The second assessment to select the Angling Trust’s England Ladies team to compete this year in Belgium took place at Makins Fishery, Nuneaton on Sunday the 12th April 2015.
Phase one lake set the scene for the final trial, but unfortunately for the ladies they were faced with typical English weather at the start of the day. Gale force winds made it extremely difficult and at one point manager Dave Brookes even considered calling a halt to the proceedings.
Eight ladies had travelled long distances to take part so a decision to carry on was made which fortunately proved to be a wise move.
As conditions eased the catches improved dramatically with roach and skimmers making up most of the weights. Feeding joker and fishing bloodworm on the hook at the start caught some fish, but a switch to maggot proved decisive and weights increased substantially.
The venue at Makins was perfect for this kind of assessment and both Dave Brookes and coach Joe Roberts were delighted with the outcome.
Results
Sarah Taylor 14lb 8oz
Sophie Hill 15lb 8oz
Helen Dagnall 20lb 14oz
Kayleigh Smith 19lb10oz
Charlotte Gore 21lb
Wendy Locker 37lb 6oz
Abbi Kendall 26lb 14oz
Sam Sim 27lb 4oz
Making the Angling Trust England Ladies Coarse Angling Team this year to fish the Charleroi-Brussel canal in Ronquieres, Belgium in the FIPSed World Championships held on the 22/23 August will be; Wendy Locker, Abbi Kendall, Julie Abbott, Sam Sim, Helen Dagnall and Kayleigh Smith
Last year’s team member Jeanette Halliday stood down from the trials after an operation earlier in the year, but she has decided to pay her own way to go and help the rest of the team
in an effort to win back the Gold medal they won in Slovenia 2 years ago.
Congratulations to newcomer Kayleigh Smith who has impressed the manager and coach over the past few years and is sure to gain experience as an international angler.
Dick Clegg OBE, International Events Manager, Angling Trust said “I have travelled with the Ladies team now for the past few years and I have seen the dedication and work effort that all the members put into trying to win medals. They are a fantastic bunch of anglers who deserve to make the podium every year.”
