Indholdsfortegnelse for 22 August 2015 i Angling Times

A SIMPLE groundbait feeder rig has accounted for the capture of one of the biggest barbel of the season in the shape of this 17lb specimen. Weighing just 4oz shy of a venue record, the huge fish was caught by Eathan Waddington during a short evening session on the River Derwent in Derbyshire. The 24-year-old from Chaddesden arrived at the Earl of Harrington’s controlled stretch of the waterway in Derby, where he set up an open-ended feeder rig incorporating 15lb mainline and a braided hooklink tied to a size 10 hook. Filling his feeder with Bait-Tech’s new Poloni groundbait, Eathan had to endure two hours without a bite before the rod-tip wrenched around as the specimen made off with his hair-rigged 14mm halibut pellet hookbait. “I knew the fish was…

THE Fish O’Mania prize fund has been given another boost after it was revealed that the runner-up will walk away with £10,000. Event owner Matchroom Sport has made wholesale changes to the format for next year’s competition, with more qualifiers and spaces being made available and a semi-final being introduced. The overall winner will walk away with £50,000 and the angler in second place will also net a five-figure sum. Matchroom Sport boss Barry Hearn said: “The changes to Fish O’Mania will reinforce its credentials as the world’s number one coarse fishing match.”…

FURTHER proof that more and more exotic game fish are visiting UK waters has come to light following the sighting of thousands of tuna off the Cornish coast. Numerous fishing vessels reported seeing vast shoals of huge bluefin tuna jumping out of the water in an area off Penzance. Local skipper Duncan Jones, of wildlife watching vessel ‘Marine Discovery’ was stunned at the sight. He told Angling Times: “It was incredible – there were thousands of them jumping out of the water to feed in an area of around nine miles square. It was like a feeding frenzy.”…

FOUR-times World Champion Bob Nudd took time out of his busy schedule to pass on tips and tactics at a Browning open day on a popular commercial fishery. The tackle company recently showcased all its latest tackle at Todber Manor Fisheries in Dorset, which also hosted men’s and junior open matches on the day. The mens event on Park Lake was won with 97lb 4oz by Scott Russell, who took home £600, and the junior competition on Ash Lake saw Travis Samuels land 22lb 8oz for victory.…

LEGENDARY angler, author and antique tackle collector Len Arbery made the purchase of a lifetime when he made ‘BB’ an offer he couldn’t refuse in 1990 for the MKIV rod that was given to him by Dick Walker along with the famous centrepin reel. “BB had recently learned that Bernard Venables’ Dick Walker-made MKIV rod had sold at auction for the then massive sum of £2,000 and asked me if I could furnish details of the auction house,” said Len. “I said ‘why not sell it to me and save the commission?’ to which BB replied: “If you are willing to pay such a sum for my rod, I’ll include my Dick Walker reel as well.” “So the deal was struck. I still have the reel, but I needed some…

THIS is the thin-lipped mullet that smashes the current British boat record. Ollie Stenning had an evening to remember when he landed two fish that beat the current British best. The first weighed 7lb 2oz and he then followed it up with this stunning 8lb 7oz 4dr specimen. The 16-year-old, from East Sussex, was fishing in St Peter Port, Guernsey, aboard ‘Bluefin’, a vessel skippered by Greg Whitehead, who was the first to beat the current record that stands at 6lb 15oz with a 7lb 10dr fish. But Ollie proved to be the star of the trip while spinning a pennelled ragworm mounted behind a small silver Mepps.…

MATCH angling legend Dick Clegg has retired from international management after a glittering career with the England team that spanned three decades. The Yorkshireman has helped the nation to more than 40 World Championship medals during his tenure, which started in 1984 when he took control of the men’s squad. After 17 years in charge he temporarily stepped down, but soon returned to lead the veteran’s team to six team medals between 2007 and the current day. Now, he has called it a day, and we caught up with to discuss a hugely successful career that will never be matched. Q Why have you finally decided to step down? I’ve got to be honest with myself and admit I am not getting any younger and that I need to put…

MAP’s popular Parabolix luggage range has undergone a major revamp. The latest collection offers a full cosmetic upgrade in the form of a stunning understated black finish, and an improved construction and finish. The new Black Edition array consists of six- and eight-tube Holdalls, Carryall, Bait Bag, XL Carry Case, two sizes of Accessory Bag, Reel Case and Catapult Bag, all of which have been thoughtfully designed to tick every box of the modern match angler’s requirements. Materials offer maximum durability and oversized zips have been added for quick and easy access to all compartments. Side vents have also been added to smaller items to allow for accessories such as catapults and pole cups to air dry between sessions, eliminating a build-up of mould. Price: £7.99-£119.99 KEY FEATURES  Key features…

MY favourite sinking float rig is a running set-up (above left) as it's very robust and tangle-free. I start by tying a 3ins twisted loop in the end of my mainline, 8lb Daiwa Hyper Sensor. I then thread a medium line stop on to the twisted loop and push it right up to the knot. A running feeder bead is then threaded on to the loop, followed by a second float stop which prevents it from sliding off again. To finish off I tie a small loop around half-an-inch long at the end of the big loop, to attach the hooklength to, and then push the second stop down against the knot I’ve created. This leaves the feeder bead running between the two stops. To finish, simply clip the float…

WHETHER you aspire to be Steve Ringer, Martin Bowler or Dave Harrell there is one thing that sets the country’s top anglers apart, yet which often goes unnoticed. They all seem to have an uncanny knack of knowing how much bait of the correct type to feed. Get this part of your fishing right and everything else will simply fall into place. I was reminded of this fact on a recent morning spent in search of tench on the float at the lovely Dudmaston Hall lake in Shropshire. What the tench in this lake lack in size they make up for in being quite wily, especially this late in the summer, so I would need to think carefully about my approach. My tactics were simple – a small waggler fished…

FOLLOWING last week’s exclusive news that Hertfordshire’s King’s Weir Fishery plans to create a breeding pool to grow chub and barbel to UK record size, we take a look at just what is needed to get your name in the history books with a record-breaking specimen. Very few specialist anglers ever realise this dream, but Phil Smith is one such man. The Coventry angler is a former joint crucian record-holder with a 4lb 9oz specimen (right) and has a string of massive bream, tench, barbel and perch on his CV. A full-time angler, Phil can spend months on one venue and has been doing so since the 1970s. “Timing, finding the right venue and even something as small as having a good camera when that record is on the bank…

