Optimism for big summer of match fishing

Match organisers remain hopeful that the sport’s big events, including Fish ‘O’ Mania, Maver Match This and the Division 1 & 2 Nationals, will go ahead later this year.

Although nothing can be set in stone given the current lockdown situation and uncertainty surrounding the lifting of restrictions, Andre Grandjean, Chairman of the Angling Trust’s Coarse Competitions Committee, is optimistic for a summer of big events.

“Our plans are full steam ahead,” he said.

“By June and July, when most of our events are due, we’re expecting that things will be okay to go ahead.

“One concern people have had is how and where we’ll fit the qualifiers for these events in, but most of these don’t start again until after April, and we anticipate that by then these will go ahead as planned, in a Covid-safe way of course.”

Maver’s Andy Kinder is the man behind the mega-money Match This event that unfortunately was cancelled last year. This time though, he’s hoping that event can take place.

“We managed to do around seven qualifiers last year, which frees up a bit of space in the calendar this time round,” he said. “While there’s still a way to go, I hope that the event will go ahead as planned.”

“By June and July, when most of our events are due, we’re expecting that things will be okay to go ahead.”

Another big-money final set for rivers

River anglers will have another big-money event to have a crack at in 2020. The Northern River Masters, a competition to celebrate the best that running water in the north of England has to offer, is the brainchild of several river match organisers in that area.

The series will revolve around a dozen 40-peg qualifiers on venues ranging from the River Tyne to the River Hull, all culminating in a Grand Final on the River Tees.

There, the winner is guaranteed £5,000, with pay-outs down to 10th place plus sections. To qualify, all you need to do is win your 10-peg section to make it into the 48-peg Grand Final.

The event will be seen as a bit of a reward for river anglers from the north who, for many years, have had to hit the road and head south in pursuit of big-money, big-match glory.

“A lot of anglers in the north have supported RiverFest down the years and we’re not knocking the event – but with the final always being in the Midlands on venues we’re not that familiar with, the competition has lost a bit of its gloss,”

said Northern River Masters co-organiser Chris Gowling.

“Northern River Masters will be held on rivers in Yorkshire and the North East, and we hope to have support from lads from the north Midlands as well as locals. The £5,000 prize is set in stone, and we’ve got 12 qualifiers booked and ready to go.”

It all kicks off when the season starts in June. Qualifiers will end in November before a break until the end of the season, when the Tees around Yarm and Bowesfield will host what Chris hopes will be a two-day final.

At this point, the river should be in fine form and make for a great event.

“The Tees is full of dace, roach and big perch in March alongside the bream, but for each year we will be having the final on a different venue to keep it fresh and give all anglers the chance to be in a final on their home water,” he continued.

“Tickets will be £25, with a one-off entry fee of £25 up front. Full details are going on to the event website at the end of January. “Qualifiers are set for the Rivers Nidd, Tyne, Swale, Hull, Aire, Calder, Don, Ure, Tees and Yorkshire Ouse – so there’s plenty to go at and venues that should suit everyone!”