Here is a report from John May for the Retired League meet on 13th May……..

Following Kens specimen 11-09 thornback last trip it was John Beers turn this time with a sole of 2 – 03 with the added bonus of a romantic “Dinner for two” and the kitty.

Kens skate won him the monthly “best specimen” tackle voucher awarded by THYERS OF HIGHBRIDGE  for the best fish taken by a club member and certificates from the Angling Trust and BCFSA.

John will receive the certificates will he get the best specimen voucher for May?

Ten of us took part

Rod fished deeper water and caught his first skate

Dean had his rod pulled over the side by a conger while fishing uptide  –  the rod butt had air trapped in it so a few inches were showing as it floated away – he cast a breakaway lead a it – hooked one of the spikes thro an eye and managed to get rod and reel back together with the conger!!!   —  Spawny

I lost my favourite Tilley summer hat  —  last seen floating towards Avonmouth

NEXT ONE      JUNE 10^th 10-20  to  14-30

JOHN MAY

Best day of the year – weather wise – sun and flat sea but quiet again with no good fish.

“Redgill” Mike who had been busy the previous day tying rigs – determined to improve on his 2nd place in December – got off to a flying start with a double shot [that almost put a bend in his rod] He walked the length of the pier to book them in with a great smile on his face and said ” got it cracked” — I never saw him again!

Chairman Mike had fished next to 2016 winner The Beer on the last trip and after secretly taking details of his winning rig had spent most of Xmas tying-up copies which did not quite work. The bad news was he blanked but the good news was that he can now sort out even the most complicated of tangles in less than 5 minutes.

006 forgot the camouflage jacket so each time he had a bite they saw him coming across from his observation point on the opposite side of the pier and each time the bite stopped.

Ivor “come to early” lived up to his reputation and was in front for the first part of day but then eased off, Gentleman Mike almost swore, Steve f with a broken deaf aid was enjoying himself in a world of his own, Colin turned up early [for him] – one hour late and John B took it all in his stride

My blood pressure was rising with not a touch until half time when I started catching – even had two double shots!

RESULTS

Me 193 [20] Ivor 74[19] Rich W 54[18] Mike F 39[17] John B 37[16] Colin C 23[15] Mike D 17[14] Steve F 16[13] M Tanner [5]

NEXT ONE FEBRUARY 6th [Mon] fish 10-30 to 14-45. John May.

The last retired league match of 2016 took place on Clevedon pier on a lovely calm warm day. Although the fishing was hard going with fish being difficult to find, a few nice whiting were caught the best of these falling to the rod of Mike Fryer a fish of 34cm weighing 13oz. Small whiting and small codling made up most of the catches but Mike Dunn managed to take a conger of 91cm on his last cast.

Mike Fryer seemed to have the right bait and method as he led throughout the competition with 3 good whiting plus a couple of smaller fish giving him a total of 106cm. Unfortunately for Mike, another Mike, Mike Dunn pipped him at the post with his conger plus 2 small codling for 120cm. John Beer took third place with 2 whiting and a codling for 46cm.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank John May for organising and running the retired league and I know he will be looking forward to seeing you all again in 2017.

Mike

The penultimate retired league match took part on a fine Novembers day on Clevedon pier. Although weather conditions looked perfect the fish seemed to have other ideas as only 7 fish were caught between the 6 anglers.

With two dogfish Mike Dunn was declared the winner. Dick Hooper was second and Carl Suggett third both catching two pin whiting.

Next outing Friday 19th December. Fishing 10.15-14.30.

Mike

There was no stopping John Beer on Clevedon Pier in this match as he was the run away winner with over 3 metres of fish consisting of 2 congers 1 dogfish and several whiting. John May tried his hardest, with a similar catch but with only 1 conger had to settle for second place with 2 metres +. Carl Suggett came a close third with whiting and dogfish.

Next match Friday 11th November. Fishing 11.00-16.00.

Mike