In keeping with the club’s attempts to try out new venues the club had selected the ’Iron Road’ at Salthouse for this fixture. A venue that is renowned at times for throwing up some decent bass along with some chunky flounders but would this be one of those days. Signs weren’t too good as the nice rough sea of the previous week had been replaced by a rather flat version with a hint of colour. A brisk west north westerly gave a contrast in temperatures between either side of the shingle bank and put some chop on the sea. Fishing over the top should bring in the bass but was that sea just a little bit too calm?
As we gathered at the small parking area at the end of ‘iron road’ Bill “ bass man” Beaton added to our pessimism as in a session early in the week at the same venue he had loads of this green marsh weed and no fish. In contrast, Sam “the hat” Attew and John “silverfox” Neave had a reasonable session of mainly schoolie bass at the start of the week and no real weed. With a good turnout including two ‘young’ ladies we all managed to find a slot to park with some in rather precarious positions. Mike had brought his ‘better’ half , Rachel, to provide him with an extra watt of power and John with that ‘welsh international for the day’ Pam “cuddly” Carter. With a relatively short walk to the beach, pegging was either side of the access to the shingle bank so no big hike for this day. Although, John “steady” Carter had come prepared with trolley for his bacon, sausages and Aga, he likes his grub and so does Pam.
All were soon set up and ready for the off with Dene “match box” Conway chomping at the bit raring to check out some new techniques at this new venue. With everyone eagerly anticipating for the first knock knock we all soon realised that that old green stuff was still there and was going to play a major part in this match. This came all too apparent as the green piles started to grow around each tripod with no sign of life from the blue deep, even the crabs had their heads down. As the minutes and then the hour ticked by the wandering started and it was soon noted that the Carter contingent had the Aga on for their first bacon butty session of the day. Thankfully they were down wind of the majority of the match stretch.
At this point Henry “red stuff” kept broadcasting he was going for sand eels and eventually got his special miniature “feathers” rig and started erratically casting and jerking his rod around. With a strong tide with wind plus the green weed lines were rapidly going downstream and “yoda’s” was doing just this in front of “red stuff”. The next minute “red stuff” was hauling in along “yoda’s” line and yes, there was a 23 cm sand eel on his trace. Henry had done it again and found the fish, the door was now open to slaughter everyone but his eagerness got the better of him and two casts later he parted company with that special rig. With no replacement he had to revert to everyone else’s tactics.
Anyway, he had carded a fish so was this going to be the sole catch of the day? Not so, as shortly afterwards Mike “last cast” was observed carrying his special bucket and card to “silver fox”, he had found a real fish in a 24 cm flounder. Everyone wondered then if this could be the start but time past with none and the green stuff still piling up. The Carters were now onto their second session of sausage butties and still no more fish. With thoughts of fresh mackerel for the following day’s Humber match “match box” and “yoda” tried the olde feathers at the top of the water and again not even a sniff of them.
As the tide started to ebb everyone was resigned to the fact there were no fish and that “last cast’s” fish was just a bit of luck only to see him once again wandering to “silver fox” with yet another fish, a dab of the same size. This was then followed by a 32 cm flounder and another 30 cm version on his very last cast. In the end it was no surprise that Mike “last cast” Watts took the honours with a remarkable 2lb 1 1/3oz from those 4 fish followed by the only other weigher, Henry “red stuff” Randell with 3 1/3oz from one fish. Heaviest flat on the day was Mike’s 32 cm flounder and heaviest round Henry with his 23 cm sand eel.
This was certainly a match to remember, that is to remember not to fish with tide and weed like it was on this day. Even after such a poor match everyone was in a good mood back at the “weigh in” with Rachel showing that even with no fish she’d had a damn good workout. Demonstrating that we have real healthy sport for everyone. Next match has been moved from Sunday to Saturday 18th June at Bacton and not Kelling starting at 11:00 a.m. instead of 10:00 a.m. Meeting point will be as usual at Castaways Holiday Park.
Club Match Result Top 2 (no other weighers)
1st Mike Watts 2lb 1 1/3oz
2nd Henry Randell 0lb 3 1/3oz
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