WHEN Peterborough’s Robin Harris won the All England National in September 1971, it was only the second time he had ever fished the River Severn. But he knew his peg at Quatford was worth a good catch, and although it has changed considerably, there are still plenty of areas like the one he fished, which has since become known as ‘Harris’s Pitch’. “The water came rushing towards me from a ford, cutting in from the far side and boiling and twisting as it sped past,” he wrote in Angling Times after the event. “I had never seen a swim quite like it, but I knew it was good.” With swimfeeders unheard of, Robin used a 4AAA Avon float, initially with bronze maggots, and chose a glide eight rodlengths out. In…

HOME to the Fish O’Mania Final for 11 years, Hayfield Lakes is a special fishery to hundreds of matchmen. It also features a famous swim in the shape of peg 6 on Adam’s Lake – as three Fish O’ finals have been won from this very platform. This success of this peg lies in the features available, as it’s a corner peg with both a willow tree and a water outlet. Adam’s is mostly noted for its carp stocks, as fish to a resounding 15lb can be caught here. As there is a large expanse of open water, the pellet waggler is perfect throughout the summer, although the margin fishing (especially off peg 6) is also prolific – with paste, corn and worms the favoured baits. The lake’s skimmers are…

CARR MILL DAM, WIGAN, LANCS This St Helens AA lake is stuffed with bream and roach to groundbait feeder tactics. 01942 728532, Sat Nav: WN5 7TZ DAMFLASK RESERVOIR, SHEFFIELD, S YORKSHIRE Damflask holds roach to 1lb-plus. Catch them on a small feeder or a large waggler. 07952 485798, Sat Nav: S6 6SQ ESTHWAITE WATER, HAWKSHEAD, CUMBRIA Nets of roach to 2lb top 30lb. Fish a small maggot feeder opposite the fishing lodge. Contact: 015394 36541 Sat Nav: LA22 0QF SOUTHFIELD RESERVOIR, E COWICK, E YORKSHIRE Roach are pretty much left untouched. Pegs 56-80 by the car park are the hotspots. Contact: 07946 382882 Sat Nav: DN14 9AD SWINSTY RESERVOIR, HARROGATE, N YORKS Recently reopened to coarse anglers, the venue has a huge stock of roach. Contact: 07754 505434 Sat Nav:…

STOURPORT, WORCS MAVER Larford Lakes has three well stocked waters – Match, Arena and Specimen Lakes. A 100lb net of quality bream can be amassed on the Specimen Lake by those fishing a feeder or slider float with corn, meat or maggot on the hook. Traditionalists can also fish a section of the River Severn. A cage feeder loaded with 4mm halibut pellets and fishmeal groundbait will catch barbel and chub to 4lb throughout your session, especially around Limcombe Weir. Contact: 01299 829373 Sat Nav: DY13 0SQ…

RIVER AVON, BARFORD, WARKS The pegs below the weir are great for trotting a waggler down. The river has a nice steady pace and medium depth. Expect barbel, chub, dace, perch and roach. Contact: Barford AA, 01564 777411 Prices: £45 a season, Barford AA RIVER GREAT OUSE, ST NEOTS, CAMBS Not a fast flowing stretch of river, but with enough flow you can trot a waggler down your peg for roach, skimmers, perch and even the odd carp. Contact: Mad Baits, 01480 476995 Prices: £4 a day on the bank, St Neots DFPAS RIVER NENE, STIBBINGTON, CAMBS This is an excellent roach and perch venue which suits anglers fishing the waggler or pole. Hemp and tare fishing really comes into its own towards the end of August when the redfins…

A DAMS Mill is arguably the most famous river stretch in the history of angling. The venue dominated the big barbel scene. Situated on the River Great Ouse in Bedfordshire, the Milton Keynes Angling AA stretch produced seven record fish - including Grahame King’s 21lb 1oz current British best. Back in the days when Adams was on the MKAA card, many valued it for its high-quality roach and chub fishing, and that is now better than ever. The barbel fishing may for the moment be below its record-busting best, but recent stockings and habitat works are starting to bear fruit, with plenty of smaller barbel showing. It currently holds some great roach, perch, pike and chub too, with several big chub knocking on the door of 8lb. VENUE FILE PRICES…

BIG-FISH venue Wellington Country Park can be a tough nut to crack – but Kris Ollington is making it look easy right now. This 55lb 8oz mirror, known as the Ulcer Fish, is his fourth fifty from the Berkshire venue this summer, and it came during an incredible session. “I had seven fish in total including a 39, a 36, a 35 and a 31,” Kris told Angling Times. “Between 11.30am and 2.30pm I had five fish, including the 55. To have that number of fish in that short amount of time hasn’t happened for a long while on there, so it’s nice to be the one that did it.” The 33-year-old electrician has been concentrating his efforts on an area known as the Little Lake, and this haul came…

SUGAR AND SALT  The rig is shown against a 1kg bag of sugar and 500g of Himalayan rock salt that is added to the mix for an irresistible ‘sweet ’n’ sour’ combination of flavours. DOUBLE CORN  A hook swivel runs on the shank of the hook, stopped by a rig bead opposite the point. Mat uses a small piece of fake corn beneath a large one for a balanced bait. HOOK & HOOKLINK  Mat uses a barbed Avid CRV hook. It is tied with a knotless knot to unstripped coated braid to form the German Rig. PVA MESH BAG  This is nicked on to the hook to augment the bed of feed already laid down. In this instance, Mat has filled it with Himalayan rock salt.…

A COUPLE of weeks ago I went with my son-in-law and nine-year-old grandson on my first trip to a commercial. My son-in-law, equipped with proper rod pod, hair-rigs and specially flavoured meat and a fair degree of skill, unsurprisingly put me to shame . Despite my limited expertise and dough bobbin set-up I was lucky enough to fluke a 7lb pike on a lump of rabbit – optimistically intended for catfish – and two carp, one of which proved to be the biggest of the day. The high spot, though, had to be the sight of my grandson battling a carp with his trusty Poundland rod and reel. To add to the day’s entertainment we were treated to a classy display of carp fly-fishing from a couple of chaps on…

I HAVE caught some great fish this week, but to be honest that was against the odds, what with this changeable weather we are having of late. The problem in most cases was the wind, which kept blowing from the north and the east. At this time of year we should be experiencing south and south-westerly winds. Please come good for the last couple of months of summer! TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY Travelled up to the tidal River Trent with my mate Ray Cutler for an overnight session. When we went up there last year Ray had a 14lb barbel, so I was hoping it was my turn this time! We selected our swims, baited up and fished two rods each, one with meat and one with boilies, and settled down…

