Hello

Today we held the annual Christmas match and it seems all involved had a great time. There were 41 anglers who entered into the match.

The results are:-

1st Lady. Jan Staines

1st (Over all.) Mr M Griffiths
2nd Mr Gareth Jones
3rd Mr Steve Cullen.

Heaviest Fish caught by Mr Brian Butler @ 3 lb 11oz

A nice Brown Trout was taken by Mr Gareth Jones at an estimated 7 lbs unfortunately the Browns don’t count in the match, but a lovely fish all the same.

34 Anglers weighed in 167 fish and 11 had taken their 8 fish bag limit.

The Christmas match always tries to raise funds for a chosen Charity and this year it was 'Help the Heroes' So many people brought in prizes for the raffle I thought it would still be going in the morning. The team here at Farmoor are proud to be involved with a group of people who are prepared to give so generously in these times of financial restraint.

Having already given so freely, all the competitors dug deep into their pockets and at the end of the auction and raffle they had raised in excess of £1,200. When all the funds are in they will be presented to the Charity. WELL DONE EVERYONE AND THANK YOU.

There was some frenzied bidding for the unique Farmoor 1 season ticket. Mr Brian Butler and Mr Paul Troth were locked in combat for some time but Mr Troth Triumphed with a bid of £300. Well done Paul and tight lines for the coming season.

Mr Charles Jardine fished in the match and was kind enough to donate a signed copy of one of his beautiful artworks depicting a hunting Rainbow Trout.

The Match Trophy was previously donated by the RAF at Brize Norton and this year their engineering division have produced two boat seats to be held at our lodge and hired out as requested with all the proceeds donated to this years nominated Charity. THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED AT RAF BRIZE NORTON.

Next years tariff for Farmoor Fishery was announced and we are all pleased to report there will be NO Increases in the ticket prices this year and there are one or two new ticket options.

Finally I can report the waters here are fishing well, normal winter methods are proving successful, the water level is lower than we would would like but still very fishable unlike a lot of other waters who are suffering with very low levels.

Don't forget we are open all year round apart from Christmas Day, It's never the wrong weather only the wrong clothes, so come and sample some winter fishing with us. A really nice 8lb Rainbow was taken yesterday by one of our day ticket anglers and theres a lot more where that came from

A very happy Christmas to you all

Royston Maxwell
Farmoor Ranger