PREVIOUSLY ON 'COME FISHING FOR FUN'
This tale begins with a heavy heart after the previous days fiasco. Memories of Nico's battle with two zoo creatures and a day of scratching remained with the team. What had gone wrong? What could we have done? Match lake rammed with fish? Did we feed enough - probably no. Did we feed consistently - probably no. Did we stick out in front of us for too long - probably yes. Should be been further up the lake - probably yes. Too many questions and no definitive answer. But it was a practice and match day was now here.
EARLY DOORS
A dry but cooling day was met with a sting to the tale, or should I say finger! As the constant swarming wasps finally attacked stinging Nicholls Jr on the finger, would this early injury cause problems later?
A professionally organised peg draw was swiftly conducted with pegs 34, 35 and 36 used. Nicholls Jr 34, PC 35 and Nico 36. Match on.
The lake looked rammed, hundreds of carp - however packed into one swim, 2 ft deep, a swarm of wasps replaced by a shoal of carp,is this usual? So many fish in one place? As Nico proclaimed its 'Black with em'! The writing was on the wall!
MICHAEL 'JOHN' FISH WEATHER REPORTS
Pegs gave the anglers a few early problems. PC complained about middle peg and the pressures of conducting the banter, Nico decided to set up piper alpha out into the lake and Nicholls Jr dealt with a swelling finger, pint of milk and early piss taking from the other two competitors.
PC missed an early advantage misinterpreting the rules and waiting patiently for his team mates to set up. All anglers went for the pole, cupping in, tying rigs and having an initial test of the water.
Weather prediction - no rain! I repeat no rain?
WEATHER UPDATE - MONSOON
Very slow start as anglers struggled to find fish. A few ide and stockies were taken. All anglers at around 10 metres. Initial thoughts were - um??
'I bet we get some rain' - Nico
'I'd agree ' - Nicholls Jr
'Don't say that, it won't rain, weather forecast says .....' - PC
The fishing proved slow as the anglers stuck it out at 10 metres. Cries for tea and cobs forced Nicholls Jr to head for the cafe. The speedy service allowed Nicholls Jr to pop back in between each course to assess progress. Oh the comedy genius of the two Nico's shone through with tales of Moby Dick in the keepnet. Advantage again lost.
Finally after wasp stings, tea, cobs, draws and the usual Swiss Army seat box fishing progressed.
Slow a few fish here and there on corn, pellet and maggot. But slow very slow. Stockies, the odd roach and plenty of ide.PC went of the feeder and snagged a decent carp on the drop. He then dropped the feeder moving back to the ineffective pole!
Then the unpredicted, no way is it going to happen, never in a month of sundays, Chester gap will save us, its August, but oh yes as ever, it happened, the festival as usual was interrupted and nearly destroyed by that old favourite - the rain.
It poured, stopped, poured again, grew light, poured, stopped, poured. But the brave and gallant fished on. Fish started to appear, yes ide, but plenty of them.
Nico raced ahead, fish after fish appeared. Nicholls Jr felt the pressure. Limited maggot stocks meant tactics were needed. When and how to use them. Nico kept going and the weight continued. PC fished on to no avail. Out in front, motionless float.