DAVE STARSMORE, BLABY, LEICESTER ASKS: Q I’m going for my first attempt at proper reservoir bream fishing shortly. I’m told I need to fish a feeder at around 60 yards. Do you have any other tips that could make my trip worthwhile? A I’ve done a lot of this type of fishing and it is really enjoyable when you get it right. First, try and get as much information as you can on swim choice and likely areas that may hold bream. Reservoirs are big places and bream tend to be shoal fish – sit away from them and you’ll really struggle. Once you are happy with your swim, concentrate on being accurate with the feeder. Don’t try fishing a distance you can’t easily reach and check the weather forecast.…

Tuesday, August 25 Acorn Fishery Tuesday Tenner, Kingston Seymour - Mike 01179 497310 Alders Farm, Affordable Open, Great Brickhill – Trevor 07860 235655 Aston Park Fisheries, Sheffield - Alex 07743 845737 Coleman’s Cottage Fishery, Witham – Gerry 01376 516383 Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, Retford – Nick 01777 710448 Decoy Lakes, Eastrea – Di 01733 202230 Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, Epworth – Neil 01427 872905 Great Yarmouth DAA, River Yare – Andy 07990 572729 Heronbrook Fisheries, Slindon – Neil 07879 441282 Ivy House Lakes, Grittenham - Andy 07977 093170 Janson’s Fishery, Elton - 07976 317864 Kobra, Dynamite Baits Makin’s Fishery, Wolvey – John 07749 284823 Little John Lakes, Ollerton - Steve 07715 096738 Meadow View Fisheries OAP & Disabled, Warrington – Brian 01925 757985 Moorlands Farm, Kidderminster - Mal 07967 107913 Oaks Lakes,…

THIS year’s River Arrow Championships will see a donation to help West Midlands tackle dealer Alan Stephens, who had his shop emptied of stock in a burglary last month. £3 of the £13 entry fee will go to help the popular local match angler get his shop back on its feet. Saturday, September 5 is the big match, taking in sections on the river around Alcester, fishing from 10.30am until 2.30pm following the 9am draw at the Alcester Trades & Labour Club. To book, call John Bushell on 07879 624248.…

Result:1 R Yates, Ted Carter Preston, 10-000; 2 P Andrews, Birkenhead, 8-600; 3 D Turner, Tri-Cast Rochdale, 6-000. Pairs:1 D Turner and P Smith, 98pts; 2 R Yates and M Ellement, 97; 3 W Kearney and D Shaw, 92; 4 P Andrews and P Denson, 89; 5 A Donnelly and A Curless, 88. Angling Trust/Canals & Rivers Trust Canal Pairs Championships Qualifier Rochdale Canal, Heywood (46 pegs) AN IMPRESSIVE 98 points out of 100 saw Dean Turner and Paul Smith end the day as the top pair, followed just a point behind by Rick Yates and Marc Ellement. Rick also won the overall individual honours with a level 10-000 from peg 25. The Ted Carter Preston man took around 4lb of roach on breadpunch before looking on his chopped worm…

WORKSOP DAA have a packed list of open matches on their Holme Marsh stretch of the River Trent this year, including the popular Keith Fretwell Memorial that runs on the August Bank Holiday Monday. All matches run on a six-peg section payout basis of £60, plus individual pools cash, with the draw for all matches taking place at 7.45am at the Grey Horses pub in Collingham, with pools at £20 all in. Dates are as follows, with Stewart Goulding the man to call on 01909 540659 or 07860 142870 to book in: Monday, August 31 – Keith Fretwell Memorial, River Trent, Holme Marsh Saturday, September 26 – River Trent, Holme Marsh. Saturday, October 10 – River Trent, Holme Marsh. Saturday, October 17 – River Trent, Holme Marsh. Saturday, October 31…

MERSEYSIDE man Matt Higgins is this year’s Maver British Pole Champs winner. The Neptune Angling man weighed in 153-1-0 from peg 30 on the Specimen Lake to win the 82-peg match fished by qualifiers from Maver Mega Match This eliminators that have taken place throughout the spring and summer. A finalist in the forthcoming Match This final, Matt ended up well clear of runner-up Pete Upperton, another angler who will be fishing for £50,000 in a few weeks’ time in the final, the Middy rod recording 112-6-0 from peg 52 on the same lake. In fact, it turned out to be a good weekend for Pete as, the day before, he teamed up with his mate Robbie Taylor to win the 86-peg Maver Pairs match, the two men both winning…

Editor-in-Chief Steve Fitzpatrick – 01733 395097 steve.fitzpatrick@bauermedia.co.uk Deputy Editor Kevin Wilmot – 01733 395098 kevin.wilmot@bauermedia.co.uk Deputy Editor James Furness – 01733 395104 james.furness@bauermedia.co.uk Editorial Secretary Mary-Ann Payne – 01733 395105 mary-ann.payne@bauermedia.co.uk Tackle Editor Mark Sawyer – 01733 395107 mark.sawyer@bauermedia.co.uk Features Editor Richard Grange – 01733 395109 richard.grange@bauermedia.co.uk Features Editor Mark Parker – 01733 395140 mark.parker@bauermedia.co.uk Senior Feature Writer Ben Fisk – 01733 395101 ben.fisk@bauermedia.co.uk News Editor Ben Miles – 01733 395102 ben.miles@bauermedia.co.uk Senior Reporter Thom Airs – 01733 395106 thom.airs@bauermedia.co.uk Senior Reporter Tony Grigorjevs – 01733 395100 tony.grigorjevs@bauermedia.co.uk Senior Reporter Mark Peck – 01733 395103 mark.peck@bauermedia.co.uk News Reporter Ian Jones – 01733 395111 ian.jones@bauermedia.co.uk Digital Media Manager Rose Lloyd – 01733 395108 rose.lloyd@bauermedia.co.uk Head of photography Mick Rouse mick.rouse@bauermedia.co.uk Staff photographer Lloyd Rogers lloyd.rogers@bauermedia.co.uk Studio photographer Jacques Portal jacques.portal@bauermedia.co.uk Join…

