Martin Conray, Malcolm Golding, Eddie Gray

Keith Jones, Roy Palmer, Ray Simpson

Murray Smith, John Weaver, Ken Williams

Roy left home in heavy mist but by the 9.00am this had cleared to give a glorious cloudless start. However, there was quickly almost total cloud cover with the very occasional breaking through of the sun in the morning.

There was a nice gentle breeze that lasted all day although there was the occasional lull, especially where the trees sheltered the lake.

The temperature was typical for April, warm but with the occasional chilly breeze.

There was a variety of water birds, ducks, canada geese, grebe, and two lovely swans that had a big nest in the corner with a sitting swan.

There was one boat and one float tube in use by non-club members.

Fishing was from 9.00am until 6.00pm although actually everybody was ready to go by about 5.00pm.

Ken had purchased 10 tickets (for 9 persons) and so got a discount.

The Fishing :-

A variety of methods was used, floaters, Hi-Dis, damsels, boobies, buzzers etc.

Which method was best was anybody’s guess. All were successful. If a shoal went through then your luck was in.

Eddie started the ball rolling using his hi-di and Coral, wading in the water to get a good cast. He was first to finish at 11.00am. The average weight proved to be approximately 3 lbs so his total bag for the 6 fish was about 20lbs. Silly Eddie could not have weighed in his heaviest fish – they all looked the same at the time. By the time he realised it (because of the total weight was more than 6 times the heaviest fish) he had gutted them!! So he then had to hang around for 7 hours until the end. It is nice to bag up but so early??!!

Next to finish was Roy at 11.30am. He had a better bag with a nice fish (the biggest of the day) of 5lbs. However, unlike Eddie he was using a floater with a green/black diawl bach. So both hi-dis and floaters could produce.

By around 12.00 :-

Malcolm had 2 on floater trying all sorts of flies. Ken had 1 using a floater and diawl bach.

Martin had 4 using a floater/buzzer combination. John had 4 using a floater/buzzer.

Ray had 3 using a floater and diawl bach. Keith had 1 using a floater/buzzer.

Murray had nothing at this point in time.

As the day progressed the catches were increasing nicely. However, soon after noon the fishing got harder. By 2.00pm Murray now had 2, John and Ray now had 5 each, Ken had 3 and Keith 2. Malcolm and Martin had not shifted although, like many others including exasperated Murray, were losing lots of fish.

Ray moved around in ‘his’ corner, his favourite spot and picked up his last fish by 14.45pm.

Martin got another at 4.45 pm but it took both John and Martin until gone 4.00 pm to catch their last. John even tried a floater and dry fly when he saw fish rising for olives, but no joy. It was getting harder.

Murray, who had been fishing beside Malcolm then moved to the jetty, still on 2 fish. Then, out of the blue Malcolm caught 4 in a row on his hi-di and booby to complete his catch. He was chuffed, the first time he had ever got his limit at Bushyleaze.

Ken then got his act together and also picked up his remaining fish by 4.00pm.

This only left our new comer, Keith, and Murray outstanding.

At 4.00pm Murray caught his 3^rd fish. Two hours to go to catch his last three and it had got harder! He had changed from a floater to intermediate and now was on a hi-di shooting head and booby. It paid dividends and, against the odds, he picked up his last 3 fish in 25 minutes. Well done.

Our new comer Keith struggled and did not get beyond 2 fish. We all have to start somewhere, learn and improve, so better luck next time, it will come eventually.

High Lights :-

10.00am Martin caught a small jack pike.

1.00pm Malcolm lost a big one as Murray was about to net it for him.

‘I am not boasting but I reckon it was at least 8 or 9 lbs’.

2.00pm Ken catches his 3^rd, unhooks the fish, casts out and puts his rod down.

While he is sorting out his fish he nearly loses his rod with a take.

He loses the fish though.

2.30pm Roy, with his dry fly, catches a mallard. It comes off after 2 mins.

4.00pm Ken slips & falls in the lake. Fortunately the reeds save a big soaking!

Final Weigh-in :-

Eddie Gray 6 20 lbs 2 ozs 11.00am finish

Roy Palmer 6 20 lbs 6 ozs heaviest 5 lbs 11.30am

Ray Simpson 6 18 lbs 2 ozs 2.15pm

Malcolm Golding 6 19 lbs 3.00pm

Martin Conroy 6 fish 23 lbs 4.00pm

Ken Williams 6 18 lbs 5 ozs 4.00pm

John Weaver 6 20 lbs 2 ozs 4.15pm

Murray Smith 6 20 lbs 5.00pm

Keith Jones 2 8 lbs 5 ozs 5.00pm retired

Martin and Roy were presented with a 2lb jar of jam each (donated by Allen) for the heaviest bag and fish.

See you all at Bewl soon.