Inter Service Carp Championship

This entry was posted on 9th October, 2018

This year’s Inter Service Carp Championship saw selected members of the RNRM Angling Association Carp Section take to the 26-acre Oxlease lake on the Linear fisheries complex. The format for the match was fairly simple; the lake was divided into four sections A-D, with each section further dived into three. Each section would see a pair from each service competing, with the aim being for each pair to win their section and achieve 1 point, 2 points would be awarded for second place, and 3 for 3rd place; should you fail to catch any fish then 5 points would be awarded for the dreaded “Did Not Weigh”. The service with least amount of cumulative points after 48hrs would be this year’s winners. The evening before the match saw the “team walk” where the lake was walked in order to formulate the order of preference. Each and every permutation of pegging was discussed and from this the teams' batting order was formulated.

It would now come down to the draw the following morning. All three services were mustered, and the captains called forward for the draw. The RAF was pulled out first and picked peg three, followed by the Army, who picked peg two, which meant the Navy would be in peg one in all four sections. Conditions were far from perfect, with high atmospheric pressure and cold temperatures at night meaning bites could be few and far between. The first challenge would be for each pair to try and catch at least one fish to avoid a Did Not Weigh (DNW). Thankfully It wasn’t long before one of the Navy team landed the first fish; with such a quick start it was expected to carry on that way; however, the fishing for the duration of the match was difficult and slow. Never standing still the team continued to vary their approach, making tactical changes throughout the match - this proactive approach led to captures in each of the Navy’s sections, and with both other Services registering a DNW in at least one section the result was confirmed on the sound of the final hooter. Lt. (CIS) Nick “Errol” Flynn landed the largest carp of the competition at 27.08 lb and the RN also had the winning individual pair, resulting in a clean sweep for all available trophies. If you are interested in carp fishing or any of the other disciplines, then please visit  www.rnrmaa.com.