THE largest-ever stocking of crucians is set to help secure the future of one of the nation’s favourite species. Around 300,000 thoroughbred crucians will soon be introduced to two popular venues as part of the already hugely successful National Crucian Conservation Project (NCCP). Norfolk’s Rocklands Mere Fishery has already received 150,000 of these fish and Downham Market & District AA’s Lake One Fishery at Wallington Hall is the latest venue to be hand-picked by the Environment Agency to receive 150,000 fish donated by its Calverton Fish Farm in Nottingham. The latest introductions are just two of many ongoing projects that have been launched as part of a joint venture between the EA and the Angling Trust in a bid to re-establish the species, which has been in sharp decline in…

AN ANTIQUE tackle collector has accidentally bought one of the rarest items of fishing equipment in existence via an internet auction site – a reel hand-made by the legendary Richard Walker. Original split cane rods built by the man known as the ‘godfather of modern angling’ are some of the most valuable items of vintage tackle, changing hands for up to £4,000 apiece. A celebrated author, Angling Times contributor and innovater of fishing techniques and tackle, Richard not only used his incredible engineering skills to craft the infamous Dick Walker MK IV rods. He also made a pair of one-off centrepin reels that were believed to date from the late 1940s and early 1950s. So when John Nightingale paid just £130 for a reel on the popular internet auction site…

days later and employed a similar attack in the hope of more barbel. There were no barbel this time, just a 5lb 12oz ‘best’ chub. SPECIALIST Ben Hughes smashed personal bests for two different species in the space of a week. It all began when the Derby angler went in search of a big barbel, using a legered piece of Garlic Spam and his rod was soon tested to its limit with a 12lb 12oz ‘pb’ specimen soon resting in the net. He returned to the River Derwent in Derbyshire…

WHAT a story about the Dick Walker reel (see pages 4/5)! I’m sure many times we’ve looked at works of art, for example, and wondered if they are genuine. How many musicians hope they may find a Stradivarius? Just how much antique tackle collector John Nightingale’s acquisition will be worth will depend on who wants to buy it – and how much he doesn’t want to keep it. There is a big difference between collectors and dealers, and as John is the former, I won’t be offering him a 10 per cent return on his investment with any hope of success!…

WALKING the vast halls of this year’s Big One show, one pole grabbed my attention more than any other – the Colmic Force H1 Slim. At first glance I thought it was a super-long landing net handle, so thin was the diameter of the butt section. When top match angler Jamie Masson told me it was actually a margin pole, I had to check to make sure it wasn’t April Fools’ Day. The slim profile of the 10m Force H1 is indeed thinner than some landing net poles I’ve used in the past, but Jamie was keen to stress the raw power that this pole packed. Picking one up and having a waggle it felt light, well balanced and perfectly usable as a pole for fishing open water at short…

ONE question I’ve been asked more than any other on social media this summer is without doubt ‘how deep should I fish on the pellet waggler?’ This is a very difficult question to answer. Over the course of a five-hour match I would expect the carp to move up and down in the water, so I would need to chop and change depths in order to keep in contact with them. Often, the best way of keeping in touch is to have two waggler rods set up at different depths and keep switching between them. However, that was before the sinking pellet waggler came along. This is a tactic which allows you to make use of literally every inch of your swim and cover far more water than would ever…

MAKING rigs isn’t the most exciting part of fishing, but fail to pay attention to every aspect of your set-up and you’ll pay the price on the bank. Most anglers make sure that their rigs include an appropriate float shape, line strength and hook size, but they often give little thought to other elements that are equally important. One area of your approach that may see very little effort put into it is creating the perfect hair rig. It would be easy to think that how you present something so small and seemingly insignificant could matter so much, but top matchman Andy Quarmby knows all too well that such a mind-set can prove very costly. ATTENTION TO DETAIL A lot of Andy’s match fishing success has been achieved at venues…

Getting the best from this section Rigs Species Baits Float Venues Feeder Tackle Pole HOW can I tie the perfect banded pellet hair rig? I use shop-bought ones but they don’t seem to have the range of line breaking strains or hook types that I want! David Priest, Warrington, Cheshire YOU’RE right to say that tying your own hooks offers many more options that off-the-shelf types, but most people struggle to tie the band on to the hair and then get it stay on once a few fish have been caught! The basic knotless knot will do fine for creating the hair, but to tie the band there is a trend to have it running inside a small loop, as this allows the pellet to have more movement and…

EVERY angler has a venue they have always wanted to fish. Perhaps it’s a famous lake or popular match-winning peg that you’ve just never got around to giving a try. In this week’s Where to Fish special, we have put together some of the UK’s most famous fishable pegs, giving you the chance to follow in the footsteps of angling legends from all aspects of the sport, including all-round genius Dick Walker, matchman Robin Harris and predatory big-fish maestro Mick Brown.…

THE UK’s most in-form running water venue, there is no doubt that the Trent should be on the river angler’s radar this summer. But where on the mighty waterway should you go? How about the peg from where England feeder international Mick Vials bagged 192lb 8oz of bream, beating the previous match record for the venue by nearly 30lb? Peg 6 on the non-tidal Weir Field at Holme Marsh just north of Newark was the scene of Mick’s magnificent catch, and you can fish it for just £4 a day through controlling club, Worksop & District Anglers Association. Mick used a groundbait feeder with chopped worm and caster, banking slabs to over 7lb. The peg contains plenty of other species – barbel, perch, roach, dace even tench. Most anglers do…

CARLISLE, CUMBRIA THE Lonsdale Lake is known as one of the best roach venues in the country with the majority averaging above 1lb – with a lot of 2lb fish also present. Big perch to 4lb 7oz have been caught here as well on worm and prawn hookbaits. Nets to 60lb of summer silverfish include chub, roach, and perch on maggot hookbaits. Carp anglers are also well looked-after here with lots of big fish present. Please note that there are no day tickets available here. You have to be staying in the on-site caravans and cottages to be able to fi sh. Contact: 01228 562655 www.lonsdalepark.co.uk Sat Nav: CA4 0AY…

THE ‘Bungalows’ (peg 220 at Linton, North Yorkshire) holds a huge head of bream. On a wide bend, the 6ft-7ft deep peg offers slow moving water, ideal for a groundbait approach with a feeder or balling in. As well as slabs to over 7lb, roach have been taken to just over 2lb, and chub to 5lb 8oz. Barbel have weighed in at 6lb 9oz and pike to over 10lb are taken each winter. The stretch is run by Leeds and District Amalgamated Society of Anglers and has been the subject of numerous fish restockings by the Environment Agency in recent years. VENUE FILE LOCATION River Ouse, Hunters Lodge, Linton-on-Ouse, N Yorks CONTACT Leeds DASA Membership Office, 01132 249721 PRICES £52 a calendar year, Leeds DASA…

