| Gadgers Open 2008 |
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Despite warnings of gale force winds, tsunamis and other meteorological horrors, 34 anglers supported the popular Gadgers’ “rod and reel only” match held on both the Carp and Match lakes on Sat 8th March. This event is sponsored by Andy Phyllis of Magical Marking and is a refreshing change to fish solely with rod and reel and not to have to worry about rigs for “cheating sticks” and such. Giving the atrocious weather on the day the fact that poles were banned was a blessing in disguise with high winds and torrential rain, at one stage everyone ran for cover as it seemed as though the 11.45 Fishguard to Paddington express was making a detour through the middle of the Match Lake
Fishing on both lakes was sporadic as the fish visited each peg in turn with no peg having the monopoly of the fish. It was a case of “make hay while the sun shines” and spending long periods of time without bites. A winner always emerges and it soon became obvious that the Match Lake was going to provide the champion on the day. Regular readers will remember the Gadgers’ Match 2007 when Gina Melhuish and her friend Mel Wilkins, both self confessed beginners at the game fished a blinder with Gina only just missing out on the winners trophy by tangling a winning carp at the net in the dying seconds of the match thus relegating her to second place. They have visited Holgan Farm many times since and are regularly coached by Ian and entered the competition again to exorcise Gina’s demons and show the lads some “girl power”. Despite a relatively slow start they both stuck to the method they had been taught and eventually the fish moved in and they started to capitalise on their good fortune. Putting Gina’s bad experience of the previous year behind her and with Ian’s instructions still ringing in their ears they soon started to catch up with the remainder of the field and started to gain the lead. Sandwiched between Gina and Mel was Paul Clarke of Bridgend (no obvious and cheap remarks needed thank you) he was trying his best to stay with the two girls but the attraction of the pheromones either side was too overpowering. All the expert coaching over the past two years from his father was to no avail and he succumbed to defeat and had to accept third place. The match was now between Gina and Mel and as the final whistle blew it would have taken a brave man to forecast the winner. The result could not have been closer with Gina weighing in 46lb 8oz and Mel four pegs to her right taking the runner up spot with 45lb 1oz. Paul Clarke weighed in a creditable 37lb 10oz relegating Keith Tuson into 4th place with 36lb 6oz. Eric Rimmer on Keith’s left failed to weigh in, but at least he had a comfortable match with no wind sitting in the lee of Keith’s nose.
 LtoR: Ian Heaps, Gina Melhuish, Mel Wilkins, Andy Phyllis (Magical Marking)
Richard Baldwin, one peg to the left of the winner took fifth position with 35lb 14oz. Special mention must be made of Richard, his loyalties were tested to the full on his way to the match. His friend and travelling companion, Neil Morgan pointed out to him that there was a 2 for 1 offer on at Burger King that very day. It was touch and go for a while, thirty minutes went by as they parked in a lay by while Richard made his decision whether to fish. Luckily for Neil, Richard decided to fish, now that’s loyalty for you. The Carp Lake unfortunately failed to live up to its recent form and again fishing was patchy with neither end of the lake having a monopoly on fish. The eventual winner was Jeff Vaughes with a weight of 27lb 2oz off peg 15. While Scott Heaps who seems to have made peg 27 his winter home weighed in 26lb 0oz to gain a close second place. Charlie Barnes fishing the car park peg 29 came in third with a catch of 18lb 2oz.
Our sincere congratulations to both Gina and Mel on their unbelievable result, the smile only left Gina’s face temporarily on Sunday afternoon when a spectator trod on her top two. To his credit he paid for the damage. One sad note to report, former Holgan Farm festival winner, Craig Thompson received a phone call from his wife after the match to report that his daughter had been involved in an accident on her bike and was in hospital. Obviously Craig left for home immediately to be with her. It’s not thought that her injuries are serious but we wish her well. A big thank you to Andy Phyillis of Magical Marking for his ongoing sponsorship of this match which has now become a favourite in the Holgan Farm match calendar. The free gift of a Magical Marking “Gadgers Hat” was a nice touch and greatly appreciated. Full Results: Match Lake 1st Gina Melhuish 46lb 8oz peg 29 2nd Mel Wilkins 45lb 1oz peg 25 3rd Paul Clarke 37lb 10oz peg 27 4th Keith Tuson 36lb 6oz peg 22 5th Richard Baldwin 35lb 14oz peg 28
Carp Lake 1st Jeff Vaughes 27lb 2oz peg 15 2nd Scott Heaps 26lb 0oz peg 27 3rd Charlie Barnes 18lb 2oz peg 29 4th Mark Close 16lb 15oz peg 12 5th Glen Westwood 16lb 6oz peg 22
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