The carp schools are organised by Derek Pye, Hull and District AA fisheries officer and over the weekend the participants are given various demonstrations on fish care, bait, rigs, tactics and photography, plus of course the chance to fish with an experienced angler on the prolific H&DAA Grebe Pond.
The event started at midday on the Saturday, and after two group demonstrations on bait and the use of a marker rod for feature finding it was time for the youngsters to get fishing. It wasn’t long before the first fish came to the net and the action continued interrupted only by a superb barbi. Up to this point the rain had held off but early evening the heavens opened and all but the hardiest retreated to their bivvies.
Sunday morning, the rain had long passed and the sun was out. There had been several fish caught overnight and there were plenty of happy if tired faces in the bacon butty queue. During the morning there were two more group talks, one on fish care from Andy Lyon, Cherry Carp consultant and myself and a second from Carp Talk’s Ben Wales on rigs.
All too soon the weekend was over, Derek presented the prizes and it was time to pack up. For the record over the 24 hours there had been 27 carp landed with all of the youngsters taking part catching fish.
Derek had done a brilliant job of organising everything. He could have done a bit better with Saturdays weather but apart from that it was a superb weekend. All the participants caught fish and went home tired but very happy. I’m sure the three remaining weekends will be just as successful. Well done Derek and the Hull and District team.
