RINGER family matchfishing patriarch Geoff is looking set for to make yet another big-money final.
Though perhaps eclipsed in recent years by pro-angling sons Steve and Phil, he has a long list of wins under his belt including, back in 2000 (turn of the century!) a £26,000 Fish’O-Mania victory.
Recently beavering through the Drennan Matchfishing Cup early rounds, Monday saw him gain a quarter-final place on the Thames.
If he gets through that and the semis it will all end in a two-man head-to-head – winner takes £5,000!
Getting through with a 52-9 2nd in section on a Notts lake, he said: “That included a 4llb sturgeon which helped me scrape through by ounces. As there are said to be only two in the lake, I have to count myself pretty lucky...”
May the luck stay with you, Geoff.
WITH the weather as changeable as political promises, PLEASE keep your eyes open for fish in distress.
That’s the call from local Environment Agency fisheries boss Dr Ian Hirst who reckons his teams were this week able to save some 10,000 fish in one Fenland river incident alone!
Locally they also used hydrogen peroxide to help Wellingborough minimise losses on their Mill Cotton snake lake.
That club – among the better equipped – was also able to swiftly deploy four big oxygenating pumps.
Weather-inspired killer deoxygenation incidents can involve massive algal die-offs, rotting vegetation, lack of oxygenating winds, and high fish stock levels.
Signs to watch for include fish gasping at the surface and, in some cases, numerous species shoaling together in unusual manner vying for what little oxygen there is.
“Don’t delay. If you see a problem or what could be the start of one, call our 0800 807060 line. We have fishery officers on standby 24/7 – it is part of what your rod licence fee pays for,” said Dr Hirst.
NENE, Canons Ashby: Paul Ramsden 93-10, John Balhatchett 49-14, Ron Collins 43-12.
FINEDON, Dennetts: Sam Corteze 79-8, John White 50-7, Dave Ross 45-7.
CROCKETT & Jones, Waterloo: Steve Holmes 77lb, Mark Romaine 47lb, Paul Minney 34lb.
BUCKO, Stockton: Fred Bispham 72-03, Jake King 52-6, John Holmes 51-13.
COTTON Club, Peatling Pools: Marcus Annable 49-12, Andy Whiting 31-2, Dave Haddon 27-4.
CASTLE Ashby: Saturday, Brickyard, Darren Driver 54-6, Paul Hardman 28-12, Chris Prigmore 24-4; Sunday, Grendon, Mick Whaddham 44-12, Courtney Hewlett 41-4, Keith Garrett 40-12.
COUNTY vets, Rectory Farm: Jeff Rice 43-8, Alf Gillard 37-12, Paul Lafflin 34-4.
LITTLE Harrowden, Stretton lakes: Ken Taylor 39-12, Darren Childs 34-10, Aidie Chance 34lb.
WHITE Hart Flore, Barby Mill: Mark Tottenham 34lb, Chris ‘two scoops’ Freeman 24lb, John Berry and Pete Scott both 19lb.
TOWCESTER, Silver lake: Darren Pannell 25-13, Andy Jones 18-4, Pat Jaquest 17-14.
TOWCESTER vets, Stockton: Gerald Green 25-8 (roach and crucians) Graham Martin 14-8, Andy Jones 12-9.