Match Report

We took our first trip (in my time at least) up to Bethwins for a match. The first thing I would say is that it was a good job that only 6 turned out for the match as we would have struggled getting any more onto the venue. Although there are two waters the number of swims are very limited and perhaps we could do with looking to open up one or two more swims on each lake. However I must stress that it needs to be done sympathetically because we do not want to spoil the obvious beauty and tranquility of the venue. Not the quietest water I hasten to add because the sheep in the surrounding fields were very vocal, but this might have been because they had earlier seen Ray Huskisson standing around in the field waiting for the organiser to turn up.

I do have to apologise to Ray and Rab as we were a bit late having underestimated the time it would take to get there. We were also a little cautious as we did pass the police out with the speed cameras on the way. As a little aside – do be a bit careful when you drive to your chosen venue on a Sunday, we heard of a number of anglers being speed gunned in Fittleworth last Sunday and they were in Wisborough Green this week.

Anyway we had 6 anglers with three on each lake and that was pretty much all the sensible (and one not so sensible) swims taken. Vince, Rab and Steve J were on the lower pond where the stock is quoted as a good head of carp to 15lb and a few perch, well they could see the carp cruising around but could not find anything to interest them.

All three just to put some fish in the net had a little go for the perch and they just kept coming and coming. Vince won the lake with 10 – 15 – 0 of perch and reckoned that he only fished for them for an hour or so throughout the match and there was no sign of them letting up. If someone really concentrated on them they could put together 25 – 30lb of them.

Both Steve and Rab had similar tales to tell but didnt find quite as many of the perch but it was interesting to compare these fish as they were all very much the same size with each fish weighing in at probably just over 1 oz.

We might like to reconsider our handbook entry from a few perch to loads of perch!