| Lakes
2 and 4 were the advertised venue on this prolific complex and again it
was advertised as a morning match, but having sort advice from Mark
Perkins and Billy, it was decided to switch the event to an afternoon, as
the fishing should be better. What swayed me was the fact a couple of
weeks before a match on lake 2 was won with 212 lb and 19th place well
over a ton. I didn't need much swaying I can tell you! Twenty two anglers
booked in so it was decided to run the match on lake 2 only. Again
everyone was full of expectation and everyone was looking forward to the
day.
By running
an afternoon match this gave us the chance to take a look around phases 2
and 3 as Notts Fire were running an emergency services pairs match on
those phases. As I have said before we are hosting the police nationals
there in September so we needed to see what was happening to a certain
extent. Anyway after an hour or so stroll around we went to the pub! Well
we were holding the draw there and we needed to have some lunch before we
started. (Does that include LIQUID?. . . .Ed)
That man
Andy Findlay turned up again along with a few of the other venue regulars
if nothing else we may learn a thing or two. Lake 2 is in the main a
method feeder water, and I for one know very little about this tactic so
to have some of the venue regulars in attendance was a bonus, even if they
were to walk away with our coin!
Everyone
booked in and the draw was made. A five hour match was to be the duration
with the locals saying that this was more than enough. I thought more than
enough, I would rather fish all day if I could, not just five hours, but
it was later to become apparent why five hours is enough on this water!
Having got
to my peg I set up in plenty of time and went a stroll around the water.
With lake 2 you have so many different features some are short pegs whilst
others are very long. Two islands on the lake means nearly everyone has a
feature in front of some sorts. Well I say everyone, some pegs are short
and it is impossible to throw a feeder a distance without crossing over
the person next to you, so some pegs are designated short pegs. For our
national we are going to have to stipulate short pegs, which should be
entertaining!
Anyway
back to the match and 2 o'clock and the all in. Within minutes fish were
being landed and the scene was set. This turned out to be a cracking match
and one that I personally learned so much from. Anyone who thinks the
method is a chuck it and see game is crazy. Watching some of these boys do
it and you will see why. I'm not going to go into the ins and outs because
we may have some rival police teams tuning in, and we don't want to give
them an unfair advantage do we! Who says matchfishing is a sportsman's
game?
The match
itself was creating a little bit of interest around the complex with some
spectators watching from the high banks and others having a wander round
picking peoples brains. But considering a lot of people were catching fish
it's no wonder.
Five hours
later and the all out. That man Andy Findlay won the match but only just!
He was pushed to the limit by Mel Hodgson (Angling Man). Here is the full
result. I'm sorry we do not have any pictures to show but that man Albutt
has the camera so I couldn't take any!
Andy Findlay (Preston
Innovations)
195 lb 3 oz
Mel Hodgson (Angling Man)
188 lb 5 oz
Mick Varley (Gone Fishing)
126 lb 11 oz
Mark Perkins (Dynamite Matchman Supplies)
99lb 10 oz
Dick Partridge (WMP Fosters )
91 lb 5 oz
Richard Noakes ( Fosters VDE)
80 lb 4 oz
With
195 lb in the net, you now know why they like a five hour arm aching
match. Thanks to all for supporting the event.
Gary |
