Plans to try and get a Fish O Mania style river event off the ground have received a boost with the backing of the Angling Trust, the sport’s governing body.

Chief executive Mark Lloyd said: “The idea has captured the imagination of match anglers and we are keen to get the competition started either this year or in 2014. We are discussing arrangements about venues, peg fees, stewards and prizes and we will soon announce how anglers can get involved.” The brains behind the plan is Midlands match ace Dave Harrell, who hopes to involve 20 running water venues around the country with a £10,000 prize to the winner. There’s an interview with former England international Dave in this week’s issue of Angling Times.