the cost of madness

[TF_joffmiester]

last night i heard what had gone off in the individual national by two individuals that escalated into a mountain instead of a mole hill yet again two individuals that have never tried to run a 10 pegger let alone a 130 or even a national we all know tony keeling and Paul turner as friends and probably the most helpful men in angling they have run endless matches over the years and haven’t taken a penny for it any teething problems both would do everything to get it sorted out as quick as possible
tony would of given his back teeth to of fished this match yet choose to organise it from start to finish and with the help of Paul who spent hours pegging out
as i understand one section had its problems but at such a late stage nothing could of been done and if it could it would of been without question
tony will give me grief about putting this on site but last night i could tell its really hurt him hard and i feel NO organiser should have verbal abuse thrown at them and specially the level tony got
the cost of these two individuals action which i could name is the fact tony will not run another match at this level and long with Paul who has told one maybe both that they are not welcome
this also poses on the future of big team match in this area
i find it hard that anglers can behave in this manor if they are not prepared to do anything themselves

tony you are a top bloke top organiser and top friend don’t let these individuals get you down rise above them and the same goes for paul
angling needs people like you
sometimes it needs to be said and not pushed under the carpet
Back to top

[TF_Fordy]

For those who’ve not heard, joff, give us a few more details!!

[TF_Dodge]

Both Paul and Tony are 2 of the very best match organisers in the country and BOTH know the stretch of the Staffs / Worces canal used for saturdays individual national like the back of their hands. Whatever happened on the last 20 odd pegs is of NO FAULT of theres. NUFF SAID !

[TF_Nigel.]

What a shame, i dont know what happened, but obviously they have been abusive to the organisers, and there is no need for it.
There are only a hand full of organisers, and without them, there would be no matches to fish, simple!
They (we) do get taken for granted, peg it out the night before, first to the venue, last to our peg, first off the peg to weigh in, and last off the bank after weighing in, and there is never a pint sitting on the bar for me when i walk in!~think

Then last out of the bar after paying out!

[TF_joffmiester]

Re: the cost of madness
THIS IS A STATEMENT FROM TONY

This is an extract from a guy, on peg 105, who hadn’t got the man balls to send it directly to Paul or myself, I have the full copy. (It was sent to some publications and the Angling Trust).

I have fished over 20 consecutive national for Winterton and I accept certain situations are outside the control of the organisers. This was not the case here and Paul Turner and Tony Keeling should hang their heads in shame for ruining a big day out for the anglers in the 101 to 127 section.
As a matter of FACT peg 102 weighed in 9k100 for fourth in the match and 103 weighed in 4k430 for ninth.

I have informed Angling Trust this morning that our waters will no longer be available for any further Nationals and all my voluntary work for Angling Trust will now end. This includes all website reports and any organising of future contests. The huge proposed sponsored Canal League for next summer will now not take place.

One thing I would like to add is that the Angling Trust have done nothing at all wrong in this; I have, up to late on Saturday, enjoyed all the work.

Scum that send E Mails like that out, send me continual sh!t phone call when I am trying to work plus a text message (I showed that to some yesterday) should be behind bars.

[Rustler]

Name and shame

[TF_kid_a]

This whole situation sums up perfectly what is wrong with match fishing today. Is it any wonder match fishing is in decline…

A match organiser cannot possibly win as whatever they do someone will moan about it…

[bigroachParticipant]

THese idiots who have abused the organizers should be the ones hanging there heads in shame.

[TF_bremesParticipant]

@Rustler wrote:

Name and shame

If the results are online you can quite simply find out,i would have thought anyway~think

[TF_the margin gnome]

Im in no way advocating an organiser being abused by anglers I cannot help but feel this is going a bit over the top. You just have to accept some people are idiots. To withdraw from something you enjoy doing and preventing others from enjoying your waters seems a bit extreme and perhaps in cold light of day things may not seem so bad.

Does anyone know why this section could not have been moved? Im sure there must have been a good reason.

[TF_joffmiester]

the section had some canoes on it but the boat traffic was heavy anyway thoughout the whole length of the match

we fished a match on the river soar a couple of weeks ago and we had thirty of them go through the sections 22lb of chub won that day and until the canoes went through he hadn’t had one makes you think ~think ~think

[TF_pr@ngler]

Margin gnome has a point. There are always fools who will criticise, yet they never take responsibility themselves. Take a deep breath, have a pint and come back to it when you are ready.

