Sunday morning arrived, an hour later for most people .... and possibly 2 hours earlier for some who got the 'clocks change' wrong! It was a drippy, wet start, ... well after a bacon 'n' egg brekky it was.
The BS 'overnight crew' had managed to tempt a barbel and few chub, so hopes were tentative to say the least.
Most of the pre-registered 'guests' made it plus a few who turned up on spec, and filled the place!
The rain stopped around 09.15am and the weather was kind for most of the rest of the day, with some warmth for a few minutes in the midday sunshine.
I think we, collectively, managed to speak to everyone of the attendees a couple of times during the day and thanks go to all of you for that, from me and the 'guests'.... even though most of the advice on tactics was scorned by the barbel.
One was caught early on (Ron Lander on hand to photograph it!) and one, of quite a decent size I'm told, escaped. A few chub and pike were captured but, all in all, the barbel were conspicuous by their absence.
Our raffle, in aid of the 3 Counties Air Ambulance Service, raised the princely sum of ?164.00 .... and Mark Fox, John Smith, Mike Berridge and I knew where every ticket holder was sat fishing!!! Especially so after the draw, when Mike & I then had our 6th. up-and-down trek, distributing the prizes to the winners.
Will Golightly will ensure the cheque is sent soon, along with notification to our sponsors of both of the 'Open' days, of the fruits of their superb generosity.
Mike Berridge enrolled two members on the day and also gave out quite a few membership forms to those with insufficient funds on them to enable decisions to be made.
Once again, my thanks to all the members and officers who attended and made it a decent day for the 'guests', y'all know who y'are, guys 'n' gal!
Mike.
ps... A special 'Thanks' to the 5 strong crew from Fishing Magic, who came along with ****ie Fisk, and seem like a bunch of real decent folk; nice to meet them and I hope we'll meet up again, wherever. One of 'em, a reputed 'tackle-tart' (according to his companions), drew the 1st. prize rod.?? Well done, Mike Last!! _________________________
Mike Osborne