Winter League 2023 - Match 1 — Athy & District Anglers

Athy & District Anglers Club's Winter League Kicks Off with Fantastic Catches

On Sunday, October 8th, 2023, the Athy & District Anglers Club's Winter League opened with a bang in the idyllic Marina club grounds. Anglers gathered under abnormally good October weather conditions, a stark contrast to last year's rain-soaked event, making this day one to remember.

The day kicked off with a meet-up at 08:30, followed by the peg draw at 08:45. As the clock struck 10 am, 13 enthusiastic anglers cast their lines into the tranquil waters of the Marina club grounds. Among the group were a few new faces, injecting a fresh sense of excitement into the league, with one notable absence due to an evening of revelry – Mick Stynes.

The weather, remarkably sunny for an October day, took everyone by surprise. Last year's match had been marred by relentless rain, but this time, anglers were almost sunburned from the unusually generous sunshine.

Carnival Beats and Happy Fish

The day took a quirky turn when a nearby carnival started playing pounding dance music around 2 pm. Remarkably, the fish seemed to revel in the festivities, perhaps moving to the rhythm of the lively tunes. We’ll have to try that for future matches!

Impressive Catches

The angling action didn't disappoint either. Ryan, in a surprising turn of events, reeled in a significant haul of tench, defying expectations. Ollie, on the other hand, enjoyed a consistent day of catching Perch, showcasing his angling finesse.

However, the most thrilling moment came at the end of the match when Tommy hooked a big tench. This powerful catch made up a significant portion of his overall weight, and he had to engage in a thrilling battle to bring it in, using a light elastic and fighting for literally minutes. It was a testament to the determination and skill of the anglers on display.

Success at the Marina

In comparison to the previous year, the Marina club grounds certainly delivered well this time around. The day was filled with camaraderie, fantastic catches, and laughter, making it a fitting opening to the Winter League.

As the day drew to a close at 3 pm, the results were eagerly awaited. The winners emerged, with Ollie taking the top spot with an impressive 7lb 6ozs, followed closely by Ryan with 6lb 4ozs. Tommy secured the third position with 5lb 10ozs, and Chris and Jimmy rounded out the top five with 5lb 4ozs and 4lb 13ozs, respectively.

With the success of the opening match, the Athy & District Anglers Club eagerly looks forward to the next event in the Winter League!