And remember, its better to be a good guy that takes a bit of flak from fools, than to be a fool.

[TF_joffmiester]

~sick ~sick ~sick
this came through from tony today i just hope these two anglers read it!!!!
at the end of the day fishing is a sport NOT a witch hunt to the people that keep our sport together

Re: the cost of madness
Reply #14 – Today at 10:06am I can only thank you all for your support on this.

I know virtually all of you don’t know how much time and effort goes into running this type of match.

These were part of my costs for running Saturday’s event: paper £5. printing, stapling 150 direction and pegging sheets @ 10p each £30.
Telephone £20 land line £10 mobile £5 E Mails.
Time 8 hours (minimum) £80.

This above is just the tip of the iceberg and these costs are well below reality. That comes to £150.

Future costs; a future Div Two and Div One National Champs. The five clubs made £10,000 from from the 2009 event; the estimated cost to clubs for Div 2 is £7500. These are day tickets, practise match peg fees and National peg fees.

Cost of 2011 sponsored Canal League, estimated sponsorship ?£1000? plus peg fees for six matches £4,500 that would have been due to clubs involved.

Cost in profit to all local Guest Houses, pubs and B&Bs
(you can only guess at this figure but it is a lot.)

Cost to future Wolves AA / IWAA matches (turnout will obviously dip owing to no Nationals.

Cost to Angling Trust of (approx) 50 members £1000

Cost to Angling Trust of the ultimately losing two member clubs £400.

Cost to eveyone’s pleasue, – immeasurable.

Finally, here is a message to ALL anglers that drew pegs 101 to 127.

GIVE ME CHANCE TO HAVE MY COMPLETELY RUINED HOLIDAY, while we are talking money another £1000, THEN RING ME AT THE END OF THE MONTH AND I WILL PERSONALLY REFUND YOUR ENTRY FEE OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. The is no way the Angling Trust can take any responsibility for this.

I don’t want any medals, thanks or crappity smack all for saying all this. The Canal match scene was picking up in leaps and bounds in this area. Owing to the sheer MADNESS of a couple of anglers the canal scene and clubs in this area are the only losers. Probably this is what they wanted.

Feel free to put any part or all this post on any other website you want as I only contribute to this one. Tony Keeling

[TF_wildinguk]

what a pampered pathetic bunch some people are becoming. I remember the days of proper matches on rivers, etc. Walking 2 miles to catch next to nothing. I strongly remember having to sit in a cattle drink once, I didn’t complain just got muddy. Surely part of the pleasure, and challenge, of fishing matches is to take part and compete against the fish in your peg whatever the situation, canoes or whatever.

I think Tony needs congratulating on all his effort, the whole thing was something outside his control.

As for the detractors, abusers and complainers…it’s not tollerated in any other sport and nor should it be tollerated in this one. I would like to see those who have created this situation banned from fishing matches, in the same way footballers are banned for abusing refs. Then, and maybe only then, will people see that the type of behviour discussed here is unacceptable and not tollerated.

[TF_redarmy]

even though tony states the angling trust are not in anyway to blame it was one of there events,this being the case surely the anglers concerned have brought the angling trust into disrepute and should be dealt with by them and banned from future competitions ie nationals and fisho,s if people are allowed to get away with behavour like this and totally pee off one of the few big match organisers left in the uk then it will only happen again.

[TF_herbie]

these prats need to be named. i will ban them from any of my matches and would expect other match organisors to follow suit. mine is only a small gesture but if everyone followed suit then these abusive pillocks would have nothing to do. i would also contact angling trust as a member asking for there membership be withdrawn. we need this kind of thug in angling sidelined permenently.

[TF_Paddy]

I cannot see alot wrong with that Herbs, spot on in my opinion.

[TF_FISHER-PRICE]

Would just like to add that I’ve run the odd match here and there, (usually 10-20peg knock ups admittedly, it’s still hard bloody work!),and I am well aware of the work that is involved behind the scenes.
Unfortunately many anglers don’t seem to realise the effort that goes in to running these matches in a way that allows them to just turn up, draw and fish, it is so easy for them in my opinion that they take for granted the actions of others, without which their competitive hobby would be a non-starter.
No match organiser deserves to be abused, foul-mouthed or otherwise.
Although I believe it to be the minority, I do feel that some anglers lose sight of the fact that for the vast majority of us matchfishing is actually just our hobby.
Hope this situation is resolved in such a way that it is not detrimental to those who don’t deserve to lose out.
Would like to finish by thanking all those of you who do run matches so the rest of us have an easy time enjoying the sport we love.

