club's annual 'weekend away' had a change this year as the Eggy Circus rolled into the town of Kidderminster. Venues had been booked that would allegedly make us look like angling superstars, and records would be broken left, right and centre. Taking this into consideration, there seemed to have been a whole lot of moaning going on by the time we made the homeward journey. Only the comments section will tell whether expectations had been met. Certainly the hotel appeared to have been well received, as the evening social aspect was apparently enjoyed by everyone.

 

Friday 12th September 2014 ~ Club record smashed....5 times!!!!

First stop took us to Cob House on the Laurel lake. With the fishery having problems on Wyatts lake, which was our original choice, there were doubts about the level of sport. It didn't deter people from taking 3 or 4 keepnets to their peg though. Early indications were that the nets would be put to good use as everybody was into fish straight away. As rules dictated that a separate net be used for silvers, most chose to put occasional skimmers and roach back into the lake. Such was the carp fishing that unnecessary keepnets just got in the way of margin feeders.
The weigh-in was physically demanding, but 5 or 6 members got involved, so thanks to those who helped ease the burden. 
John Edwards set the pace with a record breaking 143lb 10oz. This was despite going for a ten minute walkabout in midmatch. It was either that or smash a topkit over his knee as frustration reached boiling point. A few lost foul-hookers and tangled rigs causing the strife. That's the biggest problem with this type of venue, so many fish that line bites and foul-hookers are inevitable.
The Gnome coped better than most and he too smashed the club record with a net-busting 180lb 13oz (well 4 nets actually).
Paul Cargill put in a best ever performance to continue the run of big weights when he put a brilliant 152lb 08oz on the scales. A fantastic effort, well done Cargy.
The Leasowe gentry also battered the old match record. Andy Lawton with a phenomenal 132lb 08oz, and Dirk Wriggler with an awesome 126lb 04oz, both managed section wins.
Gary Brislen and Lee Pickup both broke the 'ton barrier' but ended up only with the satisfaction of a great day's sport.
The final section was won by Jamie Pickup with an ordinarily cracking weight of 84lb, but at this place it looks average! A big well done to Jambo.

Saturday 13th September 2014 ~ Back in the real world....

Solhampton Kingfisher lake was the scene for Day 2 of the Jolly Jaunt. Although it was another stunning venue, the fish were a lot more wised-up to anglers on the bank.
Even with plenty of room between pegs it proved a tough nut to crack. More frustration, and a few moans started creeping in. Again it was like fish soup. As nobody had fished it before there was nothing to base an attack on, other than natural instinct.
Yozzer maintained his form from the day before, and somehow conned the fish to the tune of 135lb 02oz. Must have been solid!
On the other side of the lake, Sumo kept mental frailties at bay and put together a fine weight of 73lb 10oz to stay on the podium with a silver medal. Another top quality display from our open angler.
Dennis Jones deservedly made it into the frame with a hard earned 67lb 14oz. Having analysed his previous performance, he learned from mistakes in feeding, put them right, and was suitably rewarded. Well done Den.
Pete Maestro Lucas started on the method, but after a few early fish, he reverted to pole tactics to put together a section winning 66lb 10oz. 'Clueless' is a kidder, this boy can fish a bit when he wants to. Nice one Luco, have you thought about buying fishomania tickets?
Following his ton-up performance at Cob, Lee Pickup put in another worthy effort and won the final section with an excellent  (on the day) 52lb, so well done Lee.

Sunday 14th September 2014 ~ Yozzer, you're boring us now!

We were back at Solhampton, this time on Badger lake. This is their newest lake, having only opened early this year. Pato, Dennis and Gary had done a pleasure session on Thursday so at least we had something to go on. Tackle shop staff also advised that although there were big fish feeding in the margins, due to water clarity they were tough to catch.
How true. The most frustrating fishing I have ever encountered, along with everyone else. Whatever way it was approached, those carp wouldn't play ball. Feed, the carp would home in straight away, then for no reason, before you got a bite, they bolted out of the swim, until you fed again, and the vicious circle was repeated.
Mainly by fishing tight to his keepnets to hide the line, The Gnome somehow found enough carp, including a couple of 8lbers, to bring yet another ton to the scales and complete a weekend clean sweep with a winning 112lb 10oz.
The ever reliable Dirk lived up to his Wriggler nickname by fishing the worm to post an honourable 81lb and secure an excellent second place.
Jay Pickup completed the frame after borrowing maggots off Lee and Dirk, who were both in his section...... Now there's camaraderie. Jamie weighed 67lb 03oz, to complete a successful weekend for him, nice one son.
Pete Lucas also performed consistently and admirably throughout the 3 days, and won section money again, this time with 66lb 04oz. This should have been enhanced with £2 side-bets. Cargy paid up, Sumo was ill and in a different section, and our little ginger friend just said 'kiss it' :)
For the second time, Paul Cargill was not phased by Yozz catching off the next peg. He got his head down and fished another blinder to get in the money again with a brilliant 65lb 06oz. Overall he has to be the star of the weekend. Well Done.

A big thanks from me to Jamie for organising the event, Tony for his cash handling skills, and Spadger, who sorted out some top class accommodation. Thanks also to Pete Clueless, who spent plenty of time (and laid out his own money) to secure the chosen venues.
Thanks also to you all for a fantastic, fun time. If members don't contribute to banter and  issue little challenges, then the weekend wouldn't be what it is........ Brillliant.