THE response from anglers who wish to fish The Ivan Marks Memorial event has been overwhelming, even before we have gone to press with the details.

With so many wanting to fish, it has been decided to stage the event over two days. The location will be Mallory Park Fisheries using the Glebe Fishery and lakes at Mallory Park, Leicestershire. This was, appropriately, the last venue Ivan fished and one he had grown to love in his later years.

The two dates are Saturday, May 21st and Sunday, May 22nd and you can only fish one of the matches. Anglers who wish to participate are requested to tick a preferred day on the application form.

Fishery owner and lifelong friend of Ivan, Roy Marlow, said: “Having discussed this event with Ivan’s family and close friends, it has been agreed that Ivan would have wanted this event to be a fun day catering for everyone and not just the top match anglers. This format will please everyone.”

Tickets will be £20 each and entries must be sent in on the completed official entry form printed in Midland Angler and Southern Angler, accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. Roy is waiving the pegging fee and the full £20 will be going to the Ivan Marks Memorial Fund.

There will be optional pools on each day that will be paid out pro rata in each section. In addition there will be many sponsored prizes that will also be paid out in each section. Each zone winner will receive an engraved trophy and the person with the highest individual weight of each day will receive a trophy marking the occasion.

There will also be a special trophy to be fished for every year that will be awarded to the highest weight of the two days. Ivan’s wife, Linda, has donated one of the trophies that Ivan won in his prolific match fishing career for this. It will be engraved and the winner will hold this trophy for 12 months.

There will be on-site catering at the Glebe on both days and the marquee will be used as headquarters.

“Ivan was a big supporter of disabled anglers and would not have wished for anyone to be excluded,” added Roy.

“With this in mind, you will see a box on the entry form to be ticked if you are disabled. This will allow us to arrange easy access to pegs for those competitors. He loved spectators too and even if you are not fishing you will be made very welcome.

“Ivan always had time for all anglers so, consequently, this event will cater for everyone. It does not matter how good you are, if you wish to fish and get a ticket, we can promise you a great time. But it’s expected to sell out quickly, so you had better be quick.”

The Glebe and Mallory Park are fantastic mixed fisheries regarded by many as among the very cream of commercial waters in the land. It’s a members-only venue and this is a rare chance for the general public to fish the water. Anglers can expect truly superb fishing and there are certain to be ton-up bags.

Southern Angler and Midland Angler cameras will be there to record what is expected to be a sellout, two-day tribute to their hero.

Helen Sutton, proprietor of Match Catch Fishing Tackle in Ivan’s hometown of Leicester and Graham Barry, former member of the Marks and Marlow team, have kindly agreed to be part of the organising team. If you need more information, call Match Catch Fishing Tackle, tel 01162 600850. Tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.