Prior to the second match of this series of the Angling Trust and Canal and River Trust Stillwater Championship held at Earlswood Lakes on the Engine Pool on Saturday 8th June 2013 this lake had fished very well following a spell of warm settled weather with weights up to 120 kilos being recorded in matches. Unfortunately on the day of the match the anglers were faced with a cold northerly wind blowing down the length of the pool cooling the water and limiting the sport. The feeding fish were in isolated pockets, however, where they were caught the weights were high as the average weight of the individual carp caught was between six and seven kilos.
The winner on the day was Phil Hardwick (Banbury Gunsmiths) fishing peg 26 with a weight of 49.780 kg. Phil caught a total of 10 carp fishing the pellet waggler. He had a fish on his first cast and another ten minutes later, but then had to wait three hours before he caught again showing how reluctant the fish were to feed.
Second place came from the other side of the pool and went to Darren Saunders (Swans Bait/Ringers Bait) fishing on peg 78. Darren had seven carp weighing 43.040 kg, and also caught on the pellet waggler. In third place was Barry Bush (Lingmere Fisheries) on peg 69 he also had seven carp for 33.680 kg and caught on the method feeder with pellet on the hook.
Section places were as follows:-
1st Section A Peg 11 David Howard (Leigh Angling) 25.600 kg
2nd Section A Peg 12 David Usher ((Miracle Baits) 17.900 kg
1st Section B Peg 26 Phil Hardwick (Banbury Gunsmiths)
49.780 kg
2nd Section B Peg 24 Paddy McMahon (St Albans) 20.240 kg
1st Section C Peg 35 John Devine (Leigh Tackle and bait) 32.080 kg
2nd Section C Peg 29 Mick Vials (Preston Innovations) 27.680 kg
1st Section D Peg 69 Barry Bush (Lingmere Fisheries) 33.680 kg
2nd Section D Peg 56 Glenn Mason (Lee Carver) 32.020 kg
1st Section E Peg 78 Darren Saunders (Swan Baits/Ringer baits) 43.040 kg
2nd Section E Peg 76 Robert Widdington (Norwich) 21 kg
As two of the section winners qualified for the grand final from the first qualifier held at Boddington Reservoir, the five qualifiers for this match going forward for the final are; David Usher, Phil Hardwick, Mick Vials, Barry Bush and Darren Saunders.
The next qualifier is on Clattercote Reservoir on Saturday 22nd June and a few tickets are still available for this match. If you would like to get a ticket please contact Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager, Angling Trust on 0115 9061 301 or email; sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net
Photo – Left to right (Phil Hardwick, Mick Vials, David Usher, and Barry Bush) copyright of the Angling Trust
