It’s that time of year for the Tench Fishers National Fish-in on the Carp Societies Horseshoe lake

“Time waits for no man” it’s says.

Since December I had been organising this event tying things up with Miles at Horseshoe lake plus getting list of people coming to the event. My partner in crime is none other than John Osbourne who excels at keeping the Sponsors on board and generally being a dynamo. This year was no different!

We decided to have an early event this year as there was another event on Linear Fishery in early June so we wanted a decent gap between each one.

Once the event was booked the names came in steadily from the Tench Fishers. I really like the buzz of organising the event and all the problems that come with it. What I try and achieve is a great deal for the Tench Fishers.

This year was no exception.

There were 3 members who were fishing offered to cook on the BBQ all we wanted. This was Rob, Lee and Mick. Without doubt they endured an uncomfortable thunderstorm over head whilst cooking. At one stage we had a naked chief incident.

Rob and Lee BBQers

The Butler (Mick)

They controlled and conjured a spectacular feast for everyone at the fish-in probably about 40 plus people on the Saturday night.

The weather other than that downpour that lasted about 1 hr aside it was splendid, clear skies and temperatures in the 20’s for the very first time this year.

Now we aim for successes in three area’s warm and kind weather, lots of tench and great company and food. Well we got 2 right. The tench were very thin on the ground. I think we had about 7 caught in the 2 days. The largest one to Kerion Spinks at 8lbs 12oz.

Kerion and his 8lbs 12oz tench

His Dad Rob (the BBQer) had a magnificent carp of 28.5lbs. Lee the other BBQer had a 19.5lb pike. The less said about Mick the better. To be fair he supported the others in catching these fish.

Other noted catches was Ian Peacock our Chairman who had a nice 7lb tench plus a perch of 3lbs 6oz.

Others had carp from teen’s to 27lb.

27lbs 6oz for Paul

So a great weekend with a tremendous social but few tench. The reason I believe is in the weather. The previous week there had been 3 consecutive frosts and there was no sign of any weed growth in summer bay.

Horseshoe 2016

So will we be back you can bet we will. 80 tench last year to 9lbs 12oz is a normal tally. No doubt yours truly will be beavering away behind the scenes in mid December planning again.

I would like to thank our Sponsors Korum and Fosters of Birmingham (Adam and Tom) for coming along it was great to see you guy’s.