What can I say - an amazing day and one of the best days out I have ever had

Early start to the day, up at 4.30am (wife appreciated that!) and out of the house at 5.30am to be at Sweethope at 6. Had planned an early night but Deano put paid to that by forcing me to stay in the pub until 11.30 the night before (going to blame you for that one mate! ) Lot to get organised on the day - banners to set up, prizes to sort out, run through the program for the day, allocate tasks, check boats and catering, etc, etc. The constant flow of coffee was a godsend!

Weather was OK when we got there, broken cloud and just a nice 'drifting' breeze. The fish were moving on the lake and we had company from the local population of pheasants and chaffinches as we were setting up. Some good rises where happening on the lake and several good fish seen

Jim appeared from nowhere.. Couldnt understand where he had come from as no cars had come into the car park. Only when I asked him, I discovered that he had actually been asleep in the only van parked in the fishery car park, where he had been all night!!

By 7.15, more of the competitors and celebs started arriving and it was good to finally meet the people behind the avatars and usernames. Great to meet up with so many forum members from here, FFF was VERY well represented.

7.30, virtually everyone was there, except for Raphael who was lost and Sean who was stuck in roadworks at Ponteland! The breakfast was coming thick and fast - sausages, bacon, black pudding, beans, buns, tea, coffee, juice, etc, a good feed to start the day

8.30, and the draw for the morning session was done. First celeb pairings were

Jason Oakes and Richard Wood
Raphael Ibanez and Gary Haggart
Richard Hill and Kevin Moss
Sean Wilson and Rob Clarke
Jamie Noon and Gordon Thompson
Dean Andrews and Rob Frame

Everything going according to plan and then at 8.40, 20 minutes before start................the EA bailiff arrived to check EVERYONES permits - we now have a 15 minute delay to the start!

The breeze by this time had increased slightly and it was decided that the drifting rule would be relaxed and anchoring would be allowed. By 9.15 all the boats were out and fishing.

Finally managed to grab some breakfast at this point and have 10 minute breather before the work started again. Had a wander down to the lake edge and it was good to see some fish getting caught early on. This was a catch and release comp and every fish caught was supposed to be measured in millimetres (for those who insisted in doing it in inches!!) and then returned. The winners on the day would be those who had caught the longest overall length of fish.

By 11am the press had started to arrive to do some interviews and filming. John Bailey (Sky Horse and Country), BBC Look North News, BBC Radio Newcastle and the Newcastle Journal and Chronicle all came up on the day to give the event some publicity. They all said they wanted to film/photograph the anglers coming in but did the lunch on offer to them have anything to do with that????

By 12.30 the boats where back in for lunch, a feast of a barbeque provided by Rob (the fishery manager) and his team of chefs. To say it was a good feed would be an understatement and those lads put some work in on the day! There was that much food to cook that we didnt get started the afternoon session until 2pm instead of 1.30pm. Rob, again, was superb and he just extended the days fishing until whatever time we needed. Most people had caught in the morning session. Then the first big shock of the day - Jim hadnt caught anything!!! I have fished with Jim on Sweethope several times before and he usually wipes the floor with everyone.

The draw for the afternoon paired up the celebs with

Jason Oakes and Stewart Cameron
Raphael Ibanez and William Riddick
Richard Hill and Gary Clews
Sean Wilson and Patricial MacDonald
Jamie Noon and Fred James
Dean Andrews and Mark Lisgos

Afternoon session underway, and it was time to re-arrange the whole marque for the presentation and fold up nealy 250 raffle tickets. Delegation is great!!

The wind by this time had picked up quite considerably (understatement!) and we had some very heavy showers in the afternoon. However, the fishing was still good with several anglers catching more fish in the afternoon than they did in the morning

5.30pm, all the boats back in and and the work started. All the catch returns were handed in and somehow got given to me. Amazing how everybody else dissapeared at this stage to do other things!!! Think it may have been payback for delegating the raffle ticket folding task!! Rob came up trumps again and had yet more hot food ready for the boats coming in, which was very well received as the temperature was starting to drop by this time and several people had long journeys hoem, except for Bill who had another night 10 minutes away in the Bay Horse!!!

