Fishing can be fun – and hundreds of people of all ages found that out for themselves at Sunday’s county angling festival.
Hundreds wanted to have a go, so much so that the five qualified angling coaches couldn’t keep up with demand from would-be ‘bums on boxes’.
Staged in Barnwell Country Park, the try-it-and-see event co-incided with a fantastic burst of sunny weather which was great for getting people on the bank, though perhaps a bit too hot for good fishing!
Northampton Nene coach Mick Dimmock said: “It was great. We lost count after we’d had about 60 people sitting on boxes, rods in hand and having a go.
“One guy was a golfer looking for a new interest because his legs are giving out. He loved it and I’m sure he will be convert.”
A great effort from the coaches, clubs, tackle shops and others involved.
Martin Lowe finished on a high when he had a 35lb carp, two 28s, a 21 and a 15 from Stanwick’s Roman pond. Antony Wishart had six to 23lb on Mallard.
Meadowland’s Tuesday open went to Gary Stanley with 103lb. Wayne Sharman netted 73lb while Karl Mullen and Alan Watson tied on 67-8.
A week on from Peterborough’s Ferry Meadow lakes producing mega bream catches...it had all gone rather flat by Sunday.
But that didn’t stop town’s Steve Ringer winning an open on Gunwade with 51-4. Where did dad, Geoff, finish? Don’t ask...so sad.
Daventry’s Peatling Pools 6-hour sweep was a dour old do right up until the last 90 minutes, when some fish began to get their heads down.
Simon Potter won with 52-6 followed by Graham Cheney 35-14 and Paul Malin 35-6.
GLEBE, Boddington: Marcus Annable 56-7, Brian Bairds 52-6, Pat Byrne 46-13.
CASTLE Ashby: Brickyard, Wednesday, Kevin Taylor 36-4 (‘pasties’ and tench) Bob Reed 30-6, Keith Bishop 23-6; Saturday, Brickyard, Darren Diver 33-4, Chris Garrett 29-8, Reed 27lb; Sunday, Grendon, John Kent 33-2, Reed 30-12, Bishop 23-10.
WHITE Hart Flore, Bishops Bowl: Glen Tilson 39-8, Trevor Griffiths 38lb, Steve Bull 30lb.
ABINGTON, Abington Park lake: Alan Walters (welcomed back from illness) 20lb, Mick Crane 17-6, Rus Coleman 14-6.
CASTLE, Lois Weedon: Bob ‘the crumbly’s crumbly’ Spencer 15lb, John Lewis and Stuart Cheetham both 14-8.
RUSHDEN, Lawn Farm: Max Beck 26-15, Chris Thompson 25-8, Steve Tuffnell 21-8.
FLORE & Brockhall, Silver Lake (Wappenham): Gary Abrahams 23lb (carp and bream), Steve Smith 14lb, Rob ‘I’ll have to buy a new maggot now’ Rawlins 11lb.
TOWCESTER, Castlethorpe cut: Mick Boddilly 6-11, Mick Goodridge 6-8, Dave Martin 6-1 (a clutch of other weights over 4lb).
OLNEY, Ouse: Barry Glidewell 4-10, Jamie Knight and Pete Howley tied on 1-8.
FIXTURES: July 16 Olney Tuesday Ouse open 01234 240061.