England V Wales matches

[Snaggletooth]

I have been asked to post this to aid the organisers of the matches to find suitable venues. Please keep the banter down to a minimum (if possible) and keep the posts for ideas that may be of help.

[patester]

my thoughts are along the lines of...........

if the golden greys are at llangenith or the bass at cefyn or the cod at penarth.... do we really want to chase a few dogfish in somerset ?

or vice-versa....

the banter, attendance and fund-raising can only be improved if fish are being caught.

[Andy ILSF]

i'll second that pat....

[MSW]

catching fish and banter are the main things of these meets:victory:fundraising also plays a part:victory:
:idea::idea:i know i put up blankerman brickie and mrs b reg puts up pat and co:victory:if we could have more people to take part in helping peeps put there heads down even if its a sofa got to be better than a tent and save peeps some money and hastle just an idea:idea:

[patester]

i want some of what steve's on........:crazy:

having read that again...... i'm with steve.

[tony1412fishing]

As much as i love the participating on these events unfortunately my wife has banned me from going over to wales for reasons i cannot say. but any venues in England i am allowed lol and will fish

[patester]

As much as i love the participating on these events unfortunately my wife has banned me from going over to wales for reasons i cannot say. but any venues in England i am allowed lol and will fish

:laugh::laugh::laugh: you've been 'ramming' away from home.....:laugh:

[OHTer]

As much as i love the participating on these events unfortunately my wife has banned me from going over to wales for reasons i cannot say. but any venues in England i am allowed lol and will fish

cant u just be, ummmm, "economical" with the truth?

[Snaggletooth]

One or two thoughts to play around with. Majority of good fish are caught at night, however that is not necessarily the case when fishing the severn area due to the colour of the water. Bearing in mind the matches are daytime affairs, it might be best to concentrate on that area. Are you looking to attract specimen hunters to the meets or folks who are just happy to go out and fish? Can you attract kids and new anglers to the meets so that they can get help and guidance form the more experienced anglers? At a lot of these venues, it doesn't matter too much if the weather turns pants, you can still fish them with no danger.

[basspopper666]

first sorry if people are getting the wrong impression lol.

i proposed an open it up for ideas because of the problems both captians have in selecting a venue that ticks all the boxes and the reason for a sat or sun was to find out if a sat evening would appeal more if it was commutable in as short space of time.

1/ example andy has a wide chioce of venues on the welsh side that tick the boxes but pat regards the english side i.e the darkside does not have that luxury.

2/if pat and andy decide for example to hold a match in say for arguments sake september you have 4 weekends 2 will have a rising or dropping spring tide thats evening or morning early latish.
then you have 2 that fall on a rising or dropping neap tide miday ish lol

that automaticaly drops the chioce potential and regards the english side the mark that ticks the boxes compounded by the geography of the channel lack of access and most of the good marks are to dangerouse or to small for a large group of anglers or just to bloody hard to get to and fish which is about for pat on the english side 90% of the marks.

chioces neaps. weston town beach , lower light, bossington, brean,aust
new and old passage .

chioces springs burham sea wall . blue anchor bossington severn beach.

low water spring tides a daytime venue miday ish sand piont brean down poss. ladye bay clevedon. battery piont portishead on neaps.

problems with above lack of parking accessability. distance required to get to and from the marks from car park or car parking close enough take into they account they all have the potential to be snag city.

problems with big springs times late evening say 9 ish fininsh raflle etc then add travelling home for some 2-3 hours unloading car putting gear away getting to bed in early hours of morning and for some 2-3 hours sleep then work.

there is underlying factors to take into consideration we all fancie a fish ,we all fancie a mark, but it is not worth the effort if you chose the wrong time at the wrong marks to tick all the boxes hence the delema??

hence the question if you is prepared to camp out on a sat night then it stands to reason why not on accassion if tides dictate to maximise a marks potential fish the odd one.????

if it gives the captians a further option so be it yes you cannot please everbody but you may be able to get on accassions more people that can or will fish it if it is in that venues potential to fish well at times chosen.

they are captians yes people yes but they are not gods they dont work miracles and they have no controll on the weather.

thats nature being nature even the best laid plans go up in smoke due to the ellaments.

they have to think like this.

