The 11th 2007 Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier at White Acres last weekend was won by Steve Denmead, a waggler expert from Frome in Somerset who outwitted the rest of the field to book his place at Doncaster.
At the draw the rain was pouring down and the traditional seaside resort of Newquay was not quite what some of the competitors had hoped for. However, although it was raining the fishing was good and the venue which sponsors the England Ladies team provided some high quality angling.
It was Pollawyn Lake which proved the most successful providing four of the top six anglers, all with weights over 100lbs. When asked about the day Clint Elliot, local organiser for the qualifier commented, “All the lakes fished well and have been performing recently: however Pollawyn just seemed to have the better anglers fishing it and they took full advantage.”
The winner Steve Denmead is Managing Director (below) of engineering company Keyford and is well known for being a waggler specialist. Steve used his experience to take a great 227lbs 12ozs including 39 carp and 5 big skimmers. Fishing from peg 25, Steve caught 11 fish in the first hour averaging around 6lbs a fish.
When asked about his outstanding victory Steve commented, “As soon as the match started you could tell there was a lot of fish in the bay where Adam Rooney, Andy May, Adam Wakelin and I were fishing so we all knew that we were in with a chance. I was able to catch steadily throughout the match and with a good start and equally good finish I knew that I had an opportunity to win it. In the last hour, I caught a 14lbs ghost carp and then immediately caught another 14lbs fish, this one being a common carp.
I decided that the best thing to do was to keep it simple and it worked a treat. I can’t wait until the final; I am really looking forward to it. I won’t be able to practise much as Hayfield is a long way from Somerset, but I think I may be the underdog for the final so you just never know.”
It wasn’t an easy ride through for Steve who had tough competition from Starlets match man Adam Rooney on the peg next door. Adam who made the long trip from Daventry claimed a very respectable 182lbs 2ozs, fishing pellet and waggler. In third place was Andy May, who caught a final weight of 165lbs 8ozs also fishing pellet and waggler from peg 17.
In fourth place was local White Acres angler Adam Wakelin, who got off to a great start catching 9 fish in the first 20 minutes of action. Adam was again fishing on Pollawyn and weighed in 108lbs 10ozs, not quite challenging for the top placings as the fish eventually moved on.
