Match Report

Our second match on the Rother saw us at Shopham on a very sunny and warm evening. This week Duncan managed to get there on time and he was joined by father Ron. We were expecting Jon to turn up but perhaps the hot weather put him off.

Steve drew number 1 and decided on the Burton Mill swim which is always a favourite and probably would be everyone’s first choice. Fishing maggot over a combination of loose fed maggot and hemp he caught steadily through the match, mainly Dace but with some Roach, Gudgeon, Chublets and a reasonable Grayling which totaled 9lb 9oz to win the match.

Duncan drew one of the higher numbers and as it was still available decided to fish The Ray’s swim immediately downstream of the bridge. Fishing mainly down the inside and for some of the time on the pole he ended up with a very similar mix of fish to Steve and was not far behind with 9lb 2oz 8dm.

Mick was the peg below Duncan. This used to be a deep slow run but has changed over the last few years and is now shallower and faster, it also has a number of snags that you have to be careful to avoid. Again a similar mix of fish but not as many weighed in at 5lb 7oz for third place.

Last year saw Ron win the match some Bream from a peg below the second bend downstream, quite a walk down on a hot evening, but as Duncan remarked to Ron ‘You don’t mind how far you go as I always end up carrying your gear for you!’ This was where Ron headed again this year, he didn’t have any Bream but did have a good Eel of about 1½lb and yes Duncan carried his gear.

With one round to go Steve is currently winning the series with 20 points, but Mick and Duncan are close behind on 17 and 16 respectively.