[TF_NW Cut Angler]

The actions of the 2 idiots is disgusting and they should incur a widespread ban. Not easy I know but Organisers need to stick together.

Joff I am a bit confused why would you pull out of AT events, helping the AT etc? I know your intention is not to harm the AT but what is to be gained by you doing that? Apologies if I misread or missed something obvious.

[TF_Sluicer]

That was my first experience of a National, so I’m a little disturbed that there’s been so much controversy associated with it.

As a first impression, I thought that on the whole the event wasn’t run badly at all. Sometimes people forget that canals aren’t just the domain of the anglers. I’m sometimes a little outspoken about the antics of boaters, but they pay to use the canals like we do so we have to just get on with it. there’s no such thing as a perfect match on any canal.

I think people need to take a step back, cool down and have a think before they say things the’re undoubtedly going to regret.

It’s all too easy to ‘throw the baby out with the bath water’ when reacting to personal criticism. I only met Tony for the first time on Saturday so without wishing to ingratiate myself, I’d ask him to say nothing more in public on the matter and just take some time to reflect before making any final decisions about ‘not doing this & not doing that’. Plaudits who know Tony far better than I ever will have already spoken out in protest at the critical comments made about the events on Saturday, but I think it was a little unwise to do so in public. By protesting about a witch-hunt by disgruntled competitors on the one hand, this seems to have sparked a retaliatary witch-hunt on the other. It’s all rather unseemly and (in my view) unhelpful.

My view (for the little it’s worth) is this: by lowering yourselves to the level of your critics, you’re selling yourselves short; rise above it & keep your dignity. Ignore the minority who know no better than to insult and criticise; the majority appreciate the effort that goes into planning, organising and running events of this stature even if they’re sometimes a little backwards at coming forwards in saying so.

[Note to self:] Keep your trap shut on the canal flyer tomorrow 🙂 🙂

[TF_BazzaParticipant]

I fished the match on Saturday and have to say that Tony and Paul’s efforts should be applauded. The pegging was spacious, directions to the pegs was spot on and aided by the use of post codes for a sat nav. Tony actually weighted me in and it was a pleasure to meet him.

I agree with others that the 2 concerned should be named, shamed and banned.

I hope Tony and Paul will go away, reflect and reconsider their decision. To lose such a good canal as a competition venue would be a travesty, and the actions of 2 narrow minded individuals should not be allowed to effect the pleasure of others.

[TF_Dodge]

Well said Bazza ~clap ~clap ~clap

What also people should remember is that both Paul and Tony have been running big matches for years and years and have seen it all , so what happened with the two morons on saturday has obviously upset them both ….. and that takes some doing believe me !

[TF_AnthonywatersParticipant]

You will always get moaners at matches the decent majority need to muscle in on em and tell them to wind their necks in or F$ck off ! Theres always enough decent lads to dwarf them.

[TF_joffmiester]

@NW Cut Angler wrote:

The actions of the 2 idiots is disgusting and they should incur a widespread ban. Not easy I know but Organisers need to stick together.

Joff I am a bit confused why would you pull out of AT events, helping the AT etc? I know your intention is not to harm the AT but what is to be gained by you doing that? Apologies if I misread or missed something obvious.

~sick ~sick i think our wires are crossed ~sick ~sick i hope kens not read this NO i’ve not pulled out of any AT events mate ~hand
i work along side both papers AT AND THE MAIL ken and tony understand as both are organisers both get the same abuse from time to time as do all match organisers and this is probably the reason why match fishing is in the state it is.
why i printed this topic is the fact tony is a personal friend and believe me he was so upset and down after this match i thought it had to be brought up!!and i’m glad it has because from what has been posted is a true reflection on tony and Paul and hope it reassures them both just how appreciated they are by 99% of anglers
THIS TOPIC SHOULD AT LEAST SHOW THAT MATCH ORGANISERS ARE HUMAN AS WELL
the responce on other websites has been just as high

[TF_joffmiester]

Offline

crappity smack me

Posts: 3451
stafford

eclipse
Re: the cost of madness
Reply #19 – Yesterday at 8:09pm Could anyone please do me a favour and copy the list of anglers that ‘are due’ a refund onto the Total Fishing site, I don’t know how to do it.

