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Thursday 24 May 2007
Burgham Fly Fishers - A Report by Doug Rigby
An enjoyable day was had by all when Doug Rigby’s party of ‘pheasant-shooters’ fished a friendly
competition on 17 May.
(Ed: from what I saw of them as they assembled in the lodge, they looked far from a friendly lot,
but fortunately they had left their guns at home!).
The weather was warm, showery and overcast with NW breezes.
Fishing from boats, pairs comprised a novice and experienced angler in each.
The morning session proved to be most productive (stiffer winds?), fishing becoming more difficult
later in calmer conditions although some fish were rising to, and taking Mayfly during the afternoon.
Three of the party were complete beginners, although all had had some previous casting tuition, and two
were successful: Ian Gross, fishing with Bewl regular Martin Elkins caught a brown and two rainbow on
bloodworm; Peter Tapsfield, fishing with 87 year-old Eric Crane, caught two rainbow using bloodworm and GRHE.
As to the more experienced anglers results as follows:
Martin Elkins caught the largest number of fish, 5 for 5lb 9oz (surely a candidate for the lightest-ever 5 fish
bag!), all on bloodworm and all during the morning session.
Eric Crane had the heaviest bag, 3 fish for 5lb 14 oz, all on bloodworm and Doug Rigby caught the biggest fish
at 2lb 9oz on a Mayfly nymph.
Prizes, of quality fly-boxes, flies (including an American floating mouse-lure) were awarded as follows:
Heaviest Bag – Eric Crane
Biggest fish – Eric Crane, 2lb 0oz (Doug Rigby was specifically excluded from prize eligibility by the rest
of his party, but looks forward to cleaning-up when they fish Lakedown in the Autumn!).
Statistically, the days’ overall results as follows: 10 Rods (3 beginners/2 improvers) caught 19 rainbows,
1 brown and a perch. (Ed: a good overall performance, given that they are really e fact that they really
claim to be expert shots.
The day was rounded-off with a few beers and a barbecue, with sausages and burgers kindly donated by
Andrew Hoad from his farm shop in Salehurst.
Unfortunately no photographs were taken to record the event as Doug found that his camera battery was
flat; what a plonker! (Ed: his words, not mine!)
Following receipt of encouraging comments on the day a return visit is planned for 2008. |
