It’s been an ‘interesting’ year, beset with curveballs and catastrophe; from budget-overruns and break-ins to bust-ups and breakdowns (of vehicles and equipment– not, remarkably, yours truly!).
Not to mention, a wedding, a funeral, and a wholesale house move.
But, hey: if it was easy, everyone would do it. And now, I’m pleased to report, Rum Bridge Fisheries’ grand Open Weekend is finally in sight.
For my part, it can’t come soon enough.
Having spent the last 12 months jumping through legal hoops and over bureaucratic hurdles – battling with lawyers and planning consultants, surveyors, ecologists and errant contractors, pension funds, power companies, and myriad ‘vested interests’ besides – I’m very much looking forward to a nice, cosy 80-hour workweek juggling just the two businesses.
Till that great day comes, however, there’s still much to do.
But we are confident that ‘Stage One’ – of our extensive site clearance, redevelopment and restocking programme – will be completed on time (if not within budget). And we’ll be ready to welcome anglers and non-anglers alike to the fishery on March 2nd and 3rd.
The Open Weekend, which runs from 10am to 3.30pm on the Saturday and Sunday, provides an opportunity for members of the local community to see for themselves what we’ve achieved so far; and to learn, first-hand, about our ambitions for the coming years.
And, of course, for anglers to discuss matters piscatorial – including booking options, facilities, fish stocks and future plans.
Just a few highlights of the weekend include:
- Kids’ games and competitions – with soft toys, fishing tackle and other prizes up for grabs
- A ‘warehouse clearance’ tackle sale – with 25% off ALL rods, reels, bivvies, boxes, alarms, and other hardware either bought (or ordered) on the day
- A complimentary barbecue ‘on the bank’
- Free angling intro sessions with Angling Trust licensed coaches
To my mind, this latter is central to the event – allowing newcomers of all ages and abilities to ‘give fishing a go’, with the help of those lovely people from EverybodyCanFish.
Apropos of which: slots for these perennially popular taster events are being snapped up; so pre-booking, though not essential, is recommended, either via Facebook (RumBridgeFisheries), phone 07428 344445 or email: info@rumbridgefisheries.co.uk.
We’d hate for any would-be anglers to miss out.
Nor do we want anyone to go hungry. So, to help us ensure we have sufficient fodder for the barbie, it would also be helpful if anyone planning to attend could sign up here: http://bit.ly/RBWeekend
Either way, my wife Carol and I look forward to seeing you, for what is – to borrow from Churchill (the wartime PM – not the dog) – “not the end; not even the beginning of the end; but perhaps, the end of the beginning” for Rum Bridge Fisheries.
