Holt SAC West Norfolk Challenge 2016 - Round 2 (Report)
Sunday 15th May 2016 - Kings Lynn Estuary
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The second round of this year’s West Norfolk Challenge Series took the club back to the West Bank of the river Ouse at Kings Lynn. With a gentle North North Easterly under a clear blue sky the club was able to peg one of its favourite West Bank stretches just south of the Treatment Works and the pylon. In contrast to round one fishing was to be from 2 hours before to 3 hours after High Water on a very small tide and initial observations gave lots of optimism with just a gentle tide run, perfect conditions for the river. Turnout was similar to the previous round with a few new faces and others unable to attend due to work commitments. With a late 12:30 start the majority were there nice and early for the pre-match banter but some were caught out by the Sunday wig and flat hat brigade along with the early season caravaners. Seriously caught out by this was the Sharmo team who had their own tales of woe on the A47 but as it happened all worthwhile apart from one (no names mentioned) who would have preferred being home making his Irish rigs.
The draw these days is an interesting event when end pegs are always desirable as they are perceived to be the match hot spots without any real evidence to back this up. So when leading league contenders Ed Driver (peg 1) and Simon Drayton (peg 27) pick these end pegs there were howls of derision. With a short distant between sections end pegs here can also be a favourite but when Peter Loke (peg 12) took one of these the ribbing started after his infamous exploits on peg 1 at Humberston Creek. With everyone perched on their nearest grassy knoll the early optimism was well founded as that tide wasn’t rushing through and allowing everyone to fish at whatever range they desired.
For some the optimism was well founded as Section A was certainly finding the quality flounders from the start with Ed Driver (peg 1) finding one of 28cm and David Read one of 29cm. Henry Randell (peg 5) was getting off to his usual flyer these days and was straight into a flounder double shot and next cast another double of 28 and 29cm. Mark Gooch (peg 8) was showing his river skills finding one of 31cm and then another of 32cm which were eclipsed by George Smith (peg 10) with one of 34cm. However, the star in section A was Mark Sharman (peg 3) who found two 32cm followed by more quality fish. Section end peg man Peter Loke (peg 12) was probably suffering from the earlier ribbing finding just one flounder all match but it was a quality one of 29cm.
In Section B, Richard Burt’s (peg 17) early morning drive seemed worthwhile as he kicked off with a 32cm flounder. This was surpassed by John Carter on next peg 18 with a monster 36cm version but failed to find more anywhere near this size. Following his success in round 1 “Piffy” Randlesome (peg 19) was straight into a treble shot of flounders in mid-stream on WORM but much to his disgust one was just 17cm. A 30cm and a 31cm flounder went to Allan Lewis (peg 20) and Luke Pearson (peg 23) respectively but numbers of fish were lacking on their cards. However, Mike Watts (peg 24) thought his form was back when he found a double shot of good flounders on the bank just 2 yards out but he needed quality from his subsequent fish but this did not materialise. Keith Morley’s (peg 26) eel of just under a pound was a good starter but that’s just about where the story ends except for a 28cm flounder. End peg man Simon Drayton (peg 27) knows how to catch numbers of fish and was doing just that from the off but they were not of any quality but an early 45cm eel did help.
There were others who were struggling from the start although they did catch so I’ll save them the embarrassment and not mention them here. The match did get off to a good start but as the tide topped the flow disappeared and so did the fish. Things did improve towards the end as the ebb picked up but for it was far too late to do any damage but it did save some embarrassment to a few. In the end it was that A47 man in Mark Sharman with his quality fish who did the business with 4lb 13oz from 9 fish and also took section A. Second was the man who got off to a flyer but stutters towards the end in Henry Randell with 3lb 4oz from 8 fish and runner up in the section. Final podium spot went to David Read with 2lb 14oz from 6 fish. Section B winner was “Piffy” Randlesome with 2lb 7oz from 6 fish and runner up was Simon Drayton with 2lb 6oz from 10 fish. Heaviest fish on the day was a 36cm (1lb 3oz) flounder shared by John Carter and George Smith. Altogether just 85 fish (78 flounders and 7 eels) were recorded weighing 35 ½ lb.
This stretch did not produce as in previous years and it is worrying to see only 7 eels caught although they probably need a bit more sun to bring them out. Round 3 is on 12th June fishing 10:30 – 3:30 which is again over the top. The plan was to go south of this match’s stretch but in view of the lack of numbers of fish we may well go south of the A47 bridge. All will be informed beforehand.
Next club match is at Bacton on Sunday 22nd May via Castaways fishing 10:00-3:00 HW 7:40 LW 2:25 4.7m which is 1 hour later than advertised.
Top 5 Results…
1…Mark Sharman………..4lb…12 2/3…….(9 fish)
2…Henry Randell…………3lb…2/3oz……...(8 fish)
3…David Read………………2lb…13 2/3oz…(6 fish)
4…Ed Driver………………….2lb…7 2/3oz…..(7 fish)
5…Albert Randlesome….2lb…7 1/3oz……(6 fish)
Current League Top 5…
1…Simon Drayton………..3pts
2…Albert Randlesome… 5pts
3…Ed Driver………………….6pts
4…Luke Pearson……………6pts
5…Henry Randell…………..7pts
Current Mystery Pairs Top 5…
1…Simon Drayton & Peter Loke….6lb…11 1/3oz
2…Luke Pearson & Dave Read…….6lb…2oz
3…Tony Thomas & Richard Burt …5lb…10 2/3oz
4…Ed Driver & Phil Read……………..5lb…9oz
5…George Smith & Matt Frost……..5lb…4oz
Current Free Pairs Top 5…
1…Simon Drayton & George Smith…..10lb…4oz
2…Richard Burt & Ed Driver……………….7lb…10 1/3oz
3…John Carter & Albert Randlesome…6lb…12 1/3oz
4…Mark Sharman & Mark Gooch……….6lb…10 2/3oz
5…Mike Watts & Tony Thomas………….5lb…8 1/3oz
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