Remnants of  Hurricane Bertha hitting the UK with torrential rain backed by 40 mph wind could not dampen the enthusiasm of the 57 anglers that lined the banks of the River Soar at Sutton Bonnington for the eighth Angling Trust RiverFest qualifier of the year, held on Sunday 10th August.

On a nicely rising river with much needed colour and pace and new pegging the fish fed freely. There were a number of big fish caught including eels to 5lbs 10oz and tench to 6lbs along with double figures of roach.

First place went to reigning RiverFest Champion Andrew ‘Spud’ Murphy with an excellent 10kg 450g from unfancied downstream peg 7.  Andrew fished long pole over groundbait and caster for roach, skimmers, perch and hybrids.  

In second place from the upstream peg 98 with two bream and skimmers was Steve Whitfield with 8kg  600kg. The other qualifier was Mark Halksworth with a 4lb tench and perch fishing down the side weighing in 4kg 590g.

Results
1st Andrew ‘Spud’ Murphy 10kg 450g
2nd Steve Whitfield 8kg 600g
3rd Rob Wootton 7kg 250g
4th Adrian Reynolds 7kg 100g
5th Darren Cox 7kg

The next RiverFest qualifier will take place on the River Yare at Langley on Sunday 17th August.

(Photo; from left to right – Steve Whitfield and Andrew Murphy)