Storms Eunice and Franklin affect sport and disappointing stats for the membership year

Storms Eunice and Franklin affect rearranged Match 6

Much debris lay on paths, on swims and in swims necessitating some housework before fishing could commence. Storm Eunice left her physical mark and the erratic and wild conditions of the previous week and low atmospheric pressure certainly made fish wary.

 

Four gentlemen arrived for the draw and the result would decide who would win the Match Series competition. Either Frank Deadman or Andy Weavil were the possible winners but Frank needed to win in order to overtake Andy.

 

The weather forecast was discussed. The five hour match was due to end as gusting winds from Storm Franklin were due to build to 45+ mph with rain squalls by the last hour and when weighing in and packing up would take place. With discretion being the better part of valour, plus no-one thought to bring hard hats for protection from flying tree parts, it was agreed to fish a three hour match.

 

Station Road swims 13-17 were used in the draw. Swims 18 & 19 were omitted as the overhanging trees had a lot of movement in the gusting winds. These trees are over 50 years old now, beyond maturity, and are expected to fall sooner rather than later. Best not to have somebody underneath. Just in case.

 

Swim 16 had blanked or fished poorly in previous matches. Andy Weavil drew it and never saw a bite. Roger Pilling fared as badly on swim 15. Neither weighed in.

 

Frank drew swim 17 but fish did not respond and weighed in 11oz of silvers. Steve Edge drew swim 13. This swim was not productive in previous matches. Steve nestled down into his chair, out of the wind, catapulted pellet and dead maggot in a mid-range arc and fished a bomb from left to right at 4 different spots and repeated the pattern. He had 2 takes in the first hour and landed a carp in both instances on hair rigged sweetcorn. Steve saw no further action as the gale grew in force. Maybe he fed too much? He weighed in 9lbs 3oz to win the match.

So, Andy Weavil came first in the 8 match competition. He amassed 48 points, second Frank Deadman with 46 points and Steve Edge came third with 45 points. A close fought competition but sadly not many members competed over the whole calendar. The final match for 2021-22 is the points/pairs match being fished in March.

 

Disappointing statistics for the 2021-22 membership year

Match Secretary Andy Weavil has supplied results for the season and the statistics illustrate what a difficult year it has been on South Pond. Andy's total match series weight would have been a single match winning weight in the past.

 

The Evening Series: abandoned due to Covid restrictions

Junior Match Series: Matthew Cunningham

Heaviest Single Match Bag : 13lbs 8oz - Andy Weavil

Heaviest Total Match Series Bag (8 matches): 36lbs 2oz - Andy Weavil

Biggest Carp: 9lbs 8oz - Andy Weavil

Martin Eustace Memorial Match: George Martin

Carp Only: Andy Weavil

Silver Fish Match: Frank Deadman

Pole/Whip Only Match 1: Frank Deadman

Pole/Whip Only Match 2: Steve Edge

 

April to May activities

Activities in April and May are work parties to get the South Pond ready for the summer. Although there are no matches in April and May, leisure fishing continues.

 

 

Joining the Club

If you are interested in joining the club please contact our membership secretary Cathy Naylor on 07934-895513 for an application form. Alternatively, applications can be made by downloading a membership form from the website and sending, with an SAE, to our membership secretary (details on the form and on the web site). The membership year runs from mid-June.

Membership applications for the 2021-22 season are now closed, but will reopen in May for the 2022-23 season, details on the website.

Membership is open to anyone who lives in Bishops Waltham, plus a number of Associate membership places (for those living outside the Parish). Priority is given to Parish membership (especially juniors), but anyone living outside of the Parish wishing to join should contact Cathy for an Associate Membership place.

 

Club web site

For more information about the club and its activities, the club's web site can be found at: www.bwpfc.org.uk

Steve Edge and Barry Jerome