It's only natural...........

Yesterday saw us back in G'Town for a match with Cavan AC. They were holding an open and it was also
 used as a get together for the Leinster Junior panel. The juniors inter pro match is a couple of weeks away, so a chance to get them fishing the water that will be used was arranged.
As they have to fish their Inter Pro match under CIPS rules they were only allowed use natural baits, no pastes, no pellets and it's probably fair to say at least one of them was feeling disadvantaged. The draw was at 09.30 fishing from 11 to 17.00 hrs. One look at the lake and with a nice breeze blowing in the direction of the low numbers, I was chuffed to draw 15, NOT  but happy enough when Rob drew 4. I've fished that lake for a long time and they do follow the wind. Off to the pegs, set up time and I've only left my Tackle Box in the shed at home, it's a long story.......... Scrounged a few bits from Robs gear (cough,cough) and at least I could wet a line but it was a mess really. I did get a few none the less and finshed up with 7kg +. There was quite a few similar weights so I was happy enough (ish).

Rob it seemed was having a better time of it and a couple of times during the day I was told he was
catching and had apparently had a couple of lumps.

This one pulled so hard it was in the next peg at one stage !!

With tips, guidance and advice being given by Several venue regulars, Rob was having a great day. Our thanks to Gavin Walsh (Ireland Junior team Manager), Eoin Schweppe (NCFFI Pro) and a couple of other lads, who's names escape me.
Thanks lads, much appreciated.

We had been on the venue earlier in the week and after it I figured a different margin float was in order. Rob was trying out a Preston In Line Dibber and gets the seal of approval.

Preston Pink 4x10

Also tried out on this set up was a Dacron Connector, it keeps the line away from the tip so zero tangles. I think the rest of the kits will be converted to these, one of those bits that does exactly what it says on the tin. The day itself was ideal, warm, cloudy and a nice breeze and that should have helped the weights but they were in the main dissapointing. Quite a few weights of 7 kgs and odd.

Josh Kavanagh (no relation) 7kgs and odd

Ooops, slippery little beggars

Derek Gibbons (CAC Chairman) 7kgs and odd

By the time we got to Mark Connolly in peg 13, there was great excitement when the scales went round to 13kgs and odd. Mark was fishing with the Leinster Juniors so it was even better that his bag was caught on naturals.

Marks cracking bag, all hail the humble maggot

It may be that best of all for Mark was that he battered his Dad, we'll never know.

Rob wasn't sure but had 35 fish and though he might beat that, so when his turn came round and the scales went to 14kgs and odd he's well pleased and with the last 3 swims claiming not as much, he was
even more pleased.

Yes Derek, they are slippery little beggars....

Surprise !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, sometimes you just never know whats round the corner and as Rob packed away the remaining of his gear, one of the lads doing the weigh in in peg 1 called me and said, you'd better check this,
yep it's 16kgs and odd and theres a very very small bit of dissapointment. He's still well pleased with himself
(2nd overall) and rightfully so. All done using naturals, the new bits of end tackle have worked, I love it when a plan comes together. So two of the top weights are done using naturals and by juniors, it all bodes well for the up coming Inter Pro's. Who needs all these pastes and pellets eh ??

Our thanks to Cavan AC for the invitation, enjoyed that.