We are excited to announce a new format for the Preston Innovations Pole Fishing Pairs competition. In a break from our old league-style format, this year we are holding a series of qualifiers up and down the country, with the top three pairs from each qualifying for the Grand Final at Preston Innovations Woodland View Fishery on Saturday, March 4th.
Here, subject to turnout, and thanks to generous backing from the sponsors Preston Innovations, we will pay out over £11,000 in cash with nine pairs being paid out. The winning pair will walk away with £4,000 and the prestigious Preston Innovations Pole Fishing Pairs trophy.
Run by Lee Kerry, and Match Fishing's own Tom Scholey and Matt Godfrey, this series promises to utilise the fantastic mixed species fishing on offer at Lindholme lakes.
So often there are big catches of silver to be taken in winter months. Now there is a league dedicated to keeping anglers busy at the coldest time of the year.
The league will be POLE only
With the following permitted baits.
The RSPCA is appealing for people who may have seen a dog which was later found dead being walked by a canal inMiltonKeynes.
We are particularly asking any people who may have been fishing by the canal in March and may have seen something to call us.
The animal welfare charity is investigating the death of the dog - a tan Staffordshire bull terrier - who died in March this year. The dog was found hanging from a tree in Stanton Low Park.
Angler's Name
Weight (lbs/oz)
Peg # / Lake
Perry Stone (Spro)
198-12-00
80 (Lake 5)
David Brown (Maver Midlands)
182-10-00
22 (Foundation)
Frankie Gianoncelli (Preston Innovations / Sonu Baits)
181-10-00
88 (Lake 6)
Matthew Higgins (Neptune Angling)
153-00-00
50 (Lake 3)
Ben Hagg (Guru / Daiwa)
137-00-00
7 (Lake 1)
Jason Collins (Preston Innovations / Sonu Baits)
133-12-00
17 (Lake 1)
Ryan Lidgard
123-02-00
105 (Lake 7)
Jake Fowles (Pole & Match Fishing Magazine)
117-12-00
27 (Lake 1)
The 2016 Mega Match This qualifier campaign finished on a high with another sell-out event at The Glebe. Conditions on the day were not ideal with the fishing proving difficult for some on account of the bright sunshine and lack of any ripple. That said, weights were still exceptional, especially given recent events - testament to just how well the Glebe as a venue is managed and one of the reasons why this particular qualifier venue always proves so popular amongst anglers.
Securing the final 2016 Match This Grand final place was Perry Stone.
Maver are proud and excited to announce a new sponsorship deal that has been agreed with angling charity Match-Aid.
Match-Aid is an organisation whose vision is to raise money to support young people participating in Angling including cadets and juniors who require that little extra support. Everybody connected with Match-Aid offer their time and support on a voluntary basis and dedicate a huge amount of personal and family time, ensuring that all funds raised are used for promoting an inclusion for all interested in angling and supporting UK charities.
For 2016 and beyond the charity intend to organise, promote and support junior angling, which will be achieved by organising fund raising matches and Junior Match-Aid events.
A new competition for disabled anglers launched in the East Midlands
A brand new competition for disabled anglers is being launched in the East Midlands. The inaugural East Midlands Disabled Angling Championships will be taking place on Thursday 22nd September at Rycroft Fishery, Derbyshire (DE74 2RE) on Moat Lake.
The competition has been established in partnership with the Angling Trust to create more opportunities for disabled anglers to fish in competitions. The match will form part of an on going calendar of local matches for disabled anglers taking place at accessible fisheries.
Hallcroft Fisheries, Retford, 6th August 2016
Angler's Name
Weight (lbs/oz)
Peg # / Lake
Matt Arnold
161-14-00
16 (Bridge Island)
Chris Kitchin
120-01-00
74 (Moat Outer)
Paul Wright (Halkon Hunt)
104-06-00
8 (Reed)
Oliver Stringer
95-15-00
20 (Reed)
Frankie Gianoncelli (Preston Innovations / Sonu Baits)
85-10-00
2 (Canal)
Craig Owen
83-10-00
31 (Reed)
Les Marshall (Barnsley Bait Co. )
79-02-00
49 (Moat Island)
Darren Oldham
72-00-00
26 (Bridge Outer)
The best turnout to date on a Mega Match This qualifier at Hallcroft Fishery saw one hundred and nine (109) anglers attend this Saturday qualifier event. Conditions on the day were extremely warm with very little cloud cover about. However, a slight breeze gave some anglers, depending on where they had drawn, a slight ripple which made all the difference to those that caught compared to those that didn't.
