CPAS Junior Open – Hythe
An early start to get down to Hythe for a junior open match on the Royal Military canal at Ladies Walk. This was the first time that Ryan would be fishing against other juniors, and the first visit to a canal. Arriving at 08:15, we managed to find the stretch to be fished, and had a little wander around. With 14 juniors between the ages of 9-16 showing, the draw takes place at 09:00, and Ryan draws peg 26, which is towards the rowing boats.
The Set-up
As this is an end peg, and rumours that the bream shoal underneath the bridge, we st up the feeder so that he can get as far as possible towards it. It is going to be a little tricky for him due to the trees above us, so also set up the pole on a 2+2.
The All-In @10:30
Considering the hanging trees, and casting at an angle, the first chuck in is very good as it is right up tight to the far side. He is using 2 red maggots on a size 18 hook. A few more casts to get some bait out, one of which lands on the far pathway, and he has his first bite after 20 mins. An eel about 16 inches long, but it snaps the hooklink just before he is able to get it in the landing net.
While I change the hooklink, Ryan goes out on the pole which he has been feeding, and within a couple of minutes has his first small roach. He decides to stay on the pole, and continues very slowly to catch more roach and an eel. By 13:00 things really seem to have slowed down, so he goes back on to the feeder rod, and catches another eel after missing a few bites. Then there is nothing for the next 20 mins, so back to the pole, and the odd small skimmer start to come in before another eel. This seems to kill the swim a bit for the next 40 mins, before the elastic shoots out, and he is playing a nice bream around 2lbs. He feeds the last of the groundbait, and with only 5 mins to go, he catches another bream about the same size, and is just putting it in the keepnet as the whistle goes at 14:30 for the finish.
Result
Well it was fairly hard as suspected, but at least everyone had caught something which was the main thing. Ryan was first to weigh in, and he had 2.895kg which was mainly the 2 bream of the 30’ish fish he had caught. As the results were announced, he already new that he had finished second to a 15 year old with 3.160kg. If only the match had gone on for another half hour, as it looked as if Ryan had drawn the bream in to his swim, but he was still very pleased with second place considering he was probably the second youngest there. As they all went up to get their prizes, Ryan had won a £20 tackle shop voucher, a Garbolino Match rod and a Mitchell reel, with everyone receiving a prize of some form.
It had been a good day, and experience for Ryan fishing against other juniors. A big thanks to Paul Musson and the CPAS for organising the match, and keeping the forecast rain away. We will certainly be back next year to support the event.
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