The 2007 NFA National Championships came to a close with a whimper this weekend as a dire Individual National was fished on the Boston Drains, with Scott Rispin from Hull taking victory.
The competition, which saw over 150 competitors taking part is an invitation only event with anglers qualifying through the National Competitions.
The anglers started the day with high hopes of a good day’s fishing as the overcast conditions would normally mean some good weights. However, the fishing did not go to plan as everyone struggled to catch.
Most of the anglers who did achieve some success had a smattering of skimmers, while the normally extensive supply of roach seemed to have drained away. This was the case for the winning angler, Scott Rispin who fished caster on the pole catching 10 to 12 small bream off the end peg. Scott who fishes for Royal Navy & Royal Marines AA, finished the day well ahead of his nearest rival Sandra Scotthorne with a final weight of 6.500kg.
After his victory Scott commented: “I had a really great day’s fishing, as I managed to get bites all day. I suppose that it would be expected, considering I had an end peg. I haven’t fished the venue before however, when I was a youngster I did a lot of fishing on similar venues in the area.”
Scott, who owns ‘The Complete Angler’ tackle shop in Hull, added, “I was a bit shocked to win as I have had a bad season this year. However, to win such a prestigious event as the NFA Individual National is a great feeling.”
Runner up was England International Sandra Scotthorne who continued a successful few months for the family finishing with 3.660kg. Sandra was catching most of her fish on red maggot and worm although she left it late in the day to mount a serious challenge to the leader. It was not until the last 15 minutes of action that Sandra landed two 3lb bream that gave her the silver medal.
Sandra commented, “It was a really hard day’s fishing as I only had four bites all day. However, I just kept fishing, kept my head down and kept at it. I was very proud to come second.”
In third place was Philip Pranskus who finished with 3.530kg, and in fourth place was Jason Cunningham with 3.090kg.
Gareth Purnell of Total-Fishing.com commented: “Luckily I missed the match myself although I was eligible to fish it. The results in general were diabolical with many top anglers failing to get a bite. Nearly half the field of 153 failed to weigh in and another 37 had less than 500gr. Only 29 broke a kilo.
“There was extensive weed cutting just three days before the match I believe, although the NFA failed to mention this in their press release. It’s clear this scared the fish off the match length and frankly the NFA, who have been organising matches on natural waters for many years should know better and in my view should consider refunding the anglers their entry fees – many travelled hundreds of miles to fish a match in which they had no chance of getting a bite. That’s no advert for fishing on natrual waterways, something the NFA says it wishes to promote. A pathetic National in my view. The NFA should be ashamed.”
