I've never been a competitive angler, but when I heard about the format for the "UK Lure Grand Slam" I knew immediately that I fancied the challenge.
Held on the stunning Esthwaite Trout Fishery, the object of the competition was to catch the highest combined length of pike, perch and trout on artificial lures as part of a two man team with your boat partner. Such a competition requires a multitude of skills, and the chance to test my ability on a water as tough as Esthwaite was too good an opportunity to miss out on.
Making the long journey to the Peak district via Derbyshire to meet good friend, boat partner and Greys/Chub sponsored angler Rich "Chappy" Chapman gave me plenty of time to consider tactics. I had been made aware of a special award for the largest fly caught fish, and this was to be my target. Armed with two pike fly rods and a drop shot rod for perch (the rules state three rods per boat per angler).
A 4am start from Derbyshire saw us arrive at the fishery at around 8am, where we were greeted by competition organiser and lure fishing nut Andrew Hoyle who informed us that in the days leading up the fishing had been hard. The Saturday was to be the competition day for the kayak anglers and a practice for the two man boat teams.
Within half an hour of arriving I had missed a take from a large pike on a fly an Rich had seen a few follow, encouraging signs for the weekend we thought. Then the famous peak district weather became involved. The clouds fell from the surrounding hills and withing twenty minutes of a clear blue sky we were pelted by torrential rain and then pelted by rock hard hailstones - for around an hour! The clouds eventually lifted and we were drenched in bright sunshine and blue skies, but we knew the damage was already done. An already difficult fishery had been topped up with ice cold water - a disaster!
The fishing on the practice day was predictably difficult, we managed one trout on a fly and saw no other pike or perch for the rest of the day. Between nearly 40 rods only 5 pike were caught, though spirits were still good and a late night barbecue and a few drinks helped lighten the mood!
Conditions on Sunday, match day, seemed more encouraging. With no rain forecast and cloud cover for most of the day we hoped the pike may stir. Rich and I had talked tactics and decided that we probably only needed a pike and one other fish to be in with a chance. We decided to focus the first hour on catching a trout to get us on the board, something we managed within ten minutes. Quickly measuring and releasing the 14" brownie, we had no idea how significant that fish may be.
Rich ties on another lure while Farlows Andy Buckley searches far and wide for a fish !
We fished on for a few more hours without success, before Rich hooked a pike on a jig head set up for perch with a very small hook! He carefully played the fish to the boat but just as it was sliding over the net the hook pulled and the fish swam away leaving us both hearbroken! A fish of at least 24", we knew at that moment that landing such a fish would almost certainly have won us the competition. There was total silence in the boat for what seemed an eternity.
We fished on, giving it everything we possibly could but to no avail.
Time ran out, and we got back to the lodge to await the results. Speaking to a few of the other anglers confirmed that nobody had managed a pike and another species - meaning our lost fish would have won the event.
I did take solace from winning the largest fly caught fish, that 14" brown trout was one of only a small amount of fly caught fish.
Andy Buckley recieves the award for the largest fly caught fish form the organiser Andrew Hoyle
I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Andrew Hoyle and the folks at Esthwaite trout water for organising a great event, and even though the fishing was very hard all those who took part commented that they were looking forward to next years event and a few more fish!
Andy Buckley - Farlows
andy.buckley@farlows.co.uk
2012-10-24 10:23:38
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