Tom Scholey on why Alex Bones is wrong to say modern match methods require a similar amount of skill.
I love a good debate – and Alex’s response to my last blog has certainly got the old grey matter whirring! As he rightly says, we are good friends – and I have a lot of respect for his opinion.
That said, I believe his argument that all modern match methods require a similar amount of skill to execute is misguided and wrong. In my mind, there is far more skill to, for example, catching a net of roach on bloodworm, or on the stickfloat, waggler or bolo than a net of commercial carp on the Method feeder.
Fishing UK App launches on Android!It has taken many moons to create, but the Fishing UK Team are happy to announce their app launch onto the android platform. The Fishing UK application allows anglers to search thousands of UK venues, save them to their favourites, upload photos, upload tips tricks and reviews. Meet like minded anglers in the forums, read our news and reviews, save money in the members deals section and learn new methods of fishing in the tackle box section. The Fishing UK Team have many more treats in store for 2013 and aim to stay at the top of the charts within the App stores.
Competition returns with exciting new sponsor!Popular Midlands complex, Tunnel Barn Farm has announced the return of the famous Tunnel Barn Masters competition – which is back for 2013 with an exciting new sponsor!Tackle giants Browning have thrown their weight behind the competition- putting up a 16m pole for the individual winner to walk away with. In addition to this, there is a £500 cash prize for the winner, put up by the venue. The event is set to take place on Saturday 3rd August, with entry costing just £40. The format of the day will see the anglers compete in two matches –one in the morning, and one in the afternoon – and it will be the combined section score that is used to determine the winner.
Without wishing to get enthralled in a tit-for-tat battle, Tom Scholey’s blog reply to my editorial in February’s edition of Match Fishing entitled ‘The Pursuit Of Perfection’ needs addressing.
In brief my editorial was about anglers putting methods and species on a pedestal and, more to the point, anglers suggesting that certain tactics required more skill than others to execute.
Tom disagreed with my comments – he’s entitled to his opinion no less – but I couldn’t let it lie without a suitable retort.
In particular he strikes out at Method feeder fishing and, by his own admission, it’s something he “could be a lot better at”.
Two match wins in as many weeks for Preston backed ace. Milton Keynes ace Michael Buchwalder has set tongues wagging, after winning his second 50+ open match in as many weeks. After taking victory on the Old Nene at March last weekend, Michael journeyed to Spalding, to fish the Maver Bait Tech Pairs, on the Town Welland. The match was going to be split between the River Glen and the Town Welland but the weekends big thaw put paid to that.
Rob decides to go back to the venue known as roach heaven!
After my last visit I was really looking forward to this match on the Welland in Spalding town centre - I had won the last match with 35lb, my best all roach catch from a natural venue. My mood was soon dampened though as Tim, my partner for the day, handed me my peg, the areas leading out of the town centre hadn’t been competing with the rest of the match length in previous weeks and after a week of frosts, snow and then a big thaw it was likely that the fish would be shoaling up even tighter. I reckoned that a draw between pegs 10 and 25 would probably give a good days sport as this area is around a couple of bridges where as my home for the day, peg 34, was on a straight almost as far away from a bridge as possible on this stretch! There was no way I could go to my peg downhearted though - me and Tim are right up there in the pairs league and with Tim drawn in a favourable area I would need to do my best just to keep us ticking over in a league that is decided overall on weight. On arriving to my peg my spirits lifted a little, I had a lot of room to my left, probably around 60 yards until the next angler (Westy), I’m told this area had been left out as it’s much shallower than the rest of the stretch and as a result not very productive, nevertheless any extra room has got to be worth a few fish.
Are some methods more skillful than others? Tom Scholey thinks so!I read with interest Alex Bones’s Editorial in the latest issue of Match Fishing. I have really been enjoying his pieces over the last few months, as he has spoken his mind on a number of issues - and up to now I have agreed with his points wholeheartedly. In this months magazine, he raises an interesting topic- arguing that it is not fair to put certain methods on a pedestal, and suggesting that they all require a similar amount of skill to be proficient at. Based on my own experiences, I couldn’t disagree more.
22 year old angler enjoys incredible run of form. When it comes to winning big matches, 21 year old James Dent must be among the most in form angler in the country. The England Youth International has followed up a fantastic year in 2012, with a blistering start to his 2013 campaign – winning two 50+ peg matches, and framing in a further three already – on tactics ranging from fishing popped up baits on the bomb for carp, to bloodworm and joker fishing for roach. The Teesside based MAP and Marukyu backed rod explained: “I am really enjoying my fishing at the minute, and things just seem to be going right for me.
Joe Carass has been back to do battle in the Tunnel Barn Farm Winter League with a hint of success too!
The Tunnel Barn Farm winter league is now fast approaching its climax and with four rounds to go it was all to play for. In the last round we managed to whittle away at Barston’s lead and had reduced it to just five points.
We were all looking forward to round seven but sadly the arctic conditions put paid to that and the match was cancelled. Nevertheless the following week the snow had melted and it was game on!
However what hadn’t melted was the ice and every one of us was going to have the lovely task of creating some ice holes.
Great Northern Fishing show in Jeopardy, but Fish O Mania will go ahead. The Great Northern Fishing Show, which accompanied the famous Fish O Mania event aired live on Sky Sports, looks unlikely to run in 2013 following a bust up between show bosses. The show organiser, and former Cudmore Fisheries boss, Cyril Brewster has left his post, following a row with land owner, Edward Mainwaring. A press release to exhibitors from Cyrils’ wife, Sue Brewster stated: “Due to matters beyond Cyril’s control he will not be running the Great Northern Fishing Show at Cudmore Fisheries this year during Fish O Mania.
