Some Pics and start of report Zander Meet 2011

[pingu]

after a horribly early start Tj met me at 6.45 and then after scrapeing windsreen twice we got the car from devon up to Gloucester in good time and to the canal, just as we came off the motorway SNOW( ok only the powdery stuff but still snow!!)

But luckily by the time we got there apart from a good frost no more snow

there were a few already set up and later on after everyone else turned up it was an impresive amount of members, we were obviously trying to take up the whole bank either side of bridge, with Kabbykriss, headless TJ and Flyn and eschelon pest off to the left

to the right were banana steve, gerry 2 jackets, simon N & sindy, Greenheart, Lman and sam, Richard, Jp and Myself ( in lazy ass spot by car)









the event as ever was a damn good social, with friends old and new, some people who i havnt seen for a year( I must try harder ) but still pick up with like was yesterday

the weather was good if not a tad parky for some but at least the wind stayed away

Steve ( looking more distinguished every time ) was doing what he is just so good at, in giving so much info to people on tackle etc
and as generous as ever he gave me his left over bait at end of session, which when i looked at home was more bait than i took to start with



two people even ventured to the other bank , even if only to collect overly strong cast rigs



Hot sausage rolls delivered by Mr Admins lovely lady helped but it was seriously quiet our side of the bridge

well we fished on till 5 whnen the pub was by then past calling to hollering at us !!,

I would love to put up picks of fish ( yes some were caught ) but i was on the wrong side of the bridge, and apart from a half run had no action.and i am sure others will add soon enough

The social down the pub was a great laugh with darrel learning bluetoothing , and the less said about Badgers the better
( think there def may be a rugby afternoon on cards soon )

It was as ever a great great day, and although I was home in time for the pub Iwas persuaded to stay in by mrs P

thanks Ian for Organiseing,you are a Star
roll on 2012, or even march or april 2011 as one day i will get a fish( not a 'orrible eel out of that water )

dave

[Echelon Pest]

Good start to reporting the day Pingu.

It was nice for me to put some faces to names on my first meet. Sorry I couldn't make it to the evening social may be next time. Glad you all had a good time.

Your photos reflect just how cold it was first thing. Myself, Darrell and Chris all arrived about the same time 0630 and set up in the dark. Infact I think Darrell had baits out that needed torch light to mount them on the hooks. I was too busy sorting the first cuppa (One of many)

Agreed it was a bit slower than we hoped - The G&S Zeds can be temperamental at the best of times.

I managed one Pike - unfortunately the photos from my camera are blurred but Darrell took a quick snap with his phone.

Here she is



You were unlucky that no fish were caught on the 'south' side of the bridge.

Looking forward to doing it again

Cheers

[fishypaul]

looks a trifle chilly there,unlucky on the blank dave,

nice pike

[cookie mbaits]

Good to hear it all went well, gutted I couldn't get there, I'm still suffering with pig flu!
Would be nice to do another this year if anyone's up for it?
Any zed's caught?

[headless]

Friday 21st January

I arrived in Gloucester Thursday afternoon, spending the afternoon checking out some areas of the canal and having a good chin wag with GerryT. Friday I fished a different area of the canal to the area that the meet was to be on.

I had two small Zeds, both caught on Rudd dead baits.

One of the Zander caught


I have to thank three of the local members for their time and information. I probably would have struggled without their help, so thank you Gery T, Echelon Pest and Cabbychris.

Saturday 22ND

It was chilly day and the Zander did not play ball, but the company made up for it. As usual Richard was on form

I did managed a small Zander, sadly the only one of the day, it was the only bite I had as well. Caught on a Rudd dead bait.



TJ and Flyn managed a small Pike, just reward for Flyn for the time spent in the freezing temperatures.
.

It was nice to see a couple of younger anglers out with the mob.

I was good to get in the warmth of the Pilot Inn. the food was good, a couple ciders went down a treat. I need to thank Pingu, TJ and Richard for sorting out the bluetooth on my Blackberry. We had a good laugh,

It would be nice to have another meet soon, preferably when the conditions are more favorable for catching Zander.

Pingu, I will of course bring along a hedge cutter, PPE and if things are tough a stump grinder

Thanks to all for a good day

Darrell

[Greenheart]

Firstly i'd like to thank everyone who came along in spite of the cold weather. Sorry I could'nt arrange for a few more fish to attend too. I think the drastic drop in temperature over the last couple of days did'nt help. It was great meeting up again with old friends & making some new ones. I think the evening social at the Pilot inn made up for the lack of fish though..
Some interest was expressed in another meet this year when the weathers a little warmer, possibly late March. If enough people are interested, I would be happy to organise it. Hopefully this will also give those who could'nt attend due to the dreaded swine flu a chance to have a crack at the zander too. What does everyone else think?

[Lman]

Another meet sounds good i know Sam will want to be there even though we didnt catch he loved it infact he wanted to stay and fish on credit to him sticking at it in the cold, for a six year old he must be keen

many thanks Ian for organizing

[blackwater]

Looks like a good time was had by all. The sooner they build a bridge from here to mainland UK the better I really want to come over for a similar meet... sometime maybe!

[Greenheart]

Originally Posted by blackwater

Looks like a good time was had by all. The sooner they build a bridge from here to mainland UK the better I really want to come over for a similar meet... sometime maybe!

You'll have to recruit a few more Irish members to the Forum & organise some meets there mate....

[blackwater]

Originally Posted by Greenheart

You'll have to recruit a few more Irish members to the Forum & organise some meets there mate....

Sounds good to me!

In all seriousness though i will get over some year, its a must!