Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 3700 i Angling Times

FOLLOWING the success of this year’s UK Barbel Masters on the River Trent, a new version of the contest aimed at younger anglers is being planned for 2025. It’ll be held on the prolific stretch at Collingham, a great area for daytime bites, on 9 August next year, and there will be two age-group categories: under-16s, and 16-to-18 year olds, with 40 anglers set to compete. “We’ve already secured over £1,200 worth of prizes from Dynamite Baits, and all of the competitors will also get a goodie bag,” said organiser Liam Willis. “We’ll be announcing more prizes nearer the time. Registration opens on 15 December, and closes on 5 January. The live draw is on 11 January on our Facebook page.” • For more info, visit www.ukbarbelmasters.com…

GARBOLINO FESTIVAL White Acres (84 pegs, Mon-Fri) CRAIG Edmunds’ series of near-misses at White Acres are truly a thing of the past after he won his second festival in quick succession at the Cornish complex. The Matrix-backed angler has recorded around a dozen framing places at the venue in the last few years, his last pole position coming back in 2018. But he ended his wait for another victory in style last month when he topped the table in the Drennan festival, and he backed that up again this week with another great performance over five days at the venue to win the Garbolino-backed event. Angling Times spoke to Craig to find out how he secured his latest big victory. DAY ONE – POLLAWYN, PEG 1 “I’d envisaged catching well…

MATRIX DIGITAL CLICKER A clock, stopwatch and clicker all in one waterproof, free-standing package. With a large clear display, chunky buttons and the fact that it can be mounted on any box leg or attachment with a bankstick, it’s super user-friendly. Price: £34.99, www.fishmatrix.co.uk OMC TOASTIE TARSALS ELECTRIC HAND WARMER Powered by any USB power bank which is stored inside an external zipped pocket, you can swap between three heat settings with the press of a button. Ideal for a quick burst of heat to get the hands moving or for keeping them warm while waiting a long time between bites. Price: £29.99 (powerbank not included), www.omctackle.com SONIK MULTI TOOL We all love the sense of adventure of being out on the bank, but not having the right kit for…

IT WAS a closely fought contest for the Specimen Angler of the Year award, but in the end it was the in-form Dave Robinson who edged ahead of his rivals to claim victory. Dave spent the first 15 years of his fishing life dedicated totally to carp. But when a friend caught a 2lb perch on a social, everything changed for the Suffolk angler. “When I realised there were all these other interesting species in venues surrounded by wildlife, I got right into it,” Dave explained. As a busy man with a six-week-old baby at home, the quick-hit nature of coarse fishing suits his current lifestyle. “Someone said that barbel fishing is like a married man’s carp fishing , and I totally agree!” Dave joked. “You can be home in…

WHEN it comes to catching specimen carp, Darrell Peck is undoubtedly one of the very best in the business. Whether at home or abroad, his determination and skill has resulted in the capture of the some of the sport’s most sought-after fish. But even for a man with such an enviable big-carp CV, this past year has been a bit special for the Essex-based Korda consultant. Four sixties graced his net, including the fully-scaled mirror from The Manor Carp Fishery at 63lb 8oz. This was backed up with 15 fifties and 20 UK forties, taking his tally of UK-caught 40lb-plus fish to more than 100. “It’s been pretty special. I certainly can’t complain,” Darrell chuckled after being told he’d been crowned Carp Angler of the Year. “I’d say the 63lb…

THOSE who know Ted Stewart are adamant that he is set to become one of match fishing’s next superstars – and in 2024 he added weight to those lofty predictions. The 15-year-old first hit the headlines with an outstanding performance in the Angling Trust Junior National, bagging individual victory at Cheshire’s Partridge Lakes with 54kg 950g , with his squad, Team Rammy, taking the team honours. That was the biggest weight of a weekend when the Cadet and Youth Nationals were also fished at the venue – the Huddersfield lad’s weight was the highest out of all the 174 anglers involved. That achievement saw him rewarded with a place in the prestigious Fish O’Mania final at Lincolnshire’s Westwood Lakes, where his spirited performance against the elite of the sport gained…

IN A COUNTRY packed with commercial fisheries, Hayfield Lakes stands out. Both Adam’s and Dannie’s Island Lakes are deep, so can prove a challenge, and while one session could see you working wonders with rod and line, the very next could be a pole angler’s dream. Carp from a few pounds to high doubles are stocked in healthy numbers, including stunningly-marked mirrors, commons and ghosties. But carassio and bream are also willing feeders under pretty much any conditions. It’s this amazing variety and the nature of the venue that saw readers vote for it in their droves, but there are plenty of other possible reasons why it was such a popular choice. The Hayfield pub offers everything from light snacks to delicious belly-busting meals, and provides a cosy after-session setting…