Matrix are delighted to announce a new partnership between the Essex based company and one of the countries top teams, Team Image.
The Image team will be sponsored by Matrix and will now fish under the Matrix Image banner.
Image are based in the South East and are arguably one of the most consistent teams in the country finishing in the top 6 in the national for the last six years including a staggering 4 runner up medals.
Matrix media manager Craig Butterfield was excited to have another great team on board.
Following the rescheduled Mega Match This qualifier at Barston Lakes (originally scheduled to take place at The Glebe), please note below the full and final result:
Barston Lakes, Solihull, 27th July 2016
Angler's Name
Weight (lbs/oz)
Peg # / Lake
Mark Jones (Tredegar AC)
120-10-00
18
Jon Owen (Colney Tackle)
96-04-00
124
Ben Sharp
93-10-00
6
Andy Kinder (Maver / Marukyu)
81-13-00
10
Charlie Simpson (Miracle Baits)
68-08-00
2
Barry Mason (Guru / Bag 'Em Baits)
63-12-00
24
Jason Farmery
61-06-00
121
Richie Hull (Garbolino)
54-00-00
120
Events leading up to this latest qualifier took an unexpected turn after it was confirmed that The Glebe, who were originally scheduled to host the event, had some issues with a number of the lakes on site meaning the qualifier had to be moved at very short notice. Unfortunately, this meant that a number of anglers dropped out and chose not to fish at Barston instead, which resulted in the numbers being down on what was otherwise another sell out qualifier. That said, the fishing was close although the sport was not as prolific as the day before on the England ladies fundraiser event.
Winner on the day and making it through to the 2016 Mega Match This final was Welsh rod, Mark Jones (Tredegar AC).
Steve Barraclough has signed an individual sponsorship deal with Browning Fishing, part of the Zebco Europe group of brands. Steve, from Wakefield, West Yorks, will be representing the brand a major fishing events and assisting with future product development.
Browning has also signed two new teams in the North and South of the country. Browning Osset are a long established Yorkshire team who have competed at top level for many years.
PRESTON EXPAND IN EUROPE!
We are thrilled to announce the signing of French Internationals Didier Delannoy and Baptiste Courtellemont.
The pair will be joining our European sales organisation, aiming to further develop the markets in France and the Wallonia region of Belgium. Driving Preston’s 4-brand strategy forward into the next generation of European growth.
Didier Delannoy will join the team as Director of Sales & Marketing (France).
After several weeks of rumours on the Match fishing grapevine it has just been announced that angling Legend Mark Pollard had joined Matrix as a consultant. Mark, who is regarded as one of the best all round anglers in the country, is sure to bring a wealth of knowledge to the Essex based match brand.
Matrix media manager Craig Butterfield was clearly happy with the recent signing, “ We all know that Mark is fantastic angler but he’s also got a lot of experience with product development and this is an area where we’ll really be utilising his skills. Mark will also be helping to promote the brand in the media and I personally can’t wait to get out on the bank with him, picking his brains for the various features and videos we have planned”.
Stephane Pottelet Joins Garbolino
One of the highest profile names on the world championship stage has joined SERT as Garbolino brand manager. Stephane Pottelet is highly regarded by anglers across the world, as one of the very best pole and waggler anglers of his generation and his record in team and individual events over the last 10 years is incredible! His achievements include team gold, silver and bronze medals at World and European level with the French national team, as well as individual silver and bronze medals at the world championships. The three-time champion of France also has other key skills that he is keen to apply to the Garbolino brand.
Garbolino’s Jerome Mio has stepped up to take over the responsibility of sales and marketing manager and is delighted with the appointment of Stephane, who he believes will add even more strength to the brand, which is growing rapidly across Europe.
Browning Aston Park Fisheries Lead The Way…
The fishing has really taken off at Aston Park for the start of summer, with some exciting additions to the match and pleasure fishing format at the fishery.
Aston Park is without doubt one of the most popular pleasure fishing venues in the country, and Venue Owner, Alex Mitchell is keen to keep the punters happy:
“In conjunction with our venue sponsor, Browning, we have introduced a new Commercial King Monthly Day Ticket offer. You simply need to bring an old day ticket on a return visit, and we place this into a prize draw that takes place at the end of the month. The winner will be drawn out and win a brand new Browning Commercial King rod worth over £70! We like to keep the cost reasonable too and charge just £6 for a day ticket, with a concession ticket of £5.