1/ venue thats suitable and the requirements

2/ accessability for a large group of anglers.

3/ potential saftey issues rock marks exposier to the elaments and travelling times to and from marks/ venues chosen

4/ parking and overnight camping b & b issues

5/ fishability potential and dont forget this can be family orientated so saftey for anglers and juniors and o.a.p. and those that dont have the mobility of the young ones

take that into account that narrows it right down also take into the fact local level club comps opens penn and browning trophy comps that reduces it even more.

then there is the other beach users i.e weston brean and berrow beaches sand yaghting wind surfing and weston wet bikes .

idiots in cars getting stuck in the mud and boy racers that think they are clever. etc .

parking fees and gate locking times??

that is why they need more imput for more chioces and more help?

also i think pat should not restrict himself for rematches to the english side alone.

bearing in mind the potential of north and south devons beaches and chesil and dorset beaches great for an early spring autum or a summer venue to try regards travelling as long as the fishing potential is good and it ticks the right boxes yes go for it.

winter is a diferent kettle of fish so to speak regards the b.c the weather we have no controll over and the potential to fish a close by alternative that is fishable on the day restricts that chioce very dramaticaly.

its a general what do you want or not want where do you fancie fishing is it potentialy viable and can pat have freedom of chioce welsh or english venues to chose from.

i love these events and will support them wholeheartadly in any way i can help pat and andy need only ask.

but i feel we can all help them and shoulder some of the responsability to organize these meets.

bottom line they are meets i.e and forum eyball if you want where people meet other people on the forum have a natter have a good day out maybe a good day fishing and raise valuble funds for this or that charity. feel good about it and proud.

weather permitting and fish obligeing lol

hope this clarifies the problems pat and andy face so give them a little more support peeps every little helps they both do a top job but it is by their own addmitance a frustrating and sometimes thankless job lol

well done both i hope something good cmes of this you have my support 100% just a question of how many otrhers out there want to through in a positive support.:group::group:

[Andy ILSF]

cheers jake m8 we could not have said more ourselves m8 it is awkward at times to please everyone but 9 times out of ten we do and i defy anyone to do a better job and keep everyone happy.let the good times roll and lets get fishing....

[Ken Davison]

Watersblue did get one thing 100% right on the S&W W forum where ever it is and when ever it is you cannot possibly suit everyone.

I'm a shining example lack of fitness puts access top of my list, having got shot of the kids and trained the good lady in the art of keeping my pockets well filled cost is not an issue. :laugh:

Seriously we all have our bridges to cross so it will never be perfect, we have had a couple of good ones Chesil and Ginst spring to mind but lets be honest you need a bit of luck and sadly Andy and Pat both seem to lack in that department:bleh::bleh::bleh::laugh::laugh:

[reeleminryan]

ok as we may know not many newbies like fishing in the dark on their own but if we had a night meet at for example cold knap then everyones a winner,no work ,productive time for fish and it would be different then fishing in the day as thats when most our matches are,more peeps could make the night ones i think..... and maybe we mite get new members to tag along ...tight uns ryan:fish:.................... p.s pat was right in what he said about fishing wales cod at ... bass at ... totally agree why stay far to a venue we dont know when all the good fish are back at home.. im happy to go anywhere but some peeps on this site just cant make it all the way down south... but if it was say 2hrs from the m4 bridge then more peeps mite attend,but im easy going love fishing anywhere but if i were to choose it would be south and west wales..... tight uns ryan

[benjoma]

my thoughts are along the lines of...........

if the golden greys are at llangenith or the bass at cefyn or the cod at penarth.... do we really want to chase a few dogfish in somerset ?

or vice-versa....

the banter, attendance and fund-raising can only be improved if fish are being caught.

