THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES…(left) Peter Manzi, the Marketing Manager of Imperial Tobacco, presents a hand-carved lead crystal trophy on a solid mahogany base to Ken Ball, the President of the National Federation of Anglers.

The presentation marked the end of Imperial Tobacco’s record-breaking 34-year sponsorship of angling – the longest continuous involvement by any major sponsor in UK sporting history.

Now Imperial Tobacco will no longer be able to sponsor the five Divisions of the National Championship, the Ladies National, the Veterans’ National and the Embassy Challenge, the world’s biggest and best pairs tournament, following the Government’s decision to end most tobacco sponsorship yesterday (Wednesday, July 30).

Ken Ball, the president of the National Federation of Anglers,  said:  “Every angler in the land is sad to see the Embassy sponsorship taken away from us. Imperial Tobacco has sponsored angling for 34 years and, through their generosity, the sport of angling has benefited and so has the NFA. Embassy sponsored NFA-organised events in Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Spain which brought exciting new locations to thousands of anglers.

“Nobody has worked harder than Peter Manzi, Imperial Tobacco’s Marketing Manager, to improve sponsorship funding for angling and it highly unlikely that the NFA will find another sponsor to match Embassy for longevity. This sponsorship will take pride of place in the annals of angling history.

Peter Manzi, the Marketing Manager for Imperial Tobacco, said: It has been a privilege and a great pleasure to be involved with the fantastic sport of angling. Of course, we are very disappointed that we are no longer being allowed to sponsor the seven National Championship events and the Embassy Challenge – everybody knows we would have been delighted to continue our sponsorship.

I have great memories of Imperial Tobacco’s sponsorship and have made many friends, met some wonderful characters and watched many of the world’s greatest anglers in action. Our angling sponsorship has taken us to Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and Spain and it has always given us such a special thrill that so many anglers have returned year after year to fish the Embassy Challenge qualifiers.

I would like to pay special tribute to the National Federation of Anglers who have made sure that all our events have run so efficiently and smoothly. I wish the NFA president, Ken Ball, and his hard-working and excellent team all the very best for the future.

|2003-07-31 12:41:00.000|2003-08-31 00:00:00.000|thanks_for_the_memories…
Input error: Assets/Images/News_icon/dismagazine-ad.jpg is not allowed for Image (not a file in files/totalfishing).|0|17D6FB95-88CE-434E-B536-1A230FE1F586|1|2006-05-25 05:36:30.000|2006-05-25 19:58:44.000|Assets/Images/News_icon/dismagazine-ad.jpg|Disabled angling magazine|A news angling magazine for the disabled is one the way…||2006-05-25 05:35:00.000|2006-06-25 00:00:00.000|disabled_angling_magazine
Input error: Assets/Images/Competitions/webmagspread1.jpg is not allowed for Image (not a file in files/totalfishing).|0|1AB84AEF-2902-4711-A3DA-1BB0E53126A2|1|2004-01-31 05:33:35.000|2004-01-31 05:35:46.000|Assets/Images/Competitions/webmagspread1.jpg|Thread of the Month winners: January|Find out who has won a 12-month subscription to one of the David Hall Publishing magazines…|



THE 
www.total-fishing.com Thread of the Month competition winners for January 2004 are as follows:

 

Coarse Board

User: Lucky Lady.

Thread: Breadpunch

 

Sea Board

User: HA

Thread: Room 101

 

Carp Board

User: Stuebaby

Thread: Are Fish Colour Blind?

 

Fly Fishing Board

No winner.

 

Each wins a 12 month subscription to a magazine relevant to the board from the David Hall Publishing portfolio.

 

The winners need to email me at gareth.purnell@btinternet.com with their real name, plus their address, before the end of the month to claim their prize.

 

Many thanks for David Hall Publishing for continuing to sponsor this competition. To find out more about the magazines and current subscription free gifts, CLICK HERE.

 

Geepster

|2004-01-31 05:32:00.000|2004-02-29 00:00:00.000|thread_of_the_month_winners_january
Input error: Assets/Images/Advance_Pole/01 APF. Cover.jpg is not allowed for Image (not a file in files/totalfishing).|0|1FE25F1C-90FA-4FC1-B4AC-1E12F1A1E79A|1|2004-12-09 21:57:09.000|2004-12-09 21:57:09.000|Assets/Images/Advance_Pole/01 APF. Cover.jpg|Advanced Pole Fishing magazine|Advanced Pole Fishing magazine… what’s in January’s issue?|

January 2005 Advanced Pole Fishing

 

 

Troubleshooter

Our man Darren Cox helps reader Lee Chambers catch more on the pole using pellets, on carp-filled fishery Lindholme Lakes.

