Artillery Anglers do it for Charity!
April 2002

Some months ago it was decided to organise a week's charity-fishing event by myself from anglers both here at the Royal School of Artillery and to include other anglers from Artillery Regiments from Germany. The charity that was to benefit from this endeavour would be the Soldiers, Sailors and Airman's Families Association (SSAFA). 

The Lake was in southern France, Domaine de la Ribiere near Limoges around 200 miles south of Paris. So with the lake chosen it was down to us to find some sponsorship in any form. Numerous bait companies were contacted but very few came up with the goods. Our thanks go to Alan Parberry of Mistral Baits who did and provided the bait for the event. Other companies who sent us items to auction were Nash, Solar and Angling International, our thanks to them as well.

On Friday 26 th April 2002 three anglers left England (myself WO2 Gray from RSA and two others from 22 Regt RA) and another five-left Germany (3 rd RHA, 12 th Regt and 26 Regt) to meet up at the lake for a week's fishing. To be honest the lake was an absolute picture and we couldn't wait to get our rods in. At around 25 acres it was just pure carp heaven. After a tour of the lake with the bailiff we chose our spots and started to get set up at about 1030hrs on Saturday 27 th April. By 1500hrs the oldest member of the group was away and into the first fish of the week, after a 10-15 min fight the net was brought up around it and by the hushed silence it was certainly a good fish but just how big? After being unhooked and weighed there was absolute joy for Dave the lucky angler, as this was not only a good fish of some 28lb 8ozs but also it absolutely destroyed his personal best by nearly ten pounds. What a great way to start! 

During the week we had some further fish but nothing like we had hoped for at the start ... in the end the biggest fish was 29lb 12ozs. Not massive but certainly a very nice fish. The winner on the personnel sponsorship side (being closest to the heaviest fish but not over the weight) was a tie between WO2 Ridley and SSgt Nolan, both from the AD Branch and both guessing the same weight at 29lb 6ozs. My thanks to all those that did sponsor myself, I know SSAFA will be very thankful. 

Although our hearts were low, our heads were high over the whole week and everyone enjoyed themselves, but best of all they all caught fish. Three new personal best and six twenties, maybe not the monsters we were all after (and hoped for) but at least there were no dry nets at the end. 

We did manage to raise over £1500 in total which went to both UK and Germany based groups of SSAFA, so apart from a great week it was also worth it to help raise money for a very worthwhile charity. 

TIGHT LINES!

Tim Gray