pat you been drinking COD at penarth lol you must have had a few

[basspopper666]

cheers jake m8 we could not have said more ourselves m8 it is awkward at times to please everyone but 9 times out of ten we do and i defy anyone to do a better job and keep everyone happy.let the good times roll and lets get fishing....

glad it is appreiciated lol

just to give everyone an idea of the problems click the 3rd link in my signature there is about every bc mark and on the darkside there a few that are not and in my profiles there is albums on marks i fish.

plus my bloggs have a cart load of usefull links feel free and have a look

its there as a reference and guide use it its what its for

yes some tick the boxes and some do not and as i said regards this side you need to be fit prepared to be up to your nuts in mud a bleeding mountian goat to climb up and down cliffs and over bleeding great hills

and thats after you have found a place to park the car within a mile of the venue.

on the up side the easy venues limited fishing time and apart from one i know of only 4 places on a neap you could fish all day 1 is private access the other is burham and then there is gasworks and whitemark at minehead or bossington and porlock these 3 are some of our finest sand beaches the sand grians are about brick to breeze block size in varying uncomfortable walking and standing shapes not to mention they do try their best to bust your ankles or legs.

its abitch but its a fact and facts have to be faced and that means with saftey and access a 90% no no for the darkside great for mini meets and adventureouse anglers but not large meets.

for spring tides it is sandbay , bossington, blue anchor and dunster, and stolford, and burnham sea wall

neaps to mid springs brean and berrow, weston town beach, st audries,
gasworks and white mark minehead, bossington ,agian and porlock.

neaps burnham and lower light aust and new and old passage but parking and access issues plus bloody muddy ask brickie:victory:

the is ksw and hsw but access and parking is aproblem and if access denied a bloody long walk. same for severn beach.

thats why i beleive pat should not restrict himself to the darkside besides i want to raid a few more welsh beaches seeing you lot are so spiolt for chioce:laugh::victory::icecream::bleh::bleh::bleh:

[patester]

pretty even up to now, not too sure where that would leave us.:g:

keep your opinions coming please.......:thumbs:

[bobbage]

I joined the site to fish new venues and meet new people. Not fussed when or where, as long as the craic is good!

Pick a venue. Pick a date. If I can be there, I will be there.



Tightlines, Bob

[bigrod]

why dont you book a bus, you could go a bit further than normall and i bet more people would go. i dont drive so i would happily pay for a coach somewhere for a meet. if you filled a 50 seater, costs would probably be cheaper than paying petol for a car.

[Birds_nest]

I suppose to try and keep everyone happy we could have a couple of matches one on each side of the bridge. :victory:

[Andy ILSF]

I suppose to try and keep everyone happy we could have a couple of matches one on each side of the bridge. :victory:

thats how it started out between the welsh and somerset/bristol lads with a few thrown in from stafford/worcs/patland/etc and it's just grown..:victory::victory::1a::1a::1a::1a:

[Vas]

pretty even up to now, not too sure where that would leave us.:g:

keep your opinions coming please.......:thumbs:

Ummm back where you started LOL

[eyeless]

aaron (bigrod) has posted a decent idea, but i looks like it has been ignored. i'd be up for it though if it was possible as i dont drive.

[OHTer]

aaron (bigrod) has posted a decent idea, but i looks like it has been ignored. i'd be up for it though if it was possible as i dont drive.

I'll 2nd that :thumbs:

[eyeless]

anyone else got any views on a coach. we could have a few pick up points and pretty much go anywhere.

[patester]

aaron (bigrod) has posted a decent idea, but i looks like it has been ignored. i'd be up for it though if it was possible as i dont drive.

nothing ignored in this camp mucca.....:rtfm:

it's a good idea that's been 'mooted' a few times now. it would open up a wide choice of English venues, venues i can't pick at the mo. 'cos of the traveling times,particularly for the welsh team.

