Are matchmen turning their backs on carp?

A growing number of Britain’s top match anglers are abandoning carp lakes in favour of silverfish venues... with stunning results.  

Over the past few weeks, bumper nets of ‘traditional’ match species have been taken around the country, including 100lb-plus bags of bream and hauls of roach in excess of 70lb. 

Among the match stars embracing this silver fish revolution is Kent tackle dealer Richard Taylor. The Preston Innovations Delcac man has enjoyed some spectacular recent results, including a phenomenal 69lb 4oz of roach in a match on Bough Beech Reservoir in the county.

“I used to go carp fishing on commercials all the time, but I hardly bother any more,” he said. “Carp are a bit predictable, with certain pegs always performing, and there’s definitely a rising demand for silverfish matches. 

“We’ve had loads of people calling up for tickets to the South East Reservoir Championship that we run through Medway Tackle.”

Elsewhere, the prolific silver fish venue Tamar Lakes has also witnessed a steep rise in visitor numbers, with matchmen travelling hundreds of miles to fish it. 

Match organiser and venue expert Simon Poynter, who recently won a Tamar match with 53lb 1oz of roach, skimmers and perch on the whip, said: “Everything in angling seems to go in cycles. Ireland used to be really popular, then commercials took over, but now people seem to be coming back to natural venues. 

“Some people get sick to death of ‘carp puddles’, and when venues like Tamar are fishing so well it’s easy to see why they are going elsewhere.”

The spike in popularity of silver fish matches isn’t confined to the South. Up in Yorkshire, Keith Marshall landed more than 122lb of bream from the Aire and Calder Canal in a recent match... despite the unwanted attention of some local wildlife.

“I was catching well before a cormorant dived in my peg, but to my surprise the tip pulled round and I was into a 5lb bream! I caught all my fish on a groundbait feeder with dead maggots cast tight to the far margin, and the catch is a record for the Happy League we run,” said Keith, who has seen a rise in angler numbers on the canal. 

He added: “Bream fishing seems to be becoming more popular. I think people are getting fed up with carp and are returning to natural venues, so many of which offer brilliant fishing at the moment.”

Such is the quality of silver fish angling now on offer around the country, a new competition called ‘Silver Fish’ has been launched by organiser Tom Scholey, where a handy £14,000 could be up for grabs.

Anglers have warmly welcomed the event, with tickets selling like hot cakes and some venues already close to being fully booked.

 “I think silverfish matches are becoming more popular because anglers love to be busy though the cold months, and this style of fishing offers plenty of bites,” Tom explained.

“Ticket sales have gone far better than we expected and loads of people are talking about the event.”

Tom also revealed that F1s will be allowed in the event. “F1s feed in all weather, and offer good cold water sport,” he explained.

“We have included qualifying venues without F1s for those who would rather not catch them, and the final venue, Hallcroft Fishery, has no F1s – so it will be big bag of true silver fish that wins!”