Will the Trent measure up to a RiverFest final? - Keith Arthur

RiverFest has a new venue for the final following two years on the Severn beset by bad conditions. It has been unlucky but Shrewsbury is one of those sections where fish either are or not...and if they're not it’s going to be tough. It seems like conditions leading up to the event, even from much earlier in the year, need to be conducive to good sport.

I don’t quite understand why the Wye has been avoided again...unless it’s a question of over using the section. There are festivals, opens, leagues and all sorts on a relatively short stretch - again where huge shoals of fish migrate to – in a fairly brief timescale.

The River Trent is an interesting choice for an Autumn event. As a lowland river it is effected worse by extra water than the Wye and Severn which are both spate rivers and can be shocking if there’s no rain, clear skies and a couple of air frosts so it’s a brave choice.

It does have the advantage of a wide range of species to fish for and with chub seemingly making a comeback to add to the roach, dace, silver bream and perch potential it could be a great selection. I’ll keep my fingers crossed as the Trent has always been my favourite match river.