Elphicks
Elphicks fisheries in Kent is one of the more prolific waters in our calendar and is ideal for anglers that like to work the swim and get action. Last year it made history by breaking the eliminator records and stole the big fish title away from Walthamstow 2/3. Make no mistake though, there are fish present to over 40lbs and the BCAC big fish record again could be broken here.
CAPTAIN |
VICE CAPTAIN |
 \
Tom and Andy Maker with one of the Elphicks
biggies from last year |
Lee Jordan |
Jamie Bartlett |
Kevin Grout |
Matt Wyld |
Daniel Cooper |
Robert Prince |
Garth Evans |
Michael Evans |
Gavin Woodgate |
Ben Toyer |
Paul Noakes |
Rob Morris |
Martin Locke |
Danny Smith |
Gavin Lewis |
Edward Avery |
Mark Carrick |
Lee Brennen |
Karl Palmer |
Nathan Francis |
Mark Bartlett |
t.b.a |
Edward Biscoe |
Paul Gregory |
www.elphicks-fisheries.co.uk
Pre-Match Round Up
The scene of some epic battles Elphicks is certainly an action water and certainly one of the most exciting and exhausting events in the BCAC calendar. North lake is stuffed with fish ranging from singles to 40lb plus and massive weights are expected. 600lb plus won it last year in a massive battle between Lockie / Smith and Andy / Tom Maker. Lockie and Danny Smith are back again this year fishing under the Solar Venture banner but with Mainlines awesome speed angler Mark Bartlett also in this qualifier they will have their work cut out if they think they can walk away with the title. Add to that some very capable local and regional talent and you can expect great things from Elphicks.
Elphicks Round Up
Results
1st - Rob Morris and Paul Noakes - 555lb 14oz
2nd - Daniel Cooper and Robert Prince - 310lb 15oz
3rd - Karl Palmer and Nathan Francis - 286lb 02oz
Elphicks is found down in the quiet Kent countryside and as for the fishing, it’s far from quiet. The north Lake is were it all happens. With hundreds of carp to fish for ranging from singles to forties then as with previous year’s high weights are expected. The wind and rain fell like at Chilham and the dam end of the lake would prove to be the best area to be in. 1st out the hat was Paul Noakes and Rob Morris they opted for peg 2 a peg that was very high on many anglers list’s. Second was Garth Evans and Michael Evans who chose peg 1 the dam. Would these two pairs take advantage of the wind or would those choosing the islands take control. The rain played havoc with all, but those that were willing to work hard started troubling the marshals. Just a few minutes in the leader board had its first name.
Kevin Grout and Matt Wyld had landed there first carp at 10lb 03oz. It was the start they wanted, but could they keep it up for the rest of the match. The action continued for the next few hours until the rain started again and the carp slowed. For the next 3 hours all was quiet so by the 6pm scores it looked like this. In 1st place was Paul Noakes and Rob Morris on 102lb.01oz. 2nd was Mark Bartlett and Dean Goodwill on 79lb.01oz and 3rd was Karl Palmer and Nathan Francis on 34lb.10oz. So with 42 hours still on the clock it was still anyone’s game. The catch rate had slowed dramatically for the rest of the day and into the night and the marshals reporting in on Saturday morning saying that they had actually got some sleep, which is very surprising at Elphicks. But some carp had been caught and by 6:30am on Saturday the leader board had changed. From 4th place on Friday to 1st saw Kevin Grout and Matt Wyld take on the rest with 10 carp totalling 134lb 02oz. Now off top spot was Noakes and Morris on 112lb. 05oz and 3rd also catching 10 carp was Bartlett and Goodwill on 101lb.16oz.
Bartlett and Goodwill who were in a un-favoured swim next to Martin (two in the back)Locke and Danny Smith had surprised many by being that high up on the leader board. Could the deadly due keep up with pace only time will tell.
By mid morning on Saturday the big push had started. Despite the foul weather Noakes and Morris had retaken top spot and took on a commanding lead. Followed by Palmer and Francis who had slipped back up to second and in third place was Grout and Wyld. Up to this point the top three had traded place’s but as the action flowed Noakes and Morris had taken control and it was looking like they would be taking top place at the final hooter. Despite the surge ahead it was all to play for. Second and third places had not be secured a battle had begun. Palmer and Francis, Grout and Wyld, Bartlett and goodwill had all got themselves into qualifying positions. With a little under 24hours to go Noakes and Morris in 1st had a advantage over the rest on 330lb.00oz. 2nd Palmer and Francis on 211lb.09oz and 3rd was Grout and Wyld on 189lb 07oz.
 The rest of the wet and windy day went by with a load more carp gracing the nets of many. A sudden change was taking place for Daniel Cooper and Robert Prince as they made inroads up the leader board. Was a dramatic change about to take place. Sunday morning came around and Cooper and Prince had found themselves in 4th place 5 pound short of Grout and Wyld who were only 50 pound from Palmer and Francis. But out in front by 140 pound were Noakes and Morris. A Later flurry of carp could change the results. By 10am Noakes and Morris had amassed a total of 519lb.09oz surely they had a taken first place. In second and still being chased were Palmer and Francis on 273lb.0oz. Third was Grout and Wyld on 239lb.07 but chasing up was Cooper and Prince who were on 224lb 04.
An hour later and it had changed again. Cooper and Francis had caught up to not only third place but second place as well. Palmer and Francis had slipped into third place, pushing Grout and Wyld out of a qualifying place. This is how it finished an hour later with Noakes and Morris winning with record match total on Elphicks of 555lb.14oz. |
