Gardner Tackle and Sticky Baits-backed angler Russ Evans, star of ‘The Obsessed Angler’ series currently showing on onlinefishing.tv, entered his first ever predator match last Sunday in an attempt to qualify for the Bury Hill Fisheries Grand Final on Sunday 11 March 2012.
Drawn on Peg 35 on the long bank of the Old Lake on Surrey’s magnificent Bury Hill Complex Russ set up a two rod running ledger attack fishing hair-rigged roach and mackerel tails on a size 6 single barbless hook.
With conditions warm and overcast it looked good for several of the Bury Hill zander to put in an appearance and sure enough Russ hit a good take early on and netted a zander which went 5lb 8oz on the scales to set an early lead but, surprisingly, that was it for Russ for the rest of the match and only two other fish were caught during the remainder of the event on a day when the fishery showed its dour side.
Ron Headcorn won the match with a single pike from Peg 40 whilst Mick Cove finished third with a small zed from Peg 38.
Russ commented:
“Conditions looked perfect but apart from the opening hour the bleeps I was having just died away. Despite missing out on winning the match by just 2oz I was pleased with the result and I have qualified for the final at my first attempt so the other qualifiers will just be ‘opens’ for me and a good excuse for me to gain a bit more experience and try out some other methods before the final next year.”
The event made quite a change for the match angler who normally sits on his Milo box for five hours concentrating hard right to the end, Russ added:
“It did feel a bit strange at first competing in a match snugged up inside a day shelter and sitting on a comfortable chair reading the Sunday paper whilst waiting for a bite or two but to be honest it was great and I can’t wait for the next match next month”
Result
1st Ron Headcorn 5lb 10oz
2nd Russ Evans 5lb 8oz
3rd Mick Cove 3lb
If you fancy trying to qualify for the final in March you can book into the other matches in the series by contacting organiser, Eric Bailey, on 07802 877575. Matches are to be held on: 18 December, 15 and 29 January and 19 February. Entry is £27 per match.
And you can catch up with Russ in a very different sort of winter action on FishingMagic very soon as he enjoys a cracking Milton Lake session with Welchy.
