National Fishing Week 20 - 29 Aug 2005 - Junior Fishing Event

Royal Air Force National Fishing Week (NFW) Junior Fishing Event

Report for Angling times and Match Fishing

As part of this year’s NFW event, the RAF Competitive Coarse Angling Association (RAFCCAA) decided to put something back into the sport. The idea was developed into reality by public relations officer for the RAFCCAA , Ben Jackson. The intention was to organise an event aimed primarily at male and female juniors, but also encouraging any non-angler to dish. Costs would also be kept to a minimum for those participating.

Jeff and Sandra Royle were king enough to allow us the use of the two-lake venue at Old Leake, Boston at no cost, for which we offer our sincere thanks. We were also lucky enough to secure the support of no less than four times world champion Bob Nudd MBE. His presence alone would make it a memorable day for those participating (and supervising!).

The event was held the 25th August and anyone who is familiar with RAF run matches will know that we can guarantee one thing, awful conditions. Sure enough, the cold rain and wind on the days prior to the match had a knock on effect on the fishing, however at least the rain stayed off for most of the day itself. Undeterred, 16 participants ranging from 6 – 36 years old, turned up for what was to be a memorable day. The format was for the participants to fish in pairs with an angler and a non-angler fishing side by side. We began the morning session with members of the RAF and Mr Ernie Heseltine, an ex-military NFA coach, going round to all the participants helping out giving advice on techniques and methods when and where necessary. Everyone caught during the morning session, mainly F1 hybrids, which had been the main aim.

With the arrival of Bob Nudd we called a halt to the morning session for a lunchtime bar-b-q. After this the anglers returned to their pegs for a relaxed match fishing session again with members of the RAF and Ernie offering the same help and advice. The main difference this time was we now had a 4x world champion making his way round to offer his wealth of experience and talent, and generally chatting with all the participants. With the afternoon weather taking a turn for the worst the fishing started to suffer with most struggling for bites despite all the advice and instruction given, but by hard work and true determination at the end of the 2 hour match all had caught some fish with the exception of our 2 youngest anglers (both 6) who had patiently persevered for most of the day until the temptation dads car heaters proved too much. To their credit though they had both managed to catch during the morning session and still managed a smile or two at the end of the day.

With prizes and certificates to give out we weighed all the catches to find our winners with the result quite close in the end,

1st - Reece Dillamore and Aaron Appelby - 4lb 4oz
2nd - David & Jonathon Taylor - 3lb 2oz
3rd - Tom & Dannielle Tooley - 3lb
4th - Luke Morley & Ryan Potter - 2lb
5th - Graeme & Liam Foster - 1lb 4oz
6th - Jasmin Summerson & Scott Oakes - 13oz
7th - Jane & Liam Shinn - 11oz
8th - Alan Neal & Kieran Adamson - nil

We had a one or two extra prizes to be given out and Bob Nudd selected an individual and a pair that had particularly impressed him during the afternoon. They were; individually Tom Tooley who learnt extremely quickly in the moring session and put everything together in the afternoon and Jasmin Summerson & Scott Oakes for the pair. Ultimately there where no winners and loser’s on the day as all the anglers had fished exceptionally well and with great enthusiasm. The day was a complete success with all participants thoroughly enjoying the day and hopefully learning more and enticing one or two to take up angling.

We would like to finish by thanking Bob Nudd and Ernie Heseltine for giving up their time to assist us on the day, and also to the RAF personnel who where at hand on the day to help out where and when needed, to Paula for cooking the bar-b-q for us and finally to Jeff and Sandra for use of the lakes. A memorable day all round, in which some budding future world champions were hopefully started on their way.

For further information on angling within the RAF please visit our website at www.rafcaa.net or www.raf-coarseangling.info. For more information regards Royles lakes contact Jeff or Sandra on 07773488620.

