After two previous years of bad weather and an unfishable
lake, the Motor Neurone Disease Association charity pike match sponsored by Fox was finally held on Sunday 1st February 2015
on the famous St. Johns Pool, Linear Fisheries. In total 26 Anglers took part
with some travelling far and wide to take part in this fun and relaxed day, for
a worthy cause. Cost for taking part was just a £10 donation for the charity so
it really was a value for money day. The format was a normal peg out of a bag
draw with fishing commencing at 9am till 3pm. Rather than the winner being the
highest accumulative weight, it would be based on the biggest fish to ensure
everyone had a chance right to the end, with one good fish being all that was
needed. Prizes would be allocated to the top three places, along with optional
pools for anglers. A refreshment van was also in attendance serving bacon
rolls, burgers, tea and coffee etc.
It didn’t take too long for the pike to make an appearance and the first fish was on the bank within the first hour. Throughout the day it was clear that there were short feeding spells with a couple of pike being landed in quick succession each hour from various areas of the lake. Static dead baits on the bottom seemed the most effective method on the day. Most venue regulars predicted the Road Bank to be the best pegs on the day but it was young Ryan Styles fishing on The Point swim who was bagging up. Ryan landed six fish fishing the margins on the back of the wind with very small roach and trout hook baits, coupled with a single treble hook and a Fox deadbait pencil float ledger set-up. Ryan was fishing right next to his dad Jon.....who blanked!
It didn’t take too long for the pike to make an appearance and the first fish was on the bank within the first hour. Throughout the day it was clear that there were short feeding spells with a couple of pike being landed in quick succession each hour from various areas of the lake. Static dead baits on the bottom seemed the most effective method on the day. Most venue regulars predicted the Road Bank to be the best pegs on the day but it was young Ryan Styles fishing on The Point swim who was bagging up. Ryan landed six fish fishing the margins on the back of the wind with very small roach and trout hook baits, coupled with a single treble hook and a Fox deadbait pencil float ledger set-up. Ryan was fishing right next to his dad Jon.....who blanked!
Those fishing on the East bank only saw one fish caught along with a few missed
runs and had to brave strong winds blowing into them all day but the banter was
good.
The three weighing marshalls were kept busy throughout the
day (all needed the exercise). At the final whistle it was clear it was a tight
contest:
First Place: Dave Harvey - 11lb
10oz – Prize: Fox Ultron Casting Rod and £60 pools
Second Place: Ryan Styles – 10lb 14oz – Prize: Fox Ultron
3500 Reel
Third Place: Andrew Wornham – 9lb 6oz – Prize: Three Fox
Rage Replicant Lures and £35 pools
Fourth Place: Tony Doolan – 9lb 5oz: £20 pools
Overall it was a very successful day with everyone enjoying
themselves. A total of £400 was raised with all money going to the Motor
Neurone Disease Association – The chosen charity of Linear Fisheries. We
managed to raise over £100 from the raffle alone, where a total of 14 prizes
were up for grabs including kind donations from Cotswold Angling, Lechlade
Angling, States Tackle and Wychwood Brewery.
A big Thank You to Chris Blunt and the rest of the Linear Team for allowing us to hold this worthwhile event. Thanks to all of the anglers who took part and kindly donated other raffle prizes. Thank you to Fox International who kindly donated tackle for the main prizes on the day (rod, reel and lures). Lastly, thanks and well done to the anglers who supported the event and made it so worthwhile.
A big Thank You to Chris Blunt and the rest of the Linear Team for allowing us to hold this worthwhile event. Thanks to all of the anglers who took part and kindly donated other raffle prizes. Thank you to Fox International who kindly donated tackle for the main prizes on the day (rod, reel and lures). Lastly, thanks and well done to the anglers who supported the event and made it so worthwhile.
Oxfordshire RA34 and Linear Fisheries will continue to build
on this event with next year already confirmed for Sunday 7th February 2016 when it is hoped to get a field
of 40 anglers.
