Our third and final Summer coach trip took place today to Boddington Reservoir near Daventry.
The first order of the day was breakfast, so after leaving Warrington at 6.00am, we stopped off at the 'Truckers Rest', on the A5 which is just off Junction 12 of the M6.
'Young Brian' our geographically challenged driver eventually got us to the venue at 9.15am.
Weather for today was supposed to be overcast, but strangely we arrived under clear blue skies which stayed with us until after lunch when it did eventually cloud over but remained a pleasant day.
Todays match saw eighteen members and one guest fish. The guest being Alan Davies ) no, not that one who plays Jonathan Creek), the one who is a friend of Tom Prescott.
The draw took place, with James Bryan having the dubious honour of Golden Peg today. Once complete, we all hiked to our pegs, which today were 41 - 65.
Given the fact that this venue is known for it's big fish, many members were prepared for losing some tackle, but other than a few rigs, your paparazzi didn't hear of any serious damage being done.
Todays match was the usual 5 hours and fishing began at 11.00am and finished at 4.00pm.
We were kept entertained by silly people sailing dinghys on the other side of the reservoir who kept falling out of them....They should take up fishing!
Following the 5 hour slog, the horn sounded and it was 'all-out'. We didn't get the massive weights we had all heard about, but we are POHAS, so it wasn't a total suprise. Nevertheless it was a good day and well done to Alan Davies our guest who managed what would have been second place had he been a member, but he was in the pools, so he didn't go home empty handed and we look forward to seeing him again.
Colin our coach driver took the top spot today with his catch of 75lb 12oz off peg 60.
Congratulations to Adam Hill who today 'ounced' Kev Smith for the title of Biggest Fish this year so far, Adam's Carp weighed in at 13lb 9oz, which was one ounce more than Kev's which he caught at Makins earlier in the Summer. One match left yet, so it could still go.
Well done to everyone today, we only have Bradshaw Hall on 19th September when we will know then who has won the leagues.
Today's match being a coach trip, we all retired to the pub to recount stories of the day, have some food and of course the odd glass of falling down water.
Many thanks to our host at The Cross Tree Inn, Byfield who was a lovely lady called Brigid, thanks for accepting twenty fishermen into your pub. The food was spot on, and the Cumberland Ale your papparazzi was drinking went down a treat. Certain clever souls (Adam & James), even had presence of mind to stock the coach with beer, so there was an aperitif or two on the coach for the journey home, which again was a mystery tour thanks to 'Young Brian' aka Mark Thatcher.
That's it for Boddington's Reservoir, see you at Bradshaw Hall on 19th September....