Cley Saturday 12th May 2012 – 3rd Leg Summer Accumulator
After what seemed to be an eternity after weather and bank holiday interrupted our schedule, it was back to the shingle for some real fishing. A switch to Saturday for a change to avoid clashing with DC’s Estuary Challenge match and also allowing one of our Sunday coarse members to take advantage of the situation. A late early afternoon start to take advantage of the ebb saw a reasonable turn out gather at the Cley beach bus shelter with a number of regulars on other duties. All nice and early, well all except the usual “no buddy” Turk who had a few tales of woe about his journey there but he did get there and well within time.
With a switch of days we thought we could at least beat those weather gods but they soon synchronised on us and freshened up the wind over night to a strong North Westerly. Little did they know that this gave us a perfect bass sea with shoulder height swell so we were all prepared for some real action for a change. With a dry afternoon forecast and bright skies it was going to be pleasant although the onshore wind had a bit of nip in it. After our relatively poor showing around the wreck a few weeks ago it was decided to peg west past the boats. At least there we could pick up dabs and flounders as well as avoiding the schoolies to pick up maybe a sizeable bass as “scout man” Lawes did last week with a 5lb+ specimen from the same stretch.
“young henry” soon had the beach pegged, thanks henry and all were soon off to find their afternoon slot although Carter’s Café had been left at home this week as flames, wind and beach buddies do not mix, we don’t want a Williams at Cley!. A slowly ebbing tide left a shallow bank for a change and all were soon parked on the flat shingle adjacent to this and were raring to go. At the whistle with a strong North Westerly there really was no other option than to go into the gully around 60-80 yards out. It was soon obvious that the sand bank that stretches the whole length of the shingle ridge at 100-200 yards was going to be out of bounds with the strength of the head wind. The shore-side gully was the target for the day and it was probably where the fish would be feeding if there were any there.
First to score on his 1st cast was “sandy coke” Loke (peg 1) with a small dab making his rather long hike worthwhile, although he really does prefer an end peg. Things went quiet for a while but it was soon heard that “end peg”Allen (peg 11) had a reasonable 23cm flounder and “yoda” Thomas (peg8) found a small 20cm version close in. As the tide started to ease things were particularly quiet but eventually the odd fish started to appear with “smooth” Conway peg (2), “consultant” Allison (peg 12) and finally “red stuff” Randell (peg 6) all recording small flatties. However, it was “steady” Carter (peg 5) who was bucking the trend with a 26cm flounder and then the dark horse himself “end peg” Allen who managed to find a real fish in a 41cm bass putting him points ahead of everyone else.
As the tide eased so did the fish although they really never got started. The state of play could easily be seen by the number of flounder walks that were going on along with all the ensuing club banter. A time for keeping all the local walkers updated on what was happening along with a well respected law defender and angling compatriot who was on a mission to get his missus to Blakeney Point a good 2-3 hours hike away. Well he was on the return journey 30 minutes later, mission failed! but it is a really long hard hike to the Point from Cley beach so not disgraced. Anyway with no other real excitement it was back to the fishing and the weed which was not too bad but more of a nuisance.
With the tide now ebbing fast slack water soon gave way to some good tide and the real chance of more fish and probably some decent specimens. First to score with a nice specimen was “cuddly” Carter (peg 4) who soon had a 27cm flounder on her card. Further down the stretch on peg 2, “smooth” Conway could be seen returning a number of small flatties as was his neighbour “sandy coke” Loke on peg 1 who was also beginning to find a number of reasonable flatties. At the other end the bassman “end peg” Allen (peg 11) was adding to his total with a succession of small dabs but he suddenly found he had some real competition as “consultant” Allison (peg 12) landed a 43cm bass which seriously challenged his grip on the match.
Fish were still coming in except for “silver fox” Neave and “no buddy” Turk who were having a torrid day and unable to find a single fish. “steady” Carter (peg 5) managed to find a few more small fish and “yoda” Thomas (peg8) at last started to find the bass. Unfortunately, these were a 34cm and two 32cm versions but at last a 36cm came his way to make his card more respectable. “red stuff” Randell (peg 6) was having a frustrating day but suddenly found a flounder double shot which made his card more reasonable. However, his emotions suddenly took a dip as he found a reasonable bass only to see his line part as it dived into the gutter along with the weed and shingle. With this being the 3rd good bass he’d lost over the past few days he was not a happy bunny, he’ll be double checking his line in future.
With the tide dropping fast and some white water starting to appear the real battle for the match was being played out between the “Ivans” on the top 2 pegs. “consultant” Allison (peg 12) then threw the gauntlet down by landing a cracking 34cm flounder worth 48 points (1lb) to give him a 35 point advantage. However, “end peg” Allen (peg 11) was having none of this so it was do or die time and out came the single hook clip down with plenty of crab placing it just inside the bank. No success and time was running out but just on his last cast he could be seen scurrying up the beach not bothering to clean off the weed as a splendid 48cm bass came to halt next to his tripod. A beautiful fish not destined for fish cakes this time and worth 104 points, more than enough to overhaul his 35 points deficit on the other Ivan.
In the end it was Ivan “end peg” Allen who really did the business with his 2 bass giving him 4lb 3 1/3oz from 6 fish and his short break from the coarse match scene was all worthwhile. Next was Ivan “consultant” Allison with 2lb 12 1/3oz from 3 fish followed by Peter “sandy Coke” Loke with 1lb 3 2/3oz from 5 fish who just could not find a bass. Ivan Allision took the club heaviest flat points on the day with his 34cm (1lb) flounder and Ivan Allen the club heaviest round points with his 48cm (2lb 2 2/3oz) bass. The super pools was taken by Ivan Allen, Peter Loke and Tony Thomas (1lb 2oz).
With a reasonable turn out, 28 fish were recorded with a total weight of just under 12lbs. With the conditions perfect the bass were there but not in real numbers and not for everyone. For two it was a match to forget along with one young lad who just keeps losing good fish, he’s learning the hard way. The next match is at Kelling on Sunday 20th May fishing 2:00-7:00 which will be all the flood. Looks like the northerlies will once again be back with us so we’ll determine on the day exactly where to fish at Kelling. Check out club phone (07899032984) for venue status on the day of match.
Please note that the 1st of our West Norfolk Challenge matches is on Sunday 27th May fishing (9:00-2:00) on the west bank at Kings Lynn. This is an Open match as well as 5th Leg of the Summer Accumulator so please bring along a raffle prize. Please support the club by fishing this match and pre-book so that we know club member numbers.
Club Match Result Top 5
1st Ivan Allen 4lb 3 1/3oz
2nd Ivan Allison 2lb 12 1/3oz
3rd Peter Loke 1lb 3 2/3oz
4th Tony Thomas 1lb 2oz
5th John Carter 0lb 12 1/3oz
Please use this link for full set of results … Holt Sea Angling Match Results (12May12)
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