News

Roach go on the feed at Evesham
The weights on the Evesham Festival Qualifying matches have soared this week, after bloodworm and joker were allowed for the first time this season.

Sensas ace Darran Bickerton was best, with a 10-13-0 net from Peg 18. Darran fished bloodworm at 13 metres over a bed of soil, joker and groundbait, taking fish to 10 ounces.  It was a similar story for runner-up, Steve Townsend, who also caught a net of roach on bloodworm. Steve again fished 13 metres, and topped up regularly with balls of soil and joker to keep fish coming.

In a remarkably tight match, just eight ounces separated first and fifth place. For most anglers, roach on bloodworm and joker provided the bulk of their weight, the exceptions being Martyn Howard, whose catch included a 4lb barbel caught on halibut pellet, and Clive Branson, who caught perch and hybrids on a waggler.

Evesham stalwart, Leigh Gardner won Sunday’s Shakespeare Championship Qualifying match, with a 14-5-0 net of roach. Drawn on Peg 6, Leigh fished the pole at 13 metres with bloodworm, over a bed of joker, groundbait and soil. Fishing a 0.6g rig and a single bloodworm over the top of his bait, Leigh kept a succession of good roach going in the net to finish with 14-5-0.

It was a similar story for Pole Fishing Magazine’s Matt Godfrey, who finished in second place from Peg 23. Matt also attacked his peg with bloodworm and joker, fishing just one line 13 metres from the bank. Again, Matt fed joker in soil and groundbait, topping his peg up regularly through the day. Matt took a handful of chunky perch and roach, and a lot of smaller roach to finish with 10-4-0.

Michael Buchwalder took third spot from Peg 45. Michael again took a good net of roach on bloodworm and joker, to finish just two ounces behind Matt.


Saturday, August 3rd

Result
1 Darran Bickerton (Sensas) 10-13-0 (Peg 18)
2 Steve Townsend (Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths) 10-12-0 (Peg 32)
3 Clive Branson (Cardiff Nomads) 10-12-0 (Peg 87)
4 Andrew Murphy (Tredegar AC) 10-6-0 (Peg 45)
5 Martyn Howard (Ringer Baits) 10-5-0 (Peg 30)