A cool start to the day led to a very slow start for most of the 99 competitors and not a great deal was caught in the first three hours of the match at the Angling Trust Veterans National Championship on Wednesday 7th August 2013 at Monk Lakes Fishery, Maidstone. However, the overcast and light wind conditions improved which eventually led the resident carp to go on the feed for the final part of the match.
For a change fancied lake 4 didn’t produce the goods but unfancied Lake 3 did, eventually, for John Robinson from Tonbridge whom on the three hour mark only had 3 fish in his net. Drawn on peg 134 he had to watch the angler on end peg 135 catching well until a switch to fishing paste in the margins changed his fortunes dramatically and carp up to 10 lbs were then continually dropping into his net for the last two hours. John amassed a magnificent winning weight of 82.500 kg to earn him the title of Angling Trust Veterans National Champion 2013. John’s total was way ahead of second placed James Trew from Brentwood who fished at peg 78 on Lake 2 to take 59.250 kg of barbel and carp. Close behind was David Savill from Romford who took third place with 55.950 kg from peg 92 on Lake 3.
The top 11 anglers all broke the magic ton (100 lbs) to show how good this venue is.
Top 8 Results
1st John Robinson, Tonbridge – 82.500 kg
2nd James Trew, Brentwood – 59.350kg
3rd David Savill, Romford – 55.950 kg
4th Tony Baily, Swindon – 55.875 kg
5th John Ellis, Stourport on Severn – 55.575 kg
6th John Larraman, Tunbridge Wells – 49.200 kg
7th Michael Hood, Romford – 47.425 kg
8th Dave Johnson, Whitehall – 46.385 kg
The Angling Trust would like to thank the management and helpers at Monk Lakes for helping make it a memorable day for all taking part. Next year’s event moves to the midlands and the prolific Woodlands View Fishery at Droitwich on Wednesday 30th July 2014.
