Harleston Angling Club Junior Results June 19th 2003.

Harleston and Wortwell Junior Angling Club kicked off the new summer series in style with a record attendance for this first round competition held in the Club pit at Weybread. The attendance of twenty-one youngsters ranging from just ten years old up to sixteen included several new faces to the club; three anglers were also fishing for the very first time with tackle borrowed from the club coach.

A big thunder storm brewing at the start threatened to ruin the night but it blew over with just a few warning drips, this changeable weather pattern running up to the competition and the wind turning right round to a cooling North wind mid match ruined any chance of a big weight, meaning this match was a low weight but very close fought contest.

Ever reliable Charlie Hodd (Pictured right) broke Daniel Elliott's stranglehold on this competition with a well-deserved win. Fourteen year old Charlie drew peg sixteen and caught a good mirror carp from the margins in the first five minutes on pole fished cat meat, he then had to hold his nerve and wait until the final hour before his next bite. In the last hour he added two nice common carp both caught from his margin swim with cat meat presented with the pole for a final weight of 12lb 14oz to take the top prize of a five pound tackle voucher.

Twelve year old Daniel Elliott last seasons club champion kept the pressure on Charlie throughout the competition finishing only one fish short of the winner with 11lb 12oz. Fishing peg twelve one of the pits most popular pegs Daniel caught slowly but steadily all match with a succession of small common and crucian carp falling for his pellet hookbait carefully presented under a light pole float in the margins, careful and light loose feeding kept the fish interested.

Another close fought battle between Ricky Leggett from Diss fishing peg two between the islands and Gavin Woodward fishing the point peg twenty-six settled the third position. Twelve year old Ricky pole fished sweetcorn at ten metres catching small carp all match to finish with 8lb 13oz just enough to push Gavin into fourth place with 8lb 3oz. Gavin caught one good sized common carp and a big skimmer bream early in the competition on the method feeder, a mid match change of tactics to floating dog biscuits fooled another carp, Sid then lost two others in the lilies costing him the match.

All three of the new anglers enjoyed the night and caught plenty of fish taking small Gudgeon, carp and roach on float fished maggots and feeding small balls of groundbait. The top weight from the new starters was a very creditable 2lb 7oz by James Collings fishing peg 6 on the bar.

Harleston Angling club provides safe fully supervised fishing for junior anglers every Thursday evening meeting at 6pm and alternating the fishing between the club and middle pits at Weybread. Tackle can be borrowed for those new to angling and all competitors receive a small tackle prize for turning up for more details contact Martin evenings on 01379 586795 or e-mail martinriches@supanet.com

Full result

1. Peg 16 Charlie Hodd 12lb 14oz (14)
2. Peg 12 Daniel Elliott 11lb 12oz (12)
3. Peg 3 Ricky Leggett 8lb 14oz (14)
4. Peg 26 Gavin Woodward 8lb 7oz (14)
5. Peg 3 Thomas Sage 7lb 6oz (14)
6. Peg 27 Ben Carver 5lb 11oz (15)
7. Peg 10 Edward Howman 5lb 3oz (12)
8. Peg 17 James Aston 4lb 3oz (12)
9. Peg 11 James Bygrave 4lb 2oz (15)
10. Peg 30 Kieron Loane 3lb 6oz (11)
11. Peg 6 James Collings 2lb 7oz (11)
12. Peg 31 Phillip Shulver 2lb 3oz (12)
13. Peg 5 David Shannon 2lb 1oz (11)
14. Peg 8 Andrew Clifford 1lb 7oz (11)
15. Peg 3 Harley Moss 11oz (12)
16. Peg 15 Jack Weatherley 3oz (12)
17. Peg 29 David Labouchardiere DNW
    Peg 1 Ricky Shepherd DNW
    Peg 13 Daniel DNW

Match Facts.

Attendance : 20
Venue : Weybread Club Pit
Weather : Warm and cloudy with a changable wind.
Total weight : 80lb 14oz
Average weight : 4lb 4oz
D.N.W : 3