Another terrific turnout of 13 members for a TWFFS day at the beautiful Lakedown trout fishery – four lakes set in the lovely East Sussex countryside and a tap room with some very fine ales to enjoy after our fishing efforts. What a difference in weather from our trip to Chalybeate a week earlier. We now contended with 5-7 degree temperatures along with a chilly northerly wind and occasional bright spells

Eddie Benton and James Constantine started well on the lake 1 peninsula fishing Cat’s Whiskers on intermediate lines with a fast retrieve. Eddie was unfortunate in losing a good fish that snagged on an obstruction. Lake 4 was also productive on the dam - Dave Crouch and Mick Priest enjoying some good sport and landing their three fish before midday. By lunch Eddie Benton, Mick Priest and Dave Crouch had completed their bags. Dave Crouch also landed a lovely 4lb rainbow. After lunch we held a very well supported raffle that raised £75 for the society - thank you all!

Back to the fishing and for some and despite their very best efforts the fishing did not get any easier. This week it was April that got a fish a few minutes before the 4 pm finish and avoided a second blank - well done Mrs H! By the end of our days fishing 7 of the 13 had managed their bag limit, one had 2 fish, 2 had 1 fish and 3 had blanks. A total of 25 fish were landed out of a possible 39. Best fish of the day went to Dave Crouch with that 4lb Rainbow - well done Dave

Finally a big thank you to Jamie, Ted and Cathy for their splendid hospitality on the day

Final results:

• 1. Dave Crouch - 3 Fish 7lb 0oz
• 2. Mick Priest - 3 Fish 6lb 8oz
•     Mark Tremain-Coker - 3 Fish 6lb 8oz
• 4. Eddie Benton - 3 fish 6lb 1oz:
• 5. James Constantine – 3 fish 5lb 10oz
• 6. Micky Heasman – 3 fish 5lb 8oz

The remaining anglers gained their 2 Championship points for participating: James Dench, Jo Harris, April Heasman, Buster Heasman, Paul Osborne, Andy Stoner, Peter Thomason.

A good turnout of 12 members fished this varied and interesting fishery. An enjoyable dayall with the comfort of the fishing lodge and refreshments plus some good fish and good bags

This was a Championship event and the results were:

• 1. Andy Stoner – 3 fish 7lb 13oz (best 2lb 8oz)
• 2. Martin Gray – 3 fish 7lb 5oz (best 3lb 6oz)
• 3. Micky Heasman – 3 fish 6lb 13oz (best 3lb 6oz)
• 4. Keith Lawrence – 3 fish 6lb 7oz (best 2lb 13oz)
• 5. Paul Osborne – 3 fish 6lb 1oz (best fish – 2lb 0oz)
• 6. Gary Collins – 3 fish 6lb (best 2lb 12oz)
• 7. Micky Priest – 3 fish 5lb 8oz (best 2lb 1oz)
• 8. April Heasman – 3 fish 5lb 7oz (best 2lb 3oz)
• 9. Ian Watts – 3 fish 5lb 4oz (best 2lb 10oz)
• 10. Dave Crouch – 2 fish 3lb 12oz (best 2lb 0oz)
• 11. Joanna Harris – 1 fish 3lb 0oz
• 12. Buster Heasman - 0 fish

Ten members meet for the inaugural TWFFS event of our 2024 season

The original plan was for the launch to take members to Seven-Pound Creek and the various bays along Hook Straight. The different aspects from Pine Bay to Bramble Bay affording both left and right handers favourable casting locations for the forecast gusting westerly wind. Alastair fished the location on Friday and subsequently proposed a change of venue to Ferry Point where more fish were caught; the prognosis being that fish were moving out of Hook Straight down Bewl Straight

The launch took seven members plus Paul Blaker’s son who joined us for the day to Ferry Point meeting Alastair, Micky and Buster who went there directly. For Micky and Buster (our left-handed casters) there was a long walk down to Tinkers Marsh which gave them a better location for casting, in solidarity I joined them on the long walk! The remainder fished between Monty’s Seat round to Dunsters Bay

Meeting back at Ferry Point for lunch it was clear it had been a tough morning’s fishing. Micky and I had edged ahead with three fish each. Many of the other anglers, both TWFFS and Bewl locals, were still looking to land their first fish. The challenging weather conditions (wind and a drop in temperature and barometric pressure) were compounded by an ‘any methods’ boat competition being held on the same day. A number of boats had decided to beach in the various bays along Bewl Straight and fish ‘any methods’ from the bank. I’m not sure whether that was a relaxation of fishing rules for their competition but this would not normally be permitted

A raffle was held at lunchtime raising a very creditable £80 for Society funds, many thanks to all – particularly those who donated prizes

The afternoon saw a resumption of fishing accompanied by the forecast gusting wind and squally showers. However, this did result in an upturn in fishing with Mick Priest landing a further five fish to add to the one fish from the morning. Andy Stoner landed a double-up - very impressive on barbless hooks! Micky, Buster and I returned to Tinkers, racking up an impressive step count by the end of the day. Micky had a further two fish and Buster landed two, one either side of lunch

Based on fish landed the prime location for the afternoon was to the right of Ferry Point along Bewl Straight – this is where Mick, Andy and Steve landed their fish. I met Ian on the way back at the point of Bewl Straight and Dunsters and, unusually, fishing had been slow there throughout the day. Fish were caught using a variety of tactics, Mick had success with a DI5 using white Blobs on a slow long-pull retrieval. Many of the other fish were landed close to the bank using floating / sink tip lines with a slow figure-of-eight retrieve. Micky and I had success with Cormorants, Steve had success with white & pearl mini Minkies

The competition was based on catch and release, the results were therefore based on number of fish caught and, as a deciding factor, the time of first fish caught. The final results were:

• 1. Mick Priest – 6 fish
• 2. Micky Heasman – 5 fish
• 3. Andy Stoner – 4 Fish
• 4. Neil Osmond – 3 fish, first fish caught 09:48
• 5. Ian Watts – 3 fish, first fish caught late morning
• 6. Steve Mewett – 3 fish, first fish caught at 14:15
• 7. Alastair Garner – 2 fish, first fish caught 09:30
• 8. Buster Heasman – 2 fish, first fish caught 11:30

Many congratulation to the winner, Mick Priest

A special mention for Paul Blaker who joined us on the day for his first TWFFS event, it was great to have Paul and his son Charlie along with us. Also, a big thanks to James who spent the afternoon helping Charlie, passing on his knowledge, tips and tricks to the next generation of fly fishers