Events Reports
Here you can find reports on all events including fish-ins and charity fund-raisers. Further detailed reports will be published in the Pikelines magazine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish-in, Sunday 7th March 2010, Main lake (Competition event 6)
Excelent weather and the fact that this was to be the ast fish-in of the season saw a better attendance with 7 anglers having a bash including 1 junior, young Kane Cooke. Others who came to play were I Cooke, A Cooper, M Barnes, R Lock, N Bagley and A Dudhill.
Perfect weather, wind, cloud and an increased water temperature was not enough to give an expected prolific day with a few missed runs and only Nick Bagley managing to land a fish. Not a monster at 8.08 but a welcome fish all the same.
A disappointing catch considering the amount of baits in the water and area covered. We tried everything but to no avail. Some days the pike just don't want to play and this was one of them. Dispite this we all enjoyed the good weather and scenery and had plenty of time for fishing talk.
Alan (RO)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish-in, Saturday 27th February 2010, Main lake (Competition event 5)
Again the weather forecast was not looking good leading up to the fish-in and only 3 brave souls attended.
Richard Kirkland, attending his first fish-in was given prime peg 1 with Mark Osborne and I spacing ourselves out a few pegs between us all. The weather turned out to be pretty good with the wind favouring us and an overcast sky proving to be a bonus.
Lunch time saw the usual start of activities with Richard missing a run, closely followed by me before Richard decided to hook one.Within a couple of hours Richard had landed 2 fine doubles of 15.08 and 16.08 and yours truly managed to tease a little en out of 7.00. We had great expectations for Ozzy after his success at girton but it wasn't to be. Unfortunately he didn't bank a fish but not through lack of trying. Better luck next time Ozz.
We didn't break any records and the illusive 20s never showed, though we did get a little exited when Richard landed his 16 pounder, it looked bigger but the scales disappointed us. The weather was on our side for the first day all season and we all enjoyed a banter-filled day as usual, and a few nice fish landed.
Alan RO)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish-in, Saturday 16th January 2010, Trent (Competition event 4)
The bad weather put a few off here with only 3 of Notts hardcore lads turning up. Andrew Cooper, Ivan Cooke and myself. The Trent was slightly high and coloured so we decided to fish the Main Lake. Though half frozen, the water looked very pikey and we guessed any feeding pike would welcome some easy prey.
Fishing from the south bank, pegs 4 to 8 we soon had our baits casting to the horizon and a few plopped in the margins. Deads, lives, plugs - all the baits were set in anticipation. We weren't dissappointed with an action packed day of runs. One of those days when someones bleeper would disturb the peace every half hour or so. Not a massive amount of fish banked for the amount of bleeping but we all caught and had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Alan Dudhill Peg 4 - We didn't have to wait long for a run resulting in a dissapointing snap-off for yours truly but this was to be a happy ending as the next run was landed at 12.00 and trace from the previous run removed. Fortunately I'd got the greediest pike in the water in front of me. I was delighted to catch but even more delighted to retrieve the trace. A great looking fish in excellent condition and as strong as a horse. No more fish landed but a few bleeps to keep me interested for the day.
Alan Dudhill 12.00
Ivan Cooke Peg 6 - Ivan was soon into a very nice fish, which took a long-range drifting livebait and gave him a fantastic fight to the net with lots of rod moving and re-organising to prevent obstructions. I've got to say, Ivan and Andrew are experts at synchronized rod moving. Must be all the years they've fished together from their boat with 4 rods a piece hanging over the side. The fish looked like one of the lake's 20s at first as it was cruising around and we were all getting a bit giddy. It only tipped the scales at a modest 14.08 when she finally surrendered to the net but was a beautiful plump girl in fantastic condition.
Andrew Cooper Peg 8 - As with us all, Andrew had every bait and method imaginable thrown at the water and added his share of bleeping to the day with a few runs (one to a young and inquisitive swan). He should have been rewarded with a croc for the effort he put in but was happy to land a welcome jack towards the end of the day.
Ivan Cooke 14.08
All in all a fantastic and enjoyable day. We didn't break any records but it was one of those days where we were held in suspense by bleeping sounds and anticipation all day long.
Results:
I. Cooke 14.08, A Dudhill 12.00, A Cooper 3.00
Alan (RO)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish-in, Sunday 6th December 2009, Retford stillwater (Competition event 3)
The heavy rain leading up to the event had expectedly left the ground water-logged so 4 x 4 shuttle bus arranged for the day to get anglers to the water without the need to lose cars in the mud. Cool weather leading up to the day with temperatures on the day predicted higher, this was set to be a pike feeding day and confidence was high.
Heavy rain in the morning was sure to deter even the hardiest of pikers - and it did. If it wasn't for Ivan and his grandson turning up, I would have been going back to bed, everyone else cried off. We decided between us that the rain would be gone by late morning so would give the fishing a go.
