Whilst chatting to Alf the Bailiff last week in the Tackle shop at Linford lakes i suggested we have a friendly match. A time and venue was set for Monday 6-8pm on the canal between Alf, Gordon Owen (the tackle shop manager) and myself. Alf turned up with all the kit and Gordon and me...well we had some old gear pulled out of the shed and a few rusty old size 12's. As the match progressed Gordon and i steadily caught skimmers, roach and perch whilst Alf was still setting up all his poles and specialist platform. Gordon managed to cast into the reeds opposite every second cast eventually losing it to a pull for a break ten minutes from the end. I found myself surprised, fishing like i had never had a pause from it. After spending much of my early life with a float rod in my hand it felt like second nature to me. I managed three tench as well as all the bits and won easily. My secret weapon? Berry bolies crushed up and mixed into groundbait.... Happy days ;-)