The last time most members tried to catch a Goldfish it was with a bamboo stick and a hook and involved a small plastic duck at the fair, but variety is the spice of life as they say so the match was looked forward to with intrepid imagination.
The draw was a unique affair in Pot Black history as the peg you drew was the peg you fished off, this caused some confusion but most members soon settled into their allotted swims, the water was a murky looking mixture but fish could be seen topping out all over the lake, so anticipation was riding high with most members!
Information received earlier confirmed that 'The Wall' and new apprentice improver and caddy Louis had been practicing at the venue earlier during the week and our leader was confident of removing Big Paul Chilvers from the knockout. They had been drawn next to each other so a nice friendly match with plenty of banter was on the cards, the other remaining two in the knockout Bob Morris and 'Mad Bruce' where drawn across the lake more or less opposite each other so again friendly rivalry was going to be evident.
From the whistle tatics where very different, ex-professional angler and all round expert on most things piscatorial 'Nigel Blowers' went straight on the feeder, Bruce followed Nigee's lead, most others went with a float fished bait some on the pole, others with the old fashioned rod and line.
Things got off to a slow start until Loius decided to fish rather to close to the island and managed to put his float into the trees opposite, much tugging and pulling but it would not come free, then our leader piped up 'do not break my pole Louis' so in valiant effort to save our leaders pole Louis had to adopt the Banjo method of pole retrieval and it was down to his skiddies and in for a dip for Louis.
Official club photographer Paul Chilvers was again on hand to catch the event for postrity, but this has not been added to the blog as the Pot Black Web Master (thanks for the sarcasm) is unable to download the photos at present and this has caused the Marsh Trail report and photos to be put into cyberspace hopefully to be retrieved and published at a later date.
The Wall / Chilvers conflict was neck and neck with both catching at a fair rate, Bob Morris was into a good number of fish but Mad Bruce using his delicate feeder tactics hap produced 3 nice fish of about 4lbs each by the half way stage.
Steve Moyse fishing in the corner peg was practicing his repertoire of well know swearing and cursing and even managed a few that Nigee had not heard, best to say he did not have the best of days and adopted the Ardo 'F**k' the fishing and pack up early technique. At the other end of the lake Moyse senior was also having a non productive day as well but proof that you mellow with the years as Roy carried on till the bitter end and weighed in his catch at the end.
At the weigh in Bruce was top dog and consequently demoted Bob Morris to the 'also ran' pile, Big Paul proved that the younger man had more staying power and sent 'The Wall' crashing out of the much sort after Knockout. So its Paul Chilvers versus Bruce (he must have a surname) but 'Mad Dog' will do for now in the Knockout. Club champion is now drawing close and its swimmer banjo v's The Enforcer Paul (Who's the Daddy) Bultitude, its nearly a two horse race but 3rd position is a up for grabs with The Wall, Aaron, young Louis and Big paul Chilvers all in the running then just a point back of them is the chasing pack including Nigee, Ardo, Bob Morris and young Keiron and his Dad.
So It's looking good for the run up to the end of season, who will win the Knockout? Who will be Supreme Champion? Will the match at Topcroft be oversubscribed and we can have the famous Pot Black 'I will fish the peg by the bush' well within 20ft extra peg put in.
Till the next time may your maggot always 'Wiggle'
The Other Bank
