2020 Championship: Round 7

Points Match 7 Reach Lode, Upware 13th September 2020

Without considerable effort from Ken, Glen, Mike, Simon and Trevor, who diligently raked all swims during the week prior to our visit, it would have been impossible to fish. For anyone who hasn’t visited Reach Lode for a while it might be hard to imagine how thick the weed might be but this became clear during the match when a narrowboat, fortunately moored near the overhead cables where there were no swims, tried to make way. The frustrated crew of three tried for over an hour to get away from the bank but despite much revving, rocking and even assistance from passing boats, failed to move other than back and forth a few feet. The various weeds and rushes had grown so thick that they prevented any movement past them. Rumour has it that the Environment Agency is due to cut the weed before our next match in November, let’s hope they then take it from the surface!

Apart from surface weed conditions were otherwise pretty good and catches reflected this with five double figure nets and an average of more than 8½ lb per angler. Ken’s near 15 lb just pipped Trevor’s 13¾ lb. My swim didn’t have a boat (again!) which shows what a difference it makes! Weights were otherwise fairly evenly spread either side of the overhead cables with just a slight advantage to lower numbers nearer the lock.

No specimen fish were landed but Rob Turner did hook something big, the flapping he made was highly entertaining but unfortunately allowed the beast to escape leaving Rob muttering ‘if only….’ to himself for the rest of the match.

Our next match is on The Lark at Prickwillow, which is also reported to be fishing well so book with Trevor before 13th September if you wish to fish.

Ian Claydon