Andy would be the best one to comment on this though.

one or two 17 seater minibus' would be another option for him.

as i said on a previous post...... I'm all ears and eyes on this one,all posts are being discussed so please keep 'em coming.:hug:

[blankerman]

if an england choice has to be in wales,then in wales it shall be.
there are many marks in the bc which can fish well,but as said before,many are only suitable at specific tides and quite often for the able bodied.it's a hard choice,but thankfully i'm one of the fortunate who does'nt worry about access to a mark.would love a night time meet,but tbh it would probably be more trouble than it's worth.

oh....try not to make them saturdays:fishing:

[OHTer]

if an england choice has to be in wales,then in wales it shall be.
there are many marks in the bc which can fish well,but as said before,many are only suitable at specific tides and quite often for the able bodied.it's a hard choice,but thankfully i'm one of the fortunate who does'nt worry about access to a mark.would love a night time meet,but tbh it would probably be more trouble than it's worth.

oh....try not to make them saturdays:fishing:

Why dont you suggest a meet on Lundy island? As you say, access to the mark is not a problem....you could just walk across :bleh:

[basspopper666]

if an england choice has to be in wales,then in wales it shall be.
there are many marks in the bc which can fish well,but as said before,many are only suitable at specific tides and quite often for the able bodied.it's a hard choice,but thankfully i'm one of the fortunate who does'nt worry about access to a mark.i would love a night time meet:kissing:,but tbh it would probably be more trouble than it's worth.

oh....try to make them saturdays:fishing:how about a friday night meet at hinkley or lilstock reefs:offtopic:

[The VooDoo Bus Man]

My thoughts
Having read all the posts and also knowing how much thought and work Pat puts in behind the scenes in trying to sort out these MEETS( please remember that is what we are on about not a MATCH).
As for what day of the weekend my opinion is that it should be a Sunday or at the outside a Saturday night!
I have said to Pat in the past that having looked at tides/Catch reports and other related facts behind the scenes he should then post the details and unless there is a huge NEGATIVE RESPONSE that should be it.
I also believe that there are just too many meets/fund raisers etc and that as far as Eng v Wal meets there should just be TWO a year , one in the Spring and another in the Autumn. They could alternate each year. I believe that the weather (in recent years) has been more settled at these times of the year.
In the poll I did vote for the travel anywhere for the chance of a big/lots of fish option.
I do believe the camaraderie these events generate is the most important fact.And I now class some of the people I have met as really good mates.
These meets should continue and I will support both Captains (one more than the other though!) So where ever and when ever I will try my best to attend.
__________________

[basspopper666]

if an england choice has to be in wales,then in wales it shall be.
there are many marks in the bc which can fish well,but as said before,many are only suitable at specific tides and quite often for the able bodied.it's a hard choice,but thankfully i'm one of the fortunate who does'nt worry about access to a mark.would love a night time meet,but tbh it would probably be more trouble than it's worth.

oh....try not to make them saturdays:fishing:


My thoughts
Having read all the posts and also knowing how much thought and work Pat puts in behind the scenes in trying to sort out these MEETS( please remember that is what we are on about not a MATCH).
As for what day of the weekend my opinion is that it should be a Sunday or at the outside a Saturday night!
I have said to Pat in the past that having looked at tides/Catch reports and other related facts behind the scenes he should then post the details and unless there is a huge NEGATIVE RESPONSE that should be it.
I also believe that there are just too many meets/fund raisers etc and that as far as Eng v Wal meets there should just be TWO a year , one in the Spring and another in the Autumn. They could alternate each year. I believe that the weather (in recent years) has been more settled at these times of the year.
In the poll I did vote for the travel anywhere for the chance of a big/lots of fish option.
I do believe the camaraderie these events generate is the most important fact.And I now class some of the people I have met as really good mates.
These meets should continue and I will support both Captains (one more than the other though!) So where ever and when ever I will try my best to attend.
__________________

agree with ken on that and agree to many spur of moment ev.w meets i do agree spring autum best cannot see why 2 i would say 4 reason 2 b.c channel local meets 1 each side and 2 shall i say for the more adventeruose of us better poss bigger meets that may require a bit of travelling and overnight camping but just for want of a better description a beach in wales or southwest england we would realy fancy a bash at call it a challenge something that takes us out of the local area.
i am sure some will agree as others will oppose but that is why it is here to debate what we we would want.