 

Des On Carp

This month, Des Shipp talks about the advantages of using corn over other baits in winter, and how to spice up your hook baits.

 

Poles Apart!

APF’s Pat and Mark find the best pole-fishing venues in the UK and give you the lowdown on the methods that will provide you with bites in the coming months. This month, the lads visit BW Makins fishery to check out the pleasure lakes on Phase 2.

 

Fill It In!

Mark Sawyer reckons a continental balling-in approach will work wonders on any UK river. APF joins him on a session on the River Thames at Medley to find out the truth.

 

Open Up

Big man Richie Hull takes the APF cameras to Porth reservoir to show how any angler can succeed on large lakes with the pole.

 

What Rig?

Top breadpunch rigs revealed by Fox Match’s Mark Pollard, England international Stuart Conroy and Parkdean Masters’ winner Ben Leach.

 

Supertest

The best bloodworm floats reviewed.

 

Test Centre

APF have an exclusive review on Sensas’ new pole, the Powermatch 644.

 

Plus…

 

Accessorize

Pole Directory

Pole Position

Will’s Pole Clinic

|2004-12-09 21:56:00.000|2005-01-09 00:00:00.000|advanced_pole_fishing_magazine
Input error: Assets/Images/News_icon/smallvistabann.jpg is not allowed for Image (not a file in files/totalfishing).|0|1C114E68-7CA8-4D01-9B5E-24092975350C|0|2002-07-31 16:39:03.000|2002-07-31 16:42:01.000|Assets/Images/News_icon/smallvistabann.jpg|New online auction site for anglers|The new Angler Vista Angling Auctions site will enable visitors to place their unwanted fishing tackle, books and even angling memorabilia up for auction to the highest bidder.|

Since starting to operate six months ago, Angler Vista, the top rated search engine for the United Kingdom and Irish-based angler, has notched up an incredible quarter of a million searches and has compiled a list of over 2,000 UK-based angling sites.

Having proved that a search engine based upon UK and Irish sites can be such a success, the company is now moving into another American-dominated market by setting up its own completely free-to-use auction site.

Angler Vista Angling Auctions will enable visitors to place their unwanted fishing tackle, books and even angling memorabilia up for auction to the highest bidder. And unlike more general auction sites such as Ebay, the items will not be crowded out by products from the United States.

The new Angler Vista Angling Auctions can be accessed by going to the main Angler Vista search engine site at: http://www.anglervista.co.uk and clicking on the relevant link. Happy bargain hunting!

|2002-07-31 16:37:00.000|2002-08-31 00:00:00.000|new_online_auction_site_for_anglers
Input error: Assets/Images/Anglers_Say/terryprize250.jpg is not allowed for Image (not a file in files/totalfishing).|0|159A659E-7292-4F09-9765-252093402397|1|2004-01-30 13:35:36.000|2004-01-30 13:43:30.000|Assets/Images/Anglers_Say/terryprize250.jpg|Anglers Say winner Izzetafox picks up his prize from Roy Marlow|LEICESTER’S Terry Wright, aka Total-Fishing forum regular Izzetafox, poses with fishery owner Roy Marlow as he picks up his Shimano reel prize as one of the competition prize winners of the first Anglers Say poll.|

LEICESTER’S Terry Wright, aka Total-Fishing forum regular Izzetafox, poses with fishery owner Roy Marlow as he picks up his Shimano reel prize as one of the competition prize winners of the first Anglers Say poll.



Nearly 1300 online anglers voted on whether they felt there should be more research into the river close season. If you have not seen the full results, CLICK HERE.

Commented Terry, who had a bit of a fish with his new prize at Roy’s Glebe fishery after the presentation: “The reel is very pleasant to use and I managed to catch a couple of carp despite the conditions. I had a few ‘bits’ as well. But it was just a pleasure to fish The Glebe again. Roy could not have been more helpful. Good Luck with Anglerssay.com, it deserves to do well.”

The second Anglers Say poll is now well underway. The subject is ‘Are carp-dominated commercial fisheries good for the sport?’ At the time of writing around 60 per cent are saying they think they are, and around 40 cent think they are not.