ANGLING Times readers have voted for Fish With Carl’s YouTube film, ‘Obsession’, as their number one fishing video of the year. Racking up more than half a million views on the popular video sharing platform, the beautifully shot and edited hour-long film charts Carl’s campaign for a huge common which lives in busy park lake in Milton Keynes. But beyond just looking at the tactics used in his bid to track down the sought-after specimen, the film explores the fine line that anglers often tread between passion and obsession, and the countless highs and lows that come with this. At the start of the video Carl says: “One can bring joy and energy to your life, the other can consume it from the inside out.” Undoubtedly one of the best…

PRESTON INNOVATIONS SUPER PRO XL ROLLER THE SUPER Pro XL Inception roller features double extending legs, a lay-flat design, integrated spirit levels and new silent bearings. The vertical rollers are fixed and angled to help keep the pole within the roller, even in the windiest conditions, while the middle roller is vital when double shipping longer lengths of pole. Each roller comes complete in its own storage bag. Width 84cm, minimum height 53cm, maximum height 110cm. WHY WE LIKE IT: Preston’s highly popular Inception roller has been improved with longer, double extending legs and smoother silent bearings, making it even more adaptable. With a pair of these beauties behind you there are few things that you cannot ship a pole over! Price: £109.99, www.prestoninnovations.com SONIK HEROX REEL A STYLISH, robust,…

I DID a talk the other night, and on the bill with me was that excellent match angler and all-round nice guy Nick Speed, of Shimano. Now, you might think that with me being a specimen angler and Nick a world-class matchman, our thoughts on angling techniques and methods would be miles apart – but during the Q&A session, and in our conversation after the show, quite the opposite proved to be the case. In fact, in many respects our opinions were much the same. Take, for instance, the business of feeding your swim. Now, I’m not your typical specimen hunter when it comes to feeding , and Nick’s talk convinced me I was more in the match than the specimen camp in this respect! You see, I’m not one…

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FROM THE WORLD OF FISHING WHAT would you consider to be ‘feeding heavily’? Introducing a gallon of maggots, or perhaps a few kilos of boilies? On a recent trip to China, Gary Newman reached the impressive landmark of banking his 10th different freshwater species over 100lb, after landing black carp of 118lb and 113lb. And he did so after feeding 250kg of snails over eight days! His trip got off to an awful start when he broke a rib the evening before flying out, and nearly had to cancel entirely. “I’d been told by A&E in the UK that I’d pulled a muscle, but after an agonising 13-hour flight to Shanghai, I suspected it was something more serious,” he told us. “A local hospital advised…

WHEN it comes to big chub, the bountiful waterways of southern England generally dominate catch reports. However, there are some very large fish residing in other parts of the country too, as Harvey Jackson proved with this 7lb 5oz specimen landed from a river near his home in Suffolk. It’s a huge fish for the region and is arguably the equivalent of a good eight-pounder from a more renowned river. “The fish was caught after many freezing nights spent walking a favourite stretch of mine,”said the 20-year-old. “I had the bite a short while after midnight, with simple link-legered cheesepaste producing the goods. It’s an almost mythical fish for this county!” he added…

FORGOTTEN FEN GARETH CRADDOCK £25, Medlar Press For anyone who craves an angling world far, far away from modern commercial fisheries, here is a book to transport you to another place entirely. The lost wetlands of coastal Kent form the backdrop to this evocative memoir from Gareth Craddock, which transports the reader to a world of secretive pike and weedy tench swims. Elegant lino cuts from John Richardson only add to the charm of this stylishly-produced hardback book, that will delight traditional anglers. A PAWTOBIOGRAPHY: MY ADVENTURES ON GONE FISHING Ebury £14.99/Kindle £7.99 With the continuing cult success of ‘Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing’, another book was inevitable. The two companions are never shy of funny and accidentally-wise things to say about life and angling. This time, however, the surprise…

