2015 Esthwaite Kayak Grand Slam MAY 30th & 31st

[Yakkin Sam]

We are now booked in

2015 Esthwaite Kayak Grand Slam will be held on the weekend of May 30th & 31st.

I'm keeping everything the same, nice and simple with the main theme that everyone has an enjoyable/relaxed weekend in the Lake District.

2014 match went really well, good turnout, everyone had fish, everyone had a good laugh and we raised a little cash for Heroes On The Water UK. If we can repeat that next year then I'll be very happy!

There is no summer Pike season on Esthwaite as of next year so we are having privileged access. Only thing I've been asked though is to limit 3 Pike per angler as to keep the pressure down on the Pike. No limit on the Perch and Trout.

I'll try my best to secure some sort of sponsorship for this year's match. What I do need though are donations, I'd like to run another auction to raise funds for Heroes On The Water UK so if you have something you think would help raise a bit of cash then please bring a long to next year's comp. I'll see what I can do from this end, though I'm all out of kitchen sink lures

Thanks very much to everyone that attended this year's match, look forward to seeing you at Esthwaite next year.

Updates will be posted on this thread and on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/EsthwaiteKayakGrandSlam

Cheers,
Sam

[Izzetafox]

Lads this is a spectacular venue with fantastic potential of quality fishing.

If you can make it go, you will remember it for a long time.

Terry

[Deleted]

Hi Sam

Do you just turn up on the day or do I have to book a place?

The reason I ask is I have looked at my work rota and am down to work that Saturday but may be able to swap nearer the time.

Fished there once from a boat about 6 years ago on lures and it is a fantastic venue. And £40 would represent good value on a lot of venues but represents unbelievable value on this one, particularly with free camping.

Ian

[Yakkin Sam]

Nowthen Ian,

Just turn up on the day, pay your £40 and then enjoy 2 days of fishing Simples

I'll be asking for confirmations a week or two before the event, purely to get an idea on numbers.

Cheers,
Sam

[Deleted]

Cheers Sam

Hope I can change my day and maybe get someone to tag along with me as well.

[Yakkin Sam]

Some may of seen on Facebook over the weekend that the Esthwaite Kayak Grand Slam now has a sponsor I'm VERY pleased to annouce Lowrance have kindly offered their support. A few details below:

Prizes:
1st Place: Lowrance Elite-4 CHIRP fishfinder!
2nd Place: Lowrance branded Helly Hanson Jacket
3rd Place: Lowrance branded Helly Hanson Fleece

Though Lowrance have been very kind sponsoring the event with these lovely prizes they haven't stopped there! Each competitor will get the following:

Lowrance Fish measurement stickers
Lowrance Buffs

Lowrance will provide SD cards loaded with Insight Genesis charts of Esthwaite for all competitors with Lowrance kit and printed maps for those without.

There will be a Lowrance rep on hand as well to support any Lowrance users fishing the comp plus answer any questions you may have.

So you can measure your fish properly, protect your head from sunburn with a buff and know exactly where all the lake features are thanks to the maps. Can't be bad!!

I think it's safe to say that Lowrance don't mess about when it comes to supporting events! I'd like to say a big thank you to Lowrance for their support (especially Peter Cowell), really is much appreciated. Credit must go to Rob Appleby (V8ROB on here), he is the one that made this happen. Thank you Rob

This is great news for the event, hopefully we can build on this and keep making this event better and better though still keeping it a relaxed weekend.

[Deleted]

Now even more reasons to try to get the Saturday off work. Not that I should need prizes to temp me to what is obviously a fantastic event.

Ian

[Yakkin Sam]

Aye we don't need prizes but it's always nice to have something shiny to take home if you win either way it's going to be a great weekend bud, hope you can make it. Looks like a fair few will be making the trip up this year which I'm very pleased about.

[Izzetafox]

Well done Sam.

As has been said the chance to fish a venue like Esthwaite and the craic of mixing with everyone is draw enough. Having said that Lowrance being so generous just adds recognition to the quality of the event.

I hope I make it as it really is a beautiful place to fish.


Terry

[Yakkin Sam]

That's it Terry, everyone had a really good time last year and that was without sponsorship (I put up most of the prizes myself). It is nice having some good support from a brand, I just want to keep the friendly chilled out atmosphere

[pikewhisperer]

If last year is anything to go by it will be well worth the trip. Really enjoyed it and it was only my second go on a kayak at the time. I hope to get a slightly larger Pike this time and a few Trout on the fly would be nice.

