The ten young competitors turned up early Sunday morning, eager to pit their carping skills against one another. The draw was made and off they went to their respective swims to set up for the day.
The weather wasn’t conducive to fishing, with a light northerly breeze blowing into the far corner and a heavy, overcast muggy feel to the proceedings.
The whistle went and twenty rigs flew into the water, alarms were set, kettles on and anticipation high. After a slow start a small common of 8lb 8oz was landed in peg 2 by Devon followed by a 9lb 6oz fish to Liam in peg 1. On the far bank in peg 10 Rowen landed a nice fish of 9lb 8oz closely followed by Zac in peg 9 with a match leading fish of 13lb. Zac then caught two pretty mirrors at 7lb 2oz & 9lb 6oz, all caught at distance. Down in peg 1 Liam was catching steadily. In peg 3 Bradley had a bigger fish of 13lb 4oz. Unfortunately, the other pegswere struggling to get bites or not connecting with them when they did.
Around 12am the lake went quiet and stayed like that for a while. Tactics changed with zig rigs and floater baits with a surface controller used, the fish eventually started to take the freebies off the surface but were more wary if there was a hook present and more were lost than caught. Liam on peg 1 had more success than the others.
3/4`s of the way through the match a rain shower came over and with an hour to go the wind changed direction and on the far bank bites dried up. On the final whistle the rain started again and we headed back to the car park for the presentation.
Prizes were generously donatedby DT Bait Developments and Mere Mortals UK carp tackle
Result.
1st. Liam Chamberlain 85lb
2nd. Zac Wilks 29lb 8oz
3rd. Bradley Townsend 13lb 4oz
4th. Rowen Crane 9lb 8oz
5th. Devon Oliver 8lb 8oz
6th. Ava Bolton ---------
6th. Abbie Liddard ---------
6th. Ben Carlton ---------
6th. Lewis Bradbrook ---------
6th. Jethro Fisher ---------
Well done to Liam for doing so well in tough conditions, even in the Adult match on the other bank some competitors blanked, it happens to everybody at some point, typically, young Abbie in peg 7 caught a 9lb`er 4 minutes after the whistle. From what I heard after everyone did the best that they could in the difficult conditions so they should be proud of themselves and hopefully come back next year and try again.
It goes without saying but a big thank you to the Marshalls who gave up their Sunday.
Nick, Ed, Mick and to Adam who organised it, Thank you, without you these events wouldn’t take place.
Another Thank you goes to DT Baits and Mere Mortal UK carp tackle for their support and generous prizes, every competitor received a goodie bag from Gary and Steve from Mere Mortals UK, who stayed all day and helped some of the youngsters.
Lastly thank you to the parents and guardians who brought the juniors over and we hope to see you all again next year.
Ian Stokes
Chairman
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