LINGMERE, 26/4/15 ~ Bucked again....by big bad John

After a cold night, and with 20 anglers on the bank, Lingmere was expected by most to be slow going at the start, with the usual F1 frenzy in the latter stages. Those who went down the silver route had the most consistent sport throughout the day. Those who went positive, ....went home early! Lee started shallow on the mong and was packing up after 2 hours, while Sumo, on a dolly peg, also went shallow and then paste fishing. He soon collected the silver medal in the packing up competition. KP finally succumbed with half an hour to go.
Amid all the banter John Buck Rogers sat quietly in the corner just plodding away and taking it all in. After all, he wants to learn. Learn what we ask, as once again he demonstrated great skills in comfortably winning his 2nd match in 3 weeks. With 72lb 03oz of mainly f1s it looks like he caught all day. It was another smart performance so don't tell him anything in future (only joking).
On a rare outing with Eggy, MFS legend Ian Simpson went down the silvers route and targeted those massive ide that Lingmere is famed for, on maggot. Some quality skimmers and late f1s supplemented those fish and gave Simo a return of 54lb 03oz, and a superb second place.
Completing the frame, this time mainly with tip-caught fish, for 53lb 04oz, was the Butler, Andy Lawton. Well done Andy, another excellent display, now go and wash the Bentley, there's a good chap.
Section wins went to Yozzer with 32lb 02oz, Jamie Pickup, again with some big ide for 43lb 14oz, and Gary Fairhead, another making an all too rare appearance, with 44lb 02oz. Great stuff from them.
The biggest achievement of the day was by the final section winner. After struggling for months, with plenty of Drennan North West sponsorship (DNW), Neil Patty Paterson, urged on by Nice Boy Nick, qualified for the next round of the section winners, and 20lb challenges, at the final hurdle. His 43lb 01oz was his best weight since 1986, so what a magnificent effort....... only trouble is, he's gotta do it again during May..... Doh!