Three PBs, an immaculate 30lbs common carp and more than £ 2000 raised for two good causes – but then what do you expect when a bunch of FISHINGmagic regulars get together..?
Sixteen anglers from as far afield as Kent and Cheshire descended on Snetterton Pits, in deepest Norfolk, for the third annual Charity Carp-in.
They were competing for the James Farrow Memorial Shield and to help raise cash for charity Second Chance and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Stuart Bullard and his PB mirror of 27lb 12oz (click for bigger picture)
Highlight of the 48-hour bash was Mike Lee’s stunning fully-scaled 30lbs 7oz common carp, which snapped up a boilie cast 90 yards to a gravel bar, as dawn broke on Wednesday.
Sascha Welsh blanked during the competition itself but arrived at the venue a day early and banked a new PB bream of 11lbs 7oz.
“It’s just a number but it was such a beautiful fish, in perfect condition,” said Mike. “It gave a good account of itself but behaved impeccably on the bank.”
Mike, whose previous best carp was 28lbs 8oz, brought along his burger van and kept the FM crew fortified with breakfast, in the face of stiff competition on the catering front.
Monday evening was blessed with perfect barbeque weather, and Warren “where’s me wine box” Gaunt rose to the occasion in fine style.
Another PB, this time a bream of 11lb 7oz for Sascha Welsh (click for bigger picture)
Norfolk carper James Griffin pipped Mike Lee to the highest aggregate weight with a 14lbs 12oz mirror and 22lbs 14oz common carp, for a 37lbs 10oz total.
While Stu Bullard doesn’t remember how he found his way back to his bivvy on Tuesday night, he won’t forget his new carp PB of 27lbs 12oz. He thought it might have been a mirror – or a common…
He had such a good time that he successfully bid for a season ticket in the auction which had been generously donated by the fishery owners James and Karen Cooke.
After the all-out sounded, Cakey compered an auction for the two good causes, which added £ 672 to the total.
A digital camera, a T-shirt signed by some of the country’s top carpers and items donated by tackle shops and other businesses in Norfolk were among the goodies which came under the hammer.
Raffle tickets made £ 127, and the total raised with sponsorship currently stands at £ 1987.50 collected so far, with further pledges of £ 433. These along with unknown amounts to follow should raise in the region of £ 2400.
The annual carp fish-in, now in its third year, is staged in memory of James Farrow, a popular carper from nearby Shropham, who lived for his fishing and was a regular at the pits.
Yet another PB, this one a stunning 30lb 7oz common for Mike Lee (click for bigger picture)
James, 17, was found dead on the bank at Snetterton just hours after catching his first-ever 22lbs carp and is remembered today with a plaque in his favourite swim on the complex.
The match was an emotional occasion for James’s dad Richard, who still fishes the pits, and his wife Di.
“James loved the lakes, the wildlife and the quality of the fish at Snetterton,” said Richard. “He would have thoroughly enjoyed the event and would have been impressed at the catches. The event is such a fitting tribute to him.”
Fishery owners James and Karen Cooke were delighted at the turn-out, the stamp of fish caught and total raised for charity. They really entered into the spirit of the event with their support and generosity.
“We’re very pleased,” said Karen. “It’s always a very poignant day, it’s good for the family that something good like this can come out of it.”
The James Farrow trophy
All mod cons for the boys!
Mike receives the James Farrow trophy from James’ father Richard
A handshake (trophy to follow) for winner James Griffin from Richard Farrow
Cakey on the gavel for the tackle auction
The signed tee-shirt (click for bigger picture)
The lads – a magnificent effort for a very worthy cause (click for bigger picture)
Lake owners James and Karen Cooke were delighted at the turn-out
At the BBQ for a Wol’s special (click for bigger picture)
“Sod the photos,” Les said, “I’m too busy with kebabs and lager!” (click for bigger picture)
That’s not nice Stuart, just ‘cos Cakey burnt your sausage (click for bigger picture)