I graciously directed Ivan to my favourite peg and the lake hotspot and I nestled in a couple of pegs away. We didn't have to wait long before the pike action got manic. Coffee time saw Ivan and me running to our rods as we got our first runs. Mine a jack, which I promptly liberated by allowing it to shake the hooks and Ivan, a lovely beast of 14.12. A couple of dropped-runs later and Ivan had another fish of 12.06. Five runs later and 2 fish throwing the hooks, I only managed to land one fish of 2-3 lb ish. After so many missed runs and Ivan with 2 lovely pike banked, I've never been so pleased to catch a jack.
Results:
I.Cooke 14.12 & 12.06, A Dudhill 3.00
If we'd have caught on each run we would have had at least 8 fish between us - one of those frustrating days for me but an excellent day for Ivan for his first bash at this water. We had a great laugh throughout the day - one of those days when the pike were mad for it, but a little shy on the take - but not a dull moment all day.
Alan (RO)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charity fish-in, Sunday 29th November 2009, Girton stillwater (Competition event 2)
Many thanks to Mick Cobb for freeing up his water for a day, and what a water! Also thanks to Chico and the Lincs lads for allowing us to join them for the day. This was the first of our annual charity fish-ins where we joined the Lincoln Mighty 48 (weaner catcher's) for a combination of fund raising and inter-regional challenge.
Notts raised money for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance - total funds raised will be published once all sponsorship money has been collected in.
Lincoln supported their usual well deserved cause, St Barnabas hospice. Last year they raised a massive £1000 - total funds raised will be published when available.
The water conditions were perfect early on and the heavy rain showers were not going to deter us from raising funds for our charities and of course showing the Lincoln lads how to fish. Chico was of course full of smiles and banter, but we were confident of victory.
This turned out to be a great day with plenty of well conditioned fish caught. We shared a fairly even haul with the Linc 'tiddler bashers' landing 6 fish to a commendable total of 77lb but beaten by Notts (as expected) with 7 fish to a total of 78lb 1oz.. Lincs were fortunate that our secret weapon Tony Hubbard was not on top form due to alcohol poisoning or the result could have been embarrassing to say the least. Tony lost 5 fish, we're not sure how but a crack round the head with a bank stick from Mark Osborne didn't seem to make any difference to his run of bad luck / poor skills. There are rumours that Chico had put him on the pay roll or promised him some cheap tack lures.
Notts Results:
M Osborne 18.03 & 6.08, K Berry 14.00, T Hubbard 12.08, A Dudhill 11.08, M Cobb 8.04, N Baggeley 7.02. Blankers: C Olver, B Smithson, A Clifton, J Morton, S Sykes, H Osborne. Mark Osborne landing the biggest fish and individual weight, though some rumours suggest that young Harvey caught the fish for hid Dad - this we believe very probable.
Total: 78.01
Lincoln Results:
M Hunt 8.14, 15.11 & 17.11, J Willis 18.02, S Hood 10.10, D McCrudden 6.00. Jez Willis only one ounce away from the biggest fish of the day and Mick Hunt made the results more bearable for Chico with a fantastic 3 fish haul, his last fish of 17.11 caught in the closing stages nearly stole victory from Notts.
Total: 77.00
Conclusion:
Notts PAC slaughtered the Mighty 48 'tiddler bashers'. Well, I say slaughtered - we won, just!!!!
Most importantly we all had a fantastic day, caught a good few pike and raised some well needed cash for our charities - raising money doing what we love to do - it doesn't get any better than this!!
Kev Berry started the ball rolling with his 14.00
Jez Willis with one of the lake biggies at 18.02
Alan Dudhill with a lure caught 11.08
Mick Hunt showing us how it's done with this trio of 8.14, 15.11 & 17.11
Young Harvey Osborne showing his Dad how to unhook
It's a hard life being a pike angler
Alan Dudhill having a brew while he waits for the reels to scream?
Mick Cobb and Stuart Sykes preparing for action
Bazz Smithson sheltering from the rain in comfort
John Morton preparing for battle
Colin Olver sheltering with traps set
Kev Berry with his mobile tackle box
Lincs lads at the ready like coiled springs
Don't know how Mick Hunt found time for a brew
Are these Lincs lads or passing Russians?
Ready and waiting
Last year's winner still smiling (now, where's them sheep?)
)
Lincs lads comparing notes (or escapees from the nearby asylum)
Nick Baggeley happy as ever
Tony Hubbard sobbering up nicely
Young Harvey Osborne earning his pocket money - child labour is not legal in this neck of the woods Mark
Alan (RO)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fish-In, Sunday 25th October 2009, Retford stillwater main lake (competition event 1).
On the run-up to this event I was a little worried as the mild weather had encouraged the weed to stay a little longer than normal and a couple of weeks before the event, the lake was completely covered and not fishable. A few days before, I decided, though lots of weed in big patches, the lake was worth a go.
8 hardcore Notts lads all arrived on time and no one forgot to put their clocks back the night before and thus turn up at 7am instead of 8am. Or if they did, they drove around the block for an hour so as not to look daft.