THE Fish O’Mania final has a history of pitting the best commercial anglers against each other – but this year’s spectacle saw what was arguably the most talented field ever go head-to-head. Five former champions, including Andy Bennett, Jamie Hughes and Kristian Jones, were involved, with several other A-listers such as Andy Power, Nick Speed and Pemb Wrighting also jostling to get their name on the trophy for the first time. It was almost impossible for those who like a punt to forecast the winner, as the bookies quickly cut the prices of perhaps a dozen hopefuls in a divided market. But elite sport has a funny way of upsetting the odds, and it was an angler available beforehand at a lofty 25/1 who eventually bagged his place in Fish…

MANY rivers in England produce huge barbel and chub these days, but none more so than the intimate Lea. That’s why it’s been voted as 2024’s River of the Year! To the untrained eye, it’d be easy to write off its big-fish potential. It’s narrow – you could reach the far bank with an underarm flick in many places – yet it’s blessed with overhanging cover on many stretches, and contains a huge range of pacey glides, deep pools and inviting runs. Of all the fisheries on the river, it’s the prolific Kings Weir that’s seen the bulk of the catches. This iconic stretch is the haunt of some of the country’s very best specimen anglers. Many travel for many miles to stand a chance of catching one of its…

THE 2024 Angling Club of the Year award goes to the flourishing Reading & District Angling Association (RDAA), for its proactive fishery management strategy and the launch of a clever drive to encourage more lifelong anglers. Boasting nearly 2,000 members, who enjoy fantastic fishing across a host of river and stillwater venues, RDAA is currently on a roll. But 10 years ago, the picture wasn’t so rosy. The club was on the cusp of having to relinquish some of its waters, having seen membership fall to just 800. But after bold investment moves, it’s gone from strength to strength. We caught up with fishery manager, Del Shackleford, who was delighted to hear the good news. “I’m blown away that we’ve won,” he told us. “Running a club isn’t your standard…

FEW anglers have left as lasting a legacy as Roy Marlow, who passed away in February this year, aged 76. As well as being instrumental in the development of many of the tackle items we use today, and helping to pioneer the commercial fishery scene, Roy was a key figure in the golden era of domestic match fishing , alongside fellow Leicester AS legend, Ivan Marks, in the iconic ‘Likely Lads’ side. They shared huge success, with Roy’s individual highlights including first place in the Nene Championships. He also played a key role in Leicester’s famous Severn National win, not to mention victory in the prestigious Angling Times Winter League. Following his success on the domestic circuit, Roy also fished for England, and finished in fourth place at the World…

CROSSWORD (* indicates an anagram) ACROSS 9 Floatable, like a booby fly (7)10 Minnows are (*Hah, fossil!) (5,4)11 Male ferrets – part fish, observe! (4)13 Small gnat-like flies (6)14 Turbot relative – briefly fantastic! (5)15 Central position between river banks (9)16 Feeder __ ___ Method competition (*feel tyres) (4,5)18 Large, thick-skinned, horned animal (5)19 Thoroughly soaked (6)20 Notts. fishing complex with four lakes (*not rig) (6)21 Carp lake at Airfield Lakes, Norfolk (*am stung!) (7)23 Pellet waggler has a ____ __ (*odd tempo) (5,3)25 Resorts such as Leamington and Bath (4)27 Fish proverbially used to catch a mackerel (5)29 Securing fish prior to reeling in (7)32 AT’s Take a Friend Fishing for Free scheme – in Trent, affirmed! (4)33 ___ Water Park, Staffs gravel pit... and popular pickle brand (8)35 Type of carp seen by Scrooge? (5)36 Edible marine…

A UNIQUE initiative to help us better understand and protect freshwater eels has just been launched. Run by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) fisheries team, the drive involves tagging eels in Dorset’s River Frome to try to discover what triggers their epic 6,000-mile migration to the Sargasso Sea. The species has declined by 90 per cent since the 1980s and is now classed as ‘critically endangered’. It’s hoped that this new research will reveal the habitats the eels are choosing, as well as when they decide to make their journey from river to sea. “For a fish that has been around for millions of years and has been so culturally and economically important, we know very little about it,” said Will Beaumont, leading the fieldwork for…

THE BIGGEST barbel ever reported in the British Isles has just been caught, weighing in at an incredible 22lb 1oz. It was banked by James Crosby, and adds a whopping 15oz to the existing record, taken by Colin Smithson five years ago from a Sussex river. Fittingly, it was caught from the Kings Weir Fishery on the River Lea – a venue that was fished by Izaak Walton back in the 17th Century and was a favourite haunt of legendary barbel angler, Fred Crouch. Over the past few seasons, the stretch has produced huge barbel almost every week. So although James’ fish is the first ‘twenty’ to come from the venue, he wasn’t entirely surprised to see such a gigantic specimen. “We thought that a record was on the cards…