lets not forget the possibility of a tri nation match once a year as being set up now.

as regards a fundriaser being required like akwaberto and george thornley take the e.v.w. out of it and have a big venue general open meet somewhere on the b.c any side if required but plan it take some time dont be 1st off the hocky stop and think about it first so we can maximise it have a debate wherever and when best venue tides etc.

as with any tragic fund raiser this forum responds very well and very generously but we start a thing with a time limit which is usauly a month to make the most of things and maximise fund raising.

i do believe without meaning to undermine andy or pat our big hearted captians do tend to jump in a bit quick and it makes it difficult to get a good meet up together as i said in these cases drop the england wales thing and go for a general big charity meet open to all on a good venue.


it would work betterbecause i believe not everyone wants to be in an england wales team but would like to go to a genereal forum meet to raise a few funds for a charity or a family in need god forbid me tempting fate but it is a fact we have to face and these things will happen and we will have to face it and hopefully do what we can to help those that need it.

a good example of a fundraiser look at the welsh forum r.n.l..i golden grey meet as an example it can be done without an england wales thing.

just my opinion for what its worth but it might help.



what do you think lads this is what this thread and poll is for say so now or forever hold your piece.

[jassyfa]

Is it really England vs Wales as the travelling for us East coast lads is to fat to travel for a 4 hour match. We are looking at least 4 hours to get to the Seven Bridge and 5 hours to Chesil. We are spending more time travelling than fishing, and the same if not longer for the Welsh lads to come to this side of the country.
Staying over is not an option for most people due to cost of accomadation, especially when you add a good £40-£50 in petrol.
I wish there was an answer to this problem as a some of us east coast lads would like to fish against the Welsh.

[OHTer]

agree with ken on that and agree to many spur of moment ev.w meets i do agree spring autum best cannot see why 2 i would say 4 reason 2 b.c channel local meets 1 each side and 2 shall i say for the more adventeruose of us better poss bigger meets that may require a bit of travelling and overnight camping but just for want of a better description a beach in wales or southwest england we would realy fancy a bash at call it a challenge something that takes us out of the local area.
i am sure some will agree as others will oppose but that is why it is here to debate what we we would want.

lets not forget the possibility of a tri nation match once a year as being set up now.

as regards a fundriaser being required like akwaberto and george thornley take the e.v.w. out of it and have a big venue general open meet somewhere on the b.c any side if required but plan it take some time dont be 1st off the hocky stop and think about it first so we can maximise it have a debate wherever and when best venue tides etc.

as with any tragic fund raiser this forum responds very well and very generously but we start a thing with a time limit which is usauly a month to make the most of things and maximise fund raising.

i do believe without meaning to undermine andy or pat our big hearted captians do tend to jump in a bit quick and it makes it difficult to get a good meet up together as i said in these cases drop the england wales thing and go for a general big charity meet open to all on a good venue.


it would work betterbecause i believe not everyone wants to be in an england wales team but would like to go to a genereal forum meet to raise a few funds for a charity or a family in need god forbid me tempting fate but it is a fact we have to face and these things will happen and we will have to face it and hopefully do what we can to help those that need it.

a good example of a fundraiser look at the welsh forum r.n.l..i golden grey meet as an example it can be done without an england wales thing.

just my opinion for what its worth but it might help.



what do you think lads this is what this thread and poll is for say so now or forever hold your piece.

