17th July 2024 – Meon Springs
Our guests: 1st Batt The Royal Welsh
Again, the weather gods were kind giving a decent day. Medium temperature and slightly overcast with sporadic bursts of sunshine. The mentors were early as ususal and assisted with rod assembly whist munching through coffee, tea and bacon rolls.
The guests arrived promptly at 08.30 and once they had their share of coffee, rolls etc they were keen to get waterside, so the H&S done, and all other relevant info given for their safety they were paired with rods and their mentors and off to the waterside.
Thinking I was going to have 5 minutes I sat down. Big mistake. As my rear hit the chair up comes a guest within minutes with a trout beaming from ear to ear (the guest I mean). “Never done this before and it is Brill, thanks mate”. I replied “no thanks to me, it is you and your mentor who have done the work”.
When I told him the fish weighed in at 4lb 4ozs the guest was gobsmacked. “Blimey I can feed my whole family with that” he said. I could only say “just add some Garlic butter when you cook it.”
Needless to say, the camaraderie and verbal jousting went on all through the day and 3-4lb fish were present in reasonable numbers and all but one guest bagged up with the 4 fish limit. This speaks volumes of the quality of the fishery and staff who always go the extra mile for all who visit the venue. Our sincere thanks again lads.
The lunch was outstanding, and Doug the Chef got a tremendous round of applause especially when he shouted “seconds here I do not want to feed it to the fish”. I nearly got run over in the scramble. No respect for their elders these youngsters as I arrived to get the last roll and nothing to put it in it which gives Doug the Chef 5 Stars for an excellent menu.
My heartfelt thanks to the mentors, some of whom travelled many miles to pass on their skills and ensure the guests had a memorable day. FFF are having a short respite during August, so can I wish everyone a great holiday period. We will be back again on September 18th – please check your diaries.
Geoff Brooks of St Michael Flyfisher not only mentored but kindly presented C Sgnt Hicks with a terrific memento for the guests to hang in their mess.
Biggest Fish @ 5lb 12ozs went to C Sgnt Hicks. Mentor Peter Chapman
Biggest Bag @ 13lb 8ozs went to Mr Sainsbury (apologies, rank unknown). Mentor Tony Street
Pictures courtesy of Mike Edwards.
Again, the weather gods were kind giving a decent day. Medium temperature and slightly overcast with sporadic bursts of sunshine. The mentors were early as ususal and assisted with rod assembly whist munching through coffee, tea and bacon rolls.
The guests arrived promptly at 08.30 and once they had their share of coffee, rolls etc they were keen to get waterside, so the H&S done, and all other relevant info given for their safety they were paired with rods and their mentors and off to the waterside.
Thinking I was going to have 5 minutes I sat down. Big mistake. As my rear hit the chair up comes a guest within minutes with a trout beaming from ear to ear (the guest I mean). “Never done this before and it is Brill, thanks mate”. I replied “no thanks to me, it is you and your mentor who have done the work”.
When I told him the fish weighed in at 4lb 4ozs the guest was gobsmacked. “Blimey I can feed my whole family with that” he said. I could only say “just add some Garlic butter when you cook it.”
Needless to say, the camaraderie and verbal jousting went on all through the day and 3-4lb fish were present in reasonable numbers and all but one guest bagged up with the 4 fish limit. This speaks volumes of the quality of the fishery and staff who always go the extra mile for all who visit the venue. Our sincere thanks again lads.
The lunch was outstanding, and Doug the Chef got a tremendous round of applause especially when he shouted “seconds here I do not want to feed it to the fish”. I nearly got run over in the scramble. No respect for their elders these youngsters as I arrived to get the last roll and nothing to put it in it which gives Doug the Chef 5 Stars for an excellent menu.
My heartfelt thanks to the mentors, some of whom travelled many miles to pass on their skills and ensure the guests had a memorable day. FFF are having a short respite during August, so can I wish everyone a great holiday period. We will be back again on September 18th – please check your diaries.
Geoff Brooks of St Michael Flyfisher not only mentored but kindly presented C Sgnt Hicks with a terrific memento for the guests to hang in their mess.
Biggest Fish @ 5lb 12ozs went to C Sgnt Hicks. Mentor Peter Chapman
Biggest Bag @ 13lb 8ozs went to Mr Sainsbury (apologies, rank unknown). Mentor Tony Street
Pictures courtesy of Mike Edwards.