BIG PERCH are impressive, especially when they reach specimen proportions. They are also the perfect fish to target in winter. So, what size perch should you be aiming to catch? I think it's important to be realistic, because most of the huge hauls you see in this magazine are taken from a boat, helped along by state-of-the-art fish-finders that allow you to watch how the fish react to your lure. Nothing wrong with that if you’re having fun, but be pragmatic about the fishing you have available. To me a 2lb fish is nice, 3lb is the goal, and anything bigger is exceptional – I think that's a reasonable benchmark. I’m not bothered whether I fish a stillwater or a river, which is just as well, because perch can be…

WITH no fewer than SIX British records hitting the bank in 2024, it’s safe to say that it’s been one of the most remarkable 12 months in the history of specimen angling. But in the race for Fish of the Year, Steve Ricketts’ momentous 11lb 3oz eel routed the opposition. Anglers voted in their thousands for the giant, which broke Steve Terry’s previous national best by an ounce. That record had stood for over 45 years and was considered by many to be unbeatable! We caught up with Steve, who was honoured to have been voted this year’s winner. “I just didn’t expect it!” he told us. “I fish in my own little world these days and am not really into the Internet, so wasn’t aware of the praise I’ve…

FEMALE participation in our sport has been given a series of welcome boosts over recent years, and one angler who has played more than her fair share in that uplift is Kayleigh Dowd. A phenomenal talent who has been competing at the highest level on both the domestic and international scene for several years, she’s helped inspire the next generation of female anglers in more ways than one. Her success is the obvious starting point, and this year alone she helped the England Specimen Carp Squad win tri-nations gold at Naseby Reservoir, before switching disciplines to gain a memorable bronze in the coarse fishing World Championships in Portugal. She’s also tasted victory on the open match scene, being equally adept at catching F1s shallow as she is at targeting silvers…

THE NUMBER of angling video subscription platforms has grown rapidly in the last few years, nowhere more so than in the big-carp fishing arena. While many go down the route of producing more entertainment-based content, in a bid to offer something a little bit different, Adam Penning launched Penning’s Carp Academy in 2022. Since then, he’s built a strong community of followers who have rewarded the channel by voting for it to be crowned this year’s Subscription Platform of the Year . Fronted by Adam himself, the whole premise of the channel is to help viewers catch more carp. This is delivered in the form of one-to-one video tutorials, weekly instructional videos, ‘success packs’ and access to a members-only private Facebook group. And with monthly membership costing less than a…

BEST POLE OVER £1,500 DAIWA CONNOISSEUR G90 PRO 16M THE NEXT chapter in the Connoisseur story! Stiffer, lighter and loaded with updates and improvements that you would normally only associate with the company’s top-end models such as the Air Z or Airity Pro. Even when fished at its longest lengths, the new Connoisseur G90 Pro will handle everything from long-length subtle presentations for finicky F1s to thumping out big match-winning carp at close quarters. It comes with a choice of More Power and More F1 packages, perfectly reflecting what the modern match angler expects from a pole. WHY WE PICKED IT: The only thing we don’t like about this new offering is its reputation as a power pole – it’s far more than that. With thick and strong sections, and…

MOST of us say that the relaxation afforded by angling is one of its biggest draws, but who doesn’t love a session where we are forced to keep busy? In summer, Method feeder enthusiasts must recast every few minutes to keep ringing the dinner bell... long pole shallow tactics for F1s demand almost constant slapping of the rig... and pellet waggler fans need to keep blasting in the bait via a catapult to fill their nets. All that goes out of the window in winter. But if you can’t wait for warmer temperatures, there is a tactic where a non-stop workout is still vital throughout winter. Roach are a species that are always stimulated by activity in the water column, and the harder you work, the more you are going…

AS THIS is the Christmas Special, I’m going to be self-indulgent and look at my three favourite match fishing venues of all time. The first, and my stand-out favourite, is Medley, on the Thames near Oxford. You won’t find it under that name – on maps it’s Binsey, and runs from Godstow Lock down to Fiddlers Island. Fairly wide and shallow, it has a featureless far bank — Port Meadow – which I believe to be England’s second-biggest. I first fished it right at the end of ‘the gudgeon era’, when chub started ruling the roost. The first match I ever fished was a round of the 120-peg Thames Division Winter League. I drew just below Black Jack’s Hole, named after the hideout of a notorious highwayman. I was the…