Third and final coach trip for 2012 to Solhampton Fishery in Worcestershire and what an eventful day it was.
Seventeen members made the trip today and we arrived on time at Solhampton for 8.00am where everyone tucked into a breakfast, very nice it was too. We even had 'Summer Weather' for once with blue skies a light breeze every now and again, with an air temperature of about 22 degrees. So very pleasant weather for fishing.
Following breakfast everyone stocked up on pellets from the bait shop, the draw was completed and the match was scheduled for 10.00am until 3.00pm.
Our coach driver managed to get through a gate without incident (refer to Tunnel Barn match earlier in the year). Members started setting up, in time for the 10.00am start.
The match got underway on time and bait generally today was pellet, although some desperate souls tried corn or even maggot after failing with pellet.
One of todays highlights was Mike Lewis putting his pole down to roll a ciggy, bad move Michael, as he found to his cost as soon as he put the pole down he hooked a fish and the fish, complete with pole disappeared down the pool. Safe to say Mike lost the lot. Unperturbed he carried on with a spare top two and more bad luck, he hooked another monster and his top two broke. How much bad luck can you have eh! (apparently quite a lot).
The match drew to a close and the weigh-in, carried out by the Solhampton boys began at the sound of the all-out. Everyone caught today in particular the winner of this match Alan Lamb, who not only won the match but also smashed the club match record weight,which had stood for several years at 98lb held by the late Ian Armstrong who caught this weight at Brookside Fishery on Mallard Pool several years ago. Alan today who amassed six keep nets during the course of this match hauled in a massive 179lb 2oz.
From the all-in to the all-out he had fish on the hook and we knew the record was going to go. The only time he didn't have fish on was when he had to get up to fetch more keep nets! So he didn't break the record he blitzed it, how long will this record stand, quite a while i would imagine.
Every angler in the club congratulated him on a stunning five hours of fishing.
Congratulations also to the runners up Adam in second place with 83lb 8oz and Ste Tatlock in third with 71lb 4oz.
Some members other than Alan achieved personal bests including Adam with his second place weight of 83+lb and I believe James Bryan with 68lb. So well done to everyone, it was a memorable day.
Reality soon hit as the Golden Peg, today won by Jim Bates laid it's usual curse and condemned Jim to 7th place with a decent 47lb 2oz. The money continues to roll up.

We also had our Pairs match today and again 'The Laminator' was one half of the team to clean up this title along with Jim Bates, between them they landed a total of 226lb 4oz taking the pairs shield for 2012. Well done chaps.

Following the match we all went to the Honeybee Pub for a substantial tea and a few drinks along with announcing the match winners.
After two hours in the pub it was the journey home with the usual friendly banter, songs and er, oh yes a few more beers!

That's it for this match, our final Summer League match takes place at Blake Hall on 15th September, we hope to see you there.


See you all soon......Tightlines.....