Veterans National Match Fishing Championships 2017
Partridge Lakes
Left: Winner, Harry Billings. Right: Second, Danny Sixsmith
The Angling Trust’s Veteran National took place at the ever popular Partridge Lakes, where 147 of our hardy angling veterans braved some appalling weather; strong winds and rain hampered tackle presentation and left the fish reluctant to feed. However, as the weather started to clear and warm up the fish got on the feed and weights really built in the last couple of hours.
Peg 30 on Covey two was England Veteran International Harry Billings’ peg for the day and after fishing caster across at the start with little to show for his efforts, Harry switched to fishing paste down the edge which transformed his catch rate. F1’s and proper carp up to 6lb were being dropped into his net on a regular basis and at the ‘All Out’ he had amassed a catch of 50.800kg which was enough to see him crowned Angling Trust Veterans National Champion for 2017.
Pushing Harry right to the wire was fellow England International Danny Sixsmith, fishing peg 151 on Covey six he was blighted with small fish for the early part of the match. However, with heavy feeding the bigger carp moved in down his margin swim and he ended up with 47.450kg caught on maggot over groundbait.
Anthony Maguire was on the next peg 152 and also caught well down his margins amassing a respectable 32.600kg in the five hours. This was just enough to take the final place on the podium ahead of Graham Stokes on Covey six, Peg 157 with 32.275kg
Despite the weather this was another cracking national with a real sense of comerardery between the veterans. Next year the Veterans Championships is being hosted by Woodland View Near Droitwich on the 25th July 2018.
The Angling Trust would like to thank Barbara and her team at Partridge Lakes for their invaluable help and assistance during the day.
Veterans National Match Fishing Championships 2017
Overall Results;
1st Harry Billing Garbolino 50.800kg
2nd Danny Sixsmith Matrix Dynamite Baits 47.450kg
3rd Anthony Maguire Castle Vale 32.600kg
4th Graham Stokes Lymm 32.275kg
5th Christopher Weeder St Helens 31.625kg
6th Kelvin Holvey Goole 31.075kg
Section Medal Winners;
A section Malcolm Hyde Canvey Island 29.050kg
B section John Trevor-Jones Northwich 28.200kg
C section Harry Billing Garbolino 50.800kg
D section Charles Hibbs Leigh 30.550kg
E section Danny Sixsmith Matrix Dynamite Baits 47.450kg