If you are already registered, go to www.anglerssay.com, hit the login button and make your views known. If you are not yet registered, go to the website and complete the quick registration process.
All members are able to enter a free competition, and the prize this month is one of five
CD boxed sets featuring Total Fishing with Matt Hayes, as seen on the ‘Discovery Home & Leisure’ Channel.



This boxed set comprises of five separate cds covering episodes 1-15 of the ever-popular ‘Total Fishing with Matt Hayes’ and includes trips with such stars as Jan Porter, Bob Church and Gordon Burton.

|2004-01-30 13:34:00.000|2004-02-29 00:00:00.000|anglers_say_winner_izzetafox_picks_up_his_prize_from_roy_marlow
Input error: Assets/Images/Total_Sea_Fishing/jan04 SF FC.jpg is not allowed for Image (not a file in files/totalfishing).|0|1B913C92-889C-4B82-B9AF-262BF5E2915C|1|2003-12-30 17:09:11.000|2003-12-30 17:09:11.000|Assets/Images/Total_Sea_Fishing/jan04 SF FC.jpg|Thread of the month winners|Three more TF members win 12-month magazine subscriptions…|

  

THE winner of a year’s subscription to Match Fishing for the December Thread of the Month on the Coarse Forum is LEE WOOD for his ‘One Word Story’ thread.

Fisherman’s Blues’ ‘Forum Questions from Yesteryear’ thread was probably better, but we reckon he gets free magazines anyway….

The winner of a year’s subscription to Total Carp for his Thread of the Month on the Carp Forum is JEFF LE MAISTRE with his ‘Terminal Velocity’ thread.

 The winner of a year’s subscription to Total Sea Fishing for his Thread of the Month on the Sea Forum is WRISTY BOY for his News…’ thread about the new optional Total-Fishing online fishing club.

 

All three winners need to send their postal addresses and renewal names where requires to gareth.purnell@btinternet.com .

 

There is no winner on the Fly Fishing forum.

 

For the latest special subscriptions gift offers to all of the above magazines, CLICK HERE.

|2003-12-31 03:03:00.000|2004-01-30 00:00:00.000|thread_of_the_month_winners
Input error: Assets/Images/Competitions/liquid_bottle(meat)web.jpg is not allowed for Image (not a file in files/totalfishing).|0|16791860-7970-467F-B5A3-29000D85DBAF|1|2003-07-03 06:29:57.000|2003-07-03 06:37:30.000|Assets/Images/Competitions/liquid_bottle(meat)web.jpg|Thread of the month winners – June|Thread of the month winners – June. Free bait and magazine subscriptions for three lucky members…|

THE$ ‘thread of the month’ winner on the Coarse forum for June is Russ for his posting ‘Ringers in the Nationals’.

“It was a good post that sparked some lively debate and I feel got people thinking about exactly goes on at these blue riband events,” commented Mark Sawyer of sponsor Van den Eynde. Russ wins a case of Van den Eynde Liquid Meat flavouring.

 

 

On the Sea forum the prize of a free subscription to Total Sea Fishing magazine goes to Smugder who hit the right note with his much responded to ‘Music to Fish to’ thread.

 

Over on the Carp forum Carl Stanley wins a subscription to either Advanced Carp Fishing or the market-leading Total Carp magazine. His ‘Details’ thread, started in December, is still going and has got lots of you together and clocked up well over 140 replies.

 

 

 

If the winners could email me at gareth.purnell@btinternet.com with their name and address details, I will sort out the prizes. Let me know which mag you want Carl!

 

There is not winner on the Game forum this month

|2003-07-03 06:27:00.000|2003-08-03 00:00:00.000|thread_of_the_month_winners__june
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The Tactician

Sadly this is Nick’s final tactician piece for ACF. Mr Helleur goes in to full winter mode this month in order to catch a carp. Find out about Nick¹s use of chopped worms and maggots

 

Chilly’s Approach

Ian Chillcott

This month’s piece by Chilly should really be titled ‘Frimley Strikes Back’.

Ian turns his attentions to Frimley Pit 2 and it doesn¹t go his way.

 

Tactical Angler

Bryan Jarrett

The Hinder¹s headman is a strong believer in the use of particles in winter.

Bryan has a few tricks up his sleeve and he shares them here with you.

 

Advanced Venue

Holyfields

Set in the heart of the Lea Valley in Hertfordshire Holyfields boasts an impressive amount of carp over 20lbs. Best of all it¹s only £8 a day to fish.

