Early in September 2021, the GCCT held its first extreme specimen carp fishing competition at a private lake in Cambridgeshire, specifically to raise money for the GCCT. The event was organised and kindly granted through one of our Liveryman, who is the landowner. We now look forward to the second event on the 2^nd – 4^th September!

The lake is over 50 acres with variable depths throughout, with ledges, deep pools and other challenges for the more expert fisherman to overcome. Set in 80 acres of parkland edged by woods, the twenty eager fishermen who had travelled some 150 miles were keen to fish what is arguably one of the best, non-commercial specimen lakes in the country.

The weekend will be the same as last year with fishing starting on Friday afternoon, Saturday will be fishing all day with a fish and chip supper provided by the host, with the fishing coming to a close on Sunday lunchtime.

The excitement, challenge, and unique opportunity to fish such an untouched piece of water were described by several of those fishing as ‘a privilege to take part in the competition and to fish such an unknown, and challenging lake’ and ‘a lake that is not fished very often, and a piece of water where nobody knows what’s is in the lake’. Previous years participant.

On Sunday there will be the prize-giving. Last year whilst no ‘monster’ fish were caught, many were in the high 20Ibs, with the total amount caught by a single fisherman approaching 200Ilbs. The prizes will be supplied by the Livery Company.

Last year everyone thoroughly enjoyed the weekend fishing and a total of £2,000 was raised for the GCCT. This money will further support our current gunmaking bursaries and help the Trust in meeting its objective in expanding the current number of bursaries from five to ten in this coming year.

If any liverymen would like to enter, then please register your interest to the Clerk, Adrian Mundin, clerk@gunmakers.org

However, be quick is my advice, all twenty pegs were taken up last year within 24hrs of being announced!