Score cards added up and the final results were

1st....William Riddicks...............8 fish for 3580mm (£1000 Hardy Voucher)
2nd....Gary Haggart.................5 fish for 2200mm (£700 Hardy Voucher)
3rd....Marc Moss....................5 fish for 2190mm (£300 Hardy Voucher)
4th....Richard Landsbury..........4 fish for 2170mm
5th....John Anderson...............3 fish for 1410mm
6th....Rob Clarke....................3 fish for 1380mm
7th....Rob Frame....................3 fish for 1330mm
8th....Bill Ritson......................3 fish for 1230mm
9th....Alec Bowler...................3 fish for 1225mm
10th..Richard Wood.................2 fish for 987mm
11th..Gordon Thompson...........2 fish for 985mm
12th..Patricia MacDonald..........2 fish for 940mm
13th..Stuart McCormick............2 fish for 930mm
14th..Ben Thompson................2 fish for 900mm
15th..Gary Clews.....................2 fish for 770mm
16th..Paul Smith......................1 fish for 469mm
17th..Jim Twaddle....................1 fish for 450mm
17th..Kevin Moss......................1 fish for 450mm
19th..Fred James......................1 fish for 440mm
20th..Colin Ellison......................1 fish for 430mm
21st..Ken Smith........................0 fish
21st..Stewart Cameron..............0 fish
21st..Mark Lisgos......................0 fish

The forum took 1st 2nd and 3rd places!! Quite a result

3 members from Hardys also fished but were ineligable to be in the prizes. Their results were

1st...Andrew Sowerby.................8 fish
2nd..Ken Brewster......................2 fish
3rd...Chris Bond.........................0 fish

The celebrities also had a good day, with the results being

1st...Sean Wilson.......................6 fish for 2921mm
2nd..Dean Andrews.....................2 fish for 960mm
3rd..Raphael Ibanez....................2 fish for 820mm
4th..Jamie Noon.........................2 fish for 750mm
5th..Richard Hill..........................1 fish for 350mm
6th..Jason Oakes........................0 fish

Obviously, one of the main purposes of the day was to raise as much money as possible for Grace House North East Childrens Hospice, and everyone who participated didnt let us down. As well as buying tons of raffle tickets on the day (we had one or two raffle prizes!!) they also contributed by bringing a staggering £1877 worth of donations with them!!

The winners for collecting the most donations where

1st...Gary Haggart.........£218 (£1000 Game Fishing Supplies Voucher)
2nd..Gary Clewes..........£214 (£700 Game Fishing Supplies Voucher)
3rd..Paul Smith.............£192 (£300 Game Fishing Supplies Voucher)

I cant annouce a final total yet as we still have some bits and pieces still to come in but I will announce the total raised with the fishing and auctions as soon as possible. Lets say at this moment it has exceeded our expectations

In addition, Rob Tait, the fishery manager, also donated £200 out of his own pocket to the charity. Many many thanks Rob

Everyone who fished received a goodie bag and also a personalised certificate signed by all the celebrities on the day. Thanks to all the celebrities who had to sit down and sign all of these!!

There was also a special presentation to make on the day. To commemorate 3lbGraylings (Jim) 10,000 post, the admin at FFF gave me a bottle of malt to present to Jim on the day. I have to admit, I was honoured that Jim wanted me to present it and it is a just reward for the recognition that Jim deserves for his massive contribution to this forum

By the time the presentation, raffle, photo shoot and clean up had finished, we finally left the fishery at 8pm, only to be dragged to the pub (kicking and screaming naturally!) by Sean Wilson. A very long day but one of the most satisfying I have ever had in my life

All in all it was a fantastic day out. What more can you ask for when you have great company, great craic, good fishing, good food and knowing that you have helped raise a substantial amount for such a worthy cause.

I would like to thank each and every one of you who has contributed to this day and made it the stunning success that I thought it was. Would also like to thank Vicky Bell (Game Fishing Supplies), Lucy Bowden (Hardy and Greys) and Karen Larkin (Grace House) for all their hard work in helping to organise and run this day. They work they put in was amazing.

Thanks also go to Rob Tait and his team of chefs for producing enough food to feed the 5000 (and a few) and also for providing the good fishing and facilities. For those who havent fished Sweethope yet, it is a beautiful fishery and well worth a visit

And last, and by no means least, a big thanks to all the celebs who all gave their time free of charge to support the event and the charity

The day will be held again next year. Dean Andrews (Deano) and Sean Wilson have already committed to next year and the Jamie, Raphael, Jason and Richard have all said that they will be there, schedules permitting

We are going to have a couple of weeks of before planning next years (we need it!) and we hope to announce next years date in the next few weeks

I dont know what else to day, I am still gobsmacked at the genorosity of everyone and just how fantastic the atmosphere and the day was. For those who didnt fish it this year, you want to get yourselves there next year

Best wishes to you all
Ian

Some pictures of the day



Jim being presented with his bottle by myself



Preparing for the start with Jamie Noon in the foreground



Heading down the east shore of Sweethope. Dean Andrews rowing boat No.1 Did you not see the motor Dean!!!