Ben Jackson
B JACKSON
Cpl
Royal Air Force
Coarse Angling Association PR

Mil Tel 95721 6366/6367
Civ Tel 01526 346366-346367

RAF National Fishing Week (NFW) Junior Fishing Event

Report for RAF News and Sport Active

Coarse Angling is not a sport that conjures up thoughts of death defying feats or a high profile spectator sport, however with 3 million coarse anglers in the UK alone, there must be something about it that appeals. As a sport which requires the process of problem solving with an infinite number of variables, in picturesque surroundings and sometimes harsh and demanding weather conditions, it takes some beating. The RAF team competes at the highest national level, is sponsored by a major Italian fishing tackle company and is recognised as one of the top 15 teams in the country, with 2 current internationals on the book. It was against this backdrop that the RAF Competitive Angling Association (Coarse) decided to put something back into angling, and hopefully attract some youngsters both to the sport and the RAF at the same time. An ideal opportunity came in the form of the National Fishing Week (NFW), an event sponsored by the National Federation of Anglers (NFA), the sports governing body, aimed at promoting angling to new and lapsed anglers of all ages.

Our intention was to organise an event aimed primarily at youngsters (nut no-one was turned away) at minimal cost to those participating but to ensure a memorable day. The first main challenge was to secure a venue. Unlike other sports, RAF angling does not have its own venues, instead fishing different venues the length and breadth of the country. We were lucky to secure the use of Royle’s Commercial fishery at Old Leake, Boston, a series of small but picturesque lakes set in idyllic scenery. Jeff and Sandra Royle were kind enough to let us use the fishery at no cost for which we were very grateful; we were off to a good start. We were then even luckier to secure the support from no less than 4 times world champion Bob Nudd MBE, who agreed to come along and offer advice and tips to the participants. His presence certainly made the day something special for the keen and enthusiastic youngsters who hung on his every word.

The weather leading up to the day was lousy for August with cold rain entering the lakes over the previous 2 days turning the fish off the feed. The day itself proved a little better with the rain stayionmg away until towards the end, but a cold wind proved quitea challenge for the anglers, as young as 6 years old (and as old as 36). The format for the day was for the participants to fish in pairs with an angler and a non-angler fishing side by side. The morning session comprised practice, with members of the RAF Coarse Angling Association offering advice, demonstrations and not a little tackle in an effort to ensure everyone caught fish. In this they were successful, and everyone retired to the hut for a slap-up barbeque in good spirits, to be joined by the aforementioned Mr Nudd. After lunch and a few questions, the anglers returned to their pegs for a fairly informal match again with members of the Association offering the same help and advice. The main difference this time was we now had a 4 x world champion making his way round to offer guidance, instruction and generally chatting with all the participants. With the afternoon weather taking a turn for the worst the fishing started to suffer with most struggling for bites despite all the advice and instruction given, by hard work and true determination at the end of the 2 hour match all had caught some fish with the exception of our 2 youngest anglers (both 6) who had persevered for most of the day until dads car heaters proved too much of a temptation. To their credit though they had both managed to catch during the morning session and still managed a smile or two at the end of the day.

With prizes and certificates to give out to everyone competing we weighed all the catches to find our winners with the result quite close in the end:

1st Reece Dillamore and Aaron Appelby 4lb 4oz
2nd David & Jonathon Taylor 3lb 21/2 oz
3rd Tom & Dannielle Tooley 3lb
4th Luke Morley & Ryan Potter 2lb
5th Graeme & Liam Foster 1lb 4oz
6th Jasmin Summerson & Scott Oakes 13oz
7th Jane & Liam Shinn 11oz
8th Alan Neal & Kieran Adamson nil

Ultimately there where no winners and losers on the day, as all the anglers had fished exceptionally well and with great enthusiasm. The day was a complete success with all participants thoroughly enjoying the event, some hopefully becoming better anglers, some taking up the sport for the first time and even perhaps a few potential recruits. Our thanks go to all who were involved in ensuring such a memorable day was had by all. Coarse Angling remains a significant sport within the RAF with over 250 members of the Association and competitive teams on pretty much every unit. We are always looking for new talent and for further information on angling within the RAF please visit our website at www.rafcaa.net or www.raf-coarseangling.info. For more information regards Royles lakes contact Jeff or Sandra on 07773488620.