The Royal Artillery Carp Championships, or ‘Gunner Champs’ is an annual event that sees carp anglers from across the Royal Regiment of Artillery competing to be crowned top rod.

This year’s Gunner Champs was held at Barston Lakes near Solihull. With the drawdown of troops from Afghanistan the turnout was a lot better than previous years when many of its members have been deployed on operations.

Luckily the wind and gales experienced over the weekend did not affect the fishing and the competitors shared almost 3,000lb of carp between them with multiple bags over 200lb.

The winners were ESP and CC Moore backed SSgt Harry Harrington and Capt Stu Lennox who amassed a massive 1,101lb 2oz between them. Fishing simple 15mm Equinox bottom baits topped with ESP white buoyant corn they were able to catch steadily throughout the competition with fish up to 18lb.

Second place was Lt Col Trev Parks and WO1 Jamie Robinson with 474lb and third in their very first carp match Sgt Aaron Harper and Sgt Ian Page with 423lb 5oz. Biggest fish fell to Gnr Chris Evans with a 22lb 8oz common which was also a PB for this young angler. 

The Royal Artillery Carp group would like to thank all those that supported the event, in particular ESP, CC Moore and Velocity Baits.

The Royal Artillery Carp Group is open to all serving, ex or attached members of the Royal Artillery. For details on membership email Capt Stu Lennox on lennoxuk@yahoo.co.uk.