Could somebody also add that it is a physical impossibility to run this type of match now as we have not got enough canal to put Nationals on in future. IWAA have lengthy stretches on the Staffs Worcs, Shroppie and the T & M. Wolves AA have similar on the Shroppie and the Staffs-Worcs. Without these there are no more Nationals, – it is as simple as that. Both Paul and myself will continue to run leagues. I have one of 65 pegs staring in October but in all honesty I have taken Saturday too much to heart and badly need to stop or I will be a Hospital case and I certainly don’t fancy going in Stafford, next door to where I live!

Re: the cost of madness
Reply #15 – Yesterday at 11:52am This is the list of pegs and anglers that can ring me for their refund. My phone number is in the programme or you can find it on the Angling Trust website.

peg 101 Simon Nickless DNW
peg 102 Peter Gilbert 9k100 (4th ind)
peg 103 Craig Ritchie 4k340 (9th ind)
peg 104 Mark Jacks DNW
peg 105 Tony Dukes DNW
peg 106 Joe Brennan DNW
peg 107 Malcolm Chambers DNW
peg 108 Melvyn Wood DNW
peg 109 Karl Johansen DNW
peg 110 Gerald Brookes DNW
peg 111 Phil Speakman DNW
peg 112 Kevin Perry DNW
peg 113 Mark Charnley 1k800 (section winner)
peg 114 Reuven Birch 0k910
peg 115 Raymond Ankin 0k370
peg 116 Mirek Laskowski 0k130
peg 117 Bryan Jackson 0k550
peg 118 Carl westwood 1k430
peg 119 Kenneth Whitmore 0k600
peg 120 Gordon Griffiths 1k360
peg 121 Asa Cooper 1k550
peg 122 Darren Massey 2k180 (section winner)
peg 123 Anthony Burt DNW
peg 124 Dennis Sumner DNW
peg 125 Empty
peg 126 Empty
peg 127 Stephan Johansen 1k750
Back to top

Hopefully the last few words on this……..
A few do actually know there is a fair bit more in this than is on these sites. In my view part of Saturday’s ‘episode’ was nothing more than premeditated to a degree.

The cost to the area in the next five years will be immense.

If anyone knows any of the anglers on that list that want their refund, please ask them to ring me. I will not deal with E Mail requests.

Tonight I am going to try and salvage my ruined holiday.

To all those, too many to mention – one in particular is Paul Turner, that have supported me over many years of running these huge matches, I thank you.
To those jealous b####rds that emancipated the situation on Saturday – I hope you can live with what you have done for Midlands Canal Fishing.
Back to top

ifeel very sad that these anglers have taken away the headlines from all the individual winners and section winners of the match

[TF_redarmy]

joff have the angling trust got involved at all

[TF_joffmiester]

@redarmy wrote:

joff have the angling trust got involved at all

from what i gather no tony said its nothing to do with the trust
one point i have gathered is the angling trust jumped to the concussion far too quick about giving the money back or entry back to these anglers as two where in the individuals so do they give there winnings back it also might open a can of worms to everyone who draws a bad peg in a national in the future but thats another story mate ~think ~think ~think

[TF_redarmy]

any moans or gripes must surely be dealt with by the organising body ie angling trust not all aimed at tony

[TF_joffmiester]

@redarmy wrote:

any moans or gripes must surely be dealt with by the organising body ie angling trust not all aimed at tony

its not for me to coment on but i’m sure tony was disappointed with the angling trust one way and another whether they backed them up or not i don’t know BUT i wouldof hoped so

[TF_herbie]

joff i know a member of the board quite well and would be happy to pass on anything the organisers are unhappy with. its of little use to future angling to sweep this under the carpet. for there sake,s it needs sorting NOW. these lads obviously love running big matches and given time they will again . so we need to make sure that in events run by the A/T or anyone for that matter that there is proceedures in place and there used when abuse occurs on this scale. we need to be solid on this as matchmen or we will go nowhere fast.

[TF_redarmy]

joff looking at the section result it looks like some decent weights caught,were the line of dnw,s actually fishing or did they refuse,some decent weights either side of them

[TF_NW Cut Angler]

Apologies Joff, I got mixed up

It stinks that organisers get abuse as it is a thankless task and Tony has done it for years / decades and superbly. In that sense I hope when the dust settled Tony remembers he has the gratitude and respect of thousands of match anglers and unfortunately in any walk of life numptys will always exist.

