So you like Tench after all!
When we first started holding "species-specific" events, there was a lot of excitement at the thought of a day dedicated to catching tench. We were all really enthusiastic, as surely everyone loves a red-eyed tinca, do they not?
Well, it seemed not. Our first tench day in 2007 was a bit of a washout. A very low attendance combined with some poor weather meant that the event was our first "failure". Unbowed, and undefeated, we vowed that it would work in 2008. It didn't. Again, the event was very poorly attended, and we began to concede that maybe everyone wasn't as enthusiastic about the good old Doctor Fish as we were.
We very nearly skipped Tench altogether in 2009, but in true fighting spirit we thought we'd give it one last try. Instead of holding the event at one of our venues, and offering instructional-type advice, we thought "let's just go tench fishing". So we booked the best venue we could think of, and hired all of the punts for the day at Bury Hill Fisheries in Dorking, Surrey. Demand was huge, and we quickly had to get on the phone to book all the punts for a second day, to accommodate the anglers who wanted to go.
Now, we are not sure whether you have all suddenly woken up to the wonders of tench fishing, or whether you fancied a day drifting around one of the most picturesque fisheries on the planet in a boat for the day. Quite frankly, we don't care – We've cracked it! Tench are back on the map!
The days in question couldn't have been more different. On the Saturday shift, the sun was blazing down, and it was by far the hottest day of the year. Our small flotilla took to the waters (some more adeptly than others – no names, eh?). We headed for the "Jungle" – an area which is out of bounds to bankside anglers – and dropped anchor. Whilst the fishing was not prolific, most people bagged a few. It makes a change for the Specialist Committee to actually catch their target species on one of these days, so it was great to see some tench banked. Kev Laird and Andy Kaczmarek (I guessed at the spelling, Andy!) took the honours on the day, landing a large bag of fish. Most people did okay. Chris Saunders and I floated around aimlessly for about 10 hours, with a roach and a perch to show for it – but it was great fun!
Day two dawned, and the sun had disappeared. Instead, heavy winds were causing problems for the guys on this shift, as the anchors on the boats were not really up to the job in such conditions. Nevertheless, most of the guys again caught a few, and everyone seemed to have a great time. Our Specialist Committee chairman seemed to get a tad confused on the day – Tench, Jon, TENCH! His carping instincts came to the fore after he lost a couple of carp early on, and he was soon fishing with a carp rod and 10lb line – for tench, obviously. It was probably spending 12 uninterrupted hours in a boat with Keith Speer that pushed him over the edge.
Anyway, nothing tells a tale quite as well as the feedback you receive, so I'll let the members do the talking…..
Thank you for organising the event. Sunday was a blustery day and at one point we were all washed up like driftwood. The mud weights were clearly not up to it. I was wondering if the Saturday VAC crews switched them to the lightweight balsa ones we had. The story was mostly of what nearly was caught as most people struggled to get bites and if they did, then to hold on and land the fish. "Jim" [James Baldwin and I really struggled ,but at the end both got pb English carp. Jim with the biggest of the day [I think], a mirror at 16.09 and I managed a common at 15.07. Jim had 4 fish [1 Carp, 1 tench and 2 Bream] and I managed 7 fish [1 carp, 2 tench and 4 bream]. My best tench was a 6.01 very pale light colour for a tench. I also think I was lucky to hook 7 and land them all with no fish lost.A good time was had by all, well nearly all, as Chetin Malyali did not get a single bite. Alan Bailey
Well done Guys! A great day out. Finished with 4 tench and 13 bream, looking forward to the next one already. Kevin Laird
Hi, just to say thanks for organising a great day out. Derek Cross
I would like to add my thanks and those of Peter Holmes. Cracking day! Pete had a few Bream and I had about 10 Bream and two Tench. One of which upped my pb by 2oz. We both got beaten up by large Carp several times. Didn't get a pic of the new pb as Pete was playing one of said Carp at the time and not knowing how long the fight would be on fairly light tackle i thought it would be best not to retain it in the landing net as it was getting rather lively. Colin Helmke
(Saturday) Brilliant Day Paul good to see you even though I was "Frazzled" thanks for all your efforts on this and to anybody that helped you to arrange it. Cheers. Gary Stewart
Thanks for taking the time and effort to arrange the day (Saturday) at Bury Hill. We caught some nice fish (tench & bream) from a cracking venue, dad had a Mirror to just a little over 15lb at the end so went home aching from the battle on the light float gear. I took a few photo's during the day of fish & everybody in the boats, drifting around the jungle and will post them up here soon. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience of boat fishing, a bit tricky when a fish is pulling the boat about but good fun all the same. Look forward to more days out with VAC. Cheers. Danny Croft
Same from Terry and Myself, Great Day, Thanks Guys! I Ended up with 2 Tench, 1 Bream and one Perch and Lost 5 good fish some of which were Carp. Terry ended up with 2 Tench and lost at least 3 Big Carp well over 20lbs! All in All a Great Day! Ken Neville.
Just like to add, great day, top location, great facilities, great company, but the swim choice……..was all my fault, We were definately far too close to the trees?? Thanks for arranging it and looking forward to the next one. Chris Saunders
I'd like to thank all those that took the time to give us some feedback, as above.
It's always useful to know how the events are received, and it seems as though this one was a success, so we'll almost certainly be getting it in the diary again for next year.
The Tench is Back!!!!!!!