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Northern Fish-in.
Well arriving on the Friday at about Noon, it was soon obvious that this was in danger of turning into a 3 day event, as numerous attendees had managed to find an extra day from somewhere.
Ray & Scouse had made it despite the suspension on Rays car going AWOL on the trip down. (Must have been the weight of kit)
After a couple of years of pounding the keyboard it was great to finally catch up with Norm, TeePee, Haydn, Mookie and others which up to that point had only been names on the Forums.
Dave & Stu had departed to get some important provisions (The Beer) so I decided to while away a bit of time, so out came the fishing gear, and I soon had a few small Roach and Skimmers, before Stan (Elvington's Owner) had parted me from the day ticket money and informed me that Carp and Poles weren’t really on his approved list.
Dave & Stu soon returned and camp for the weekend was set up with bivvies put in place. Trogg had already set up with the flag of St George, strangely topped with a small Lizard flag proudly flying next to his bivvy, and Sil the Rotty standing guard.
Les arrived to take up his post of chief Bar Steward, and around about 7pm a group of us set off for the local pub for a meal and a couple of pints, and very nice it was too.
With no nightfishing being allowed normally at Elvington, the only thing to do on our return was to go and support the cause in the beer tent, which with the beer being only a £1 a pint wasn’t to onerous a task, with some sausage baps being dished up as well, we disappeared to our bivvies to await the proper start of the Fish-in in the morning.
6.30 Saturday morning and people were rising ready for breakfast and getting ready for the off at 8am. Breakfast consumed, the Fish-in got underway as an already warm sun continued to rise in the sky.
Whether it was the hot weather or the sheer pressure of all the swims being occupied, but sport was slow to say the least with just the odd fish coming out.
Thankfully Red Leader had his rods out and these were producing fish, Just not for Dave.
It would appear that someone had drunk the beer tent dry overnight, so Dave had to jump into his car and go and get another barrel.
Stu was soon of the mark with a 3lb Eel on Dave's rod, and later I managed to get off the mark with a nice 9½lb Common Carp again on one of Dave's rods.
Ray & Scouse had made it despite the suspension on Rays car going AWOL on the trip down. (Must have been the weight of kit)
After a couple of years of pounding the keyboard it was great to finally catch up with Norm, TeePee, Haydn, Mookie and others which up to that point had only been names on the Forums.
Dave & Stu had departed to get some important provisions (The Beer) so I decided to while away a bit of time, so out came the fishing gear, and I soon had a few small Roach and Skimmers, before Stan (Elvington's Owner) had parted me from the day ticket money and informed me that Carp and Poles weren’t really on his approved list.
Dave & Stu soon returned and camp for the weekend was set up with bivvies put in place. Trogg had already set up with the flag of St George, strangely topped with a small Lizard flag proudly flying next to his bivvy, and Sil the Rotty standing guard.
Les arrived to take up his post of chief Bar Steward, and around about 7pm a group of us set off for the local pub for a meal and a couple of pints, and very nice it was too.
With no nightfishing being allowed normally at Elvington, the only thing to do on our return was to go and support the cause in the beer tent, which with the beer being only a £1 a pint wasn’t to onerous a task, with some sausage baps being dished up as well, we disappeared to our bivvies to await the proper start of the Fish-in in the morning.
6.30 Saturday morning and people were rising ready for breakfast and getting ready for the off at 8am. Breakfast consumed, the Fish-in got underway as an already warm sun continued to rise in the sky.
Whether it was the hot weather or the sheer pressure of all the swims being occupied, but sport was slow to say the least with just the odd fish coming out.
Thankfully Red Leader had his rods out and these were producing fish, Just not for Dave.
It would appear that someone had drunk the beer tent dry overnight, so Dave had to jump into his car and go and get another barrel.
Stu was soon of the mark with a 3lb Eel on Dave's rod, and later I managed to get off the mark with a nice 9½lb Common Carp again on one of Dave's rods.
Just as well really as during the course of the weekend I managed to lose all 4 of the Carp that I hooked on my own rods.
I did manage a Ruffe though, for 3 points in the Fishing Race.
Dai managed to liven up proceedings by having his rod dragged in by a rather determined Carp, while Trogg showing a rather nimble turn of foot rushed to the rescue, but in trying to avoid a landing net handle, stumbled crashing down on a sleeper on the bank and ending with his head under water. Still the rod was retrieved with the Carp still attached, an 8lb Common, but at some cost as it became obvious that Trogg had cracked a rib for his trouble.
Dinner time and it was fish & chips for some and back to the pub for a few of us, prior to fishing through the night (a concession from Stan for the Fish-in)
Dave & Stu on their return tackled up for an attempt on the Cats, while myself, Simon R, Tiny and Geoff settled down to spectate.
Well the banter was good to say the least, and the hysteria was probably heard round the whole lake well into the night, until we retired and left them to it .
At this point I should probably apologise to Dave, as it appears that I managed to keep him awake the whole night, as evidently my snoring resembled a Diesel Generator working overtime. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ Me? I never heard a thing.
Sunday morning and at breakfast a rather bleary eyed Mookie appeared, blaming Uncle Geoff for leading him astray in the beer tent the previous evening and wondering why his legs were still having trouble obeying his brain.
Dave actually managed to catch a fish on his own rod………
………. and Jack Thresh managed to get the biggest Carp of the weekend with just a ½ hour to go, a lovely Mirror of 19½lbs.
All to soon it was over and time for Troggs ceremonial
The raffle was drawn and the auction was held, and for those of you that weren’t there I can only say that you missed a treat in the shape of Rose the Auctioneer, as Stu said “what a gal”
All to soon it was all over for another year, Hands were shaken, farewells said as we all disappeared in our different directions.
Thanks to everyone that made it possible, those that attended, and all the sponsors, but most of all Thanks to Dave & Stu for all their hard work in making it a Fish-in to remember.
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