Match anglers

Chris Bishop · Dec 1, 2004

This was the first time I've watched a whole match from close-up for years and years.

Have to say I was well-impressed with the understanding some of these guys had of what was happening out in front of them and how they adapted their rigs/feeding etc as the match went on.

For anyone interested, the club's had several requests for another open and have pencilled one in for next month, will put date/details up as soon as they confirm.

Ergo · Dec 1, 2004

Iteresting little piece Chris, pity I'm down here now and pretty much tied up.
Surprised that Mark Downes remembered to turn up, it took him ages to send me some floats.

Oh! That's one of them there Norfolk slabs as well ----------------------------------->

Chris Bishop · Dec 1, 2004

Cheers, I tend to write about my own/mates' fishing so going along to report on and photograph a match was a nice change.

Peter Jacobs · Dec 2, 2004

Nice report Chris.

I think that if a few more people went to watch an entire match then they might have an altogether different impression of match fishing and match anglers.

Graham Whatmore · Dec 2, 2004

Peters right, there is the same attitude between match and specimen anglers as there is between game and coarse anglers and most, if not all of it, is because its 'the thing to do'.

Good match river anglers are the equal of any specimen angler he justs targets quantity instead of quality.

Bully · Dec 2, 2004

I agree with the sentiments made above and would always consider the top match anglers as generally the most skilful of the bunch.

However, I have watched a number of matches in the past, both on the bank and on TV, and I do think match anglers need to learn from specimen hunters one crucial lesson......

Fish handling. Frankly I have observed some very poor behaviour in this area, and is something that will be picked by out anti friends.

Peter Jacobs · Dec 2, 2004

Bully, as a very general point I would tend to agree with you, although over the years I have witnessed some outrageous fish handling by specimen, Carp and Pike anglers as well.

Ergo · Dec 2, 2004

If you are refering to the fact that most match fishermen don't use unhooking mats. There is no need if the fish is only a reasonable size to be handled on a pole.

If you hold the landing net between your knees you can safely unhook the fish.

If however you do catch something large enough you need a mat. Mine is always attached to the back of my box. It is easily accessible and I have often done this with a fish where I felt it would be easier or safer to unhooh in this way.

This is something I try to get other matchmen to do. Most do, but you only need the odd few to be noticed.

I have also seen carp specialists throwing tench up a bank because they were nuisance fish.

I think everyone needs to clean their act up. Let's not pick on just one group of anglers. If we fall out amongst ourselves, what hope is there for the sport.

Chris Bishop · Dec 2, 2004

We must be a rarity in King's Lynn AA, in that all branches of the sport seem to get on and work together in what is a very friendly club.

We have matchmen, carpers and specimen anglers from different disciplines on the committee and a happy membership of 800-plus.

We're up for promoting our waters and welcoming people whether you want to come for a day or two to sample fishing the Fens or join and further your ambitions, whether it's a 30lbs roach net, a 20lbs pike or a big zander.

I saw nothing in the way of bad fish handling on the day, either from competitors or at the weigh-in.

What I did see was a bunch of blokes who'd had some good banter, enjoyed a bit of leg-pulling and had a good day's fishing in great company - that's surely what it's all about.

Bully · Dec 2, 2004

Which is good Chris.

My main gripe was the way some rather large carp were "bundled" into the weighing slings and often chucked back in.

I know not all match anglers are like this, and yes it can apply to other areas, but I wasn't impressed.

The firts Sky fishing comp (cannot rememberits name) which was shown live was a classic example.........on live TV!!!

Peter Jacobs · Dec 3, 2004

Bully, was it the Fishomania programme?

If so, they had to find a practical compromise between multiple weigh-ins to satisfy the director and his cameras and keeping the crowds happy which did require that fish were handled quickly.

I agree that a few shots did show some sloppy handling at the scales, but this was due to the ineptitude of the scalesmen and not the competitors.

The problem could have been easily solved by having even more scales crews and giving them some "camera friendly" advice before the match.

Hopefully future televised events might take this into consideration.

Wolfman Woody · Dec 3, 2004

I ran a match in 1998 amongst 10 top England internationals, which was filmed for Tight Lines. It was won by Keith Arthur as well after he threw his peg number (a table tennis ball) back in the bucket in disgust.

Anyway, come the weigh-in and three barbel were caught. It was important for Ray Walton (rollingpinboy) to get his pictures, but also important that the fish were well looked after. Fortunately, Peter Stone and John Everard were nursing the fish during weigh-in and picture taking and every one went back sound.

