After making a mistake with our first Monday update, for which I apologise, (I set the story to 'Special'... so no one was able to view it except me!!!!) I can now bring you some info from Tuesday's practice sessions.
Practice sessions for all weekdays, except Friday consist of two periods, a morning from 10.30am to 1.30pm, and the afternoon from 3pm to 6pm.
Although the day started fine with sunshine and a light breeze, this did not last very long and the afternoon session broke into overcast and scattered showers. Having travelled the whole match length, some 4km, of which most was driven, it was apparent that A section was by far the best. Whether this had something to do with the preceding weeks closure of the venue, I can't say, although the reasons for bream showing in the early part of A section may point to the fact that many anglers arriving the week before official practice (including England) may have drawn fish into the downstream areas below A section!
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Like bees round an honeypot. Crowds gather behind England for a glimpse of what the current World Champions are doing...
Like bees round an honeypot. Crowds gather behind England for a glimpse of what the current World Champions are doing...
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everyone wants to know the slightest detail of everything England do so they 'focus' on all things. This, they hope, will give their own team an edge...
everyone wants to know the slightest detail of everything England do so they 'focus' on all things. This, they hope, will give their own team an edge...
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even so much as recording it, as it happens, into a voice recorder.
even so much as recording it, as it happens, into a voice recorder.
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England start the ball rolling with a synchronised ballin'.
England start the ball rolling with a synchronised ballin'.
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Netherlands star John Savelkoul nets one of the seven slabs he took during the morning session.
Netherlands star John Savelkoul nets one of the seven slabs he took during the morning session.
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They travelled halfway round the world for these nets of fish and distinguished themselves in quality company.
They travelled halfway round the world for these nets of fish and distinguished themselves in quality company.
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Italy's Jacopo Falsini weighed in over 4kgs, with a little help from this 'slab'.
Italy's Jacopo Falsini weighed in over 4kgs, with a little help from this 'slab'.
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A great camaraderie struck up between the Kiwi's and Italians and gave the southern hemisphere diehards the first of many happy memories they will undoubtadely take back home!
A great camaraderie struck up between the Kiwi's and Italians and gave the southern hemisphere diehards the first of many happy memories they will undoubtadely take back home!
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The start of the day's second session and storm clouds gather in D section.
The start of the day's second session and storm clouds gather in D section.
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Five times a 'Champ' and a quality fish still raises a smile!
Five times a 'Champ' and a quality fish still raises a smile!
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Alan Scotthorne... sorry... Stu Conroy, also cracks a smile at the capture of one of the Lage Vaart's resident slabs.
Alan Scotthorne... sorry... Stu Conroy, also cracks a smile at the capture of one of the Lage Vaart's resident slabs.
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"If you don't get off my box soon Stu, I'll hit you over the head with an even bigger stick!"
"If you don't get off my box soon Stu, I'll hit you over the head with an even bigger stick!"
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A catch to brighten any murky day!
A catch to brighten any murky day!
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The Dutch had a bream bonanza in A section, with several anglers benefitting, including John Savelkoul who netted seven of them for around 14kg. Much of the other sections suffered a drop in form from the previous day. The French in section E, who had been strong in the Senses Challenge, could only manage 2.5kg at best. The Belgians, who were their next box neighbours, faired slightly worse with just around 2kg being the best. The weights were from the morning sessions as the afternoon 3 hour stint was more of a play around for many and the early arrival of rain at the start of the afternoon session prompted several squads to pack-up. But back to the morning session...
England had drawn the opposite end to the Dutch in A section and posted respectable weights up to 4kg+. The Italians were in the early part of D section, next door to newcomers New Zealand and what a day for them! The best weights from Italy were just over 4.6kgs while the Kiwi's best return was 4.2kg... not bad for a team who've travelled halfway round the world with no sponsorship, no boxes and limited tackle. Lets hope the encouraging signs continue and they make a habit of attending these Championships.
In all, the day did not see the venue at its best and with continued weather reports painting the remaining weekdays bleak, weights are likely to stay hovering below what this venue can offer. An encouraging note was that the final afternoon session saw England's Alan Scotthorne net five slabs averaging 2 kilos each, and they were still 'blowing' as he packed up! Could the fish now be starting to move up into the match length I wonder? The following days' will tell and we'll try to keep you up-to-date as much as our WiFi connections will allow. This may mean reports will be uploaded the following morning!
Dave Johnson
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