Braving the cold at Sandhill Lake
I was among 11 anglers
who braved the cold weather at Sandhill Lake (Godfreys Pond to us locals)
last Sunday.
We were there as part of Ken Stevenson's Angling Course, a get together
to put into practice some of the vast knowledge gained at the regular
courses he holds in the area.
I must confess, sorry to say, I didn't fish but was there to take a few
photos and freeze with them all.
The day started off quite well with no wind at all, but this soon changed
as the day progressed.
And a very chilly north-westerly had most of the anglers huddled behind
their brollies as the wind blew down the bottle neck, increasing the coldness
as it hit the water.
Two other anglers were there, who had no connection to Ken's group, who
were pike fishing and one I recognised as Ian Tomlinson, a well-known
Worksop angler who is also an excellent all rounder.
He was quite taken aback with the sharp increase of anglers as this fishery
has been poorly attended in recent weeks and months.
In fact he's had it to himself on most occasions and it is a good retreat
for a couple of hours on some days, particularly on a Sunday before lunch
is ready.
Ian is much at home fishing for coarse fish as he is game fish. Once chairman
of a local flyfishing club, he is now found fishing here and there, with
differing simple 'effective' methods for sheer pleasure.
I was intrigued with his home-made bite indicators made from hair grips
and plastic containers (waste packaging from bubble gum machines) acquired
from his children.
This, in conjunction with ledgered sea baits, often has him taking pike
quite regularly.
I enjoyed my chat with him, talking about the sport and then putting the
world to rights regarding some of the politics in game and coarse fishing.
Eventually I made my way back to Ken's bunch, still very cold, and went
to investigate as reports were circulating that one or two suicidal fish
had given themselves up!
Pete Scott, netted a skimmer bream, a fine reward for sitting there wrestling
with a fully extended pole in total concentration in what developed into
a moderate breeze.
James Charters, skilfully extracted a small roach and a decent bream with
the wind in his teeth using a (more favoured) small feeder set-up in an
area I wouldn't be paid to fish any time of the year.
He told me he was ‘instructed to fish in this peg by some bloke I
know’ - well, at least he caught from a poor swim on an even poorer
day, full marks!
When I decided to call it a day, Kevin Jones was obviously amongst a shoal
of fish as he had netted nine small uns!
Closely followed by Andy Coupe who also had a bream of around 2lbs and
Richard Wilson, worked hard for a couple of fish.
Ken, not to be outdone, tackled-up late and showed his prowess in teasing
a few out of his swim between a cold yet keen bunch of guys! A hot cup
of tea beckoned and I was off.
Notice Board
Go-Baits angling’s
Stuart Golding will be hosting a series of open matches at Langold Lake
every Sunday starting on 14th March. (Full match report next week).
Entry fee is £15 all-in with the draw at 9am and fish 10am till
4pm. Telephone 01909 540105 for further information.
Ken Stevenson's angling course is continuing at the Gateford, Worksop on Wednesdays 7-9pm.
Chesterfield Canal
Trust LTD are running Norwood Packet Canal cruises during Easter from
the Friday 9th to Monday 12th April starting and finishing at the Chequers
Inn, Ranby.
Starting times are from 11am and 2.30pm with a cruise duration of two-and-a-half
to three hours.
Fares are priced at £5 adult and £3.50 children. Contact Ken
Clark on 01909 472791 for more information.
Worksop Piscatorials
are holding their AGM on Tuesday 16th March at the Innings, starting 7.30pm.
Anyone requiring more details, or who wants to join the club, should call
Denise Payne on 01909 733886.
Round up
The Witham looks to
be on song as congratulations go to Worksop Angler Paul Golding who took
the honours in a Kings Arms open match held at the River Witham (Pound
Length) recently.
His catch consisted of roach to 1lb in his 16lbs 10ozs winning bag using
stick float and maggot.
Then in a following Kings Arms open match, he took a creditable third
place with 12lbs 8ozs. Is the Witham on its way back?
Prospects
At
Sherwood Forest Farm float fished maggot best in nets of 15lbs-20lbs.
Call 01623 842617 or 07721 316334 for information.
Riverside Fishery, Bawtry. Pellet scoring in bag weights of 30lbs plus.
Call 01777 705748 after 5pm.
WDAA water at Torksey Arm and if the weather warms up, why not give Sandhill
Lake a try?
If you want to get in contact with Martin to give him any results, stories or information, you can e-mail him at martintrona@aol.com