 

Advanced Result

New this month, Advanced Result gives readers the chance to tell their story about a PB, a good session or the capture of their target fish. They also win £250 of JRC tackle if their story is published.

 

Advanced Venue

Smith¹s Pool

Blimey, something north of Watford in ACF. Smith¹s Pool is a true northern big fish water steeped in history. You can fish it on a cheap club book. It does look grim up there though.

 

Food For thought

Tony Mills

Our new bait series kicks off with top bait-bod Tony Mills talking through the basic ingredients of boilies. He also has a few tips on spicing your own baits up.

 

Tacklebox

If you have a Christmas money left over then here are a whole host of tackle items that you could be persuaded to part with your hard-earned for.

 

Tacklebox Special

Trakker Pioneer Ultralight

The Pioneer from Trakker has proved very popular, even Pete Springate uses one. This new Ultralight version gets the once over by ACF.

 

Prologic Competition

If you’ve been bad and Santa didn’t bring you a new set of rods and reels for Christmas then maybe you could win some in our easy to enter competition. There are two sets of the latest Prologic XLNT rods and reels up for grabs.

 

Life After The Brook

That man Jacko just can’t keep away from Cotton Farm. Who can blame him when you see what¹s in there. It’s also about 2 minutes drive from his work, unlike Buchanans. Jacko¹s fortunes take a turn for the better this month.

|2005-01-27 09:34:00.000|2005-02-27 00:00:00.000|advanced_carp_fishing
Input error: Assets/Images/News_folder/P2180259 (3).jpg is not allowed for Image (not a file in files/totalfishing).|0|C10CBC2C-5528-4779-BFD2-2A1DE990FD90|1|2009-03-03 12:42:32.667|2009-03-03 12:42:32.667|Assets/Images/News_folder/P2180259 (3).jpg|MPs United Over Big Perch Hunt|Only two members of the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group ventured out on the riverbank during the recent half term Parliamentary recess|

Only two members of the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group ventured out on the riverbank during the recent half term Parliamentary recess, but Martin Salter (Lab) and Charles Walker (Con) were pleased they did when they discovered a shoal of large Kennet perch in a feeding mood on the river near Newbury.

Group chairman Martin Salter took a five fish catch in a couple of hours towards the end of the day between 2.5lbs and 3lbs on float-fished lobworms, whilst his Conservative vice chairman Charles Walker landed a personal best perch of 3lbs 2ozs on ledgered lobs from the tail end of the same swim.

Martin Salter said:-

“The river was in fine fettle with plenty of flow but it was long enough after the thaw to ensure that the dreaded snow melt and accompanying salt run-off had been flushed through. The fish were obviously hungry and I’m sure that had we targeted perch for the whole of the day instead of just the evening, we’d have had an even better catch.”

