February 9th was the day for the annual Stoney and Friends Pike Fish-in, but this year, thanks to the generosity of RMC, it was fished on both Wraysbury 1 & 2.
Friday night saw the arrival of the organisers and helpers, and would have seen the arrival of three lads who were travelling all the way down from County Durham, had they not got lost one mile from Wraysbury and ended up at Kingsmead!!!
A few beers were had whilst organising who was going to do what on the Sunday morning, before retiring early to vehicles for a night of uncomfortable sleep. 5.30 Saturday morning saw the kettle going on for teas, whilst the arrival of a few other long distance attendees was awaited.
An hour later, a band of bright eyed (alright dreary eyed) anglers got ready to head of in convoy to Kingsmead for a days Piking either as a reward for travelling so far for Sundays event, or in respect of the organisers, because they wouldn’t have time to fish on the Sunday. Needless to say, everyone was ready and waiting for the ever-organised Stoney to start up his van and lead the way.
Sure enough, in he jumps and turns the ignition – nothing! Out he jumps, swearing and cursing and asking who has got a towrope. Ten minutes later after Allan has almost pulled the back of a 4×4, his van starts and we are on our way.
Nothing of merit to report on the fish side, with the only Pike caught being a jack of about 5lb (3-4lb if you listen to Andy “tea boy” Paice) to Chris, our treasurer. Our deadline for leaving Kingsmead and getting back to Wraysbury was 4.00. Chris having caught decided a 3.00 departure for him and Andy was more preferable, thus giving them ample opportunity to sample the facilities of the “Percy” and leave any unwanted “baggage” there.
4.00 came and went, with everyone in the Kingsmead Car Park entertained by our new friends from County Durham, who could only pack their van by committee! 20 minutes later, their van was packed and ready for the off, or so we thought! We had got it wrong, and didn’t realise that they then needed another 10 minutes to clean themselves up, before again deciding by committee who was going to drive and who was going to sit where – not bad seeing as one of them was only a youngster without a license!
Eventually we reach Wraysbury 1 Car Park and start preparing for the next day. Rain was in the air, so out came the tarpaulin, Stoney’s van parked, and two 4×4 lined up by it to form a U shape. The tarpaulin was subsequently placed across the vehicles only for us to realise the clips Stoney had provided were about as much use as a PVA landing net! A rapid search of vehicles provided a number of bungees which did the job, and then all that was required were some supports to keep the tarpaulin up in the middle, which were eventually found in the surrounding trees!
At about 5.00 the “Happy Caterer” arrived. After some erratic parking manoeuvres, he eventually had the van parked up on some semi flat ground. Out he jumps, moaning and groaning about why the car park had moved!!! from the previous year, and then he proceeded to get even happier when some smart-arse explained that the car park hadn’t moved and it was just a case of us using a different one.
His first task was to get the generator going so we would have some light on the scene, and possibly even some food. Three hours later, the noise of the generator was still not to be heard. By this stage, a few more people had turned up for the Saturday night social, and as can be imagined, the banter was in full flow. Sadly, the “Happy Caterer” couldn’t quite work out why he was the butt of most comments. One day he’ll realise it was only the “Generator Game” that everyone was getting involved in.
A fine social was had by all, and even the County Durham lads had been taught a bit of English as the night wore on. The “Happy Caterer” was yet again the centre of attention, especially when complaining whilst trying to push a ground-stick in the ground that it was all gravel – not a bad observation bearing in mind that Wraysbury is a “gravel pit”.
At 11.00 those left standing were sent to their respective quarters for the night as an early start was promised. Sure enough, 5 hours later and Stoney is waking up the “workers”. Generator less, the laptop is fired up to sign everybody in, and the gates opened at 5.45 to let them in.
About one hour later, 119 anglers had signed in, 80 of which asked directions to Wraysbury Two despite holding a map in their hands!, and everyone was off fishing. Well nearly everyone, as a few appeared a bit later out of cars and bivvies asking what all the fuss was about, and why people couldn’t be quieter – learn to hold your drink boys!!!
An hour after everyone had gone of fishing, the “Happy Caterer” smiled for the first time. He had managed to start the generator at long last – shame very few people were there to appreciate it!
It was not long before reports of Pike captures starting hitting HQ. Martin Earl was first of the mark with a 20lb from Wraysbury 2. Little Dean Clarke (aged 8 1/2 ) had a 18lb 5oz and 9lb 13oz Pike to show for his efforts. Barry Hearn (father of Tel) proved in something they have in their blood by catching a 21lb. Tug Wilson, who didn’t bother turning up too early as it was raining when he first went to get up!, wandered of to Douglas Lane to join Mike Lydon and Smarts. Two hours later, a text arrives asking for Tug to be banned as he had taken the place (and Mike and Smarts) apart with Pike of 7lb, 10lb 8oz, 10lb 13oz and 15lb in that order. Others to catch were Hippy with a 9lb, Alan Phillips with 6lb 8oz, Sally Francis with 6lb 7oz and Ben Owen with 11lb.
At 4.00 everyone started returning to the Wraysbury One car park in anticipation of the raffle draw. Chris and Andy had walked, slipped, crawled and almost swam round Wraysbury 1 (excluding Douglas Lane) and Wraysbury Two selling raffle tickets to anyone who wanted them and to a few who didn’t as well. Some anglers even knowing they would not be at the raffle, still bought tickets and asked that these be passed onto the youngsters (you know who you are and thanks – the tickets were given to Dean Clarke as a reward for catching his two fish).
The takings for the event were then added up before the raffle. At one point it looked like we were down on the previous year. However, due to a few generous last minute raffle ticket purchases, and phone orders from Douglas Lane, last years figure was well and truly beaten.
Stoney gave his speech and then the raffle was drawn. During the draw, Stoney realised that he had forgotten to thank half the people he needed to thank, nor had he introduced Jess from Macmillan, so apologies to anyone not mentioned. We decided to let Stoney off, as he had been extremely busy all day guarding the van and drinking Tea!
To finish off, a big thank you to everyone who attended, to all our sponsors, to those who helped out on the day, and to RMC for yet again giving up their waters.
To leave you with a thought, just imagine the event was a week later. Can you imagine the reaction of the Police and Army to 80+ vehicles driving through roadblocks at 05.30 in the Wraysbury area, with each car full of hairy arsed blokes in Camo Gear and rod bags on show everywhere!
Oh!, and the really important issue, £ 1,847.50 was raised for the benefit of Macmillan Cancer Relief.