If it is possible I think the culprits should be banned from as many events as possible.

[TF_gotgaz]

Offline

crappity smack me

Posts: 3451
stafford

eclipse
Re: the cost of madness
Reply #19 – Yesterday at 8:09pm Could anyone please do me a favour and copy the list of anglers that ‘are due’ a refund onto the Total Fishing site, I don’t know how to do it.

Could somebody also add that it is a physical impossibility to run this type of match now as we have not got enough canal to put Nationals on in future. IWAA have lengthy stretches on the Staffs Worcs, Shroppie and the T & M. Wolves AA have similar on the Shroppie and the Staffs-Worcs. Without these there are no more Nationals, – it is as simple as that. Both Paul and myself will continue to run leagues. I have one of 65 pegs staring in October but in all honesty I have taken Saturday too much to heart and badly need to stop or I will be a Hospital case and I certainly don’t fancy going in Stafford, next door to where I live!

Re: the cost of madness
Reply #15 – Yesterday at 11:52am This is the list of pegs and anglers that can ring me for their refund. My phone number is in the programme or you can find it on the Angling Trust website.

if anyone asks for a refund they should be bloody ashamed of them selfs they new the pegs in the hat before the draw if they didnt like them then they shouldnt of fished stuff them tony give them nowt speak to you when your back of holls have a pint of the black stuff for me

[TF_joffmiester]

~clap ~clap JUST HOPE HE HAS A GREAT HOLIDAY and time to think althou the festival has been hit by floods ~sick ~sick hows your luck

herbie i know one well as he runs our winter league i’l have a word
in all the years i’ve fished never have i seen someone so upset and i’ve not spoke to paul about it i think he’s dealing with it in other ways

redarmy pretty sure they didn’t fish just got on the band wagon

[TF_redarmy]

Strange that joff looks like there was a few fish to be caught in that section

[TF_kwadej]

Been reading it all Joff, very sad to say I am not suprised.
Like many many anglers I have known Tony for years, all very disapointing to say the least.
Ken

[TF_MOOREY]

This might not be in the same league as organising a national or large match but I remember when I was secratary of a club, only 25 members, and I decided to run a little winter league on a couple of the Birmingham parks pools. Just a friendly thing, nothing booked in advance, just turn up, pay your own peg fee and thats it. Well, I’d decided that bloodworm would not be allowed, simply because of the cost to everyone…………and one bloke wanted to knock me out in the car park because of my decision.

[TF_Sluicer]

@joffmiester wrote:

@redarmy wrote:

joff have the angling trust got involved at all

from what i gather no tony said its nothing to do with the trust
one point i have gathered is the angling trust jumped to the concussion far too quick about giving the money back or entry back to these anglers as two where in the individuals so do they give there winnings back it also might open a can of worms to everyone who draws a bad peg in a national in the future but thats another story mate ~think ~think ~think

Joff – the draw tickets and peg markers (along with all the correspondance) carry Angling Trust insignia. This is everything to do with them.

Strictly speaking, their argument is with the event management – Angling Trust; not Tony Keeling.

[TF_buygoodtackleParticipant]

@joffmiester wrote:

the section had some canoes on it but the boat traffic was heavy anyway thoughout the whole length of the match

we fished a match on the river soar a couple of weeks ago and we had thirty of them go through the sections 22lb of chub won that day and until the canoes went through he hadn’t had one makes you think ~think ~think

I was on the affected section (peg 117) and it was possibly the most horrendous match I have endured – there were 30 canoes (2 man type) but they were part of an Iron Man event they went down the stretch then back then back down then back, then the next group got in and repeated the sequence- this went on for the entire match. I had a fish every time I got the bait into the water for longer than 30 secs – 8 in the first hour, 8 in the second then I had a triple passing of a canal boat with canoes over taking on both sides- that then did the damage. Everyone on the stretch was pretty angry and het up by the situation but got on with it. Even the canoeists were very apologetic and embaressed. To Tony’s credit he personally came down and weighed in the section and apologised to all the anglers that were still there, I and several others said it was not his fault as he had been stitched up by the commercial venture running the Iron Man event, but did query why the section was not moved – which Tony felt was not possible at that late stage with what was available.
To sum up this was an extreme situation which I hope I never encounter again, I do hope a complaint has been lodged with BWB regarding the commercial company’s activities as they had over 12 months advance warning of the National booking and only made their event known the night before. Tony should not refund any entry fee from his own pocket and should be commended for the way he faced up to a very difficult situation with honesty and dignity.

