A Line Up Of Champions

Ashby makes the RiverFest Final.
There are just three qualifying matches remaining before the RiverFest roadshow draws to a halt. The field already boasts some top-class river rods, including Terry Moroz, Tony Marshall, Rob Wootton, Jamie Robbins, Andrew Murphy, Scott Geens, Matt Derry, Andy Powers and Paul Glenfield.

One of the latest qualifiers was former World Champion Sean Ashby, who qualified on the River Trent at Burton upon Trent last weekend.

Sean said: "I can't speak highly enough of the event. It is very well run, takes in a wide variety of rivers and boasts a very sizeable payout at the end of it. The other thing that I like about the format is that the payout is not a winner-takes-all structure, so there will be plenty of people who go home from the final happy.

"The event has also done a lot to help rejuvenate people's interest in river fishing. I travel around a lot of shops, and I get the sense that some anglers are getting fed up with catching carp, and this competition has given them the inspiration to go fishing. I think it will go from strength to strength."

There are just three qualifying matches left to determine the last nine competitors in the grand final, that takes place on the River Wye in November. Most of the competitors are listed below, although a few names are awaiting confirmation from the organisers:

Sean Ashby
Terry Moroz
Tony Marshall
Rob Wootton
Jamie Robbins
Ian Winter
Ian Didcote
Andrew Murphy
Simon Deakin
Deron Harper
Steve Berry
Mark Pollard
Will Freeman
Tony Anderson
Scott Geens
Nigel Marchington
Martin Taylor
Phil Foster
Matt Derry
Steve Whitfield 
Richard Bezimer
Simon Mears
Paul Kozyra
Kelvin Rutter
Tony Moreton
Paul Bick
Martin Hope
Michael Dalziel
Shaun Tate
Chris Brown
Chris Gowling
John Obank
John Urruty
Steve Edson
Steve Lowther
Andy Power
Richard Chave
Chris Parr
Steve Clegg
Steve Newns
Steve Webster
Rob Wright
Martin Roper
Paul Spriggs
Paul Glenfield

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