Although the immediate future still seems uncertain with the arrival of the new Covid variant, there’s good reason to believe that, as was the case in 2021, come the spring, match fishing in the UK should be raring to go – and there are certainly plenty of fixtures to have a crack at!
From the big three that offer life-changing money down to smaller fishery-based events with a grand to the winner, we’ve never had it so good, and you could fill your diary with a qualifier of some sort on EVERY weekend throughout the summer months.
Trying to do a bit of everything isn’t easy, and you find most anglers stick to one or two disciplines. Canal fans throw their lot in with the Canal Pairs, for instance, river anglers go for RiverFest, while the commercial brigade can take their pick from dozens of events.
Canal Masters (Starts March 27)
Canal anglers don’t have that much to pick from compared to their river or commercial fishery brethren, but Midlands star Simon Mottram aims to change that in 2022 with the launch of his Masters event, where a provisional £2,700 will go to the overall winner.
Six 60-peg qualifiers are being held on a range of canals, from which six 10-peg section winners will go through.
Tickets cost £30 apiece. The Shropshire Union Canal at Soudley will then hold the final in September which, as well as that big first prize, will have good payouts all the way down to tenth place.
If you’ve got any questions, or want to book on, check out the event’s Facebook page ‘Canal Masters’ where details will be added shortly.
Angling Trust Nationals (Starts April 23)
There’s little to beat the buzz of National day! Rivers are hosting this year’s Division One and Two events, with the Trent awaiting the top teams, while Division Two teams are off to the Warks Avon. There are also events for female, youth, veteran and disabled anglers, plus the feeder event and the Commercial Team clash at Lindholme.
Entries are now being taken for all events. Email the Angling Trust’s Competitions co-ordinator Kelly Latimer at Kelly.Latimer@anglingtrust.net to find out more.
Fish O’Mania (Starts March 26)
The original big money match and still viewed by anglers as the one to win, Fish O’ enters its 29th year with tickets always selling like the proverbial hot cakes!
Last summer saw the televised final at Hayfield Lakes produce a runaway winner as Harry Bignell crashed out a massive 85kg of carp to take the £50,000 prize, and dates for the 20 qualifiers were finalised just before Christmas.
Starting in late-March at Maver Weston Pools, the eliminators run until July, with the big final taking place on Saturday July 23 at a venue to be confirmed.
Tickets will be sold via the Angling Trust’s website with an on-sale date to be released shortly. Keep an eye on the Fish O’Mania and Angling Trust social media pages for more information.
Angling Trust RiverFest (Starts June 18)
The pinnacle of river match fishing, RiverFest has now settled on the Trent at Burton Joyce as its home and that saw Derby-based angler John Lock take the £14,000 top prize in 2021 thanks to a near-100lb bream net of the first day!
This year’s qualifier dates and venues are hot off the press with plenty of old favourites pressed into service once again, including the Trent, Severn, Thames and Weaver and there’s also a new addition to keep things fresh in the shape of the Nene at Oundle.
In terms of the format, nothing has changed with each qualifier seeing three or two zone winners, dependent on match size go through to the two-day final on the Trent in mid-September.
Dates, venues and how to enter can all be found on the Angling Trust’s website www.anglingtrust.net****clicking on the RiverFest link you find there.
White Acres Festivals (Starts March 21)
The ‘Acres’ remains a highlight of many people’s match calendar.Five week-long events are running across the year, kicking off with the Frenzee Festival in March, all backed by big tackle firms.
These see anglers fish over five days, with the highest points scorer being crowned champion after their worst score of the week is discarded. Accommodation and evening entertainment are available on site, and fishing is mostly only a short drive away.
Pick of the events is undoubtedly the Preston Innovations week in October, as this culminates in the Parkdean Masters Final, fished by the top 25 anglers from the festival. This one-off match packs a handsome top prize, won in 2021 by Paul Holland.
Contact the park on 01726 862526 for more info.
Evesham Angling Championships (Starts June 16)
If you love your river fishing in the summer, then Evesham is the place for you! One of the longest-running events on the current scene, the festival weekend across Bank Holiday August is a true celebration of angling, with tackle stands, a beer tent and ‘have a go at fishing’ schemes running alongside the three days of action on the Warks Avon.
Saturday and Sunday see the individual finals, while Monday is rounded off with the team event. Qualification takes place through 21 matches on the river in June.
There are multiple places up for grabs. To book on, visit the Hampton Ferry website at www.hamptonferry.co.uk
Golden Reel Angling Championships (Starts April 2)
Created by Larford Lakes boss Phil Briscoe, Golden Reel is now in its sixth year and has become a popular fixture in the summer match calendar, promising a fish-packed final at Larford and the small matter of £50,000 for the winner!
There are also great payouts down the frame, as well as £1,000 for every section winner, so there’s always something to fish for. The first of 24 qualifiers kicks off in April at Meadowlands, the winner of each going through to the final in September.
To book your tickets, which cost £50 apiece, visit the event website www.goldenreelangling.co.uk and take your pick of the eliminators.
Fishing Association Super Cup
The talk of 2021, this competition burst on to the scene with the promise of £100,000 – the biggest prize ever paid out in UK match angling – to the winner. Zac Brown made history and earned that monster pay day after a great September final at Woodland Lakes.
Tickets went on sale in October, but there’s still plenty of time to take part. It costs £60, and once you have nominated your region to fish in, you will join other local anglers in the live Facebook draw for round one.
The winner goes through to round two, then rounds three, four, five, six, and a regional final, before the big final.
For more info, visit website www.fishingassociation.co.uk
Maver Mega Match This (Starts March 26)
Packing a £60,000 first prize, Match This is normally the first port of call for anglers sorting out their spring and summer campaign.
Last September saw the popular Simon Fry lift the trophy, fishing the pellet waggler at Hayfield Lakes for a hard-earned and narrow win.
Qualifier dates for this year’s event are now out, taking in the very best commercial fisheries the UK has to offer, with tickets priced at £50.
Each winner of the 25 qualifiers will win through to Hayfield, so there’s no fiddling around with winning zones – top the match and you’re through!
Event organiser Maver is running an online booking campaign at the competition website www.mavermatch.co.uk
Preston Innovations Feedermasters (Starts April 9)
There can be no doubting the popularity of Feedermasters and its various spin-off events, but this competition is head-and-shoulders above all others as THE feeder event to fish.
The two-day September final is back at Tamar Lakes in the South West. Feedermasters offers 20 chances, with the three zone winners from each 60-peg event winning through.
Tickets go on sale on Thursday, January 13 at 10am. They’re £35, and you’ll need to go to the event’s Facebook page where a link will appear you take you to the sales page.