[TF_joffmiester]

~clap ~clap buygoodtackle i think thats sums it up and a great description of the events that took place and even yourself and others stuck it out until the end ~clap ~clap proper anglers like IVAN used to say there is always next week [he’d would of loved to of fished that section]
i just hope when tony is back he reads these comments and fines some reinsurance again

[TF_joffmiester]

@kwadej wrote:

Been reading it all Joff, very sad to say I am not suprised.
Like many many anglers I have known Tony for years, all very disappointing to say the least.
Ken

ken the internet is a powerful tool i just hope these anglers think twice about abusing the match organisers we all know you can’t have a hundred winning pegs in a hundred peg match and we all like to win but at what cost the cost of madness has been very high in this case just hope lessons has been learnt ~sick ~sick

[TF_Nigel.]

Thanks for telling us what happened Brian.
Its a shame they got double booked, and got annoyed, but wasn’t the match organisers fault if someone else ran a iron man event at the same time!
We have all had endure ice, and re freezing etc, we just get on with it.

I remember Ian Heaps telling me a story about a big canal match, he was bagging when the whole canal suddenly got covered in a bed of floating leaves, and he could only get a rig in when they drifted, but then they came straight back!

[DEEDOGDACEParticipant]

Isn’t it a dreadful shame that people like Tony Keeling who put so much back into match fishing get abused when things beyond their control happen? As a former match secretary (albeit nowhere near on the scale that Tony operates), I’ve read this post with memories flooding back of disgruntled anglers who think match organisation is a stroll in the park and let you know the instant that you, in their opinion, get it wrong.

Tony, please don’t let this put you off. Look at all the positive personal comments and remember that you’ve got it right for more years than some of your detractors have been fishing.

[TF_joffmiester]

funny i was talking to steve toone and like he says why would you want to be a match organiser you all should of learnt off me all those years ago
never a true word spoken

[TF_colin13846]

Tony you are a top man,I can still remember your help with the 08 Div 2 Nat on S&W which for myself turned out to be a personal best.
Please don’t let the minority spoil it for the majority the latter who do appreiciate your hard work.

[TF_Irk the purists]

“I can still remember your help with the 08 Div 2 Nat on S&W”

Best series of matches I’ve ever fished….. Tony Keeling is a true gent and has the whole of the match angling fraternity interests held dear to his heart….

Needs a hair cut though….

~shh

[TF_Dodge]

Tony is over in his beloved Ireland right now fishing the muckno festival …… he will be touched by everyones support … nice one fellas ~clap ~clap ~clap

Think Paul is considering another course of action ! lol ~clap

[TF_joffmiester]

dodge i think he will be on his tenth pint by now~clap ~clap

[TF_buygoodtackleParticipant]

Just an update- I received a letter this morning from the Angling Trust apologising for the events last Saturday together with a cheque for the entry fee in recompense for being “unable to compete fairly with all the other anglers pegged on other sections.” They also informed me that they have raised the issue with British Waterways as “it also caused considerable problems for our volunteers and staff on the day and after the event”.

Well done to the Angling Trust for a prompt response to the situation and keeping us informed.

[TF_joffmiester]

reading the A/T yesterday page 3,5 or 7 there’s an article about the ANGLING TIMES WINTER LEAGUE FINAL and again some anglers hell bent on up setting the organisiers saying the the venue is not upto much ??? madness!! bearing in mind the weekend before it fished its head off
it won’t take long before theses anglers ruin match fishing for good
one question
the nene fished its head off two days running brilliant but how many teams stayed and fished the sections monday tuesday and wednesday which was the last day you could fish it
NO natural venue would stand that sort of pressure
so how can it be the fault of the organisiers
its simply going to far in my eyes yet again

win at all cost perhaps the cost will be too much before long

~shh

[TF_GLEBE1]

None of this hassle at the Glebe Joff,i’ll fill that membership form in for you!!!!!~sick ~sick

[TF_Irk the purists]

Not read the Angling Times article Joff but from what I saw certain teams ran an orchestrated campaign throughout the practices to rubbish the venue but thankfully got their comeuppance on the day of the final…..

The Nene is a fantastic venue and Ken did a marvelous job on the day….

What would Match angling be like without stawalds like Ken and Tony I ask?