BACK in September 1981, when I was a mere youngster trying to break into the challenging world of open match fishing, a few fishing mates and I went to watch the 1981 World Championships on the Warwickshire Avon at Manor Farm, below Stratford. It was a venue we’d just started to fish ourselves in open matches so we were hoping to glean a few things by watching the hotly fancied England team in action against France, Italy and other European match fishing giants. Unfortunately, conditions went totally against England that weekend. Heavy rain coloured the river up and what should have been a great spectacle turned into a very difficult day. I have two lasting memories of that match. One is the performance of Jean Pierre Fougeat, who caught quality…

WITH a recent new stocking on Richardson’s Lake, the venue has been prolific this summer. This lake contains no carp, so the fact that nets over 80lb have been recorded here this year is testament to how good the sport is. The 55-peg water with depths averaging 4ft is stuffed with tench of around 2lb, crucians to 1lb, bream to 4lb and loads of roach and rudd which can themselves make for a good day’s fishing. With so many small fish in here, simple float tactics work well with loosefed caster. However, big weights have also been coming out to the Method. The fish tend to keep their distance during the day and come in close in lower light, and this is when it becomes worth fishing the near-bank margins.…

IN-FORM Darren Hilton continued a recent run of good form with two forties in just half-an-hour. Having recently banked a 43lb mirror in a four-fish hit at Kent’s Darenth Tip Lake, the Carp Couture boss was back for more with the same fish at 44lb 8oz and an elusive 41-pounder. Arriving at the weedy venue on a Monday morning, the 44-year-old found three clear spots in a swim known as the Pallets and got his first bite at 4.30pm. “On picking the rod up it felt a very good fish, and after a battle of about 10 minutes the fish was weedbound. However, after it slowly moved towards me through the thick surface weed help arrived, and I was grateful of the assistance to get the fish in. “As it…

DES IS CATCHING THOSE BIG MONUMENT CARP BOOKIE BILL KNOT LOSES A RECORD TO IAN HEAPS QUIZ OF THIS WEEK’S NEWS AND CROSSWORD TO YOUNGSTERS, EVERY FISH SEEMS LIKE A SPECIMEN FOR me the joy of seeing a small child with their ‘whopper’ catches on the Kingfisher Club pages is what it’s all about. Reece Haigh-Geraghty with his 1lb perch (August 4 issue) reminds me of what our sport is all about. He’s thrilled with his catch, and it just shows that you don’t need record-breakers all the time to derive enjoyment from our great sport. It makes me feel very happy to know that I have introduced a few kids to angling along the way. If they get the pleasure out of it that young Reece shows, my job…

IT WAS 2005 and I’d had an enforced layoff from fishing, not getting on to the bank for three months. For someone who likes to get out every weekend it was tortuous to say the least! But the day finally came when I could return to fishing head to my local stretch of the River Wye. Chub were the target and I decided on a roving approach, carrying a bucket of maggots, carryall, rod and landing net. I knew there were a few likely spots a couple of miles away but after a mile of trekking along the bank I looked back and noticed a pair of robins behind me. I thought nothing of it, but a few hundred metres on I looked back and once again the same robins…

FOLLOW Angling Times on Twitter at @angling_timesand Angling Times Editor Steve Fitzpatrick on @AnglingTimesEdfor all the latest news and competitions. ‘Like’ our Facebook page www.facebook.com/anglingtimesfor weekly competitions, news, a first look at new products and much, much more. Fishing on the box Tuesday, August 25, 8:30am Total Fishing Matt Hayes and Mick Brown test out different techniques as they fish for tench on Gloucestershire’s Horseshoe Lake. Tuesday, August 25, 6pm River Monsters Attacks by an elusive monster in the Ukraine take Jeremy Wade to the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident – Chernobyl, as he hunts a mutant species. Tuesday, August 25, 9pm Chasing Monsters Fishing enthusiast Cyril Chauquet seeks out dangerous creatures in remote corners of the planet, this in Africa. Wednesday, August 26, 7:20am Extreme Fishing with…

A SET of brand new rods put a smile on young Corben Beecher’s face by helping him land this 17lb mirror carp. He and his dad spent two days at the prolific Majestic Pool fishery, but their pop-up hookbaits failed to produce anything on day one. Corben used his initiative on the second day and switched to a Nash cultured hookbait and a TG Active halved pop-up, which resulted in a new personal best for the youngster.…

100 AC, Whitehall Pool: 1 G Rush, 11-8-8, pellet/maggot, carp; 2 D Lodge, 10-7-0; 3 N Ferriday, 10-4-0. 55th Division, Bannister House Fishery: 1 M Crook, 43-0-0, meat, carp; 2 C McCrudden, 42-12-0; 3 P Lambert, 37-12-0. 55th Division, Crane Hall Fishery: 1 C Eccles, 31-8-0, pellet, mixed; 2 P Lambert, 24-2-0; 3 K Ainsworth, 19-0-0. Active AC, Stambridge Lakes: 1 P Conway, 63-0-0, corn, carp/silverfish; 2 R Mason, 36-8-0; 3 K Mason, 34-12-0. Alliance & Leicester Liverpool, Hampton Springs Fishery: 1 S Cain, 84-12-0, meat, carp; 2 M Wall, 79-14-0; 3 D Langton, 66-4-0. Altrincham DAC, Meadow View Fisheries: 1 C Wilshaw, 44-2-0, pellet, carp; 2 L Jenkins, 22-12-0; 3 P Owen, 21-6-0. Alvis AC, Riddings Fishery: 1 B Prue, 43-12-0, pellet, carp; 2 N Edwards, 17-4-0; 3 P…

MATCH EVENT OF THE WEEK SOUTH Browning open Todber Manor Fishery, Park & White Post Lakes (60 pegs) HELD as part of the Browning open day at the Dorset fishery, this match drew a good crowd and it saw Scott Russell take the honours with 97-4-0. The Tackle UK man drew peg 53 on the Park Lake and fished 6mm pellet shallow at 14m for carp to 6lb and F1s. Second-placed Tony Gilbert was on nearby peg 57 and also fished pellet shallow on the long pole to take 95-0-0 of carp and F1s. Result:1 S Russell, Tackle UK, 97-4-0; 2 T Gilbert, Preston Innovations Thatcher’s, 95-0-0; 3 S Tucker, Garbolino/Bait-Tech, 91-12-0; 4 B Dukes, Garbolino Blackmore Vale MG, 89-2-0; 5 T Carr, Todber Manor, 78-0-0. South MONDAY TO SATURDAY…