Looking south down the lake



The Celebs - (L to R) Raphael Ibanez, Sean Wilson, Dean Andrews, Richard Hill, Jamie Noon, Jason Oakes



Most Donations winner (Gary Haggart) being presented. Got your good side Gary



Competition winner William Riddicks. 8 fish for 3580mm

__________________
For all your tackle needs with a fast, friendly and personal service it can only be GAME FISHING SUPPLIES

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!! GAME FISHING SUPPLIES

I did forget to say that if any of the forum members who fished the comp would like to PM me a quote about the day, we would be very grateful if we could use them in the promotion of next years event

Cheers

__________________
For all your tackle needs with a fast, friendly and personal service it can only be GAME FISHING SUPPLIES

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!! GAME FISHING SUPPLIES

Nice report Ian
A great day had by all.
I would like to thank Ian and all who were involved in the task of organising such a fantastic event. Says allot that they are willing to give up so much of there time to help raise money for a very worthy cause and give us anglers such a good day.
Thanks again Ian and please pass on to all who were involved my regards.
Oh and you are right ,,that is my best side

Regards Gary

Thanks Gary, and thanks for the quote

We will be announcing the date for next years event in the next few weeks. Watch this space!!

__________________
For all your tackle needs with a fast, friendly and personal service it can only be GAME FISHING SUPPLIES

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!! GAME FISHING SUPPLIES

Ian,

Perhaps I have led a very sheltered life, and I'll admit to not being a great sports follower, or a viewer of TV soaps, but I've never heard of any of your "celebrities"! Who are they? (My ignorance should not be taken as any reduction in appreciation for anyone who contributes their time to good causes)

Jeff

__________________
Location - Just outside of Nottingham - Robin Hood country!

J it wasnt so much about fishing with the celebs or who they were really,but fishing with likeminded anglers for a worthy cause.
It was a good day out with a great bunch of anglers who had a great day and even though it was a competition with very very good prizesworth the winning,it was the attitude of the anglers fishing it that struck home to me.There was no desperation,more banter between anglers and all very friendly with swapping of flies and helping each other to catch fish,no hiding of tactics and above all the sharing.Everyone was happy and enjoying it .

yes it was a competition but if they were all taken and fished like that Im sure it would bring more to them.

Bottom line was, competition ,yes, but taken the way it should be, Fun ,good craic,sharing and last of all, win or lose,you can walk away and say I really enjoyed a good day out.

After speaking to the "celebs" they are just like any other person there and no different to any of us it s the way that others treat them that makes them different.Treat them like you want to be treated yourself as we are all celebs"its called being human" no different to any other human being.

__________________
Kevin

Well done to the Ayrshire lads on a great result!

cheers Diarmid.

a brilliant day and excellent company and like has already been said no competitiveness just good banter everyone was very friendly, I was having my dinner and chatting to sean wilson wasn't till I asked if he had come far that I realized who he was . I had the pleasure of fishing with Patrica (blue elver) in the morning and on the afternoon I fished with bill (springwell) .

Two great partners there for you Colin. Finally managed to put faces to names with a few people and the day

The day exceeded all of your expectations. We were always aiming for a day which was enjoyable, fun and relaxed and it seems we achieved it.

Had a slight panic the night before thinking we didnt have enough raffle prizes but it seems we did in the end, especially when we saw them laid out on the tables!!

And the food............now that was something else!!

__________________
For all your tackle needs with a fast, friendly and personal service it can only be GAME FISHING SUPPLIES

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK!! GAME FISHING SUPPLIES

Hi all

Can't remember enjoying a day as much as last Thursday at Sweethope - everyone was happy, there was a constant supply of coffee and food, Rob and the chefs, & Hardy's reps and Grommit slaved away for hours on end to make it a success.

Thanks to MorayFF for supplying me with Tufties (flies he tied that caught for me and yanked me up from zilch to two fish), and to ColinE who in the morning created a calm and gentle introduction to competition fishing and didn't once complain about having to row. A lovely man to fish alongside.

In the afternoon, it was a bit different - Sean W drove the boat all over the lough in his diligent search for fish (coldly - and rightly - ignoring my yelps and gasps as the boat plunged and my fingers bled from contact with barbs) but I began to understand what he was doing and why, and saw a wind lane, and another, and I too began scanning the surface for fishy places. The excitement was incredible, the bumpy water forgotten. Pull in the drogue, untangle, drop it back overboard, cast, retrieve, stop, retrieve, hesitate, tiny retrieve, FISH!

All you who know about comp fishing and boating may be smiling knowingly, but I am addicted. Have to do it again!

Thanks Jim for the hints about the Citroen's inboard computer (the windows no longer whiz open and shut unasked!), to Fred (whom I already knew from Chatton) for being there, to his friend who gets mentioned in despatches for lending Sean W his boat engine, to the Garys - both - for saying hello, Ayr Traveller and all.

Trish