Result Ayrstrike 2009 Match 1 of 16 Springwater 27/07/08

[Tommy L]

1st Eric Morris 3.800 kgs Progresses to Final.





2nd Stuart McCowan 3.570 kgs





3rd Tommy Lauriston 3.540 kgs





Weigh Card

[PANDA]

well done eric good luch in the final

[Tommy L]

Match Report;


seems like only last month that we were at Springwater for the final of Airstrike and here we are again fishing for places in Airstrike 2009. Congratulations to Gus for getting Airstrike 2009 up and running so quickly in order that the matches are not rushed through in the 16 weeks prior to the final.

Todays turnout was just 12 anglers and this was due to happenings elsewhere and holidays. Those who travelled early morning to Springwater didn't know what kind of day it would be as the motorway was shrouded in mist. Competitors suspected that it would be a good day when the mist burned of and they were right and the bright sunshine probably put the fish off a little, just like us who cannot be bothered to eat when it's hot the fish tend to be the same.

The draw was made at 9-15am and the 12 competitors made their way to their respective pegs. There was little wind and what there was was blowing into pegs 25 and 26 occupied by myself and Stuart McCowan respectively and Wullie declared them the best pegs on the fishery given the conditions on the day.

Decisions decisions all round by everyone how to fish and what to fish. There was a lot of anglers who hadn't fished the fishery before and others who only saw it for the first time the day before. The all-in was shouted by Gus Brindle at 11am and we were of and fishing. The early leader was Wullie Scott fishing on his own fishery resplendid in his cowboy hat. as the sun shined he threatened to remove his top but gave us all a break and refrained from doing so.

Wullie had 3 Carp in the first hour and was sitting back like the lord of the Manor and as his better half visited him on the bank he caught another for good measure. Appart from Wullie all other anglers struggled in the first hour. Everyone had to fish for bits to get any sort of weight put together. Myself and Stuart had fished up in the water and found it hard to feed off the wee bits. My plan to attract a Tench or big eel fell flat on its face as the sun shone overhead and the reflection from the water got you again.

As hours 2 and 3 passed I started to catch Carp on sweetcorn to my left in the margin and quite quickly wiped out Wullie's lead in half an hour. At the end of hour 2 I had 5 carp and had lost a further two as they dived into reeds. Hour 3 saw me with another two carp taking my total to seven. From where I sat I could see all the anglers and most were busy catching bits. At that stage I had a clear lead. Come the 4th hour I began to struggle for bites and resorted to various methods of fishing to attempt to keep my weight turning over. It was in this hour that Stuart began to make his move up in the water with the silvers. At that time I was to pre occupied attempting to get back on track that I made a terrible error in hindsight of failing to defend up in the water until the final hour.

Whilst all this was happening Eric just kept speed fishing for his silvers and climbing back into contention. At the start of the fifth hour I was defending up in the water though not fishing there making it harder for Stuart who was closing the gap. At last a good take down and the yellow vespe shot out. I tried to turn the fish prior to it making the reeds and failed. Gutted, I needed that fish. Ten minutes later same again. Next error was trying to make it happen and introducing choppy to where I was catching the Carp. The float went down and I thought great, it was a bootlace eel foul hooked. Then saw Stuart land a good skimmer. Next thought was change to worm as the eels big brother might have been with it. It worked but only a small Carp followed by another with 2 mins to go.

At 1600 hours the all out was called and I was certain that Stuart had done me. Stuart was certain that I had done him. Eric was first to weigh in and his industrious performance all day long had done both myself and Stuart. I was right Stuart had done me although I may have done myself by not checking my net as when I dried it off there was a fish in it. My fault nobody elses.

It was up to the Cafe for the presentations with most anglers having long journeys to complete their day. Well done Eric, worth the trip from Wigan. see you at the final next year.

Thanks to Wullie and his staff and Gus for making it a good day for all.

Tight Lines.

[Tommy L]

well done eric good luch in the final

Wullie you missed the n out, he better have a good lunch in the final as it is you that supplies them kid.

[S West, Bream]

Congratulations to Eric the first member of the 2009 smug club, well Eric sods law on our practice day Wully ,you ,Mark and myself all had good bags of fish I think you had 17lb Wully around 12 and I had 8lb well put a match on and we all struggle,Thats fishing

Finally a big thanks to our host Wully We stayed overnight at Wullys the BBQ was fantastic and the one or two sociable beers were much appreciated.As promised I will return the favour when you visit my fishery wully.
Good weekend was had by us mate dont leave it to long before you come down to the Castle

Cheers mate, you are a real gent.........

[old john]

Well done Eric,

Hope to see you again when you come up for the final.

best of luck.

old john

[martin]

Bit late I know but congratulations Eric on the win and being the first through to next years final.