Drennan Coors AC Trent Masters River Trent, Burton-on-Trent (79 pegs) THE river fished better than expected with lots of small fish to be caught, although a few better chub helped local lad Tim Kinson to victory with 16-0-0 from his peg on the Municipal section. Wag and mag fished down the middle of the river saw him net three fish plus roach and dace. Alfreton’s John Spencer was next with 12-8-0 from the same section as he went for stick float and maggot tactics, netting small chub, roach and dace. Result:1 T Kinson, Coors AC, 16-0-0; 2 J Spencer, Alfreton Angling, 12-8-0; 3 N Bull, Coors AC, 12-4-0; 4 D Webb, Foster’s, 9-4-0; 5 J Urruty, Alfreton Angling, 9-2-0; 6 N West, Matchman Supplies, 8-14-0.…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Blundell’s Fishery Rover (Thurs PM) East & West Lodges, Ash & Pine Pools (15 pegs) Result: 1 S Carroll, Matrix Leigh Tackle & Bait, 117-7-0; 2 G Whalley, Bait-Tech 86-5-0; 3 T Dean, Blundell’s, 80-0-0. Climax Wold View Fishery Canal Lake (19 pegs) Result: 1 C Mack, Hull Angling Centre, 80-4-0; 2 S Fields, Drennan Barnsley Black,s 52-2-0; 3 N Hewiss, Wold View, 51-4-0. Fleets Dam (Weds) Barnsley (13 pegs) Result: 1 D Wright, Barnsley, 29-14-0; 2 G Tissington, Barnsley, 29-6-0; 3 J Turner, Barnsley, 15-13-0. Fleets Dam Barnsley (14 pegs) Result: 1 S Gelder, Barnsley, 31-15-0; 2 G Tissington, Barnsley, 27-0-0; 3 D Wright, Barnsley, 25-8-0. Highfield Fisheries Beech Lake (18 pegs) Result: 1 N Lumb, Highfield, 80-4-0; 2 B Peggs, Gerry’s of Morecambe, 61-8-0; 3…

RiverFest Qualifier River Tees, Bowesfield (60 pegs) IT’S BEEN a golden summer for Mick Vials. After winning World Champs team gold with the England Feeder team, and then breaking the River Trent match record a few weeks ago, the Preston Innovations man booked his place in the RiverFest final after winning this qualifier. Drawing end peg 6, Mick netted 18 skimmers, nine on long pole and maggot over groundbait and nine on feeder and worm for 23-6-0. Eddie Bridon following in second to also book his final spot with 22-10-0 of skimmers and hybrids on the feeder with maggot and worm off peg 66. Result: 1 M Vials, Preston Innovations, 23-6-0; 2 E Bridon, Maver, 22-10-0; 3 A Dobie, Sheffield, 22-2-0; 4 G Jones, Maver Newman Scott, 19-11-0; 5 I…

ANGLERS are being given the chance to show off their skills and gain a place in the England team. Selectors for the disabled, ladies and veterans squads are set to run the rule over candidates during a special event on Norfolk’s Middle Level Drain on September 5. Competitors will be asked to fish to international rules, demonstrating their ability on both the pole and the waggler. Anyone interested in taking part can apply for a place by calling Sandra on 0115 9061301 by August 31.…

THE nation’s rivers continue to produce massive hauls for visiting anglers, and it’s not all about barbel either as John Spencer proved with a huge 100lb net of silverfi sh. Targeting a stretch of the Derbyshire Derwent, the Alfreton Angling Centre man started on the pole and soon hooked into a big bream. With lots of other slabs crashing out of the water further out, he quickly switched the groundbait feeder and the change made all the difference, with 12 bream to just shy of double figures, 14 perch and a brace of chub going into the net.…

SEVERAL years of chasing a double-figure zander finally came to an end for Romualdas Kokstis when he took this 12lb 8oz fish from the Great Ouse. The venue regular joined a group of friends for a session on the Ten Mile Bank stretch and used a small skimmer deadbait. Having taken numerous fish to 6lb in previous sessions he was confident of action, but he wasn’t prepared for the huge specimen that eventually graced his net. “I’ve visited lots of areas to try and get an elusive double and it is great to finally attain my goal,” explained Romualdas.…

WE WOULD like you as Angling Times readers to keep your eyes peeled for any photographs, letters, inscriptions in books, tackle or anything else connected to Dick. We’d just like to take a copy to share with those who are interested. Needless to say, the Walker family is chuffed to bits that he is still held in such high regard and we always look forward to hearing from you, whether it’s a fantastic find such as this reel, or just a short note you received from Dick after writing in when you were a youngster. You can contact us via our website www.dickwalker.co.uk  or the ‘Richard Walker’ Facebook page or c/o Angling Times or mail: ben.miles@bauermedia.co.uk…

A SHORT session after work produced a stunning surprise for Jacob Stone in the form of this personal-best 3lb 15oz perch. The Bedford youngster caught the huge stripey on a 4ins Gunki Rollergun shad during a session on the River Great Ouse at Harrold Country Park. He told Angling Times: “I have never had much luck with perch on lures, and my previous best weighed just over a pound. “This one has made my year, and it’s fair to say I’m completely chuffed.”…

FIVE anglers have been ordered to pay a total of £2,435 after being found guilty of fishing illegally in Norfolk by Environment Agency offi cers. Glenn Olley and Mark Sedgwick, both of Mattishall Lane, Hockering, were found guilty of fishing without rod licences at Shallowbrook Lake, while Sam Green, of Pochard Street, Costessey, and George Perks, of Orchard Close, Blundeston were found guilty of illegal fishing at Cobbleacre Lakes. Elliot Siely, of St Olaves Road, Norwich, was also found guilty of illegal fishing at Felthorpe Lake.…

THERE is one thing that doesn’t sit comfortably with Phil Smith’s theory for catching a record fish (see pages 26/47). I was always brought up in the belief that targeting ‘gravid’ fish was against the rules. It certainly was a part of the old National River Board bylaws, and if a fish is caught that breaks the rules it can’t be a record. I have no idea when, or indeed if, that rule has changed, although I can see no reference to it. Obviously it dates back to times when fish were taken regularly for the pot or trophies, and removing a gravid fish (basically one about to spawn) would have an enormous impact on quantities of eggs and therefore fry. A 30lb carp or an 8lb tench (there were…

