Wayne Mellings is the 2011 Midland Angler Of The Year after posting a perfect two-point scorecard at Solihull’s Barston Lakes.
The competition, which was set up by Total-Fishing.com’s Gareth Purnell up with fishery owner Nigel Harrhy some nine years ago when he was editor of Midland Angler magazine, sees 40 top anglers fishing two matches on the same peg – three hours on the feeder, then three hours on the pole.
Maver Midlands captain Wayne drew unfancied peg 105 on the roadside bank, but he still managed to win his section both times and that was good enough for the trophy.
In the first match Wayne weighed in 24lb of F1s and skimmers fishing a pellet Method feeder with Dynamite Baits Monster Tiger Nut Pellets on the hair rig. The next heat saw him bag an impressive 34lb of skimmers by feeding 4mm Tiger Nut pellets over sloppy groundbait on the long pole. Wayne was the only angler with two section wins. Former winner Richie Hull looked on course to take the crown again after winning his section on the first match, but just missed out when Nigel Harrhy landed a 10lb carp on the whistle to finish with three points and a 66lb total.