Flash Gordon claims WaterAid title!!!!
28/04/2008
On a dull but warm April Morning, 67 expectant anglers took to the waters’ edge at Derwent reservoir to take part in the annual Water Aid Angling Competition sponsored by Hardy Greys. This is a keenly contested competition, with £600 of Hardy Greys tackle vouchers up for grabs, as well as a season permit for 2009 donated by Northumbrian Water.
The light winds provided ideal casting conditions for the fly anglers with several anglers taking fish on their first cast. Bait anglers found the conditions slightly more challenging with the fish seemingly preferring a moving fly to static bait. Nevertheless, catches were numerous, illustrated by a rod average of 3.5 fish per angler, with the fly anglers averaging 4.1 fish.
The rain arrived just as the anglers congregated at the lodge for the greatly anticipated weigh in. Nine anglers had arrived with their eight fish limit and with rumours of a big fish caught just minutes before the end, the tension grew. The rumour was confirmed when Derek Carr proudly dropped a fine 7lb 9oz fish on the scales to claim the prize of £60 of Hardy Greys fishing vouchers.
The overall winner and winner of the fly competition, with five 3lb rainbows among a 20lb 3oz catch, was Gorden Swain from Dipton. Gorden was “Over the moon,” to claim the season permit prize and £100 of Hardy Greys vouchers. Second was Joe Carr with eight fish for 16lb and Third was Mr A Coates with 15lb for 7 fish.
The bait anglers weighed in with less numerous, but bigger fish. Peter Lockeron illustrated this with 6 fish for 12lb to claim First and £100 of Hardy Greys vouchers. Second was Derek Carr and Third was Mr. D Robinson.
It seemed ironic that a full reservoir greeted the anglers on a day that proceeds were donated to WaterAid, a charity that is dedicated to providing clean water to people where water is a scarce commodity. With this in mind we can present a grand total raised on the day of £1398 to WaterAid and hope that the success of this competition will go some way to providing a better life for some of people who live in these less developed parts of the world.