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Peter Swan Memorial Match - Fishing In Memory Of Dad
The particular stretch of the river Trent that had been pegged was fairly small, so it had been agreed that me and Dave would share a swim and fish half the match each. We also agreed that we would use Dad’s match gear, which felt a little odd as we’re both used to handling 3lb+ carp rods!
A big fry up in the local pub not only prepared us for the day ahead but it also allowed us to meet some of the other anglers who we hadn’t met before. It was also the place for the draw. On the journey down we’d been accompanied by our mum, who was keen to attend, so we let her draw our peg number - peg 16, which meant nothing to us, but local expert and two time Fish’O’Mania winner Matt Hall said it was a good one - now the pressure was on!
When we eventually got to the swim, after a two mile trek across a pot hole ridden track, we weren’t disappointed, it looked perfect! We had a lovely back eddy close in to our bank and a nice crease line at around 11m - we had spoken to Matt earlier and he suggested fishing the flat float on this line. It was a method that neither I nor my bother had fished before, so if nothing else it was going to be interesting! Before the match started at 11am we also rigged up a feeder, waggler and stick float rod, we were covered for all scenarios!
After a blank first hour, with the sun high in the sky and temperatures on the rise it was obviously going to be a tough day. The chatter up and down the bank had stopped and most of the other anglers were also drawing a blank.
Finally, I eventually tempted a bite only to miss it. To say I was gutted would be an understatement! Luckily next put-in I had another, this time managing to convert it into a fish - I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy to net a 2oz perch! My brother and I were on the score sheet and up and running! For the rest of my half of the match I managed a few more micro perch and one better one, a fish around 8-10oz’s.
I swapped with Dave half way through and went for a wander, up and down the banks everyone had been struggling so we hadn’t done too badly at all. For the last few hours Dave managed a few more bits and pieces before it was finally time to weigh in. On the scales we weighed in 1lb 3oz, which believe it or not was enough to win our section, things really had been that quiet!
We headed back to the pub for a refreshing pint, a bite to eat and to get out of the sun, it had been an absolutely roasting day and I think everyone was feeling the effects, especially my mum who’d been sat out behind us all day!
The scores were as follows…
1st - Matt Hall - 7lb 6oz 2nd - John Summerson - 6lb 8oz 3rd - Pete Neal - 6lb 1oz
We finished up 14th or 15th out of 26 which we were pretty happy with, we hadn’t been disgraced fishing a match and method which was pretty alien to us both!
The three of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would like to say a big thank you to all the anglers who attended and organised it. We hope Dad would have been very proud.
Tight lines
Steve Swan
