Fishing and Fundraising at Blithfield

In June this year, Blithfield reservoir in Staffordshire was the venue once again for the 12^th Cancer Charity Day and saw 58 anglers enjoy an excellent day’s trout fishing in fine weather whilst raising money for a worthwhile cause.

The event, organised by West Mid’s Steve Owen, has gone from strength to strength from its inception back in 2008 and is a now a firm favourite on the fly-fishing calendar attracting anglers from all over the country to take part. This is testament to the incredible hard work that Steve has put in over the years, resulting in cancer charities benefiting by nearly £36,000 over the past 12 years. Not bad for a day’s fishing once a year!

The day started in time-honoured fashion with our trusty volunteers getting the kitchen going with bacon baps and tea and coffee by 8 am for the early arrivals and members of the West Mids Fly-Fishing section all playing their role by selling raffle tickets, organising the sweepstake and collecting prizes and donations. With everyone giving generously and entering the spirit of the day, it is no wonder that it has been such a success.

The fishing event itself was again excellent, with anglers pairing up in boats and returning many good catches in pleasant, sunny conditions.  Prizes were awarded to the winners and runners-up, this year’s victors being yours truly Kevin Pearson and fishing buddy Yousef Dar from Manchester, but the main focus for everyone was in raising cash for Breast Cancer and Cancer Research, so the competition became secondary to the main purpose of the day itself, even though the fishing is always keenly contested!

It all concluded at the presentations with the main auction where many donated prizes, gifts and fishing tickets were sold to raise even more money, bringing the total for this year’s event to around £2,600. Our sponsor, Richard from SKB tackle was there with a display and as always contributed substantially towards the day and we were also supported by angling writer and England international representing tackle manufacturer Snowbee, Simon Kidd who attended for the first time.  Even the fish that were caught and weighed in were taken to a local butcher to be sold locally, ensuring that nothing was wasted.

So, another successful and well-supported Charity Day, all thanks to the work that goes into it every year by Steve and the team, who all enjoyed their well-earned drink and a bite to eat at the pub when the day was over.  As is usual at these events, a sociable crowd gathered there to share in a post-match meal and to reflect on what had been a great day out for a most worthy cause.

Kevin Pearson

Chair

West Midlands Police Fly-Fishing section