The bloggers confession

Forgive me dear readers for I have sinned. I have not blogged for a few months, neither have I fished. Well that is a small fib in itself.
September 2010 saw an EFFC match at Foremark I boated up with best mate and angling mentor Al Wilson. Al has fished from a boat before but all he could tell me was how he hooked up his boat partner and then took him to A&E! I have not fished from a boat before, but I have been to A&E! (not to have a hook removed).
The match had been arranged by Ian Gould of EFFC and he was partnering David Fowler who, aledgedly, had already got his name on the trophy.
It was a bright day with a light breeze off the pontoons. The day started with the obligatory bacon buttie, tackling up and then finding out how to start the engine. After five minutes we read the label on the motor, got it going and we were off past Flamingo Bay fished about 50 yards off Hut Point. After about an hour of nothing, Ian and Dave came past with smug grins on their faces having bagged up with their six fish! To cut to the chase, Dave ended up with eighteen, but that did not get him the best bag of the day.
After another hour enjoying the bright day, Al had landed one, by accident, and I was still heading for a blank. Al's 'accidental' fish was caught while he was demonstrating an odd method he had witnessed before, which was a very fast 'hand over hand' strip. 'Just like that' he said, and then found one on the end of his line!  We moved around towards Bramble Bay, which was very still. Time for lunch and a change of tactics. Since publishing the next picture, I have been accused of using bate to catch my fish. I would like to take this opportunity to emphatically deny the accusation of baiting with a 1 1/2 pound pork pie. I ate every crumb! I did, however at this point, break my duck and landed my first fish with a Red tag. The afternoon continued well for Al, catching three fish. I enjoyed my first boat angling experience with buzzards high above the Gorse Bay area and a strengthening breeze.
We returned to the fishery to weigh in and listen to the banter. Ian was re-calculating the weights, three times. But it didn't matter how he looked at the numbers, he was still only 2nd, but for a few ounces. He was seen praying at the end of the third count.
Domestic life and work took over after this match, a very busy two weeks with Nottingham Business School and the purchase of the cottage next door put an end to the fishing season. The last social / match was the 'Biggest Fish' on the 27th November. Many soles managed to get to Errwood, but I couldn't even get into Ipstones from our lane, so that was it for 2010.

My target for 2011? My first greyling and some winter brook & stream fishing on the Peak Passport, renew my Errwood membership because I have still so much to learn about reservior fishing, its a great part of the Peak, and the club is very welcoming - Thanks guys.

Al, aka Mr Doodoo

With a little bit of luck, my name may get to the top of the list for LADFA and then it will be the Dove, Churnet and Bentley Brook.

Love the streams,


March Brown