January 2015 Competition at Bake Lakes

A winner once again - Pat with his 5lb 9oz rainbow

The first competition of 2015 was held on Saturday 18^th January at what remains our most frequently used winter venue. As usual the winner would be the angler whose first two fish weighed the most.

It was a cold day, not so cold as it has been lately, but still chilly enough to call for the ‘thermals’. Though two members had invested in winter camouflage suits and, in the view of all present, impressed with their sartorial good taste as well as their ability to keep warm. Seven members preferred a touch of the outdoors to a Saturday afternoon in front of the television or shopping with their better-halves. They were Tony Vallack, Mike Duckett, George Wortelhock, David Lye, Peter Phillips, Peter Macconnell, and Pat Power who was to prove, yet again, his uncanny knack for catching the better fish and so making off with yet another prize.

Peter in his spendid new 'Cammo' and Mike in plain old olive drab

Of the twelve fish caught most were found high up in the water and, as far as I know,  all but one were caught on floating lines. Damsel Nymphs, Nomads, and similar tyings on longshank hooks seemed to be the most effective flies. Takes were often gentle and retrieves quite slow.

In  the end all but one of us caught fish and Pat, once again, was the winner with two rainbows for 8lb 8oz, including a best fish of 5lb 9oz. Peter Macconnell was a fair way behind in second place with two fish for exactly 5lbs, and Mike Duckett was third with a total of 4lb 15oz.

Many thanks go to Tony Vallack who provided, yet again, lunchtime hot dogs in the fishing hut.

Here are some more pictures:

Net at the ready

David and Pat at Tony's 'Cafe'