A sixty strong field took part in the latest RiverFest qualifier on the tidal Trent. With the recent temperature drop and crystal-clear river, there were concerns of how the river would fish.

Although with a large 8.9m tide due to top just as the match commenced, the hope was that some colour would come with it! Sadly, it didn’t, and a tough match ensued!

The winner on the day and booking his place yet again ion the final, was Cadence UK’s James Robbins, from an unfancied peg 30 at North Clifton, Zone A. James fished the waggler to amass 13lb 8oz of roach and dace on maggot.

Zone B winner at Dunham was Trent supremo John Small. John drew peg 2, fishing both the feeder with groundbait and caster plus the bolo, netting roach, dace and perch. His 9lb 4oz sneaked the zone by a tight 5oz, managing to break his run of near misses in this event and book him into his first RiverFest final.

Zone C at Laughterton was taken by another Trent regular, Paul Moutrey. Drawing peg 42, Paul knew he would have a chance for skimmers early on the top of the tide. He managed to snare three skimmers quickly on the feeder before they shut up shop, he then added some perch on the pole and dace on the waggler to finish with 7lb10oz and a golden ticket to the final.

Our thanks must go to Alan Henry and his weighing team on the Trent. Qualifying anglers tickets will go back on sale the Monday following the match, at 13:00. So check in to see if you can snap up some last minute tickets.

RESULTS

1. James Robbins 13-8-0

2. Mark Halksworth 12-0-0

3. John Small 9-4-0

4. Wayne Swinscoe 9-2-0

QUALIFIERS

James Robbins
John Small
Paul Moutrey