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2008 Champs Report
2007 Winter Carpers Eye
Carp Champs 07
Carp Pairs Champs
Natl Fishing Week 07
2006 Winter Carpers Eye
Record Match Weight
2006 Jul Carpers Eye
Carp & Coarse Show
Carp Team created
Weils Dis/Leptospirosis
2005 Season Report
2005 Inter League Champs
Jnr Fishing Week
Moat Project cheque
Natl Fishing Week 05
Safety Survey
2004 Overseas Challenge
2002/03 Season Report

The popularity of carp angling within the Royal Air Force is rapidly escalating. Their latest event reinforced this statement, when 24 RAF personnel took to the banks of Kingsbury Pine Pool for the RAF Pairs BCAC Qualifying Event. As the name suggests, the first prize was entry into the 2008 BCAC.

As a baking sun broke on May 1st, following a heavy pre-event social at the local Kingsbury hostelry, an extremely groggy band of Airman took to the banks of Pine Pool armed with floater rod and boxes of mixers. As the sun beat down throughout the 48 hour competition, all thoughts of the winner coming from a clutch of surface caught whackers were quickly extinguished as fish after fish ignored the plethora of floating goodies. As Pine Pool is essentially a day only venue, most fish were expected to be caught after dark and early morning. This proved to be spot on.

As the last remnants of sunshine disappeared from the horizon the alarms began to sing around the lake, keeping the marshals extremely busy until the sun rose once again. A reedy bay cried out CARP prior to the watercraft draw and first out of the bag were Tug Wilson and Mark Jarvis, who promptly bagged the swim, upsetting the rest of the field. The draw proved crucial, with Tug and Jarvy taking an early lead with 5 fish throughout the first night. Most pairs caught at least 2 fish during the early stages but if the fish remained in the reedy bay, it was quickly apparent that it would take something special in order to compete with the pace setters.

Lee Hasbury from NATO HQ in Belgium made things interesting when he landed mirrors at 21 and 30lb 15oz as did Reg Verney from RAF Halton and Carl Hoyle from JSSU Cyprus, who took multiple catches of fish up to 25lb. However, the tactics of Tug and Jarvy remained consistent and they promptly bagged another 9 fish on the second day to take the title with 213lb. The total weight caught throughout the competition was a very respectable 774lb, most were absolutely stunning fish too.

The RAF would like to wish Tug and Jarvy the best of luck in next years BCAC. However, prior to that, the RAF's representatives in this years event, Reg Verney and Glenn Beardsall have a Semi Final to contend with. Hopefully we will see them in the final. Thanks must go to BCAC Marshall and RAF Chief Technician Kev Simmons who marshalled the event superbly as per BCAC rules and to Kev Knight at Mainline Baits for his continuing support of RAF Carping. Overall, the competition was a resounding success, with many superb fish caught from this fantastic day ticket venue - roll on next year!