Well I’m in recovery mode after an truly epic weekend covering two days of match fishing.
My Fishomania journey started way back in April at Viaduct Fishery – and about 12,000 miles later came to an end at Cudmore Fishery near Stoke at about 5.30pm yesterday. In between day one and yesterdayI’ve been privileged to see some of the best anglers in the country battling it out to reach the final.
It started with me having a blow-out on the Audi on the way to Viaduct on day one – but things improved. Two new tyres later (one went bald), a £780 repair to the suspension, numerous nights in Travelodge/Premier Inn/B&B’s later and a lot of logging and editing later – it’s all over for another year.
Below is the script from the film shown in Friday’s ‘Tight Lines’ which tells the story of who did what to get to the final. It was set to music – and the track chosen was an instrumental of the Sterophonics track ‘Just Looking’ from ‘Performance and Cocktails’. The reason I chose this music was (1) Because I used it for the same film last year and (2) Because I really like it.
Here’s the script below: (Cue voiceover……)
The road to this year’s final would be full of twists and turns. It started back in April in Somerset, where Andy Power an interesting decision to make when his alarm went off at 6am. He didn’t have a ticket for the qualifier – but got on as a reserve and caught fish like this from the start. A good decision not to stay in bed!!
Andy Power, Viaduct Fishery -179 lb 14 ozs
Next it was off to Boldings Fishery in Shropshire. England international Darren Cox took the honours, holding off the challenge from Andy Moors to earn his fourth appearance in the final and he can’t wait.
Darren Cox, Preston Innovations Boldings – 82 lb 7 ozs
The weather was refusing to play ball as the roadshow moved to Makins in Warwickshire. Craig Jones won it, beating Grant Albutt into second place. And you can see what it meant to him……
Craig Jones, Makins Fishery – 99 lb 8 ozs
Colemans Cottage in Essex is a new venue on the roster. The reigning ‘Match This’ champion Les Thompson became qualifier number four. This will be his second trip to Cudmore.
Les Thompson, Colemans Cottage Fishery – 167 lb 0oz
On to Gold Valley in Hampshire – and a match partly remembered for who finished second. Grant Albutt landed an unwanted Fishomania record with his eighth second place. Gavin Millis beat him off the next peg in his first ever qualifier.
Gavin Millis, Gold Valley Lakes – 144 lb 6 ozs
Three days later, and the roadshow moved to Waorwickshire. And with all this talk of roads, the 2010 champion Neil McKinnon drove all night from Cornwall to fish at Tunnel Barn farm in Warwickshire. He might have been bleary-eyed – but Neil made it back to the final. He was just 2lbs ahead of Howard Kelly.
Neil McKinnon, Tunnel Barn Farm – 121 lb 1oz
By the time the anglers reached Larford Lakes in Worcestershire, the sun was trying to come out. Gary Hick took full advantage to qualify – but one lost fish cost Jamie Hughes his chance of returning to Cudmore. He was beaten by three pounds having already missed out at Makins.
Gary Hick, Maver Larford Lakes – 136 lb 3ozs
Next it was off to Monk Lakes in Kent. When he drew this peg on Puma Lake, the locals told Perry Stone not to bother fishing it. His response was to land over 200lbs of carp. His last appearance in the final was eight years ago. This will be his third attempt at winning the title.
Perry Stone, Monk Lakes Fishery – 207 lb 14 ozs
Off to Yorkshire next, and James Dent enhanced his reputation as one of the best young match anglers around with a narrow victory at The Oaks.
James Dent The Oaks – 37 kilos 500 grams
And in Norfolk, it was all about the draw as Andy Leathers took advantage of the spare pegs to his left to qualify from Barford Lakes. This will be his first time in the Fishomania final.
Andrew Leathers, Barford Lakes – 154 lb 15 ozs
Another new venue at Aston Park in Sheffield – and another first timer. It was perhaps the toughest match of all. Dale Shepherd won it as low weights were the story of the day in the Yorkshire sunshine.
Dale Shepherd, Aston Park Fisheries – 67 lb 0 oz
But there was nothing new about the man who qualified in the pouring rain at Messingham Sands in South Humbershire. Former World Champion Tommy Pickering grabbed his chance. It means he’ll renew his epic battle with Neil McKinnon from the 2010 final.
Tom Pickering, Messingham Sands Fishery – 144 lb 10 ozs
At Partridge Lakes in Cheshire, Jamie Hughes got a chance to make amends for his that painful missed opportunity at Larford. This will be his third appearance in the Fishomania final.
Jamie Hughes, Partridge Lakes Fishery – 148 lb 14 ozs
With chances running out, Woodlands View in Worcestershire handed another former champion his route back to the final. The 2002 winner Nathan Watson, the man also crowned champion of champions in 2010, became qualifier number 14.
Nathan Watson, Woodland View Fishery – 152 lb 3 ozs
At Woodlands Fishery in Yorkshire, it was Lee Barrett’s turn. He beat his best pal, and former champion Marc Jones, to make it into his second final.
Lee Barrett, Woodland Lakes Fishery – 123 lb 7 ozs
The last chance came at Lindholme Lakes in Doncaster. Instead of 130 pegs to find the winner, there were 300. On the day, everything went right for Nick Speed – and the line-up for an incredible final was complete.
Lindholme Lakes Fishery – 116 lbs 1 oz
So that was that……and on Saturday, Jamie Hughes showed his name was on the trophy from the very start. By his own admission, Jamie knew he’s blown two chances to make it through to the final. To qualify for a Fisho final, you need one good draw. This year, Jamie got THREE.
First, he drew a fancied peg at Makins – but was beaten by Craig Jones. Then, at Larford, he had another great chance – but missed out by 3lbs when he was overtaken by Gary Hick. Chance number three came at Partridge Lakes – and he made the most of it.
On Saturday, he drew the same peg he fished in last year’s final (Peg 7 on the Arena Lake) and simply emptied it. More than 60 kilos. A brilliant display by one of the most consistent match anglers around. I wasn’t reporting on Jamie’s section – but the one next door. It had Neil McKinnon, Gary Hick, Les Thompson and Nathan Watson in it. None of them had a chance of winning the match.
My colleague Bryan Law was left to tell the story – and what a great story it was for Jamie.
Sunday was the first ever International Pairs competition. 5 hours of top quality match fishing which was shown live of TV in the UK and in Europe. Who’d have thought that was possible?
The match itself was brilliant from start to finish – especially the finish. If you love sport, make sure you try and see it. I won’t spoil it here, because if you want to watch it, there’s a repeat on Sky Sports 3 tomorrow morning at 0930.
Let’s just say, in terms of great sporting performances, this is right up there – and to be on the bank watching what happened was a sheer joy. It made every mile of that Road to Cudmore totally worthwhile…..
There will, or course, be a round-up of what happened in Friday’s Tight Lines.
Here are details of the repeat for the Home International:
http://www1.skysports.com/watch/tv-guide/16-07-2013
Cheers and Tight Lines!
Fordy
The Take 