Graham Whatmore
Senior Member
I took a drive up to Evesham today for the Individual competition as I usually do and though the Avon looked in reasonable condition for a change it turned into a big fish at all costs match.
Steve Toon started it when he landed an estimated 5lb tench which not doubt got some of them twitching, then an angler on an unfancied peg landed a barbel on the pole to the accompanied cheer closely followed by an angler who landed a double figure barbel which changed the whole match.
Its not much use fishing for roach once fish like that are caught so it was a chase for big fish then. The winner gets a tidy sum, it was ?2500 last year and I did hear the figure ?5000 mentioned but that could be the total prize money, either way its a lot of dosh for a couple of barbel.
I bumped in to Mark Wintle, he was taking lots of pics, and after a good natter we arranged to meet up in the beer tent later which we duly did. I left as the final whistle went so I don't know the final result but I bet somebody is celebrating right now in the beer tent.
I commented to Mark that each year it seems less of an occasion and the tackle tents seem to get less and less which I believe is due to the rent that Evesham Council charge making it unworwhile. Even the car park is up to ?3 now and that started off as free years ago, no doubt the local council see it as an annual money tree but they will finish up killing it completely if they aren't careful, a shame really as it is the last of the big river matches and attracts crowds of up to 20.000 over the three days.
Steve Toon started it when he landed an estimated 5lb tench which not doubt got some of them twitching, then an angler on an unfancied peg landed a barbel on the pole to the accompanied cheer closely followed by an angler who landed a double figure barbel which changed the whole match.
Its not much use fishing for roach once fish like that are caught so it was a chase for big fish then. The winner gets a tidy sum, it was ?2500 last year and I did hear the figure ?5000 mentioned but that could be the total prize money, either way its a lot of dosh for a couple of barbel.
I bumped in to Mark Wintle, he was taking lots of pics, and after a good natter we arranged to meet up in the beer tent later which we duly did. I left as the final whistle went so I don't know the final result but I bet somebody is celebrating right now in the beer tent.
I commented to Mark that each year it seems less of an occasion and the tackle tents seem to get less and less which I believe is due to the rent that Evesham Council charge making it unworwhile. Even the car park is up to ?3 now and that started off as free years ago, no doubt the local council see it as an annual money tree but they will finish up killing it completely if they aren't careful, a shame really as it is the last of the big river matches and attracts crowds of up to 20.000 over the three days.