A good post there :thumbs:
The E v W thing....hmmm, tricky (the Welsh are sooooo patriotic,lol). However, I do believe (even though it was said earlier that they are MEETS rather than MATCHES) that they will always be classed as MATCHES. The whole E v W thing means that it is, by definition, an intenational competition, therefore a MATCH. Also, the fact that there is a trophy up for grabs for the best fish does the same. ONLY when/if you take the words "E v W" and the trophy out of the equation does it then become a MEET.
As far as organizing these MEETS/MATCHES goes....well, thats not for me to get involved in really, I'll just be there if I can :thumbs:

[basspopper666]

Is it really England vs Wales as the travelling for us East coast lads is to fat to travel for a 4 hour match. We are looking at least 4 hours to get to the Seven Bridge and 5 hours to Chesil. We are spending more time travelling than fishing, and the same if not longer for the Welsh lads to come to this side of the country.
Staying over is not an option for most people due to cost of accomadation, especially when you add a good £40-£50 in petrol.
I wish there was an answer to this problem as a some of us east coast lads would like to fish against the Welsh.

distance and venue we understand hence my suggestion of posss 2 matches outside of the b.c to try venues we would like and involve others that can not travel so far to the b.c.

these are the comments we are looking for lol

glad you understand well said this is what this poll is all about keep them comeing as pat said everthing is being taken on board and discussed tnx jake


A good post there :thumbs:
The E v W thing....hmmm, tricky (the Welsh are sooooo patriotic,lol). However, I do believe (even though it was said earlier that they are MEETS rather than MATCHES) that they will always be classed as MATCHES. The whole E v W thing means that it is, by definition, an intenational competition, therefore a MATCH. Also, the fact that there is a trophy up for grabs for the best fish does the same. ONLY when/if you take the words "E v W" and the trophy out of the equation does it then become a MEET.
As far as organizing these MEETS/MATCHES goes....well, thats not for me to get involved in really, I'll just be there if I can :thumbs:

yes i agree but it is something that has been bought up privately and not aired openly but could be a part of the problem low attendances when you think how many local peeps to venue and low turnout at venues,

put that into the mix there must be a reason???

you have something to say say it this is open to all and all will be taken on board.

its something that should be aired and shared lol

for starting this guilty as charged!!

but it is something both pat and andy often discuss often try to work around but get very little imput into where when how??

both believe we can all come up with something hence this and to highlight the shall we say lack of interest.

look at snaggs sticky on each forum notice number of veiws than look at above poll notice lack of votes to veiws.??????

it does not take einstien to work out a general lack of a/ interest or b/ concern/

??

so why should the captians put their heads on the block??

[OHTer]

distance and venue we understand hence my suggestion of posss 2 matches outside of the b.c to try venues we would like and involve others that can not travel so far to the b.c.

these are the comments we are looking for lol

glad you understand well said this is what this poll is all about keep them comeing as pat said everthing is being taken on board and discussed tnx jake



yes i agree but it is something that has been bought up privately and not aired openly but could be a part of the problem low attendances when you think how many local peeps to venue and low turnout at venues,

put that into the mix there must be a reason???

you have something to say say it this is open to all and all will be taken on board.

its something that should be aired and shared lol

for starting this guilty as charged!!

but it is something both pat and andy often discuss often try to work around but get very little imput into where when how??

both believe we can all come up with something hence this and to highlight the shall we say lack of interest.

look at snaggs sticky on each forum notice number of veiws than look at above poll notice lack of votes to veiws.??????

it does not take einstien to work out a general lack of a/ interest or b/ concern/

??

so why should the captians put their heads on the block??

Again, tricky to work out the reasons for low attendance. Some people, I daresay, will NOT fish an E v W if it's classed as a match, whereas other maybe have a more competitive nature and will only fish it IF/BECAUSE it's classed as a match. A classic scenario where the old "Cant please all the people all the time" saying rings true, I think.
Personally...MEET or MATCH....I dont care. I'll be there if possible.
What, I daresay, does pee Andy n Pat off is when you get a good number of people who say they will go....then dont bother with no explaination as to why. They both know the only reason if I cant/dont attend :thumbs:

[Ian Houlton]

there are more venues on the english side than anyone is bothered to mention, why is the likes of preston beach, swanage or the piers not being considered?

also, and this is just my opinion, if it was made 2 rods 4 hooks it would attract more.
wherever it is I am definately going to the next one for sure and thats a fact.

