Nottinghamshire Masonic Inaugural Fishing Competition

The competition was held on Tuesday 28th July and was attended by 25 competitors, attracting Masons and Non-Masons alike, with the furthest competitor W. Bro B Lawless attending from York, monies raised from the event being donated to the Skylarks fishing fortnight.

The afternoon started brightly, but by the time of the official weigh in rain had commenced to fall but this didn’t dampen the spirits of those taking part.

All the competitors had expected a good catch rate, especially with the rules of the fishery expressing that at least two keepnets had to be used and no more than 60lbs was allowed per net. The Skylarks organisation, courtesy of Big Brian Hill and Chris Grundy, loaned extra nets to those who needed them and a few did!

The results were that in total we caught 1186lbs 3oz of fish and top 7 individual weights were as follows:

1st J Leivers 142lbs 11oz 2nd J Mardell 123lbs 11oz 3rd C Radford 74lbs 8oz 4th D Cattermole 63lbs 1oz (Highest Placed Masonic Angler) 5th M Beales 63lbs 11oz 6th P Olko 61lbs 1oz 7th M Le-Hair 60lbs 0oz

The lowest weight recorded by the 25th angler was 19lbs 14oz, so overall a very good day, with many recording their best fishing weights ever.

I would like to thank the following for their help: • Owners of the fishery and the weighers - Jacqui and Andy • Organisation of the pools – Big Brian • Skylarks fishing fortnight for nets and supporting the event – Big Brian and Chris • And everyone else for being there and bringing raffle prices.

It was with pleasure that I was able to donate to Chris a total of £175 towards the next fishing fortnight, which will be held from September 6th to 17th this year, at venues around Nottingham.

Malc Le-hair, one of the guests at the fishing fortnight, attended and was 7th with 60lbs, and thanked everyone, on behalf of all those who attended during the skylarks fortnight, for the generosity of support.

Might I add, we are always looking for able-bodied anglers to assist with the guests during this fun-packed two weeks, so if you can help please contact me – even one day helps to makes someone’s day more enjoyable and the smiles stretch ear-to-ear.

I look forward to your attendance next year.

Peter Olko Congratulations David on being top mason - I look forward to a re-match next year !