A match with a difference!

At the end of the Barlow National Fishing Week event the NFA professional angling coaches were challenged to a 'Grudge Match' by the Barlow Bailiffs, let's admit it - everyone wants to fish against the pro's to show-off how good they are. There's nothing like saying 'I trounced one of them coaches' to all your mates, is there?

Of course the NFA guys are always game for a bit of fun (and the chance to out-fish and be-little their colleagues) - and so the Grudge Match was organised, but with a difference!

The match was to last for only one hour, no keep nets - so all fish landed counted as one point, ie: one fish caught equals one point, regardless of size. As host to the event, I recorded the scores and tried to keep some sort of professional attitude to the whole affair... yeah right.

So there you have it...NFA coaches Ken Stevenson, Carl Bamford, Dave Dorning and David Charlton, verses the Barlow Bailiffs George, Ben, Tom, Mick and Lynn - let battle commence!

From the start, this match was going to be unfair, the coaches were already trying to intimidate their colleagues - with talk of duff swims, bad light, old age and arthritis etc., anything to try and knock the confidence and boost their egos! Offers of week-old leathery maggots were refused and suggestions were made as to angling abilities, eyesight, weight of poles and general 'old-age' infirmities - a typical 'friendly' match really.

At 5pm the match started - after only a few seconds David Charlton was into a fish, only a small rudd, but it counted as one point, of course he had to mention (quite loudly) that he'd got the first fish and 'had anyone caught anything yet?' Hoots of laughter were given in reply, with comments of 'call that a fish' or 'I'm using them as bait!' I think you get some idea of the mood - everyone was going to enjoy themselves - never mind the results!

The Barlow Bailiffs adopted a different approach - this was their pond, they would show the coaches a thing or two - quiet determination was the name of the game - plus a mobile approach to the pegs - a deadly tactic!

You've got to remember though, the coaches had been sat on their pegs all day, with numerous beginners fishing in their swims, along with all the noise and disturbance from the crowds, so the Barlow Bailiffs had the advantage of fishing over the other side of the pond which was quiet and untouched. Sounded like an excuse to me!

Ken Stevenson was the next to catch, only a small roach, but he was off the mark. Ken's a senior coach with the NFA so everyone gave him slightly discouraging remarks! Ken was fishing the end peg - 'he's got an advantage' was the cry, 'he should be banned' - I told you this was a friendly match!

With a gentle smile Ken announced he'd caught yet another fish and 'Would anyone like some coaching lessons?'

Another fish! Dave Charlton was in again, Dave was on the other end peg and was really bashing them out.

As the match progressed everyone was announcing their catch, except Dave Dorning, who was calling out - 'Non!' He went on to explain that having caught hundreds of fish during the coaching session, there were none left in his swim - he'd already caught them all. You can imagine the comments...

Halfway through the match Dave Charlton was building up a considerable lead... until he was blind-folded. Told you it was an unfair match didn't I?

It didn't matter really - he still caught a fish blindfolded! Explaining that he was getting bites every 30 seconds, he just counted to 30 struck - and hooked into another small rudd!

By now the pace was hotting up - everyone was catching fish, except Dave Dorning - whose cries of 'Non' were bringing tears to my eyes!

Barlow Bailiff George caught a big bream and asked if it counted double, Ben added that it was only half the size of his last fish, so his should have counted double as well. The merry banter flowed across the pond as Ken announced he was in again - and the scoreboard showed he was now well in the lead - so... Ken was blindfolded, much to the delight of everyone.

'That'll show ya Stevenson' was the cry from Dave Charlton who had now drawn level on the scoreboard with 17 fish. Things were getting tense!

As soon as Ken's blindfold was removed, he landed another fish! There was just no stopping him! Cool as a cucumber Ken announced he caught yet another fish and then much to everyone's delight - tangled up his float! What a shame!

Devious underhand tactics were brought into play and his swim was baited with 20mm halibut pellets - thrown from the other end of the pond by D.C. - which resulted in - yet another fish for Ken!

At the Finish
I called time at 6pm, my sides were aching with laughter - I just couldn't take any more!

The final scores (after many demands for a recount and allegations that I couldn't add-up) were as follows:
Ken Stevenson 26 fish
Dave Charlton 23 fish
George and Tom 4 fish
Ben, Mick and Lynn 3 fish
Carl 2 fish
Dave Dorning - blanked! ('I told ya - I caught 'em all during the coaching')

Pictured above: Oenone Ward (fishery owner) presenting the 1st prize to worthy winner and gentleman - Ken Stevenson.


Dave Charlton came second (losing by only 3 fish!)

George and Tom came 3rd equals - shown here displaying their prizes.


Well - I told you it was a match with a difference... here's a close up of the 1st and 2nd prizes:

Huge fish cakes - designed and made by Sally Burton. Now that is different!

What a brilliant session, I've never enjoyed a match so much, the fun, laughter and entertainment were amazing, everyone really enjoyed themselves and plenty of fish were caught!

Until next time..

Good fishing to you all

Kevin Miles