The AT Veterans National once more had a cracking attendance with 133 anglers competing in the sunshine at the prolific Woodland View Fishery, Droitwich. Spread across virtually all the lakes, the competitors enjoyed some terrific sport despite the hot conditions.

Last year’s winner England International, Harry Billing couldn’t believe his luck when he drew corner peg 48 on Back Deans, the peg was alive with fish before the start of the match and thankfully for Harry they stayed there all day. Starting off fishing worm shallow on the long pole, Harry soon amassed 20Kg of ‘silvers’ being skimmers, roach and F1s before he switched his attention to his edge in the second half of the match.

Here he caught carp up to 6kg using beefed up gear and either worm or maggot on the hook. His total weight of 71.200Kg was more than enough for Harry to retain his crown as the Veterans National Champion.

Ivan Capsey from Telford was repaid for helping out at the weekend’s Ladies & Anglers with Disabilities Nationals with a fine 2nd place on this match. Drawn on Front Deans peg 5, Ivan had a slow first couple of hours before he switched to fishing pellet between his nets and took a steady succession of carp up to 3kg giving him a total of 59.840Kg and the Runner Up spot.

Not far away on peg 1 was previous Vets Champion Bob Greenbury from Leicester, who caught 57.875Kg of good carp fishing pellet close in down into the corner of his end peg. Overall it was a very good match with the top 12 anglers all breaking the 40Kg barrier.

The Angling Trust would like to thank Mike, Denise, Adrian and their team at Woodland View for a great day out. Further thanks to Andre and the organising team from the Angling Trust and final thanks to all the Veterans, who make this match one of the best in the calendar.

Next year’s match will be held at the equally prolific Tunnel Barn Fishery, Shrewley and tickets will be put on sale later in the year, once more through the online booking system.