The Lower Thames Championship, held between Penton Hook and Molesey on September 18 saw some amazing catches of fish. The Warlingham & DAS run event, sponsored by Dulley Ceilings and Partitions saw 121anglers take part following a chilly night and tackling difficult, clear conditions.
But Robert Wright (Maver Image VDE) recorded his best ever victory from below Penton Hook where he offered a 13 metre pole and caster over groundbait to land 26-3-0 of roach to 12 oz. The 25 year-old gas engineer from Tottenham, London had to wait 90 minutes before seeing any action but then caught fish steadily to lift the £1,200 prize, crystal trophy dedicated to the memory of the late David Bird and £100 in betting vouchers courtesy of William Hill bookmakers.
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| Roy Breakwell and his 23lbs 1oz catch |
The event was covered by a SkySport TV crew who were at hand at Walton Bridge to witness runner up Roy Breakwell’s catch. The Davies Angling backed star from Englefield Green in Surrey was pegged opposite a pleasure angler and when the latter caught a bream, Roy attacked with groundbait feeder and worm. He landed four bream to 6 lb and bits for 23-1-0 and collected £1,000. Amazingly Roy hooked a feeder he had lost earlier in the match, complete with 5 lb bream hanging on the “lost” rig!
Performance of the day, and probably one of the most amazing small fish catches ever, went to Watford based Simon Willsmore (Milo/D & A Tackle) who was at Laleham. He set out his stall with a two metre whip and pinkie over groundbait to land over 700 gudgeon along with three stray perch and a roach for 19-10-0 and £800.
Fourth spot went to Malden Rushett, Surrey Thames expert Andy Rogers (Guildford Angling Centre) who was close to Molesey’s famous hump swim and fished a “Topper” float and double bronze maggot over hemp and maggots for 19-8-0 of roach.
Molesey also produced the next two weights including Bristol based Alan Symonds who had 18-6-0 of perch for sixth place. Seldom can have four different species (roach, bream, gudgeon and perch) featured in such quantity to have featured in the top six of a match. Only the chub and dace were missing!
The match was sponsored by DCP Ltd. and organised by Warlingham and District A.S.