We took some criticism, much of it from idiots (and I put a mate of mine in there) who were just looking to criticise, but a couple of points were justified. If I were to do it again the weigh in and picture taking would be different. Not sure how though.

Mick Parkinson · Dec 3, 2004

Well done to the reporter of that article and to the fella that won. I think its great to see that with all the top rods fishing the pole etc, that the tried and tested methods still have their day. Makes it even better when its one of the older ones showing us young un's how to do it. Makes for good banter and means we all get along great, I love it.
Its a shame some anglers nit pick still at branches of our sport. I can see a strong divide coming soon where commercial match anglers and natural venue match anglers will be at each others throats. Its already going on in small pockets, not good at all and sad.

Chris Bishop · Dec 3, 2004

I enjoyed it, a bit different to the kinds of fishing I usually write about. When you spend all your time with anglers from one branch of the sport, it's easy to become very blinkered about how others choose to spend their time on the bank.

bill capser · Jan 9, 2005

I watched a match on the river Stort in Bishops Stortford.I asked one angler how he was doing, he said quite good 3 bream and 5 roach. The match had only been going for about hour and half. He also said dont tell the others or they will be going home.
Evidently he won most matches by a mile.
How some one can be that consistant is beyond me.
Anyone to comment on this?

Ron 'The Hat' Clay · Jan 9, 2005

Can't answer that one Bill.

One thing I can tell you is that a heck of a lot of cheating takes place in matches, especially if a reasonable amout of money is involved. I know and I speak to a lot of match anglers on a regular basis.

However I have learned a great deal from match tactics.

If you are a big fish angler, you cannot ignore some of the methods used by the top match anglers.

However some of these match angler I know would love to fish the way I do. I met one guy the other day who told me that he really envied me the way I was able to fish rivers when I wanted.

"So why don't you?" I asked.

"Because I am involved with a team and all they fish these days is muddy carp puddles," he answered.

NottmDon · Jan 9, 2005

As a match angler for many years Ron I came across absolutely NO cheating in the club I fished with! And on the open circuit I didnt come across it either. There are stories/folklore surrounding some of these spurious claims, the old eel in the landing net handle comes to mind! No doubt there are cheats but they wouldnt last long if found out!!Match anglers can be a bit funny if someones doing em out of their pools money!! Ive witnessed a lot of bad fish handling by a lot of different people over the years, and have to admit that ignorance plays a bigger part in it than any malice. Match guys should watch a "proper" carper or speci angler to learn how to look after their cacthes. I have an unhooking mat with me at any fishing session as a matter of course. Any other "cheats" such as adding a few ounces on a specimen fish or using a photo editing suite to enhance their catch are really only cheating themselves. To watch a talented matchman fish is something to behold. In my time Ive watched Bob Nudd, Tommy Pickering and Jan Porter and countless other "top notch" matchmen fish various pegs and it is a joy to witness! Whilst Ive had my fair share of coin over the years it wouldnt be worth cheating as the winnings wouldnt cover my bait and travel costs! The fluidity (not sure if Ive just made that word up lol) of Bob Nudd when hes fishing is awesome and yet he makes it look effortless. He will probably go down in history as one of the best anglers this country as ever had the luck to fish for them and yet the other week he caught a personal best barble in Notts and he was happy as a kid catching his first ruffe!

Ron 'The Hat' Clay · Jan 9, 2005

In other words Don, Nuddy is a real angler and for that I respect him.

The problem around here is that there are many anglers who would not go fishing if there was not a prize to be won.

I find that rather sad, as to me, to catch a fish or two and to get out on a river bank is prize enough.

NottmDon · Jan 10, 2005

A lot of guys I know fish matches for the comradeship, fun, and the sharing of information. The pools in a club match are not worth much but they help pay for the pegs etc.And if you win back the price of a pint of bait then thats fine. The fur and feather matches have their history when companies sponsored anglers in their employ and it was a "goodwill" gesture that enabled people to get some extra meat for the table, though thats all lost in the sands of time now. If a chap cant fish unless theres money in it he should give his rods away and get a job on an Alaskan fishing boat, after all if its money he wants that should suit him! I fish for pleasure and I fished matches to spend some hours on a river bank with like minded people who contributed a bit of cash that helped keep the club afloat and pay for venues we'd never get access to as individuals. I agree that theres a mercenary element in any sport who view money as the ultimate goal, and, like you I agree its rather sad.

Cakey · Jan 10, 2005

Did they leave any litter Chris ??

Match anglers

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