[Andy ILSF]

Again, tricky to work out the reasons for low attendance. Some people, I daresay, will NOT fish an E v W if it's classed as a match, whereas other maybe have a more competitive nature and will only fish it IF/BECAUSE it's classed as a match. A classic scenario where the old "Cant please all the people all the time" saying rings true, I think.
Personally...MEET or MATCH....I dont care. I'll be there if possible.
What, I daresay, does pee Andy n Pat off is when you get a good number of people who say they will go....then dont bother with no explaination as to why. They both know the only reason if I cant/dont attend :thumbs:

it's been put to me by many a mod on here that i advertise them too much!hence the changes made in the stickies etc. but how the heck are me and pat going to get more peeps to attend with hurdles/obstickles thrown in our way every time a match comes about.

it's gone down hill attendance wise since these changes were put on us.now you watch when the next one comes i know cos i dont get the pm's off peeps asking about them.

why you might add is that?it's cos we are shafted up to the meets and greets thats why!and the raffle bit which we hold at these matches was another comment a mod made about them saying peeps were fed up of having to dosh out the cash?50p a time come on it's not that expensive is it..

so thats my veiw on why attendance is down ..

[Barrelreef]

My thoughts
Having read all the posts and also knowing how much thought and work Pat puts in behind the scenes in trying to sort out these MEETS( please remember that is what we are on about not a MATCH).
As for what day of the weekend my opinion is that it should be a Sunday or at the outside a Saturday night!
I have said to Pat in the past that having looked at tides/Catch reports and other related facts behind the scenes he should then post the details and unless there is a huge NEGATIVE RESPONSE that should be it.
I also believe that there are just too many meets/fund raisers etc and that as far as Eng v Wal meets there should just be TWO a year , one in the Spring and another in the Autumn. They could alternate each year. I believe that the weather (in recent years) has been more settled at these times of the year.
In the poll I did vote for the travel anywhere for the chance of a big/lots of fish option.
I do believe the camaraderie these events generate is the most important fact.And I now class some of the people I have met as really good mates.
These meets should continue and I will support both Captains (one more than the other though!) So where ever and when ever I will try my best to attend.
__________________

Nice post Rog, agree with most of what you said

Very sensible





I do believe without meaning to undermine andy or pat our big hearted captians do tend to jump in a bit quick and it makes it difficult to get a good meet up together as i said in these cases drop the england wales thing and go for a general big charity meet open to all on a good venue.



Alright Jake, you've brought up some good points but I dont feel dropping the england/Wales thing is the way to go. These meets are in my opinion just that....... MEETS....just for the laugh and to meet other members, english or welsh and to fish new venues and if a few quid can be made on the raffle for charity then all the better.

Imo there are always proper charity meets that pop up to attend if anyone doesn't want to fish a Wales/england meet


it's been put to me by many a mod on here that i advertise them too much!hence the changes made in the stickies etc. but how the heck are me and pat going to get more peeps to attend with hurdles/obstickles thrown in our way every time a match comes about.

it's gone down hill attendance wise since these changes were put on us.now you watch when the next one comes i know cos i dont get the pm's off peeps asking about them.

why you might add is that?it's cos we are shafted up to the meets and greets thats why!and the raffle bit which we hold at these matches was another comment a mod made about them saying peeps were fed up of having to dosh out the cash?50p a time come on it's not that expensive is it..

so thats my veiw on why attendance is down ..

Thing is no one is ever forced to buy raffle tickets at the meets, way i look at it if i dont buy one i cant win a prize (there's always something good to win lol). Seems a bit of a silly comment to be made especially by a mod

I'll stick my 2 pence worth in here

All the england/Wales meets I have attended i have really enjoyed more for the laughs than the fishing. I have met plenty of members through these meets loads of which I would regard as friends and look forward to the meets to catch up with friends as much as anything else isn't that what thse meets are really about.