Pegs drawn and a short drive to the allocated swims to set-up our favourite rigs & baits. No live-baits but a slack set of rules, 2 deadbait rods and 1 lure rod. All rods sploshed out and anglers glued to their pegs in anticipation. SW wind, though rather strong and a sunny, mild day. I'd been looking forward to this for ages and couldn't wait for someone to get a run so they could check out the fantastic creatures which dwell in this pictureque pike haven.
Results?
Roger Gittings drew peg 1, he couldn't fail here. To his left half an acre of lillies and the only ones in the lake, in front of him the lake 'hot spot'. His rods were set up perfectly and his lure rod working expertly around the lillies. His bleepers could be heard across the lake a couple of times but I think he was just teasing. I did mention to Roger that he needed rogering with a hedge hog if he didn't win from here. He's still recovering from the hedge hog!!
Mark Osborne must have expected rain in peg 2 as he setup 'Base Camp Delta' complete with his 10ft brolly. He also setup communications, with his walkie-talkie paused and ready for the announcement of a catch. He had a little moan about not having any water in front of him so I told him to face the other way (think he meant it was weeded up). I didn't suggest a peg move as I didn't want him to win. In any case, I guessed he would have some weed or eath-moving machinery somewhere in his base camp. He didn't get a sniff - probably all the weed in his peg.
Steph A-Z (Magnum PI) dropped on peg 3, the best looking peg on the water which matched his best looking gear, all neatly arranged like a dashboard. Got to say, he sussed his swim early on and was sure to catch. But it wasn't to be. He did get some amusement at Phil's expense so not an entirely wasted day.
Barry Smithson drew a pretty non-descript peg with more than it's own share of weed. This was going to be a challenge but he was soon settled in down the bank and out of the wind. He was wrapped up like an eskimo, emerging fish-less at the end of the session but I think he caught up on his sleep. Being a plumbing engineer he was used to being near shitty water and today was no exception. Better luck next time Bazz.
Colin Olver drew a hopeful peg 6 and was soon settled into his chair waiting for a tug on his shark float with harpoon and barrels on the ready. I was sure Col's experience would shine through and we'd soon see him winching a big esox girl in. Unfortunately he didn't catch either, or at least we don't think he did, we couldn't really see for pipe smoke.
Phil Kirk drew a cracking peg 7, though well weeded up. It looked good and has a good reputation (unlike Phil). The grand master had dropped on a very good peg, with all the gear, passion and experience needed to lead him to victory. As would be expected from such a renouned angler, he was alert, attentive, senses sharp and at the ready. His zander days were showing as he sat motionless like a preying mantis with hand on rod and ready to react to the slightest twitch of the line. Yeh, you guessed it, the only angler to have a run all day and he was stood gassing up the bank and the fish got away- Great!! True to form, Phil took this very well -Not!! But bussom buddy Steph offered support to his mate with a few rounds of laughter. At this point I was thinking of the silly comment I made about running round the lake naked if no one caught. My best chance of avoiding cold gonads had just failed.
Tony (muscles) Hubbard settled quietly in to peg 8 with matching pro rods and bait boat moored up and ready to ferry his baits to the horrizon. His boat only ventured out once and it reminded me of a scene from the Thunderbirds. It looked rather out of place as it was thrown around in the swell and was clearly taking on water. The swans were eying it up for a fight too. He sat firm in his peg and didn't seem at all put off by the conditions and didn't even moan while I was cooking my bacon in the next peg. Alas, Tony blanked along with the rest of us.
Alan Dudhill (that's me), well I copped for peg 9, weed up to my chin, wind blowing the swim till it was fit for surfing only, all the gear and no idea. I knew this was probably not the best of pegs but at least I had an island with over-hanging trees to lose my first bait on. My confidence was lifted when a couple of local mates came to visit and promptly told me 'you'll catch fu_k all in this peg'. Not detterred by their comments, I stuck it out. But they were right. I did however have a couple of nice slices in one of my baits when I pulled it out, nothing like rubbing salt in my wounds.
There was no shortage of excuses for us all blanking. The usual ones - there's no fish in here, it was too windy, too sunny, etc. But all in all a great day to be sat on the bank (what isn't?). The pike weren't plentiful but the banter was. I decided not to strip and run round the lake. It was bad enough for everyone not to catch without adding further trauma. I've got to say, I've fished this water for many years and it took me quite a few of em to suss it out but the Notts lads knew what they were doing and in fairness did everything right. But that's pike fishing, I guess they were layed up in the weed, or tangled in it. Phil came closest but it wasn't to be - lesson of the day, when popping a bait up in shallow water - use an uptrace. hard luck Phil, it would have been nice to see a big croc on the bank even if it was on the end of your line. Can't wait for the next fish-in, the lakes will soon be weed-free and my expectations are still high. Perhaps we'll use 6 rods each next time to increase the odds. Thanks to everyone for attending, look forward to seeing you all at the next one.
Alan (RO)