Junior Carp Match 20^th September 2025 Braxted Reservoir.

On a cool, overcast Saturday morning 13 young anglers turned up along with parents and Grandparents to Braxted Reservoir to compete in this year`s Chelmsford Angling Junior Carp Match, conditions looked good to beat last years total of 1680lb of carp, an impressive amount from only 9 anglers. After an introduction from Adam regarding the rules etc, the draw was made with the first pegs on either side of the lake the favoured ones. Last years winner came from the first peg on the righthand side of the lake.

A noise from Adam kicked off proceedings at 9am and 25 lines entered the water and kettles went on for the bailiffs.  Unfortunately, young William in his first JCM, only had one rod hence 25 lines. When we turned up at the swims on the lefthand side of the lake there were a lot of fish showing very close in to the bank, less than two feet in some swims, so long casts were not required in most cases. The action came thick and fast with bites and fish being landed very quickly but the fish soon wised up and moved to deeper water nearer the dam wall. From where I was positioned halfway up the lefthand side I could see most of the righthand bank and we could tell that the first swim was producing consistently. The further up the lake and certainly the last swim on the lefthand side with previous winner Ava there was not much happening at all.

As the day progressed both the first swims on either side both Bailiffs were kept busy with double takes on numerous occasions. The middle sections of the lake both sides were quieter and only a few fish were caught.

As the final hour approached things started to hot up with Harriet catching a very impressive 16 fish in the last hour, Ava, in the last swim finally caught regularly along with Phoebe, who after a slow start, finally saw fish stay in her swim and be tempted by her hook bait. A mini sibling competition between Harriet in her first match and Riley a veteran was taking place with bragging rights to the victor.

The fish coming out were a mixed bag of weights, anywhere between 3 and 19lb averaging around the 12lb range. With the amount of fish caught and number of fish in the lake it`s not surprising there`s not many 20lb + fish in there.

I`m pleased to say that everyone caught even if it was only 1-2 fish but the juniors and their Parent/ Grandparent all had a great day, they all got a goodie bag from all the sponsors who I`ll thank later and some great prizes for the top 3 and biggest fish.

Result

Austin had a personal best of 14lb 8oz and unfortunately, I do not have all the figures but I believe there were others who had their biggest fish to date.

The prizes were handed out by our President Garry Springett and Kit Speakman our Landlord.

Last year`s total weight was 1680lb with 9 anglers the weight of fish caught this year was down even with more anglers, so the early optimism and feeling the conditions were right didn’t prove correct, and as last year the winner came from the same peg. Though it still takes good angling to catch 400lb of fish.                       

It was good to see those young anglers that were not catching a great deal were still trying hard right up to the end and hopefully they will have learnt a lot from their experience and come back next year stronger, having said that as any Matchman / Matchwoman will know if the fish are not in your swim in large numbers it will be a tough day.

As always these events would not be able to take place without the help of the bailiffs to organise the event and weigh the fish so a big thankyou to Ed, Ian, Gary, Adam, Mark, Nick, Mick, Kieran, Henry, Clive. Barry for organising the prizes for everyone

Theo from Nash came along to give advice to some of the youngsters

All the competitors were handed a goodie bag at the start with bait, pellets, pop ups and rig components from various tackle companies, Tails Up Bait, Nash, Korda, Cornz , Gardner Tackle, Adam Penning Carp Academy and Fish-On Tackle shop

1^st 2^nd and 3^rd prizes were boilees, pop ups and glug from DT Bait Developments, online gift cards from Total Fishing Tackle worth £100.

Everyone came away with something, so once again a massive thanks to our sponsors.

Hope to see everyone there again for next years event, a bit older and wiser.

Tight Lines
Ian Stokes
Chairman CAA