News Report
Once again an intrepid, optimistic group of barbel anglers gathered in the car park at Coultershaw ever hopeful that at least one of them would catch a barbel and carry off the Chris Humphry Memorial Trophy. Remarks such as ‘that rain we just had should liven up the river a bit’ and ‘at least it’s not as hot now’, as well as ‘somebody’s got to catch today – as long as it’s not Dave!’
Since this memorial fish-in was first held in July 2011, only once out of the six previous occasions has there been a winner, and that lucky man was Dave Chambers who, not content with one barbel, actually caught three that afternoon way back in October 2011. (Seriously, well done again, Dave!)
Well, you’ve probably guessed the outcome already. Eleven anglers failed to bank a barbel! One or two fish were caught, including a sea trout to Les Heath who was fishing the river for the first time in ten years (welcome back Les), and a five pound chub for Nelson Keet, who also had the misfortune to lose a big barbel (commiserations, Nelson).
To add insult to injury, the heavens opened when the group reassembled for refreshments courtesy of Lynnette Humphry. However, their spirits were not dampened by the blanking or the weather, and they all looked forward to doing it yet again (watch this space)!
Anglers who fished were as follows:
Steve Batten, Daniel Bolton, Colin Bridger, Dave Chambers, Martin Cornish, Martin Cullern, Les Heath, Nelson Keet, Mike Kitchener, Christophe Pelhate and Steve Warner
Typically a few days later two were caught by a member on his first visit to Coultershaw. To read his own account of how he caught them please click HERE
Peter Foster (regrettably unable to fish because of a frozen shoulder).