Wigan & DAA Fur & Feather, 60 pegs :)

Well, probably my last outing of the year and the last trip to t'cut for a while too. Today saw us head to the Slipway for brekkie before the draw for this years' Wigan DAA fur and feather match up at Bursco'. The banter was festive and the turn out was good for what was the expected grueller but a close fought contest. The usual super stars were out in force, Sir John 'that's me done on t'cut for ever' Hall decided to give it a go and the suntanned god that is 'Gorgeous George' was also on the bank. Tony Prescott was there and also good to see 'owd Bob Platty putting in an appearance. All in all it was the same old friendly faces, smiling even in that crappy weather.

 It rained and it rained but eventually it did dry out and as per usual it was quite fine at the all out, typical. Dave Wells, Rochdale, took top spot weighing a creditable 6-15-8 from Gorst Lane. He had a couple of good billies backed up with roach on the butty. Then we had a tie for second between the Warrior and Ant who both had 4-6-8, the Warrior had a shed full of roach plus one big billy while Ant nabbed a pike of about 3 lb plus some bits and bats. Kev North was fourth with 3-12-8 and last in the money was Dave the Mass with 3-10-8. Well done you lot on a tough day.
I will just say that Ant got his essox on the caster and I reckon he did a good job getting in and deserved it. There were the usual cries of 'they should be banned' but isn't it the same as flukin' a 3 lb bream? Well done matey! They'll be after banning snig next, hehe :)

I was once again in the hardest section on the boats at the Slip but turned in a captain's performance to win the section and a bottle of whisky with 1-14-0. I decided to just go for it with big butty and shell across and the obligatory wazzum line down the track. I managed a couple of good roach across on the shell and a good late billy down the middle plus some bits to just tuttle big Sean on my left who had 1-12-0. Good job he's a gentle giant else he might have clod me in! Sean reckons 'owt wi' stripes should be barred', hehe :) It was quite an enjoyable day, good banter with Big Sean and I've not had as many bites on the caster for a good while. I missed a lot but then got a gudgeon so that was probably the reason why.
So that was that, we left with some nice envelopes, most from the Warrior, and bid everyone a fond farewell.
It's bin an up and down kind of year, the weather hasn't helped but at least we've not had to cancel 'owt just yet 'cos of frost and ice. There's time yet!
Finally I'd like to wish all the readers of the blog a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year, may your lacky get stretched to the limit loads in 2012.
'Till next time .... festive tight lines one and all :)