Thirty of Blakewell Fisheries regular customers gathered to fish the eagerly anticipated Christmas Competition and they were not to be disappointed as several tackle testing trout were hooked and landed. It was frantic action at the start of the competition with many anglers hooking trout on their first cast of the day. This fast and furious action of course eased off after an hour as the presence of thirty anglers casting into the clear water deterred the trout from feeding. Most anglers ended the day with their limit bag of six fish with an average weight of well over 3lb.
Trout were tempted using a wide range of flies and lures with damsel nymphs and cats whiskers amongst the most successful. Conditions really couldn’t have been any better with an overcast start to the day and mild conditions considering the time of year. As always the event was very much a social affair with many anglers setting their rods aside after landing their quota to chat with fellow anglers and compare notes.
The competition was punctuated by a welcome plate of chilli-con-carne cooked by the venues resident chef Richard Nickel who worked very hard with his assistant from the Blakewell Team Mia Bryant to play the perfect hosts to the anglers.
(Above) A fine rainbow of 15lb 13oz
Results –
1st – James Burdus – six fish for 33lb 14oz
2nd – John Buxton – Six fish for 31lb 2oz
3rd – Peter Furze – Six fish for 29lb 4oz
4th – Mike Bowles – Six Fish for 27lb 9oz
5th – John Sheppard – Six fish for 26lb 4oz
(Above) James Burdus – rainbow trout 15lb 13oz
(Above) John Buxton – Rainbow Trout 13lb 5oz
(Above) Peter Furze – rainbow trout 9lb 15oz
(Above) John Sheppard rainbow trout 9lb 13oz
Two double figure rainbows were landed and two others very close to double figures; in addition there were several tales of the ones that got away! Numerous quality brown trout were also banked including a fine brace of browns weighing 5lb 6oz and 5lb 4oz to the rod of Mike Bowles.
(Above) Mike Bowles with a fine brace of browns weighing 5lb 6oz and 5lb 4oz.
(Above ) Paul Grisley hold a 4lb 8oz brown trout
(Above) Ethan Hoggins – with a pleasing brown trout 4lb 6oz
Richard Nickel also gave a fine demonstration on how to fillet trout making it look all too easy. I have to confess that on trying the same technique on my return home I found my results somewhat lacking compared to Richards. My blunt knife probably didn’t help though I feel sure Richard would have produced a more appetizing portion of trout.
