(Pic )Match organizer Alan Henry in action at Laughterton. He qualified for the Riverfest final along with match winner Paul Moutrey and Pete Allott.
Riverfest Qualifier, Tidal Trent, North Clifton and Laughterton (46 fished)
Due to the lack of rain in recent months the river has been running low and very clear making fishing very difficult for all.
The roach and skimmers that the tidal is best known for have all but disappeared and the main quarry for most has been dab, perch and the odd barbel.
The winner on the day was Tidal Trent regular Paul Moutrey (Scunthorpe), who had to wait till the death for his bonus to come along; in fact it was 10 minutes from the all out.
The bonus in question turned out to be a 10lb barbel, and this was more than enough on its own to win the match and book his place in the final. Paul also managed a roach and finished the match with 10lb 3oz from North Clifton peg 21. In second place on the next peg to the winner was Martin Jacques (Derwent Angling) who fished a blinding match, catching small fish from the off on light feeder tactics – unfortunately his 8lb 7oz wasn’t enough to take him through.
In third place and the winner of Zone B and qualifying for the Riverfest final was match organiser Alan Henry (Shimano/Dynamite) drawing peg 14 at Laughterton.
Alan targeted the flat fish for the majority of the match with blockend feeder and pole feeder with lobworms landing 10 to 1lb and finishing the day with 7lb 11oz. Taking the final place was another Trent regular Pete Allott (Sheffield), who weighed 5lb 15oz from peg 38 Laughterton. Pate had a bonus 4lb bream plus perch and dace on groundbait feeder worm and caster.
Results
1st Paul Moutrey (Scunthorpe) 21 North Clifton 10lb 3oz
2nd Martin Jacques (Derwent Angling) 22 North Clifton 8lb 7oz
3rd Alan Henry (Shimano/Dynamite) 14 Laughterton 7lb 11oz
4th Paul Goulding (Diawa Dons) 4 Laughterton 6lb 5oz
Qualifiers
(North Clifton) Paul Moutrey 10lb 3oz
(Laughterton 1 – 15) Alan Henry 7lb 11oz
(Laughterton 31 – 45) Pete Allott 5lb 15oz
