Bob Taylor Memorial
A lot of people know that Bob ‘The Maggot’ Taylor was one of my all-time angling heroes. A larger than life character, he ran the first ever canal opens I ever entered with his Jet Breakers Match Group. I learnt so much from Bob and his barking and other antics were legendary. He fought and beat cancer several times and then went on to offer kind support for fellow cancer sufferers, earning a Roy Castle award for his efforts. I was proud to shoot several magazine articles with Bob and always enjoyed his company. As an ex biker he certainly looked a tough character, but if you were lucky enough to know him like I and many others did, he had a kind heart and a unique sense of humour.
These are just some of the reasons I dearly wanted to win the Bob Taylor Memorial one day. This year the float-only match saw 34 anglers on the Island Lake at Jubilee Pools, all paying their respects. Expertly ran by Bob’s close friend Dave Armstrong with extra help from Mark Butler, two more of the canal gang I grew up watching and eventually fishing alongside.
The match kicked off with the obligatory woofs and dog barks all around the lake. Bob would’ve loved that!
Now I initially thought the match was on the adjacent Horseshoe Lake, which I knew a bit. Just a few days ago, however, I discovered it was actually on Island Lake, which I hadn’t fished for over 20 years, back when there were no trees! With that in mind I managed a very quick evening session on the lake, just to familiarise myself with the depths and size of fish. I only fished for two hours but it was a lovely scrambled together session and I came away feeling confident of catching a few.
Come the match I only went and drew the same peg 8 that I’d practiced on a few days earlier! Bob must’ve been looking down on me. The first hour I was somewhat distracted by a beautiful kingfisher zipping past me and diving just a few feet away. Bobby Dazzler I christened him. It nearly hit my top kit twice! It was a slow start, as I half expected, but I had some good perch, a big hybrid and a few skimmers on a couple of close-in swims to keep me ticking over, but the roach and smaller silvers didn’t seem to be feeding today. After 90 minutes I shipped out to 13m where I’d fed pellets, corn and Sonubaits F1 Green groundbait. This was where I spent most of the match and had skimmers from 10oz to nearly 2lb and some good roach.
I never felt I caught that fast so was admitting to 25lb, thinking I might have closer to 30lb, maybe 35lb… but I’m useless with skimmer weights. Clearly, as three weighs later on the 20lb scales I actually totalled 48lb 6oz. Bob would’ve probably thrown me in for such a terrible guess!It turned out the best weight on the day with Kevin Folwell taking 2nd with 26lb 6oz and Terry Stevenson just a few ounces behind with 26lb 1oz. The fishing had been a bit strange for many and I’d clearly drawn on a few fish with a favourable wind blowing my way.
A big raffle followed the presentation and £500 was raised for the very deserving Aylesford Unit at Warwick Hospital. A huge thanks must go to Leamington Spa Angling Association and Jubilee Pools for allowing us to have the event at such an excellent venue. Bob’s family were also there, which was lovely to see.
I know this event means a lot to Dave Armstrong who organised it so well. I don’t let many people into my little world but he’s helped me through a lot and I’m very proud to call him a friend. Bob thought the world of Dave, too, so next year I really hope it’s his turn to hold aloft the coveted ‘trophy’. It’s not a boring old cup or shield, however, it’s a battery powered cuddly toy barking dog. And this year I’m proud to say it’s mine. Here’s to my hero Bob Taylor and everyone lucky enough to have known him. Woof!
Result
1st Jon Arthur 48lb 6oz
2nd Kevin Folwell 26lb 6oz
3rd Terry Stevenson 26lb 1oz
Sections
A Dennis Ryman 14lb 10oz
B Greg Satchwell 18lb 10oz
C Buster 25lb 11oz
D Dave Smith 15lb
Watch my film of the big match!
