After being conspicuous by their absence over the last few weeks, it was the famous Evesham barbel that took the top two places in this well attended midweek qualifier.

Coming out on top was Simon Pickering, who banked a 13-11-0 barbel halfway through the match, and added some good eels to finish with a 17-2-0 winning net. That must be one of the biggest barbel ever caught in an open match.

The Evesham based 21 year old pinned his faith in a chopped worm and caster approach, fishing a flat float at 14.5 metres down the middle of the river. 

A bite in the closing stages of the match clinched second spot for DH Angling rod Brian Rigby.

Five minutes before the end, his rod tip arched over, and a 10-11-0 net was soon in the pan.

Brian fished a small cage feeder crammed with pellets, with an 11mm halibut pellet on the hook, and cast half way across the river.

The best small fish weight on the day was Rob South. Drawn on peg two, Rob fished for bleak at 13 metres, catching 250 fish in the first four hours, before adding a dozen hemp roach in the last hour for a 9-1-0 finish.  

There is a qualifying match next Wednesday 8th August for the Wychavon Championship.

Call Diana Raphael on 01386 442458 to book on. 

Wednesday August 1st
Shakespeare Championship Qualifier, Evesham Town & Ferry Waters (78 Fished)
1 Simon Pickering (Evesham Juniors) 17-2-0 (peg 40)2 Brian Rigby (DH Angling) 10-11-0 (peg 27)3 Rob South 9-1-0 (peg 2)4 Adam Baker 8-8-0 (peg 72)5 Robert ‘Demo’ Goddard 8-0-0 (peg 22)

Qualifiers
Brian Rigby
Simon Pickering
Adam Baker