Over the last few months I have been sponsoring The Tring Anglers Club with some raffle prizes. By selling raffle tickets at the teach in sessions I have amassed enough money to lay on a decent BBQ and have a half day free fishing event for anyone who wants to take part at Wilstone on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal, a very sought after location by local anglers.

Last year I was fighting against the World Cup and this year the weather has put a complete dampener on most weekends so far with turnouts very low. Today's session was attended by Jack, Daniel, Thomas, Katie, Harry, Tom, Regan and Scott who were fishing a ‘walk off' match over four hours. The walk off element was included so that they could select exactly where they wanted to fish. The match had been arranged to raise money and awareness of the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home. I was expecting a better turnout but those who did fish seemed to have a good time and enjoyed the atmosphere albeit damp. These juniors had all taken pledge forms in order to raise some money towards the charity.

Dick Pilkinton, our Club Public Relations Officer, was chef for the day bringing with him his gas bbq and a plentiful supply of burgers, chicken, sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes and mushrooms and not forgetting his lovely selection of salad and rice. I supplied drinks, cups, plates and sauces.

An hour and half into the match and our anglers were summoned to lunch, which, although in normal matches wouldn't be allowed, it was part of the event for this day. Half an hour later and stuffed to the gunnels they went back to their match able to concentrate that much harder with full stomachs.

Shortly after lunch Robert arrived, bringing with him his 8 year old daughter Eleanor and his next door neighbour's son Bradley, aged 9. We set them up with some loan equipment and bait and Eleanor was straight into fish. Amazing isn't it how some people take to fishing like a duck takes to water? For Bradley though a bite was a long wait away. Eleanor was catching fish after fish and this wasn't helping Bradley keep his temper. Shortly Eleanor had a call of nature, so while her dad took her to the village hall, Tony Bradbury gave Bradley a bit of one to one coaching and soon he was into the fish as well. So keen was Eleanor to re-engage with the rod she ran down the towing path to her peg, just as Bradley pulled out another fish.

Robert presenting prizes