Kelling Sunday 4th March 2012 – 8th Leg Winter Accumulator
It was Sunday again and the “weather gods” threatened to do their worst with torrential rain and 30 mph winds forecast for late afternoon. To combat this a quick switch from a 12:00 to a 10:00 start to at least avoid the wind and some of the rain but it did leave us with an odd part of the tide to fish, that is bottom up. This would give us a big chunk of slack which would certainly give us a large dire period of little or no fish. Anyway it was the same for everyone and even with such a poor weather forecast everyone started to gather nice and early at our small Muckleburgh cliff top car park. Some of the regulars had been tempted across the Humber to the “Brid” Open and others could not stand the rain but even so a good turnout were soon pulling the balls for their pegs.
With torrential rain predicted the planned chance to peg the block house was scrapped and we opted for our usual stretch to the left of the small cliff up to the wreck. Whilst pegging we were disappointed to find all sorts of plastic rubbish and empty beer cans scattered around the wreck area. Obviously left by pleasurers over Saturday night as the marks of an Ian Gold’s buddy could be seen in the shingle. Such action is not only impacting other anglers but lethal to nature. These are totally selfish anglers who could have easily collected the rubbish and taken it home for disposal. This is precisely what Sam(A) and Peter(M) did here to clear the beach, well done lads!!!
Starting at the bottom of a small tide with just a slight swell meant not much walking to cast and retrieve. An easy set up on the slight top of the high water bank with some like “inspector” Morse being a bit ambitious by setting up close to the edge. As usual everyone was ready for the off at the whistle with the majority opting for the usual gentle lob and the odd one going for a bit of distance. We soon found that the fish were still there as rods began to rattle with “silver fox” Neave (peg 1) recording a nice 24cm Dab. However, those that opted for distance soon realised that the Dabs were not out but shoaling in the inside gully. It was Dabs that were on the menu today as “better booms” Beeton (2), “vertigo” Vertigan(3), “seagull man” Conway(4),”the consultant” Allison(7), “no hat” Attew (9), “no name yet” Ellis (10) and “yoda” Thomas (12) all start to record small Dabs. Even better for “bucket man” Thorburn (5) and “steady” Carter (8) as they got straight into two good whiting of 30 and 31cm respectively. With the tide still running, small dabs and for “inspector” Morse (11) a Rockling were coming ashore thick and fast along with a lot of undersize Dabs.
As we all got into our stride a “red blip” was seeing charging along on the horizon. It wasn’t Royal Mail but “red stuff” Randell or “young Henry” as we all call him, coming to join the throng after being released from his reed cutting duties due to impending torrents. A quick burst on his machine along the Muckleburgh circuit and he was on his peg (6). “got your message, just a bit behind this morning” he says and he soon had his bait out and ready to slaughter us. He was soon into a fish but the tide was easing and so were the fish as everyone started to pull in more and more empty traces. This slackening tide was also the cue for the vermon with stripped bait and clean hooks starting to appear. First time this has happened this year so the water certainly must be warming up. This was confirmed as multiple shore crabs started coming ashore along with the odd edible and a nice take home version for “no name yet” Ellis, that was good brownie points for him.
As predicted with midday approaching so did the rain, light at first but picked to a steady stream, not torrents but enough to make you wet. At the same time, coming along the stretch to register was “no buddy” Turk who was expecting a 12:00 start as we had no means of contacting him and he had broken his iPod screen. “No problem” he said “at least I have my brolley today” as he strode off to set up camp on peg 0 next to “silver fox” Neave. With slack water things were very quiet as everyone huddled in their buddies out of the rain. “bucket man” Thorburn was more grateful than most for his shelter as he was caught short and in dire straights but we won’t go there this time. Also in trouble was “vertigo” Vertigan as he fell backwards for no reason hitting his head badly on the shingle. We all hope he’s fully recovered for next match as we are sure he likes the challenge. Up until then he was catching but was finding it hard to just keep in touch with those around him. Don’t get despondent Ashley, you’ve been doing well to date but there’s acres to learn. Don’t expect miracles all the time, we’re all still waiting for ours to happen.
With the tide starting to pick up so did the fish and the vermin seemed to ease off giving the Dabs a chance to take hold. Up until this point “better booms” Beeton was uncharacteristically into a lot of undersized Dabs and very few serious fish. Hearing that others could be doing better spurred him to up his game and his card soon started to fill up. “brolley man” Turk was also struggling as he wandered along the beach with no fish to show not helped by his late start. This galvanised him into action to try other things and he too soon started to record fish. With the tide picking up fish started to show in surges and the personal battle between “seagull man” Conway and “bucket man” Thorburn was starting to intensify. “seagull man” thought he had taken honours even though he had to contend with a stray seagull but a spawny “bucket man” was up to his usual tricks. A short cast into the gully on his 2nd to last cast saw a nice 28cm flounder come ashore and 24 points on his card giving him the result in this tussle by just 4 points at the end.
The fish were also reappearing on the high order pegs with “no name yet”, “inspector” and “yoda” pulling in double and treble shots although a lot were undersize Dabs and Whiting. With rain picking up from an overcast sky as the SE wind started to pick up and veer Easterly no one was too disappointed when the final whistle went. The final hour of the match certainly was the decider in this one and it was a shame to have to end as the fish were still piling in. In the end it was the rejuvenated Bill “better booms” Beeton who finally found some better fish to take the match with 3lb 6oz from 19 fish. He was very closely followed by Tony “yoda” Thomas with 3lb 5oz from 22 fish and Paul “bucket man” Thorburn with 3lb 1 2/3oz from 15 fish. Paul took the club heaviest flat points with his 28cm flounder and John “steady” Carter the round fish points with his 31cm Whiting.
An excellent and close match considering the impending weather with 191 sizeable fish caught weighing in at 33lb 5oz. Under match conditions we are not necessarily after big fish but quantities of rod rattling versions which is precisely what we got here throughout most the match. Other venues around the coast are finding the odd big fish but not the consistency of quantity when of course the weather is right. You really cannot beat our North Norfolk shingle for our club match scene and provided the winds stay away we should hopefully get a repeat of this at our next match on Sunday 11th March again at Kelling via the Muckleburgh Collection. This will be the 9th and final Leg of the Winter Accumulator which is our last club match this season as well as the 5th round of the North Norfolk Sea League. If you are in a club team and unable to attend please contact your team captain. This match will also be an Open event with Penn Points and pre-booking is essential as we have very few spaces left.
Club Match Results Top 5
1st Bill Beeton 3lb 6oz
2nd Tony Thomas 3lb 5oz
3rd Paul Thorburn 3lb 1 2/3oz
4th Dene Conway 3lb 0 1/3oz
5th Ivan Allison 2lb 14 2/3oz
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