 hspace=0 src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/News_folder/P2180262%20(2).jpg border=0 rootdirectory=/Assets/Images /></p>
<p><font size=1><em>Martin Salter</em></font></p>
<p><strong>Click on </strong><a href=http://www.total-fishingclub.com><strong>www.total-fishingclub.com</strong></a><strong> – the UK’s No1 online match fishing club – to win a trip to the world match fishing championships, and save money off tackle</strong></p>
<p>|2009-03-03 12:34:36.000|2009-04-03 12:34:36.000|MPs_United_Over_Big_Perch_Hunt<br />
Input error: <em>Assets/Images/Midland_Angler/gpmullet.jpg</em> is not allowed for <em>Image</em> (not a file in <em>files/totalfishing</em>).|0|190CDFD1-6549-4131-BEA8-2C70F27A9437|1|2002-09-08 18:04:00.000|2002-09-15 20:23:23.000|Assets/Images/Midland_Angler/gpmullet.jpg|World Championship result|Full results and story – first on total-fishing.com|<P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2><BR><STRONG>Spain take gold using harbour ragworm!</STRONG><BR><BR>SPAIN have been crowned World Champions on the River Mondego in Coimbra, Portugal, with England just missing out on a medal in fourth.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>Local knowledge came to the fore in the match, as two species unfamiliar to most countries – boga and freshwater mullet, dominated catches.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>The individual gold medal was won by Spaniard Juan Blasco, who followed up a first day section win with a second in section on Day Two. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>But England did take a medal thanks to Warrington’s Stu Conroy, who put together a section second and third which was good enough for bronze on what turned out to be a very peggy venue. <BR>The silver went to another Spaniard, Juan Duran, and they also had another individual in the top ten, which would tend to suggest that they knew what they were doing.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>Stu drew the right end of the town section – he would have had no chance at the other end – and weighed in 5kilo 360gr to just sneak a second. <BR>In fact the Channel Islander in the section told me he lost a fish at the net in the last minute, which would have costed Stu the medal, so he owes him a few beers. </FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2><o:p><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/conroy.jpg border=0></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2><o:p><EM>Stu Conroy in action and on his way to bronze.</EM></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN> </P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>“This just has no sunk in yet,” said a delighted Stu (pictured in Day Two action above). “It’s a dream just to represent England and we were obviously here to win team gold, but winning an individual silver is a good second best. I’m buzzing.” <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>England were not crazy about their draw in the morning, on Day Two but Mark Downes was happy that Will Raison and Stu Conroy had drawn well and could have a chance of an individual medal. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>In fact it turned out to be not too bad, with pegs that had not produced the previous day switching on. England moved up two places on the day but were still 10 points short of the bronze.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>Bob Nudd, who came in for Shaun Ashby, finished seventh from a peg which had been last in section the previous day, Steve Gardener added a section second to his first day section fifth, Will Raison missed his gold medal chance but still finished a respectable ninth section. England’s only struggler was former world champion Alan Scotthorne, who drew badly, again on a peg that had been last in section the previous day. He managed only nineteenth.<BR>But Alan was in good company. Italy’s Roberto Trabucco finished 21<SUP>st</SUP> in B section and only weighed in about a kilo and a half, and his weight included a 2lb barbel!<BR>“I think this result shows that countries can pick a venue that puts other countries at a real disadvantage,” commented England manager Mark Downes. “It’s next to impossible for us to practise for mullet and boga and although we came here for a medal and so are a little disappointed, I think the quality of the team came through in that we finished fourth and were in front of the Italians and the French.”</FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>One thing that came out of the post match discussion was that the Spaniards were using chopped worm for the mullet. However, it was chopped worm, but not as we know it. In this case they were chopping up small harbour ragworm, or maddies as you may know them.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>You have no idea how annoying this piece of news is. I spoke to Alan Yates before coming out here about how to catch mullet. He said to me, ‘Gareth, mullet love maddies. They are called Koreans over there and all the shops sell it’. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>So we put it into our team plan for the practise week and, guess what, we didn’t try it. Ouch!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>They were also using ragworm on the hook. However, both the French and the Italians were in on this and they finished sixth and seventh respectively, behind England. Wales put up a good performance to finish eighth, with Luxembourg a surprise ninth.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>“The team we really take our hat off to is Belgium, who took the bronze medal,” commented Mark Addy.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>“We see them as a skimmer team but this result shows how adaptable they are. Mind you, we have found out that they came here and fished some team matches against the locals and that’s clearly paid off. That’s what you have to do if you want to compete. Maybe they knew about the maddies.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>Amazingly this world championships is the first time ever that neither France, Italy or England has been on the podium, and the first time since 1984 that Italy have had no medals at all. It’s also the first time that a saltwater fish has been important, and a saltwater bait.