MIDDY produces some mighty impressive commercial fishery rods these days – everything from short snake lake models to horizon-hitting beasts. What’s more, there’s something to suit everyone’s pocket. At the very pinnacle of Middy’s feeder rod range sits the new 10ft Nano-Core XZ65 World Elite, yours for a jaw-dropping £293.99. But panic not, as it can be found at a more realistic price if you shop around. That said, it’s still a lot to lay out by anyone’s standards, so what exactly would you be shelling out for? Well, for starters you get an ultra-slim (just 11mm at the butt section), ridiculously light, two-sectioned carbon fibre blank, the result of the very latest Nano-Core technology. This translates into a rod with lightning-fast reflexes, immense strength and flexibility. The blank has…

THINK bream on the feeder and it’s all too easy to be frightened off by talk of monster casts using 13ft rods and braid. But while long casts get results on some venues, for many bream lakes a more watered-down attack with medium casts and simple rigs and baits will catch those slabs. Accuracy is paramount, and this not only means landing each cast in the same spot, but picking a mark that can easily be reached even if the weather changes halfway through the day. Bream have been eating worms, maggots and casters for decades, and nothing has changed in that respect. Fishmeal plays a big part on some lakes, but you can catch more than enough fish with a classic sweet groundbait loaded with natural baits. To prove…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Catch carp on sloppy pellets GET on sloppy pellets! If you’re fishing on a stillwater then you’ve got to try this simple pole fishing tactic – it’s perfect for catching carp and F1s from shallow water. In this exclusive Angling Times video Steve reveals how you can make the perfect pellets and the best way to feed them to draw fish into your swim and keep them there. He also shows you why heavier rigs are crucial for success and explains how you can set up such a rig. How to fish Steve’s Hybrid feeders  JOIN Steve at Bishops Bowl Fishery as he puts the new Guru Hybrid feeders through their paces. Learn the best way to set up the feeders – including information on mainlines and…

ONLY a few UK fisheries show more blue than green on the map – Cotswold Water Park is one. With more water per acre than the Norfolk Broads, it would take a lifetime of fishing to fully get to grips with all the lakes here. So why is this complex relatively underfished? I must hold my hand up and admit to not giving Cotswold as much attention as I should, given that it’s less than a 30-minute drive from my house. I decided to put matters right and try Cotswold’s day-ticket fishery, Little Horseshoe, but first I had an appointment with owner Adrian Davey at his on-site carp farm, Cotswold Springs. There he would introduce me to fish of the kind that make his and other venues such wonderful places…

1 Take a suitably sized pellet band and use a single overhand knot to tie it to the end of your hooklength. 2 Thread the other end of your hooklength through the back of the hook eye, down to the band. 3 Wind the line down the shank of the hook. Most anglers like to use between 10 and a dozen turns . 4 Thread line back through the eye. Moisten and carefully pull all the line through until a knot forms. 5 You are left with a hair rig perfect for fishing banded pellets. Tie the hooklength about 6ins long.…

IT WAS touted as the World Championships where England would show the world how good they were. September 1981, the Warwickshire Avon at Manor Farm, months of practice on home soil, a team including the likes of Kevin Ashurst, Clive Smith and John Dean. Surely nothing could go wrong. Or could it? Sadly, the quirks of the English weather had other ideas, and torrential rain left the Avon in flood. The first day’s team event wasn’t too bad, with Leeds postal worker Dave Thomas taking top weight with 10lb 2¾oz. However, the fancied home nation limped home a disappointing second behind France, whose mastery of pole-and-bloodworm fishing saw them winkle out enough fish from every section to give them a comfortable victory. The following day’s individual match was little more…

WALKER Burton, son of legendary ‘piking pirate’ Gord, enjoyed a successful birthday trip to Linear Fisheries with a 36lb common as part of a multiple hit. The new pb came during a five-day stay at St John’s on the Oxfordshire complex which also produced a 32lb 8oz mirror and six other carp to low twenties. The Lancashire angler, who turned 24 during the session, said: “To catch such a common on the last morning of what had already been a successful trip was more than I could have asked for.” Walker and his friend Lewis set up on the Road Bank after spotting a large common leap clear of the water. At 11pm, Walker got his first take and after a dogged fight slipped the net under a high-backed mirror…

SOLAR Tackle is looking for field-testers with varying degrees of experience. The well-established Kent brand wants to broaden its group of associated anglers and has set up an online application process. A statement said: “Solar Tackle has its core team members, but knows that there are many ‘everyday carp anglers’ out there that have something to offer – anglers that would love the opportunity to be part of something special within the sport they love, but who may not have the opportunity to pursue it.” To apply visit www.solar24-7.co.uk/fieldtesters and complete the application form.…

HAVE you tried some of the posh popcorn that’s knocking about in shops yet? You can get all sorts of flavours now – Thai sweet chilli, ginger nut, raspberry and coconut, you name it! My personal favourite is the sweet & salty variety, which is as confusing on the palate as it is delicious. It’s one of my favourite things to eat now, and is my go-to snack when watching the Formula 1 at the weekends. And it got me thinking. First, that I ought to go on a diet, and second how a lot of things that marry taste sensations are absolutely delicious. Caramelised onions (which are sweet) go well with things that are sharp, like goats’ cheese, and savoury, like sausages. Obviously, I began to think about bait…

Walker reel is an incredible find I LOVE fishing memorabilia but have never been brave (or rich) enough to collect any significant amount of it. Modern ‘classics’ such as Bob Nudd’s hat and pole rigs from his record-breaking 1999 World Champs win in Spain aren’t exactly a solid retirement fund, but I love them anyway. Maybe I should look a bit more closely at online auction sites if John Nightingale’s incredible find is anything to go by – see pages 4 & 5 . He emailed me a really pleasant letter and a few pics earlier in the week wondering if I’d be interested in the story of him finding a super-rare Dick Walker centrepin. Interested? Too right I was! One of only two ever made by Walker himself,…

