Third On The MayFest
I was really looking forward to the Tunnel Barn Mayfest as I rarely fish all three days on a Bank Holiday, but got special permission this month for good behaviour! I’ve had a proper up and down week leading up to this, topped off by having to hire a van as mine’s playing up… so I needed to win something just to pay for that!
On to the fishing and Day 1 I’ve drawn peg 20 on Top Pool and with the wind hacking down the opposite end I feared the worst. I’ve had 60lb of little uns and two muggers for 10lb which was 2nd in section. However the ‘bowl’ has been rigid with Ryan Watson’s 187lb winning the match off peg 1 and all the weights have been that end. I’ve caught mostly on maggots shallow down the sides and not a lot elsewhere and had run out of fish by the end of the match as all the big old uns had clearly followed the wind…
Day 2 I’ve drawn Extension 19 which is a good peg, although too many options for an octopus like me! All I’ve caught for three hours have been little stockies but I’ve had a nice last hour on bigger fish to pop 96lb on the scales for a default section envelope. Eddie Pearson won the lake with 149lb from peg 27 and James Woodrow’s had 141lb from 23. A decent days fishing but a little frustrating too. Paul Holland won the day from Top 1 again with a big 219lb, which is a great weight off that lake.
Day 3 was my turn to be on House Pool, which is usually the best lake, and no complaints from me after drawing peg 4, which normally holds a few fish. After my two mediocre performances and the festival decided on weight I needed a big day to make the top 10. Thankfully that’s exactly what I’ve had! The big old F1s finally paid me a visit and I’ve had a mint day, mostly on casters, catching 258lb to win the match. That also took the biggest weight prize and catapulted me right up to 3rd overall!
Paul Holland put in three great performances to win the festival and Jamie Adcock also fished really well all three days to earn 2nd. I’ve picked up a wedge of envelopes to cover the van hire and ‘hopefully’ I will have some pennies left after I get mine back from the garage!
A well organised event as usual at the terrific Tunnel Barn Farm. It’s been great weather all weekend, so I think the fish will soon be tearing up the margins with spawning imminent.
I also managed to film all three days, which can are available to Channel Members.
