Hey, Keefy, what do you think?

[TF_Steve Lockett]

Following various debates about the state of top flight match angling, Fish O Mania, Keith’s Commercial tie-up plan etc, perhaps we should consider trying to get back to the days of big matches instead of loads of small sweeps.
Having a chat with Kev Rowles on Friday as we shot a feature, talking about state of modern match fishing.
Our main topic was about impact of commercials and how to change culture of modern match anglers.

So how about this for an idea?

Link a selection of River Champs in a bid to get them back to where they once were. This would give a Regional qualifier system leading to a say 100 peg King of the Rivers final.

Have five regions, NE, NW, SE, SW and Midlands, with four River Champs in each. Every River Champs is fished in sections of 10, giving points towards qualifying for the final.
Anglers nominate which region they want to score points in, but could fish all of them and take the highest regional total if they want.
20 top points scorers in that region (weight decider in the event of tie on points, then placings if further tie) qualify for a final to be fished the following season.

Assuming most matches would be run on club waters, explain to the clubs that it would be in their interest to only take £2 pegging. Charge £20 a ticket and give the organiser £1 from each, or split it between two organisers. Possibly an admin charge for whoever takes on the overall duty of organisation.
There should still be £15 a head or so to pay £50 sections and a decent overall.

Using section points system will give those who don’t draw a noted flyer something to fish for. Obviously it becomes a bit more of a logistical headache, hence the payment to local organiser as well as overall co-ordinator.

Down here in the South West, we still have a decent turn out for the Huntspill Champs, Upper Brue still gets close to 100 and there could also be enough call for a match on the Bristol Avon, plus either the River Exe, Axe or Parrett.

I think the key to this would be to get lapsed match anglers back out. By reviving natural venues, but giving options for doing well, not just picking the ‘bream hole’ out of the bag and everyone else going home, it might draw some back.
The anglers who have been bougth up just fishing commercials will still have their little circuits, but some may be tempted out onto the rivers by the size of the matches.

Thoughts…

[TF_FBlues]

Many match anglers now don’t own river tackle, or tackle that is suitable for river matches, except for winning them with bags of bream, exactly as they used to be won!

Many rivers are not permanently pegged so someone would need to peg them and a day ticket PLUS sticking a peg in for £2 seems a bit cheap.

I fished the Trent Champs when it was FREE and the winners got a badge to keep and their name on a pot. Usually 1000+ turned out for that. I fished the Severn Champs with 1000+, the Gt Ouse Champs with 1000+, the Thames Champs (FTAA and LAA) when both had 1000+, the Lea Benevolent (LAA) with 600+, LAA Geen Cup on the GT Ouse with 900+, Hammersmith Open on the Thames with 400+, Southwark Open on the Thames with 300+, the Turner 400 with, err, 400. Most of those matches were boosted by having clubs turn up with coachloads; since we all started going in our own cars numbers dwindled to none. Car parking alone could be a massive issue!

I honestly believe there has been a culture change and the VAST majority of regular match anglers now don’t want to fish river matches. Like it or not, that is how it is, I believe, except in small enclaves where there are no commercials.

You also have to consider that Sunday trading has bought an enormous increase to traffic levels and I, for one, will not consider driving more than 50 miles as I need to get home sometime during the same day!

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