I dont have any sort of problem with the way they are organised, hot dogs, tea, coffees, bread pudding, what more could you ask for in a meet lol

Seriously though, think Voodoo man got it right when he said 2 a year would be best, alternating as we do, one in wales one in england. Captains could seek local knowledge and see what the opinions of his 'home team' are before announcing the venue basically what they already do... thing is no one can help it if the fish or weather dont play ball, and it seems to me that the postponed chesil meet is whats brought this all about...nothing can be done if the weather is dangerous to fish in.

Basically think its a case of 'cant please all of the people all of the time'

Keep it up Pat and Andy

[patester]

good points all through so far.................... will close this on monday so get your thoughts in over the weekend please.

catch the fish of a lifetime off the severn bridge and we're sorted.:g:

[jassyfa]

it's been put to me by many a mod on here that i advertise them too much!hence the changes made in the stickies etc. but how the heck are me and pat going to get more peeps to attend with hurdles/obstickles thrown in our way every time a match comes about.

it's gone down hill attendance wise since these changes were put on us.now you watch when the next one comes i know cos i dont get the pm's off peeps asking about them.

why you might add is that?it's cos we are shafted up to the meets and greets thats why!and the raffle bit which we hold at these matches was another comment a mod made about them saying peeps were fed up of having to dosh out the cash?50p a time come on it's not that expensive is it..

so thats my veiw on why attendance is down ..

Why don't you knock the whole E vs W thing onthe head for a year or two. Im not knocking the idea of a match or a meet but on the south east forum we had Essex vs Kent matches a few years ago and the numbers soon dwindled as soon as the catch rate went down. These days we fish as Team south East and even know we only get half a dozen turning up for these meets/matches. A good example of the turnout was widewater last year where 8 of us fished compared to 30 a side a couple of years earlier at dungie.
Give it a couple of years and re-invent the idea im sure the newbies would be interested.

[paul brickie 06]

Why don't you knock the whole E vs W thing onthe head for a year or two. Im not knocking the idea of a match or a meet but on the south east forum we had Essex vs Kent matches a few years ago and the numbers soon dwindled as soon as the catch rate went down. These days we fish as Team south East and even know we only get half a dozen turning up for these meets/matches. A good example of the turnout was widewater last year where 8 of us fished compared to 30 a side a couple of years earlier at dungie.
Give it a couple of years and re-invent the idea im sure the newbies would be interested.

if you could make it over for 1 of the meets mate you would see the banter in full swing
wether its 6 or 60 the craic is always top notch
so e v w must stay 2 a year sounds good to me

[jassyfa]

if you could make it over for 1 of the meets mate you would see the banter in full swing
wether its 6 or 60 the craic is always top notch
so e v w must stay 2 a year sounds good to me

I dare say the banter is very good, but if the number of people fishing it are dwindling then could it be down to lack of interest from the been there done it caught nothing brigade? Some people fish these matches for the banter some to catch fish and do well, and its hard to please everybody.
I like to fish 1 or 2 matches on the south coast every year, because of the pre and post match banter and also the varity of fish and the chance of winning. Other people won't fish them because of the poor pay outs. These people will go and fish the big matches which reduces your chance of winning but has a bigger pay out if you do get a result.
I would love to fish one of the matches as I feel the England Team need an egomanic on their side to help win the match for them. But with finances and travelling distance its just not going to happen

[patester]

Thanks to all the contributors, Andy and i will get our heads together to hopefully move things forward, with your comments in mind.

[Andy ILSF]

Thanks to all the contributors, Andy and i will get our heads together to hopefully move things forward, with your comments in mind.


ok i'll get a chicken korma you have a chinky?see sorted...

[Snaggletooth]

Thank you for your input on this folks, hopefully it will give the captains something to consider. If nothing else, it has given an indication of the numbers who are interested in the meets.