[TF_joffmiester]

@GLEBE1 wrote:

None of this hassle at the Glebe Joff,i’ll fill that membership form in for you!!!!!~sick ~sick

~naughty ~naughty ~naughty ~naughty ~naughty ~naughty
YOU KNOW ITS CALLED THE LOST WORLD once you make that move your never heard of again ~hand ~hand but i can’t say it won’t happen the way organisers are treated~sick good job roy’s thick skinned he’s been abused for years Arrrrrrrr

[TF_joffmiester]

@Irk the purists wrote:

Not read the Angling Times article Joff but from what I saw certain teams ran an orchestrated campaign throughout the practices to rubbish the venue but thankfully got their comeuppance on the day of the final…..

The Nene is a fantastic venue and Ken did a marvelous job on the day….

What would Match angling be like without stawalds like Ken and Tony I ask?

often the case mate orchestrated campaign that rings a bell ~think

[TF_wildinguk]

Once again I think the nene held a great final. It wasn’t in the best of shape, the weather saw to that. If the nene had been coloured and flowing on the day, the weights may well have been alot better. Some things are well out of an organisers control!! No doubt those same people would have blamed the river if it has been blowing a gale. They probably want the final moved onto a commercial as that’s their strength.

Match fishing is how it is, you fish the water you are given and fish against those around you. Whether you’re fishing for ounces or hundreds of pounds, personally I do it for the competition.

Most people moan about low weights now, but I think we’re just spoilt. People seem to expect hundred pounds weights everywhere, etc. I remember fishing winter leagues in my teens that were won, out of 100 anglers, with couple of pounds. None of us complained, it was competition and we loved it. IMO weights on natural venues are probably better than they have been, we have the equipment to catch more fish. Unlike 15 years ago, instead of a level 5 pound in each peg, venues seem to be more peggy now but if anything, winning weights have gone up considerably since those times!

[TF_joffmiester]

~clap ~clap well said
what i can’t understand is the fact when winter leagues start every team in the country knows where the final is THE RIVER NENE surely at this point you should know whether to fish the competition or not
even in the semis its the commie boys that kick up never the natural anglers they would fish whether its a commercial,canal river or lake its called all round angling
i do feel the commercial angling sector have fare more big competitions whether its fish-o-mania maver pairs parkdale all big competitions but you still don’t see 10 a side team matches or leagues on commercials unless its the winter league ~shh so it must have its plus sides

[TF_wildinguk]

I think the winter league is a great competition, though like most similar comps on naturals it’s not fairing too well entry wise. When I was a teen 15 odd yrs ago starting off match fishing, being picked to fish the winter leagues was a major achievement, you were up against the big boys. It does disappoint me that many local club sides have dropped out of it.

I’ve looked for a team to fish em for a while now, and given up as all the teams in this area are settled sides and set in their ways and seem to have little time to bring in new blood. If anything, think this is the crux of the death of team fishing. There seems to be little involvement in bringing through new anglers, which is a big shame. I’m certainly not the best angler in the world, but always wanting to improve. When I did fish some of the open practises before our winter league rounds, not doing spectacularly well, I asked one un-named angler how he had won one of the matchesz. The reply said it all, @i’ll tell you when you’re good enough to get in the team!!’ Was the last time I bothered.

I am sure there are many good teams around who like to blood new anglers, but when the world seems as closed as it is to bringing new people in and helping improve them as anglers, team fishing will continue to suffer. With alot of smaller cluybs dropping out of competing in the winter league (I use Whittlesey AA who I fished for as a junior in the winter league as an example), there is no steppng stone up into team fishing. Fishing opens is daunting enough when you want to step up, without having to do it on your own. Until this grass routes and up highway opens up again, for all but the few who are picked up, team fishing and natural winter leagues will always suffer. Is a shame, as some of the fishing on offer can be as spectacular and interesting as it gets.

Sorry rant over on that one, I think I am just one of the few who would rather 10lb of roach to 300 of carp any day, and think the winter league was and always will be something special, getting you away from the same old venues and forcing you onto somewhere new. The nationals I see the same way, whether you’re in with a shout or not it’s always a special day out to be looked forward to each year.

Again sorry for getting away from the thread proper!

[TF_joffmiester]

~sick ~sick anyone wants to fish the soar valley winter league ~sick teams are dropping like flies we are down to 7 teams now whats happened it was the best winter league bye a country mile last year yet no ones interested ~sick ~sick ~sick ~sick ~sick

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