http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl? http://www.eblah.com en http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1283982990/ http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1283982990/#num1
Groups 3 and 4 both fished, so most boats were out with 54 anglers.
Rod averages were 5.4 in Gr 3 and 5 in Gr 4, parts of the reservoir fished its head off others were hard work.
Location was the key, we had some int from Col and David practising and after that the guys were improvising on the day.

The guys fished very well; Brain P bagged up, Dave H got 7 then played catch and release after that, Peter H took 6,
Alex C and Jim W 4 each and Col P netted 2. All our anglers finished +/- 1 fish of their boat partners.
The team finished in 4th place but with only 1 fish to 3rd and another 2 fish to second, it was a close match.

Jim W took a rainbow of 4lb 2oz and Dave H bagged a beauty of 4lb 6oz.

The result is particuarly pleasing when put into context with the Group 3 winners Fishawks B.
Fishawks B included Si G, Keith J and Dave N and only put 7 fish over our Gr 3 team.

It was a grand team result, spirits were high but I could also detect that the guys were a little dissapointed.
This is crucial as the team now knows it can compete in the AMFC after a season gaining experience.

Group 3 is working exactly as it should, a few experienced rods and developing comp anglers on a learing curve.

Well done guys.]]> Wed, 8 Sep 2010 22:56:30 Graham L http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1283549512/ http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1283549512/#num1
23 novice fly fishers, all serving soldiers came along to have a taster day. This was put together by Bill Howell of FfF and sponsored by
Northampton company Briggs and Forrester, Roxtons, Fulling Mill and Thomas and Thomas.

When I say sponsored . . I mean that the 23 novices and around 12 experienced anglers met at Ravensthorpe, for bacon butties
and a brew, the guys were handed fishing rods, given a casting lesson and fished the morning from bank or boat.
They stopped for a bumper bbq lunch with wine, beer and softies and then swapped fishing in the afternoon.
Everyone got a t-shirt and a baseball cap, it was a terriffic day and it was totally FREE for all.

The guys were from 16 AD at Luffenham and 33 Eng at Wimbish. They ranged from Gunners / Cfn / Sappers to the CO.
They all had a grand day, not many fish as it was tough on a near windless sunny day, but the atmosphere was terrific.
The enthusiam and banter throughout the day was infectious, it was one of my best days fly fishing ever.

Del, David F and myself helped out where we could, doing admin in the background and getting guys out in boats.

My partner in the morning Toby took a while to get into casting and with limited time pressing us he had it nailed with 1/2 hour to lunch.
I had him on the bung at this point with a buzzer at 3ft. The look on his face as he lifted into a fish that then leapt around the boat
like crazy was priceless. After a minute or 2 the fish threw the hook but Toby had been truly hooked. He had another take and
was reall into it. I felt guilty as I drove him back to the jetty and about had to prise him out of the boat!

In the afternoon I had a young Sapper, Bobby in the boat; a top geezer, Corps footballer and the type of lad who takes full advantage
of Army life. He was a joy to be in the boat with, if enthusiasm got you fish we'd have sunk under the weight of 'bows up to the gunnels.
As it was I had a few and Bobby couldn't understand why I wasn't dancing around the boat hollering, infact I think he did a jig for
both of us. We then had to motor over to his Sapper colleague, now fishing on the bank near the lodge. This allowed Bobby the
opportunity to hold up a couple of nice fish that "he'd caught" whilst ripping the **** out of his incredulous buddy, it was funny!

Roxton's have started something that with Bill Howell's enthusiasm is growing reapidly.

I mentioned in the last post about this that it could be bigger than Ben Hur for Army Fly Fishing, I can confirm that hunch.
Today the press included; MOD media ops, BFBS radio, Local commercial Radio, Local Newspaper and East Anglia TV.

The AAF(G) will gain new members out of this event, CO 16AD tasked his guys to approach the PRI to procure 10 sets of fly fishing tackle.
I have told them about the discounts available to Fed members and gave out flyers with membership benefits and Fed info.

To the highlight of the day!     Del, a young Gunner and myself got collared for a photo shoot !

Look out for Del in his "NEW" fishing hat - lent for photo purposes by Bill Howell - Del - dont you wish you'd brought your
SP hat from the boat! Imagine Crocodile Dundee meets The Moulin Rouge and you have the "New Del" look  

What a fantastic day  

Guys, I hope you can all make one of these days; it will rejuvinate you.
Amongst my best fishing memories in what has been a grand season for me.

ps expect a move back to Luffenham for the Intersrvices to be confirmed next week]]> Fri, 3 Sep 2010 22:31:52 Graham L http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1281864403/ http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1281864403/#num1
8 of us turned out on the day, a decent showing. A broad spectrum of UK fly fishing were there to support our troops.
David Seaman and John Wilson both fished and hosted the charity auction post match - they both now have SP Black 'lucky' hats.

The fishing was pairs but only 8 fish limit per angler, not a shared 16 to the boat. The fishing wasn't easy overall but there were hotspots
where an early arrival could see you bagged within an hour. More in the match admin to follow.

Greame Pearson and his committee put on a fantastic day and raised over 12K for H4H.
I ran out of money at the auction, the donated items were outstanding and were certainly going at bargain prices.
It was cash or cheque - the £230 in my wallet soon went  

The best thing i got was a days guided fishing on Chew with Martin Cottis.
I also bought John Wilsons signed book and a nights swanky B&B for 2 nr Barnsdale (havent told whatserface 'bout this)
With the upcoming match I need all the guiding I can get.

80 anglers fished, a fantastic turn out. 255 trout were caught, rod average 3.2.
The stamp of new stockies is typically 1lb 12oz.

Top boat pair were Richard and Tom Cooper with 16 for 29lb 6 1/2 oz
Top rod was Rob Edmunds with 8 for 16lb 12 1/2 oz.
Only 3 boats double bagged and 17 boats had 3 fish or less, it wasn't easy!

It was a grand event and a top day out.]]> Sun, 15 Aug 2010 10:26:43 Graham L http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1280867643/ http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1280867643/#num1
Jamie]]> Tue, 3 Aug 2010 21:34:03 Jamie http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1276637209/ http://soldierpalmers.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1276637209/#num1       Weather slight breeze sunny and dry. No fish had been caught since Thursday. Alot of scum on the water down at the house end but total clear at the top end. All fish taken throught the day were taken on the left of the lake at the top as you look at it from the enterance. Arrived at 0800 saw 4 fish caught on gold head hares ear. Didn't get my first fish until 1230 fell to an orange blob. Second fish same fly 3 casts later, watched fish following fly back in for the next 25 min but no takes. 3rd fish taken on a black and green blob,then it went quiet for the next 1 1/2hrs Final fish taken on a  Montana about 1730. All fish approx 5lb, total of 20lb and 2oz. A tough day but most enjoyable.   I know this is not of any help for competitions but hopefully it will help with someones relaxing day out. ]]> Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:26:49 Col