1 MITCHELL 300 First made in France in 1938. The first three versions had a half bail but between 1951 and 1989 a full bail was produced, over 13 million in total! 2 ABU 506 Probably the best loved closed face reel of all time, the 506 set a major standard in its day. It’s a very compact reel with a front push button mechanism to release the line. 3 ALLCOCK AERIAL MATCH One of the finest trotting reels ever made. Centrepins such as the Aerial Match carried many advantages over the early wooden reels, such as not locking up due to swelling of the wood when they got wet and it was also very easy to remove the spool. 4 ILLINGWORTH NO 1 The first ever fixed spool reel…

More families get a first taste of fishing MORE than 500 people attended the recent Angling Trust & Get Hooked on Fishing’s South West Family Fishing Day at Bitterwell Lake near Bristol. A total of 148 people were introduced to angling, with many catching their very first fish. There were lots of activities for all the family with stalls and displays by the Environment Agency, Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, Bridgewater Cannington College fishery section, Jacklands Fly and Coarse fishery as well as the Angling Trust and GHoF. There was a family barbecue, a bouncy castle, fun fishing games, and demonstrations from the Angling Trust Southern Junior Team. Top matchman Des Shipp provide some expert tips and the ‘have a go fishing sessions’ were particularly popular. Best of all of…

MUCH-needed rain saw UK rivers find form last week with bream figuring strongly in the latest Clubman weekly winners. Leading the way was the River Thames at Canbury Gardens, where Enfield Highway’s Ron Reeves took 65-13-0 of fish to 7lb for victory using the bomb with worm and maggot. Further up north on the River Trent, Alan Lucas was putting together 51-4-0 of bream on feeder and double corn to take the Mansfield Mill AC honours, and corn also did the damage for Simon Mullord as he topped the Edmonton & Tottenham match on the River Lea at Rye House. Stillwater bream also had a go, with Alan Heywood finding plenty on Ely’s Roswell Pits. The Stort Valley AS man fished feeder and worm to weigh in 63-7-0. Also on…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Coleman’s Cottage Fishery (Thurs) Pathfield Lake (10 pegs) Result: 1 G Church, Maver Coleman’s Bait & Tackle/Matchpack, 177-0-0; 2 S Levy, Bordon Angling Centre, 142-0-0; 3 C Nada, Coleman’s Bait &Tackle, 140-0-0. White Acres Gold Residents (Mon) Twin Oaks Lake (14 pegs) Result: 1 I Mansfield, Noah’s Ark Tackle, 97-2-0; 2 R Rundle, Langley Park, 92-2-0; 3 B Shaw, Barnsley Juniors, 86-10-0. WhiteAcresBronzeResidents(Weds) Twin Oaks Lake (14 pegs) Result: 1 B Woodhead, Burt Baits, 106-14-0; 2 A Sonley, Manchester, 100-6-0; 3 M Gilbert, Birmingham, 84-14-0. Willow Park over 50’s (Weds) Middle Lake (10 pegs) Result: 1 B Stephens, Catch 22, 63-6-0; 2 J Ward, Willow Park, 43-4-0; 3 M Marrison, Willow Park, 25-8-0. SUNDAY Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery Cary Lake (14 pegs) Result: 1 B Bakos, Silver Fox,…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Alvechurch Fishery (Thurs) Horseshoe Lake (16 pegs) Result:1 T Keeting, Alvechurch, 60-9-0; 2 M Workman, Alvechurch, 56-0-0; 3 L Davis, Alvechurch, 50-5-0. Decoy Lakes Lou’s Lake (14 pegs) Result: 1 S Waterfall, Decoy, 158-10-0; 2 I Chestney, Lincoln, 147-12-0; 3 D Proud, Chatteris, 119-15-0. Janson’s Fishery (Tues PM) Match Pool (11 pegs) Result:1 S Davies, Janson’s, 172-6-0; 2 G Musson, Janson’s, 154-15-0; 3 G Wright, Janson’s, 151-8-0. Janson’s Fishery (Tues) Munroes Pool (14 pegs) Result: 1 M Taylor, Janson’s, 167-7-0; 2 G Carlisle, Janson’s, 151-11-0; 3 G Woodcock, Middy, 125-11-0. Little John Lakes (Mon PM) Robin Hood Lake (18 pegs) Result:1 S Keyworth, Little John, 76-9-0; 2 S Beard, Little John, 65-14-0; 3 M Crewe, Little John, 50-13-0. Solihull Angling Centre (Weds PM) Packington Somers, Molands Mere…

RiverFest Qualifier River Nene, Orton Upstream & Downstream (57 pegs) TONY Marshall had almost double that of the nearest chaser and finished with 54-9-0 in his keepnet. Peg 416 at Orton Upstream was his base for the day and from there he used the long pole with worm over groundbait for bream to 6lb and skimmers. David Shults used a similar approach and took second spot with 28-8-0. Result:1 T Marshall, Shakespeare, 54-9-0; 2 D Shults, 28-8-0; 3 J Robbins, Shakespeare, 13-10-0; 4 D Smith, 12-10-8; 5 A Johnstone, RAF, 11-2-8; 6 M Caldecote, Browning Hot Rods, 9-14-0. Qualifiers:T Marshall, D Smith and P Sanderson.…

MAP/Strikemoor Baits River Tees Festival (Weds, Thurs & Fri) River Tees, Bowesfield (77 pegs) ThIS inaugural festival on the river drew a super attendance and saw local lad Mark Arrowsmith crowned champion. He scored six points and posted a superior weight to beat Adam Richards to the £1,300 top prize. Mark won the opening day with 39-10-0 of bream and skimmers from peg 93, where he Steve Newns winning that with 36-0-0 of bream and skimmers on the feeder at peg 115. Day 1 winner: M Arrowsmith, Maver Newman Scott, 39-10-0. Day 2 winner: J Dent, MAP/Sensas, 37-9-0. Day 3 winner: S Newns, KL Tackle, 36-0-0. caught on groundbait feeder and long pole with worm and maggot. James used similar tactics to take Day 2 with 36-0-0 of bream and…

A BREAK from the norm was the key to Mick Bull’s record-breaking win at Barston Lakes in the fishery’s annual Bowl event. The Frenzee-backed former Fish O’Mania champion weighed in 240-12-0 of carp to break the record he had set a few years back – and it was all down to a decision to fish the Method rather than the bomb and pellet approach that had been a nailed on certainty for catching big carp on the Main Lake. Sensing that the bomb and single bait route might have had its day, Warwick angler Mick reverted to pellets around the Method feeder and a regular change of hookbaits to land just 20 carp for his mega weight – admitting that drawing end peg 124 on the golf course bank of…