[Yakkin Sam]

Well today has been a good day. Both RAM Mounts and Tronixpro have comfirmed they will be supporting the Esthwaite Kayak Grand Slam.

1st place prize will be a combination of a Lowrance Elite-4 CHIRP with a RAM Mount to fit



Excellent news, Tronixpro have confirmed they will sponsor the biggest fish categories with HTO Rockfish ML rods for biggest Pike, biggest Perch and biggest Trout!



Only 4 weeks to go, CAN'T WAIT!

[philpot]

Well done Sam, hope it all goes well matey. Changing the subject, I need to have a chat regarding fishing at Runswick at some stage.

Phil

[Yakkin Sam]

If you have time give me a call tomorrow afternoon from 2pm onwards, looks like I'll be rained off work in the afternoon so will be free

[Izzetafox]

Things just get better and better Sam. Great looking event.

I cannot wait.

Terry

[Yakkin Sam]

Yup, all looking good now Terry. Very pleased, have some nice prizes and plenty of donations for the raffle/auction. Just need nice weather and plenty of fish!

[Yakkin Sam]

EXCELLENT news! Lowrance have offered to upgrade the 1st prize from a Lowrance Elite-4 CHIRP to a Lowrance Elite-5 CHIRP!

Unexpected but most welcome news, I'm very pleased!

[Tanglefoot]

Great news Sam. Keep up the good work.

[Yakkin Sam]

Thanks Ian, no more chasing prizes for this year though. I'm very happy with what I have for the comp. Lot more people attending this year so might even get a a little stressed organising it! lol Looking forward to it though, hope we have a repeat of last years comp, twas a good laugh.

[Yakkin Sam]

Only a week to go till Esthwaite comp. Below are the rules for anyone that hasn't seen them yet



SIGN IN: 8.45-9am (at the cafe, must be signed in by 9am)
MATCH BRIEFING: 9.15am

RULES:

PFD must be worn

Fish must be measured with the Lowrance fish measures provided at sign-in

1/ Please make sure you have the proper unhooking tools (long forceps, pliers and if possible an unhooking mat)

2/ You can have as many rods as you like setup but can only use one rod at any one time.

3/ Must have a photo of your catch otherwise your catch can't be accepted. Photograph of fish must have a clear view of the nose to tail on the measure (in one photo), in focus on a straight measure. It avoids problems at the end of the day. Would hate for someone to miss out on a prize due to poor measuring/photo.

4/ Someone that gets the full grand slam (Pike, Perch & Trout) will win even if the combine length is smaller than say a Pike and a Trout. The 'slam' is the target.

5/ Strictly no live or dead baiting

6/ Match starts 10am Saturday, ends 4pm Sunday (you can fish til 4pm then head in). No night fishing, you can fish til dusk Saturday and start again first light the Sunday morning.
Please hand in catch return slips by 4.45pm, presentation should be around 5.15pm (give everyone chance to pack up).

7/ Limited to 3 Pike per angler, once you have caught 3 Pike then please stop targeting them. Obviously can't stop Pike taking lures/baits but you must stop using large lures, flies etc intended for Pike). This is to reduce the impact on the Pike during the summer.

Everything else is just commonsense, such as please help if another competitor requires assistance photographing/weighing fish. Fish welfare is paramount. That sort of thing.

That's it!

You can use lures, fly, worm and trolling. Can't get much simpler that that!

Main thing is everyone to enjoy yourselves.

Cheers,
Sam

[Izzetafox]

Sam, just to clarify for the comp is it the anglers best of each species that counts.

Terry

[Yakkin Sam]

Yup, biggest of each species. I only need to see a photo of the biggest Perch, Pike and Trout you have caught. Assuming you get the grand slam of course

[Izzetafox]

Thanks Sam. When are you heading over?

[Yakkin Sam]

The plan is to head over first thing Friday morning, arrive around 9am

[Deleted]

To all those attending have a great weekend.....well jell!!! Look forward to the reports.


Ian

[philpot]

So who won come on Sam, spill the beans !!!!!

Phil

[Daz]

was a great weekend, we also fished Derwent water