And so concluded the second Fishing Magic Trent Fish-In as several weary looking anglers reluctantly packed their tackle and made there way home, some - motoring from as far away as Bristol.
This time we fished on a non-tidal stretch, at the A1 Pits near Newark. The river looked in great trim, nicely coloured with a few extra feet of water. To my mind it screamed barbel.
The fishing had not been easy, yet many agreed it had been a great experience, putting faces to names on the website and fishing together for the first time. There is no doubt that those who contribute to FM are part of a very special and growing bond amongst anglers.
A few of us arrived on the Friday afternoon. Amongst those that did, Adam Roberts got a nice barbel of 8 lbs; and Matt Brown managed three to 7 lbs. It was also nice to see a few of us catching our first barbel, Paul Mallinson's friend Tom getting a 5 pounder. Tony Rocca had a 6 pounder, Paul Berley had two 7 pound fish on the Friday and Dicky Fisk did really well, landing 4 good chub to 5 lbs, a 5 1/2lb bream and a 5 lb barbel for the cherry on the top.
Steve (Dog Biscuit) Spiller also landed a 5lb chub.
As for my fishing, well I found this most mouthwatering swim with a bit of slack water meeting the fast current forming a lovely crease in the river. The swim, however, was hemmed in on both sides by overhanging willow branches and there was a mass of rushes right in front of me. However with a bit of trimming and rush removal I was able to fish with one rod. Good job I brought my waders too as without them, landing a fish would have been virtually impossible. Between chatting to the others, and eating a great curry from the hands of Chris Pearson (thanks Chris) I was able to land the biggest fish of the weekend - a lovely 9lb 5oz barbel that some of us thought might have weighed 10lbs, me included. I also lost another that came off - naughty man!
Whether you caught, or didn't, it really doesn't matter all that much. These FISHINGMagic get-togethers are becoming some of the highlights of the fishing calendar for myself and I am sure for the many others who have attended them.
Long may they continue.
Ron 'Troversial' Clay
Ron 'The Hat' Clay