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>“We’re surprised that Italy have finished sixth, because they are probably the best country in the world at fishing for freshwater species in warm countries. But it was a peggy venue,” added Addy.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>“What worries is all this ragworm business is that we might have to bring Alan Yates with us next year. It’s like a nightmare.”<BR>The venue itself fished really well with only two blanks and very few weights under 2lb. The top weight of the two days was taken by.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>Spain’s win should not come as too much of a shock, as they have several venues holding mainly boga and mullet and so catching them is second nature. The full result is below. <BR>Apologies for yesterday’s brief report, but I’d only had about two hours sleep and it was all I could muster to make the 20-minute walk to the Internet café.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>The quick rundown of the first day is that Spain finished first on 26.5 points, half a point more than they scored on Day Two. So they won both days and are worthy winners.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>The home team was second, Belgium third and England fifth. France had a bad result and were<BR>lying seventh, their points including a 23<SUP>rd</SUP> in section from Jean Desque. Another French angler finished 29<SUP>th</SUP> in section on Day Two, and they fed chopped maddies, so it must have been about how you used them. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>I recall when Italy won it a few years ago at home, their worst first day result was third in section. But amazingly this time only two teams out of the top ten didn’t have an angler who finished twentieth or worse and the Italians had one angler who finished 30th in his section, which goes to show how peggy some sections are. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>England had some strong results, including a second in section for Will Raison a second for Conroy and a fifth for Gardener, with Scotthorne 14th. However, they had to carry a 21<SUP>st</SUP> in section from debutant Shaun Ashby in A section. He made way for reserve Bob Nudd on Day Two.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>Loads of mullet showed on the lower sections, with the Spanish catching them up to two feet off the bottom at times. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>However, Dick Clegg told me today that England’s method was to fish with the bloodworm just touching the bottom on 20 and 22 hooks and 0.07mm and 0.08mm hooklengths to three elastics. On the deeper town sections they stepped up to 1gr floats. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>“Our lads weren’t interested in copying the Spaniards and wanted to stick with what they knew,” said Dick. “They reasoned that if there were fish off the deck they would be foul hooking them all the time and if they weren’t, then there weren’t enough fish off the deck.<BR><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/dick.jpg border=0></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2><EM>Dick Clegg: Our lads stuck to what they knew.</EM></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN> </P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>“What we found is that it did not pay to feed too much joker. If you got too many fish in your peg, you got too many stupid bites and you had to feed in a way that let the fish settle. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>“Instead we fished the match in 15 minute bursts for the mullet – feeding and then fishing it out and then feeding again.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>The less said about my match the better really. I’ll sum it up by saying I caught a load of fish in practise but not much in the match. I had over a kilo both days and 60 fish today, but it wasn’t enough. We finished 24<SUP>th</SUP> of the 31 teams who competed.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>Just as a throw away, we had to fly someone in from the States to make up a team. He arrived only 12 hours before the match, and despite having never seen the venue (or even a bloodworm and joker) before, he finished ninth in section on Day Two. What’s more, he beat three of us who had fished her all week. As they say in China, that’s fishing!! <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>I hope you’ve enjoyed my tittle tattle from this year’s World Champs. It’s been a great week at a lovely place on a venue that’s full of fish. I’m late for the banquet, so obrigado for reading this load of boga!<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2><STRONG><U>Result:<o:p></o:p></U></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2><STRONG><U>Teams:</U></STRONG> <BR>1 Spain, 52.5 pts<BR>2 Portugal, 55.5<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>3 Belgium, 74<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>4 England, 84<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>5 Hungary, 93<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>6 Italy, 97<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>7 France, 117<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>8 Wales, 123<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>9 Rep Czech, 128<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>10 Germany, 138.5<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2><STRONG><U>Others<o:p></o:p></U></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>21 Ireland, 188.5<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>24 USA, 203<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>26 Scotland, 215.5<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>29 Channel Islands, 235.5<BR><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/usa2.jpg border=0><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><o:p><FONT size=2><EM> USA at the parade.