lol Simon,
Well here we are, on a wet, windy Friday we all met in the Castle Howard car park for what was to be a Pike Match/Fuddle.
Pegs 1 to 30 were reserved and as some will agree it was a heck of a walk to reach them, but was it worth it - cause it was [

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We had the Xmas excesses to work off and what better than a Cardiac Walk to start the day - I did say travel light lol
Anyway we were soon settled in our pegs just in time for the first downpour of the day but it didn't last long.
About 10.45 am and Paul was the first to bank a pike, a nice one of 4lb 8oz which was also his first ever:
and then it went manic
I earlier had volunteered myself as the runner with the scales and there was a shout from Haydn from the far side of the length, he was into one and soon took the lead with this 5lb 12oz'er:
And just as it was being returned to the water Keith shouted out that he was also into and landing a pike of 4lb 10oz:
and before we could get it back into the water, Tony was also shouting for the scales with this handsome pike of 4lb 12oz that was caught on a plug:
Who was the idiot that volunteered me for the scales - oh it was me, pass me the oxygen [

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And then it went quiet except for the noise of chattering and the occasional buzzer being set, tested and set again. Did I mention that Stu had some nice buzzers, just in case you missed it, ask Norm [8D]
Another short shower and it was getting near the witching hour of 2.00-3.00pm. According to the local info, this is when the pike come out to play and play they did.
My nearest buzzer let off a short shrill and I lifted and struck into this nice but lean pike of 11lb 4oz:
and a cast later into the same spot, and with the same lamprey, this pike of 7lb 1oz:
As soon as it was on the bank Stu's buzzer let rip for all to hear and he was into a pike. Off I went again with my little short legs running the banks. He managed a 6lb 6oz'er but unfortunately it was back into the water before I could get a photo
The final shout went at 3.30pm and the results were:
1st - Dave - 18lb 5oz
2nd - Stu - 6lb 6oz
3rd - Haydn - 5lb 12oz
4th - Tony - 4lb 12oz
5th - Keith - 4lb 10oz
6th - Paul - 4lb 8oz
and 5 did a Trogg [8D]
Did I mention that it went quiet between 11 and 2? Because someone decided to take advantage of a quick nap, well a long nap and yes Les he does give you a run for your money in the snoring decibels league,
Anyone recognise him:
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Looks like a caption competition coming soon, lol.
Are you up for it Simon ??
Great day and great company, cheers fellas
Dave