Keith Culley Memorial - time for a better venue?

[Mark Wintle]

Having attended the last four years I have some observations:

Half the field struggle to get a bite, and many of the low double figure weights were mainly one fish!

Those that do well demonstrate extraordinary skill beyond that of most attending

The hook and hold fishing is pointless and barely sporting

Successful methods, despite the huge head of fish, are high specialised

We ought to be able to find a better venue that is a lot easier to fish in the south midlands (fairly central) that offers easier, more consistent and more interesting fishing - both for big fish anglers and float anglers. That doesn't mean Boddington or Drayton either!

I'm all for tradition but it's time to raise some serious questions about this venue. The pub afterwards was excellent, but I'm sure that if we moved elsewhere a similar pub could be found.

 

[Graham Marsden (ACA)]

Mark makes some good points but I think it's the many challenges of Clattercote that are part of the attraction.

At the opposite end of the scale to Clattercote is a standard commercial where the match would be won by a pole angler, and usually one who can get his fish into the net the fastest. Do we want that? I'm no expert with a pole but I reckon I'd be in with a chance.

I think it would be difficult to find a more all round venue than Clattercote that has the option of lots of fish or a few bigger fish, and the choice of several methods to fish for them. That choice is up to the individual.

My vote goes to staying at Clattercote.

 

[Nigel Connor(ACA ,SAA)]

People vote with their feet Mark.The turn outs are consistently high with most coming back year on year.It gets my vote.

The difficulty often comes with the conditions and that is just bad luck.I bet it would be easier there today.Where I struggled at range was because I did not have enough skill to cast accurately to the same spot.That would be the same evrywhere and there must always be scope for the more skillfull to come to the fore.It makes me want to try a little harder thats all.

 

[Bully]

Well, all I can say is that I came a close 2nd one year to the "great Dexter" (did he really blank this year). So if I can get in with a shout anyone can!!

I like Clattercote, plus its quite central.

 

[Neil Maidment]

Good points all round.

My vote would be to remain at Clattercote even though Saturdays events highlighted my own lack of skill at range.

I deliberately didn't take any maggot/caster with the intention of concentrating on the carp. My previous trips had shown me the water had some superb roach, skimmers, perch and hybrids. You may not win with those but you'll still have a good days fishing.

I tend to agree with the comments on "Hook and Hold" but it is a challenge!

 

[Nigel Connor(ACA ,SAA)]

Neil, how about a winter knock up there when the carp should be dormant?

 

[Wendy Perry 2]

I made a 3 hour journey to Clattercote, why? because i love the challenge of there, and as Graham has said anyone can be in with a chance of winning it. On a commercial the more experienced angler will always win it and not give us learners a chance.

So for me i'd vote for Clattercote everytime.

 

[Lee Swords]

I would vote for Drayton because

1. It is a lot easier to get to
2. You can compete with several methods
3. Bigger weights would be landed
4. You could run it as a (conventional)float only match and still expect 100lb from the winner

 

[Graham Marsden (ACA)]

If an FM member is prepared to organise a match on Drayton in the near future I would certainly attend it. That way we can see for ourselves and have a little tester.

 

[Nigel Connor(ACA ,SAA)]

HaHa!! I knew my new matchbox would come in handy!

I would be up for it if only to use the 4 tonnes of method mix currently spilling out of the freezer.

Mr Swords?

 

[Beecy]

I enjoyed my first visit to Clattercote, ok this type of big game hunting is not my thing so I'm never going to win a bean unless the monsters go on hunger strike.

But I had a nice days fishing in good company, so no complaints from me.


your never going to please all the people all of the time, unless you went for something like a three match mini series on say a carp lake, a canal and a river, and decide it on a points system

 

[Nigel Connor(ACA ,SAA)]

One point that was made on saturday was the posiibilty of pushing the match back to say Noon until 5.30 or 6pm as the fish do seem to switch on come the evening time.Not sure if you can book it like that.

 

[Graham Marsden (ACA)]

That sounds like a good plan Nigel, worth asking about anyway.

 

[Wolfman Woody]

Not sure that changing venue would work, as Graham says, a commercial puddle would only benefit the accomplished pole angler.

Moving the times back? Not sure there either, the fish I had were mostly before midday.

Moving it to June when the tench might be more mobile? Now there's something worth thinking about.

Next year I'm taking a carp rod, big pit reel and 15lb line and I'm going to grind the barbs of some really strong Mustad Snag hooks that WILL not straighten. We'll see who's boss.

 

[Lee Swords]

Drayton would not suit just a pole man

 

[trev matthews]

how about the venue not too far from clattercote called stockton resi "blue Lias" it has a pub attached and is not too disimilar to clattercote. Just a suggestion thats all

 

[Nigel Connor(ACA ,SAA)]

The grass is always greener .. whatever venue is chosen the better angler if on a good peg will win out.

Everyone enjoys the day.True if you are an out an out match angler then there might be better venues to show off your finely honed skills on a range of methods but for most the match is a bit of fun with some friendly rivalry thrown in on a picturesque venue and a beer or two afterwards.At that level most seem to enjoy the day.If it aint broke .....etc

 

[Mark Wintle]

Nigel,

You've missed the point completely!

It is broke! Half blank or come close to it, year after year.

We can do better.

And yes, regardless of venue, the best anglers will always win it - but at least give the underdogs some sport.

One way is to have a 'more commercial' venue but split into pro/ams.

Nothing wrong with the social side but that's true regardless of venue.

 

[Nigel Connor(ACA ,SAA)]

I have not missed the point but I am judging the day on perhaps more than just the match itself.Not everything has a value in pounds and ounces.

Purely on pounds and ounces, I have I think fished it 3 times,blanking or catching little I recall on the first one, and on each occasion I learn a little more about the place and have caught more accordingly.I am not sure how others approach it but its a challenge I set myself and from which I get satisfaction and if one day I can match the likes of Stu or Graham there I will be happy indeed.

 

[Graham Marsden (ACA)]

Let those who usually blank voice their opinions then. Maybe they relish the challenge of doing better next time. I made mistakes last year, this year I knew what I had to do to not make the same mistakes and I looked forward to doing better.