Winter League R1

Winter League Round 1:  Paul Drissell Memorial Trophy:  Sunday 10th October:

The bumber turnout for the first holding of the Paul Drissell Memorial Trophy was greated with light winds, sunshine and high expectations.

As ever, eveyone wanted to draw red but it was John Townsend on green peg 30 who set the early pace with a succession of skimmers coming to the net on the long pole, only slowing after the cormorant went through his swim!  With only 30 minutes to go John was still holding off the Lower Basin challengers but had to settle for second place as Tony (London Tone) Hillas bagged a 14lb common carp from the Bird Hide section to take the much sought after victory.  John did have the consolation of a bottle of rum for the best bream of 3lb 5ozs (thanks to Rob at Waterfront Shooting & Fishing for donating the rum).  Other notable fish of the day included a 1lb 1oz roach netted by Wayne Burnard.

Third place went to Steve Whitehouse who managed to relegate  Mat Sampson to fourth place by 7 ounces after bagging on the silvers.  There were section wins for Adrian 'Sailor' Hill (Lower Basin), Simon Allen (Second Basin), and Brian Powel giving me a wag 'n mag lesson on the next peg to win the Bird Hide Section.

A big thankyou to Kate Sampson and all at the Barge for a pasty lunch, and to Theo who delivered them along the towpath.  An even kinder gesture after Mr Hill had earlier tried to add 'method feeder' to the Barge breakfast menu!

It was a great day and a great tribute to a much missed fishing buddy.