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Three words to describe yourself?
Dedicated, focused, meticulous.

Fishing hero?
Steve Gardener.

Biggest influences in match fishing?
My dad, Steve Gardener, Alan Scotthorne.

Who do you rate as the top three match anglers?
Steve Gardener, Alan Scotthorne, Steve Ringer.

How long have you been match fishing?
41 years.

How did you start fishing?
Up the Basingstoke Canal with my dad. Caught a roach.

First match win?
Farnborough cup win, the Hospital Cup.

Most recent match win?
Fish South Silverfish Final.

Favourite match win?
World Championships on the Spinadesco Canal in Italy.

Biggest or best match weight?
456lb at Willinghurst Fishery.

Favourite fish?
Skimmers/bream.

Favourite venue?
Gold Valley.

Favourite peg?
Any end peg!

Best fishing breakfast?
The Big Bite at the Gold Valley clubhouse.

Any fishing habits or superstitions?
In the early days I use to make up a ball of “Lucky groundbait” before the start and leave it on my side tray, and then throw it in at the end of the match. Not so much these days.

Where do you like to be in the draw queue?
Normally I’ll go in the middle, but I believe that if your name’s on it, you’ll draw it.

What’s your perfect combination of venue, species and method?
Holme Pierrepont, full of bream, slider.

Other sporting interests?
Snooker and football.

One day left to go fishing, where would you go?
The River Loddon with my dad, as it was one of the places where it all started.

Three things you wouldn’t go to a match without?
Hook box, rig box and phone.

Favourite item of tackle?
My Daiwa Air Z Pro pole.

Favourite bait?
Worms!

Biggest character you’ve met in match fishing?
Simon Gould, what a legend.

What are your favourite bits about match fishing?
The cameraderie you get in both individual and team events, and the technical side, which has become a key feature in recent years.

Least favourite?
The cold winter months, as it’s more about where you draw than what you do.

What’s in the flask – tea or coffee?
Bovril.

Favourite bankside snack?
Chocolate Hobnobs.

Funniest moment on the bank?
Watching Steve Gardener falling into the River Cam, and the look on his face saying “Don’t laugh,” as he climbed up the bank.

What was your last match?
A regular open on Gold Valley.

What’s your next match?
An open at Evesham on the Warwickshire Avon (a Wychaven qualifier).

One match you would love to win?
The World Championship with our current crop of young anglers.