Garbolino club angler of the year

Garbolino club angler of the year 

This is a competition which the club have had a good history with. We have had at least one qualifier in 4 of the last 5 years. 

This year we had four entrants into the midlands qualifier of the competition at Tunnel Barn Farm. Unfortunately, if somewhat predictably, Dave's van broke down the day before and he couldn't make it. That left myself, Bob and Offy to travel down on the Tuesday for a sneaky practice. The recent drop in temperature had taken it's toll and both the local tackle shop and the fishery told us it the venue was in full winter mode and the weights were right down.

A few hours on New Pool on the Tuesday saw everyone catch a few fish on both soft pellet and maggot and a plan was hatched for the following day. 

A few pints in the boozer whilst tying rigs, a nice meal and an early night for the three amigos. 

Wednesday morning was an early start for the rolling draw and all three were handed pegs on High Pool. I was on peg 2, Bob on 44 and Offy on 12. 

I've started across to the island on soft pellet in 3.5ft and had a couple of F1's and a carp early on to settle the nerves. It was immediately apparent that there was very little being caught around the lake. Odd spells on maggot short on the deck in 6ft kept me ticking over and a late run on the same line pushed me to 74-11 which was enough to take the lead as I was first to weigh. 

Offy on peg 12 has caught a few fish across and has also had two short lines set up at angles, one with pellet and the other with maggot. He caught steadily through the match for 46-10 moved into  2nd on the lake with about 15 still to weigh. There were a few more 40lb+ weights but he had enough to finish second meaning Offy and I had both qualified.

On Bob's bank, from the high thirties to peg 51, had fished terrible and his 17lb wasn't enough to see him through.

There was then a long wait in the car in driving rain to see whether I had made the main frame and picked up a few quid. 

The results were read in reverse order and Offy picked up £50 for the section win. When they started with the top five overall we realised I was up there. It turned out I'd finished in 1st place and picked up £540. There were then photographs for Match fishing magazine and even an interview about how the match had gone. 

A happy car on the way home but gutted for Bob who was beaten at the draw bag and had no chance. Plans were made for the final which was at Barston lakes on Wednesday 14th October. 

A practice session on Barston the day before saw us catch plenty of fish and some absolute monsters for Offy. We were left wishing we had taken scales to see just how much the two biggest carp weighed so Offy would know his new PB. Safe to say the biggest one was surely over 20lb.

Onto the final and I drew peg 31 with Offy on 109. Not the best of draws but we were still confident we could catch a few.....well we were wrong. The whole lake has fished terrible and Offy's 8lb odd wasn't too bad in the grand scheme of things. I had 2 skimmers for 9oz and one of them was foul hooked. The match was won with 34lb which is unbelievable considering how it fished the day before but that's Barston for you. 

We will return next year and hopefully some more of the lads will have a go, it's a great competition.