My first experience of Alders - 28th March and What a day!

[jonah]

I arrived after an 86 mile trip up the M5, down the M6, M1 and then a few 'A' roads, at a most magical, tranquil and beautiful fishery. I had heard the hype that surrounded Alders and thought it was just that! I would shortly be getting a few pounds in the net and wonder if my travelling effort had all been worth it?

I could not have been more wrong! The boss seemed a lovely lady, the breakfast was amazing and I was welcomed as one of the regulars, having fished with a lot of the GOT boys on numerous occasions.

I was welcomed by Simon Edwards, having not seen him for about 21 months to find out he is going to be a dad. I wish him well but pity the unborn child (only joking). The rest of the Stafford Moor crew then turned up: Trev, Madd, Rich, Matty and Del with just the legend of the Thorpe missing.

I drew unfacied (alledgedly) peg 7 and Simon Edwards was on 6 with Del Smith on 8. I felt I was getting good advice and information about the peg and was ready to compete. I knew all the rules and preped my gear and I was ready for the all in. Simon got off to flyer on the Wag at range and I was not happy as I was being battered. I started to snare a few after about 20 mins and then Del started catching too.

After 2 to 3 hours I started to check the inside bush and picked up a couple of bonus fish but my bites to fish ratio just were not quick enough to catch Del who had started to do damage on paste at 6metres. I switched to my final line of a top 2 in 3ft off the end of my left keepnet that I had prepared with 2pts of atomic maggott. I started catching instantly and carried on for the final hour to produce a weight of 114lb 12oz feeding a gallon of red splattered atomic maggotts. This brought about a dead heat with Simon next door.

I knew Del had battered me and I had a right old lesson to the tune of 157lb. Well done Del you deserved the win with true angling class. I had a master class in landing fish quickly by Del who was without a doubt, brilliant on the day.

I put this question forward to the Alders anglers: where else on the 28th of March do you get 6 tons and all massive back up weights?

My verdict:
Alders Farm - simply magnificent!
Trev Price - Legend!
Del Smith - awesome landing display!
Madd - king of the draw bag!
Simon - great sport and help on the day, and a great angler too!
And me - Lucky to have been alive to fish this magical place!

Thanks for letting me in Trev!

[Trev]

Good to see you Simon and you had a great result on your first visit, the only area that didnt fish was from 33 to 38 with the lowest weight being 40lb, which when you look at it aint bad.
Alders has its days when it dosent fish but they are few and far between, and as those who got on at the weekend including the new faces, know everyone is made welcome.
For everyone out there anyone can get on the matches, and most sell out, but you cant hang about as soon as you see it advertised book, if you want to contact me with your details you may even get a reminder.
Remember book early and you get on.:sorry: if you dont.

[mistabite]

I would just like to say well done to madd living in the shadow of your old mucker trev and the rest of the GOT BAITS stars cant be easy 137lb would walk most matches this time of the year big respect mate well done!

[madd]

:giveup:its simple really mate, sunday was one of those rare days when i didnt stuff up the peg, pity really thats probly the highlight of my year,nice wnen it happens though, but win lose or draw i still love my matches and when i dont enjoy any more i will stop and do something else, but ta anyway.

[WCA]

I remember my first match at Alders...I did Nutty off the next peg. My second match was ok too I did Thorpey off the next peg with 40lb+ of rudd ;-)

[gotgaz]

your not still harping on about that one lucky day wheely ive moved on :throw:

[madd]

pmsl gaz, reply to that wheely !!!!

[WCA]

Madd no need I can see I hit a nerve.......moved on? You couldn`t move quick enough that day lol

[Matt]

LOL Dave, at least I was lucky enough to be in a different section to you that day!!!!