‘Yorkie’ wins Midland Angler of the Year…
Barston has once again hosted the Midland Angler of the Year, and for the first time was one from an angler not actually from the Midlands!
Yes it’s true! Anyone can come to Barston and fish this match, and Nick Speed, who loves coming to Barston, travelled from Yorkshire and took the glory, and the trophy back up north.
The match still holds onto its original format since Nigel and Gareth Purnell first set it up when Gareth was editor of Midland Angler magazine.
It comprises of two three-hour matches, the first one on the feeder, and, staying on the same peg, the next match is three hours on the pole, with 1/2 and hour in-between to weigh in.
Nick drew peg 54, just past the point on the river bank, and fished the method at 50 yards to take 33.2lb of carp and F1s to win the section easily
He then fished worm over bloodworm to take 29lb of silvers on the pole, catching everything that swims to take a second section win and the match with a clear 2 points from his 2 section wins.

The angler with the best two section results from each match takes the honours.

Morning sections
A Jamie Hughes 31.4
B Nick Speed 33.2
C Simon Fry 28.7

Afternoon sections
A Steve Daly 14.2
B Nick Speed 29.2
C Wayne Mellings 51.8

Overall
1st Nick Speed 1 point
2nd Jamie Hughes 4 points
3rd Simon Fry 5 points

Pic: Barston owner Nigel Harrhy presents the trophy to Nick Speed along with his £250 prize money.