Conditions were nigh on perfect for the competitors in the 2014 Angling Trust Veterans National Championship held at the prolific Woodlands View Fishery at Hadley on Wednesday 30th July with 154 competitors competing .
Warm, mainly overcast and a light breeze led to a string of 100 lb plus weights as the carp feed freely. Most pools started slowly and strangely the usually consistent High Pool remained that way all day, but action on the pools picked up as the match progressed. The exception was Ghost Pool where it was evident early on that this was the pool to be on as the carp fed from the start and 5 of the top 10 weights came from here.
Martin Barrett made the trip up from Trowbridge, Wilts worthwhile as he claimed the silverware and Veterans Championship title with 64.100 kg. The Preston Innovations Thatchers rod fishing from Ghost 18, pole fished caster and red maggot down the edge to take carp up to 12 lb. Barley Pool took the next two places with Trevor Jackson from Birkenhead fishing under the Eastham Angling banner taking 60.280 kg from peg 8. Pellet and corn again pole fished down the edge caught Trevor carp up to 9 lbs. Fishing at the next peg, peg 10, was Fishermans Friend and Starlets Veteran, Timothy Guise from nearby Dudley.
Tim fished for silvers for the first part of the match, putting 20 lbs of them in his net, before switching to carp. Fishing worms over pellet caught him carp up to 10 lbs and gave him third place with 58.000 kg. Full marks to renowned match veteran John Larraman, whom regained his composure after losing a top 4 kit to a wild carp on Ghost 3, who went on to take fourth place with 50.750 kg fishing pellet up in the water. It was good to see a lot of happy smiling faces leaving this great venue after a wonderful day’s fishing.
The Angling Trust would like to thank Mike and Denise Mason and all their staff at Woodlands Fishery for all their help and assistance during the day.
1st Martin Barrett (Preston Innovations Thatchers) 64.100 kg
2nd Trevor Jackson (Eastham Angling) 60.280 kg
3rd Timothy Guise (Fishermans Friends/Starlets Vets) 58.000 kg
4th John Larraman 50.750 kg
5th Ian Turner 49.500 kg
6th Colin Perry 48.900 kg
