Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Evesham Angling Festival qualifying matches, which kick off on the opening weekend of the season with a Wychavon qualifier on Saturday, June 21st, and a Shakespeare qualifier on Sunday, June 22nd.

There are nine Shakespeare and six Wychavon qualifiers and all the matches are 70-peg events, with a 10am draw at Hampton Ferry and fishing from 12pm to 5pm.
Anglers can fish as many qualifiers as they like, even if they have qualified or been invited to the Festival weekend, but it is advisable to obtain tickets in advance by using the official application form in the May issue of Match Fishing. Tickets can also be reserved by contacting co-organiser Diana Raphael on 01386 442458.

The finals get underway on Saturday, August 16th with the Junior and Intermediate Championship, followed by the Ladies Championship on Sunday, August 17th. The second Veterans Championship, for anglers over the age of 60, takes place on Wednesday, August 20th.

The main festival weekend is from Saturday, August 23rd to Monday, August 25th.

Shakespeare Junior and Intermediate Championship
Saturday, August 18th
This event is a four-hour match for juniors under 15 and a five-hour match for anglers aged 20 or under. Entry costs £5 for juniors and £10 for Intermediates.
The top two in each category will win Shakespeare tackle prizes and also qualify for the Wychavon Championship on Sunday, August 24th.
To reserve a place contact Jeff Baguley on 07979 751105

Shakespeare Ladies Championship
Sunday, August 19th
Now in its third year, the ladies match will see the winner walk away with a £500 top prize and an invitation for the top lady to take part in the Shakespeare Championship on Saturday, August 23rd.

Shakespeare Veterans Championship
Wednesday, August 20th
The popular veterans’ match for anglers aged over 60, which attracted a host of well-respected match legends last year, also has a £500 top prize and an invitation for the winner to take part in the Shakespeare Championship on Saturday, August 23rd.

Match Fishing Team Championship
The big shock in last year’s team match was the relegation of fancied local teams Shakespeare and WB Clarke.
Shakespeare has won its place back by winning the Hampton Ferry League and the WB Clarke team (now backed by Trabucco) has a chance of getting back in via a team qualifier that takes place on Sunday, August 3rd.
Teams wanting to take part in the qualifier should contact Diana Raphael. The top two teams from this event will go forward to join the following invited teams:

Essex County
Saints
Daiwa Dorking
Kamasan Starlets
Maver Barnsley
Shakespeare Mach 3
Drennan NW
Daiwa Gordon League
Daiwa Trentmen
Evesham DAA
Quorn VDE
Winners of Hampton Ferry WL
(Bottom two teams in final will be relegated and offered the chance to fish next years team qualifier.)

Shakespeare Championship Qualifiers
Sunday, June 22nd
Saturday, June 28th
Sunday, June 29th
Sunday, July 6th
Sunday, July 13th
Sunday, July 20th
Sunday, July 26th
Saturday, August 2nd
Sunday, August 10th

Wychavon Qualifiers
Saturday, June 21st
Saturday, July 5th
Saturday, July 19th
Sunday July 27th
Wednesday, August 6th
Saturday, August 9th
Wednesday, August 13th

Shakespeare Ladies Championship
Sunday, August 17th

Shakespeare Veterans Championship
Wednesday, August 20th

All matches draw 10am at Hampton Ferry
Fishing from 12pm to 5pm
Bloodworm and joker barred
Pike and zander do not count
Entry £20 per match all-in

Enquiries and bookings:
Diana Raphael
Hampton Ferry
19 Boat Lane
Evesham
Worcestershire
WR11 4BP
Tel 01386 442458

YOUR chance to win £5,000 (and some great new kit!)
Ever fancied taking on the big guns? Well, here’s your chance! In the June issue of Match Fishing we give YOU the chance to win a place in the Shakespeare Championship final.