Sunday 2 June 2013

Esthwaite Pike Cup



Today saw me fishing on Esthwaite in The Lake District. Not much finesse about today's fishing as this was to compete for the Lure Anglers Society 'Pike Cup' - this year sponsored by Fox Tackle. It's a pairs event with the winner being the team with the highest combined weight of the best three fish. Fish have  to weigh 6lb or over to count.
This is primarily a trout fishery but the LAS have held this exclusive lure fishing event here for a number of years.
I set of early off nice and early to make the 7.30 am start and I was lucky enough to see a herd of deer ghosting across the road that skirts lake shore. This is possibly one of the most beautiful lakes in the country.

A breathless dawn and the view across the lake from the boathouse.


Looking South from the same spot..

...and North.


Hazy early morning


20 anglers load a veritable mountain of tackle into ten boats!




Our boat, loaded and ready to go!



I really enjoyed last years event and had a couple of nice fish but hoped today was the day for one of the really big fish resident in this lake!

Last years fish.





Alas it was not to be as, despite fishing hard all day, I only managed this modest specimen.


Other anglers fared much better and there were several big fish caught and some amazing combined weights. Thanks to James Sherrigton, my boat partner for the day, for the excellent company and for spotting the pair of Osprey circling above us, as I was so intent on the fishing, I may have missed them!!

Antony's 19lb fish!

Antony and his boat partner Phil did the North-West Chapter proud by placing third in the competition with a combined total of 28lb. Second were another North-West pair Baz and Alex who had a big haul of fish with their best three totalling over 37lb. A fantastic days fishing..

Baz's 17lb



One from the winning pair - Rons first lure caught 20lb 2oz Pike!



..and his 16lb fish - this has to be the biggest 16lb fish I've ever seen!



..and his boat partner Waynes 13lb fish






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