Round 2. Engine Pool. Earlswood Lakes.
Saturday 17th June 2006.
How can you do a report on a match where 75% of the field blanked?
I arrived early as is my custom when I haven't been to a venue before, so that I could have a stroll round and try to get a feel for the place.
My 1st impression was "Where has all the water gone?" the level must have been nearly 5ft down with every platform completely out of the water.
Malc had actually arrived early along with his community care worker (Gemma) and with the draw almost happening on time we set off to our pegs.
I had drawn peg 40, a nice short walk and was soon set up.......
.......Looks lovely doesn't it?
Frankly I could have put the whole thing into a glass case and exhibited it at the Tate Modern as a still life.
The only thing that disturbed the water all day were a pair of Great Crested Grebes, and even they didn't catch anything and departed for more prolific parts.
Geoff (Eggo) to my right had a Bream 1st chuck........
..........and that was all the action in the surrounding pegs for the whole day.
Poor young David A to my left actually had a bite on the feeder, but didn't connect. Antwood on the next peg round was looking like a man that needed the phone number of Samaritans......
........ while further along Paul at least had a smile on his face, but that was probably because he knew he had a can of beer in his bag
During the day of course the banter was flowing, especially from the beach on the right hand side.....
........ and just to put the finishing touch, Malc (who is now so tanned/burnt that he looks like a stick of Pepperami )Latched into a carp and lands it with 3 mins to go, despite throwing himself in up to his neck.
The 5 anglers who actually caught were.......
1st Brian Bevan 8lb 4oz
2nd Malc Doyle 5lb
3rd Geoff Eggison 3lb 4oz
4th Dan Thomas 1lb
5th Mark Causer 3oz
Total Weight caught was 17lb 11oz.
Unfortunately the day was marred by both Nick (polepot) and Matt having pole sections smashed by inconsiderate members of the public, both of whom refused to admit any liability and refused to supply any details so that Insurance claims could be made.
So, a 260 mile round trip for sweet FA, and next up for those of us fishing The Jinx Series? another supposed British Waterways Superwater....... DRAYTON!!!! I could hardly wait.
