PLACES are already being snapped up for next year’s Midland Angler Clubman Winter League following the overwhelming success of the inaugural club angler-only-series.

The event, run in conjunction with Woodland View Fishery and sponsor Preston Innovations, broke new ground in offering the chance for club anglers to fish a long winter team series with the assurance that no ‘ringers’ would be involved.

The response was superb, with 27 teams of four fishing ten rounds at the Hadley, Worcs complex sometimes through the worst of the winter weather, in an event by all accounts fished in a magnificent atmosphere of camaraderie.

It was a nail-biting series too, with the lead changing hands several times. Birmingham club 20AC were looking favourites from the half way stage until the eighth round, but two bad results at the end knocked them down to fourth overall.

Cradley Heath outfit Studley Road went into the final round looking over their shoulder towards Telford-based Rod and Gun Black, who were only three points behind them in second. But despite admitting to being nervous, the team of John Hawkes, Ian Wood, Carl Baker and Jack Baker did the business in round ten to finish six points clear, despite not actually winning one round overall. And to make it a double celebration. Kingswinford angler Carl also took the overall individual honours in from another Baker, 20AC’s John. Jack Baker was the youngest competitor in the whole event at only 17 and fished brilliantly to end up 13^th overall.

Midland Angler Clubman League 2005
Top ten teams: 1 Studley Road AC, 37pts; 2 Rod and Gun Black, 47; 3 Stevens Tackle, 47; 4 20AC, 56; 5 Anchor AC, 73; 6 Fiery Holes Wolves, 91; 7 Royal Mail AC, 99; 8 Dudley Bait and Tackle, 103; 9 Swan AC, 114; jt 10 Fiery Holes Wisdom and Dudley AC A, both 117.

Top ten individuals: 1 Carl Baker, Studley Road, 52pts; 2 John Portman, Rod and Gun Black, 54; 3 John Baker, 20AC, 59; 4 Chris Sheldon, Fiery Holes All Stars, 64; 5 Mac Cox, Fiery Holes Wolves, 67; 6 Simon West, 20AC, 68; 7 Anthony Davey, Dudley Bait and Tackle, 75; jt 8 D Webb, team not known and A Pell, Royal Mail, both 79; 10 B Clark, Swan AC, 80.

For the full report read May’s Midland Angler