Match against Croxley Hall Sat 3rd Nov 2007

This was the annual get together with Croxley to contest the Iver/Croxley trophy. The moral of this event as is often the case, especially at Bushy, is right place right time.

The weather was kind. It started off very sunny although by noon there was almost total cloud cover. The temperature climbed to perhaps 15C with very little wind and ripple at this top end. The occasional northerly breeze did break up the mill pond that persisted around this northern half. I noticed that Steve put his coat on when the cloud came over and a little chill developed. What of the southern end? Read on to find out what had been going on there. 

There were 11 members in each team. Although Croxley actually had 15 members at the event only the first 11 to do the draw for the walk-off were selected for the competition.

At the walk-off anglers headed in all directions all around the lake. John placed himself on the point towards the northeast of the lake whilst 5 of us, Ray, Malcolm, Steve, Bobby and myself (Allen) headed for the bay opposite the club house near the north west corner. This was often a hot spot. However, after an hour or so the 5 of us were getting worried. Although the fish were coming we had thought about the possibility of blanking. However, by noon the 5 of us had 1 or 2 fish each but it was obvious that we may not limit, especially as the afternoon was approaching, usually the quieter period. We could see John on the other side slowly pulling out the fish and by noon he had 3. There were fish around, rising and jumping, but the majority seemed to be out towards the middle and did not want to play.

Stan decided to move around noon towards the southern end. Around 1 o’clock Bobby and Allen decided to move that way to. On the way we met Roy who had finished and told us that the fish were at the southern end and that the other members of the team had either limited or were waiting to get into the hot spots to do so.

Roy, Brian, Ken and George had finished, some by 10.30am. So we raced to that end to see Stan, who had recently moved there, trying for his last which he soon got. Bobby had stepped into the slot beside him and after 30 minutes or so had also finished. Roy told the others to come along but Malcolm retired. At this point it was about 2pm and Ray, Allen and Steve stepped in. But time was running out. There was plenty of ripple this end but it was not easy casting into the wind. It was the afternoon doldrums time and further more, having been slaughtered, the fish decided to move out. Steve did manage another and also got broke but that was it before the finish at 3.30pm. We did notice that a boat, more towards the middle, was hauling the fish out so the shoals had obviously moved there.

Back at the lodge for the weigh in a Croxley member was heard to say that although there were lots of fish at the southern end one particular beat had been heaving with them. To get in that beat was another matter. Had not Iver found and hogged this best beat the final result may have been different. Praise must go to John who was the only member of the team to limit away from the southern end – on the point. Well done.

All sorts of lines were used, Floaters, Intermediates and Hi-Dis, together with all sorts of flies, Boobies, Wrazlers, Buzzers, various lures and also Cat’s Whiskers which apparently, as George said, was a killer.

At the weigh-in Iver had well and truly beaten Croxley by 27lbs. Unfortunately Croxley, who had won the previous year, had not been able to retrieve the trophy in time for a presentation.

 

Name

Caught

Weight

Best Rbow

Ken Williams

  4

  11lbs 10ozs

 

Roy Palmer

  4

  12lbs   4ozs

 

John Weaver

  4

  13lbs   0oz

3lbs   8ozs

Ray Simpson

  2

    5lbs 13ozs

 

Malcolm Golding

  2

    6lbs   1oz

 

Steve Radcliffe

  2

    7lbs   5ozs

 

Allen Dixon

  1

    3lbs   8ozs

3lbs   8ozs

Stan King

  4

  11lbs 15ozs

 

Bobby King

  4

  11lbs   0oz

 

Brian Whity

  4

  10lbs 10ozs

 

George Bartlett

  4

  12lbs   2ozs

3lbs 12ozs

 

35

105lbs 4ozs

 

 

 

 

 

Croxley

  2

  7lbs   2ozs

 

 

  4

10lbs 12ozs

 

 

  1

  2lbs 15ozs

 

 

  1

  2lbs   8ozs

 

 

  4

11lbs 12ozs

 

 

  3

  8lbs   2ozs

 

 

  0

-

 

 

  0

-

 

 

  4

13lbs 14ozs

 

 

  4

11lbs 12ozs

 

 

  3

  9lbs   8ozs

 

 

26

78lbs   5ozs