June 2009 Fish Report

If May was a little quite for anglers fishing with us, June was the opposite with well over 100 anglers visiting that month.

If May fishing was great, June was truly awesome (and I hate that word as it is very much over used) what can I say, even by Long Sault standards we had some staggering catches. Big fish, big numbers and big smiles, if that isn’t awesome then it will do until something awesome comes along.

Just to give a snapshot, most weeks I do not get exact numbers, some guys do not complete the fish reports, some write things like “loads” under the numbers caught etc. But third week June I have exact figures we had 21 Anglers out and caught 1243 fish in a week. That is an average of 59 fish per rod, and quite a few of these guys were either first timers or took days off to go sight seeing etc. The Diehards were all up in the 100 fish range. The week before we had over 30 guys out and the numbers caught were even higher.

A few highlights from the month.

The Kent boys had a slow time last year, but I knew if it was buzzing they would take it apart as they are all good anglers. Darren was top rod out of this crowd with 121 fish, (including 56 fish in one day, from a new swim) his best fish was 40lb 4 oz, with six others over 30. Big Bill was next with 6 x 30`s and 90 fish. Nicks cards were marked in advance as he owed me a tenner from last year ( I often have a tenner bet with first timers that they will get a 30, as it helps pay my beer bill) He caught seven 30`s this year, so my money is safely deposited back into Grumpies, and first timers Gary and Mick both had good fish and good fishing.

Some of the regulars put in great performances, the best maybe from Mark Dimmock. Mark caught 202 fish in two weeks without fishing ANY of the noted hotspots. Mark had fish to 34lb. Dave Haynes similarly stayed off the normal hotspots apart from the odd session, had 89 fish on his trip and broke his PB twice in a day including a 36 lb fish on the float. Phil and Trevor fished the first week of June just before it went crazy. Phil still managed over 70 fish to 32.8 and Trev soldiered through a bad back and a sore finger (to hear him tell it, the sorest finger in the history of the world) to get fish up to + 30 on the float.

A challenge was thrown out by Ian Wragg. Ian has fished the Trent system in Canada for years, but due to falling sport wanted to give us a go. His opening conversation was “you will never beat my number of fish in a day record” A day in the bay of the Gods soon sorted that out, an Ian ended up with 34 fish that day. A pleasant duo for us was Keith and Neil from Swindon. (You can’t beat a pair of Irish bream bashers.) I think they broke pretty much every personal record they had and had a good laugh doing it, which is what it is all about. They had 64 and 57 fish respectively to 33lb, but that, as I think they will agree is incidental.

Of course it was of enormous personal relief that Geezer and the Carpology boys had a flyer this year. I hate anyone to have a quite holiday with me, they thought last year was good but by Canadian standards it was rubbish. This year was different. Four guys came out, the worse result was Angus with 57 fish to 32 lb, (serious trouble getting out of bed in the morning) next was Rob with 61 fish to 39lb 12oz, Joe managed 88 fish to 32 and Geezer smashed the place 133 fish to 37lb in a week with one rod !!!!!. and contrary to what some people thought these guys DID NOT FISH THE BEST SPOTS. Geez had one day in the bay of the gods, other than that they did not fish any of the top swims.

Jason continued his run of form with another 40. This time a 41.12oz from our pontoon. Carl (Indy_k) had his best day ever with 33 odd fish on the float, Nick Tietsen had his first visit to us nicking 60 odd fish…..and so it went.

To be fair, I should mention the rough with the smooth:

Sadie and Tony by their standards had a quite trip, only 140 fish and only two 30`s it just did not happen for them this year. Andrew Mac Mears had a quite time on the Island only 66 fish this year. Lionel and Sylvia had only 65 fish to 35.8. And the ones who made me laugh, Mathew and Keith. Every time we spoke were complaining (nicely) that it was slow but still had 112 fish between them in their week. That is slow by their standards out here.

I rarely get complaints, but I got mixed reviews from the Essex boys. All caught fish, Dave Reynolds had 79 fish, Charlie 68 fish to 39.6oz Ricky 76 fish, even Shaun a carp virgin before the trip had 59 fish and his first 30, but some of the guys felt I was spending too much time with Geezer and the carpology guys, and neglecting them. That’s a shame and funnily enough

Geezer who is a good mate of mine was also complaining that I did not get to spend much time with him or have a fish together. There is a lot of work behind the scenes, to stay on the fish and keep everything functioning, but I am sorry to hear any negative comments.

There are loads more stories: The huge Koi, spectacular beer consumption in Grumpies, Body shop capers etc. Some big fish coming out: Louis` 44 off the Pines, upteen big 30`s, and loads of new PB`s. Some great times, good fish, good food, and lots of laughs. In all a typical June in Long Sault