Navy Carping 2006

Regardless of your own personal preference I’m sure that most Anglers would admit that Carping is the most popular and if not, the fastest growing branch of our wonderful sport. After several failed attempts, 2006 saw the first real steps towards having an official RN Carp Fishing set up.

First off, some background. About 4 or 5 years ago a group of Carp Anglers from Culdrose got together and decided that they would like to widen their horizons. The opportunity to do so presented itself in the form of the Army Angling Federation Carp Section. Their numbers were promptly swelled by half a dozen of the Senior Service and Pusser was represented at every AAF match that year. We were hooked if you’ll pardon the pun. AAF matches are run based on the format used at the British Carp Angling Championships and indeed the aim of their Carp Section matches is to select a 6 man team to represent the Army in the BCAC. We met some top anglers, learnt loads, bantered royally and at no stage threatened the leader board!

We were all set to join again the following year but our source of funding for transport was removed as we weren’t attending official RN events. Despite the best efforts of Percy Pongo to keep us, we couldn’t tie up their POT codes with our U.I.N’s. so we called it a day.

At that point we decided to try and form our own section. We knew the RAF were up and running and we didn’t want to be left behind. We wanted to do it by the book and the only way to have a legitimate Tri-service event was to have an official RN Carp section.

Not too difficult you may think. You would be wrong. For a long time we felt that we were thwarted at every turn but eventually some changes in personnel presented a chink in the RNRMAA armour and here we are today. 2006 saw 12 members join with “Carp” application forms. Hopefully 2007 will see most of the 60 or so names on our list put their money up front and increase the RNRMAA membership.

So what have we done so far?

The main event of 2006 was the so called “Fleet Air Arm Carp Cup” which took place at Upper Tamar Lake on the Devon/Cornwall border. 16 Anglers spent 48 hours behind their buzzers and Yeoviltons’ LAET Lamb walked off with the trophy.

2007 will hopefully see more activity on the bank. We start the year with 48 hours at Pavyotts Mill near Yeovil where 14 of us are hoping to blow away the festive cobwebs. If all goes well April will be very busy. A potential UK forces vs. French forces match in France will require 5 RN team members. The awesome Mainline Chilham Mill Lake in Kent is another potential venue that is an unmissable opportunity for 25 anglers if plans come to fruition. Yeovilton should take their turn to host the FAA Carp Cup, which will be open to non-FAA personnel and we are looking at a trip across the Channel to try and get some whackers on the bank. If a suitable venue is forthcoming we would love to attend an RN match event (accommodation not required!)

Early days for us but we have some dedicated anglers who can’t wait to fly the flag for the RN.

PO Si Baker, RNAS Culdrose