13th Leg Summer Accumulator
Sunday 20th July 2014 - Salthouse
In other years club matches on the shingle would have finished by this time of the summer. However, the quest to check out those West Norfolk beaches for those reported big Bass and Flounders at this time of year prompted the scheduling of a couple of Brancaster matches in late July and August. This was all planned but the warning of hordes of ‘hooray henrys’ and their entourages with the associated parking problems meant a switch back to the shingle at Salthouse for a chance of Bass and Flounders there. With a number of regulars on Humber duty and others on nuptial duties or having a well deserved break the Dereham gang and supporting cast were soon in banter mode at Salthouse ‘beach car park’. A gentle North Easterly had brought in the mist which had at least kept the promenaders away and plenty of parking space.
With 10 till 3 match times meant fishing up and over the top which was a change for a club match but you never know what can appear on this particular beach on the flood. The light north easterly gave some nice movement to the sea and with the overcast albeit misty conditions everyone was optimistic of something special coming out. Pegging was the usual stretch from Great Eye (what’s left of it) to Little Eye which avoided a few pleasurers who also had made an early start. At the whistle all were soon into Salthouse mode although most preferred buddy mode to stay out of the slightly chilly mist that kept rolling in from the sea.
A small tide meant less lateral movement and some had opted for the old rolling lead trick to tempt a monster and it wasn’t long before “the consultant” Allison (peg 3) had his card marked. Not a monster but a nice 25cm flounder and to show he still has the skill “silverfox” Neave (peg 5) found a points scoring 30cm flounder. Also getting in on the act was “inspector” Morse (peg 2) who found a 25cm flounder and then a quality dab of 27cm. This sprung “the consultant” into life and after finding a small flattie locked into a real ‘monster’ fish in his terms and 44points was soon on his card from a stonking 33cm flounder. A this stage the Ellis team were really struggling but “ex-captain” Ellis (peg 7) at last found a 25cm flounder . No real luck for dad “bigger baits” Ellis (peg 8) but he did eventually find a 25cm flounder and his only fish of the match, had his current excellent form deserted him was the question.
With everyone carding something during the early part of this match all were looking forward to a serious number of fish but how wrong this was to be. “the consultant” managed to find a few more flatties and “silverfox”, “inspector” and “ex-captain” one or two more but that was it. As the tide flooded more they just switched off and high water came and went with no more entries on the cards. With plenty of water and no action the old mackerel feathers were getting an airing to try and stock up the winter freezers but even these were as allusive as the rest of the fish species.
In the end, it was the early performance of Ivan “the consultant” Allison that gave him the honours with 2lb 2 2/3oz from 6 fish followed by John “silverfox” Neave with 1lb 2 2/3oz from 3 fish. Final podium slot went to Peter “inspector” Morse with 14 2/3oz also from 3 fish. Heaviest flat went to Ivan with his 14 2/3 (33cm) flounder and there were no round fish caught. Super Pools result was same as match result.
In comparison to recent matches it was a poor show although this is expected at this time of year on the shingle. A bit of a blow would have brought the bass in and encouraged a few more big flounders but this was not to be. Fishing the ebb could have brought a better result, maybe next time.
Club Top 5
1st Ivan Allison 2lb 2 2/3oz (6 fish)
2nd John Neave 1lb 2 2/3oz (3 fish)
3rd Peter Morse 0lb 14 2/3oz (3 fish)
4th Richard Ellis 0lb 8 2/3oz (2 fish)
5th Dick Ellis 0lb 5 1/3oz (1 fish)