</EM></FONT></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><o:p><FONT size=2></FONT></o:p></SPAN> </P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2><U><STRONG>Individual<o:p></o:p></STRONG></U></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>1 Juan Blasco, Spain, 3pts, 12.060 kilo<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>2 Juan Duran, Spain, 4pts, 12.000 kilo<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>3 Stu Conroy, England, 5pts, 9.222 kilo<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>4 Radovic Goran, Yugoslavia, 6pts, 10.480 kilo<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>5 Frans Schoubben, Belgium, 6pts, 10.160 kilos<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>6 Gianluigo Sorti, Italy, 6pts, 8.380 kilos<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>7 Fernando Pimental, 6pts. 6.660 kilos<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>8 Luc Vercammen, Belgium, 7pts, 10.280 kilos<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>9 Roberto Morante, Spain, 7pts, 10.280 kilos<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><FONT size=2>10 Steve Gardener, England, 7pts, 9.900 kilos<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><o:p><FONT face=Courier> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P><P class=MsoPlainText style=MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt><SPAN lang=EN-GB style=FONT-SIZE: 16pt><o:p><FONT face=Courier> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P><P><STRONG>Gareth Purnell reports exclusively for Total-Fishing live from Coimbra, Portugal</STRONG></P><P><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/Midland_Angler/gpmullet.jpg border=0></P><P><U><STRONG><FONT size=5>Day One results</FONT></STRONG>:<BR></U>1 Spain, 26pts, 2 Portugal, 29.5, 3 Belgium, 36; 4 Italy, 43; 5 England, 44; 6 Hungary, 47.</P><P>Italy carried a last but one in section. </P><P>England carried a 21st from Sean Ashby. <BR></P><P>Other home nations:<BR>9 Wales<BR>21 Ireland<BR>31 Scotland<BR><BR><BR><STRONG><U>Friday:<BR></U></STRONG>Just a quick update before I get back to final preparation. England have picked their team and Bob Nudd has been made first reserve with Darren Davies dropped completely, so the inside info Graham gave me yesterday was a load of old hogwash. <BR>Normally the first reserve fishes in place of the lowest placed angler on Day Two with England. <BR>Steve Gardener has drawn one of the best sections in E, where England had over five kilos yesterday afternoon. Sean Ashby has drawn reasonably in A providing he gets a low number where there are lots of mullet.<BR>Stu Conroy has B and Will Raison also has a good draw in D, but Alan Scotthorne is less than happy with his draw in C section, where anglers were weighing in just a few ounces in final practise today. <BR>In fact Wales’ best weight there was 500gr today, whereas further up the section I had over two kilos. <BR>That is indicative of how peggy the middle two sections are, and a bad draw could put any of the top teams out of it. No team wants a high draw in A, a middle to high draw in B or a low to middle draw in C and even Scotthonre cannot catch fish that are not there. See you tomorrow.</P><P><STRONG><U>Thursday September 12, two days to go<BR></U></STRONG>Today we were on A section, more of which later, but most of the report comes care of Graham Aveyard from matchangler.com.<BR>Graham is a regular at world championships and scouted around while I was getting battered off the next peg by a Frenchman.<BR>He reports that England bagged up on E section, with Alan Scotthorne winning the trial with an impressive weight over 4.5kg. In fact I’m told that it turns out that the scales bottomed out, and Alan was none too impressed despite the fact he won. <BR><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/ashbby.jpg border=0></P><P><EM>Shaun Ashby with his bag from E section.<BR></EM><BR>The England weights read as follows (in peg order): Darren Davies, 4kg; Alan Scotthorne, 4.5kg; Will Raison, 4.25kg; Shaun Ashby, 3.5kg; Stu Conroy, 2.3kg; Bob Nudd 3.1kg; Steve Gardener 3.4kg. Sean is pictured with his bag of boga.</P><P><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/nudd.jpg border=0></P><P><EM>Bob Nudd in action on E section, but will he be dropped?<BR></EM><BR>From my own experience this would suggest Raison, Ashby and Conroy were fishing for places, with Davies, Scotthorne and Gardener in, but I’ve been wrong before. Graham reports that Raison went back to his peg after a post-trial team meeting ‘with a face like thunder’. Seems strange and I can’t envisage him being dropped after that trial, but I can only report what I see and what I’m told. <BR>The team also fished in the afternoon, when the venue invariably fishes better. Stu Conroy was bagging and had taken 72 fish in two hours when the management told him to stop. <BR>There were other goings on in the England camp, including Steve losing a top two to a fish and unlike Mick Thill yesterday, declining to take an early bath to get it back.<BR>Bob’s wife joined Sean’s, Mark Addy’s and Steve’s wife for what was described as a ‘spectacular’ shopping session in Coimbra, which left the lads shaken, but not stirred.<BR>Meanwhile, back on the other four sections, things are getting tough in the middle two sections and Mark Downes thinks 1.5kg will be a good weight in both of these sections. However, B section in particular looks peggy. I had nearly 6lb in the low numbers on my first ever session on the venue and a high draw for any of the big teams could be a hurdle the big teams can’t overcome.<BR>Mullet are becoming more and more important, with light rigs vital. One team doing well on the sly are Holland, who seem to be weighing in over 4kg every day. However, down in A section the French had a top weight of 5 kilo 600gr and this weight included a lot of 8-12oz mullet.<BR><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/gpupAsection.jpg border=0></P><P><EM>Yours truly preparing for a French caroting in A section. But I did get my own back.<BR></EM><BR>As I said, I got battered off the next peg in the morning but we made a few changes in the afternoon and to be fair I gave a second French team member a bit of a ‘tatering’ myself. <BR>The Italians have been keeping a low profile, but after last year’s disabled world champs on the venue, be assured that they know exactly what they are doing and will be dangerous. The main issue with Team USA had been a lack of a fifth team member, because two anglers had last minute, bank account draining disasters, including an unexpected divorce and an exploding boiler. However, we now have a man flying out from the States at the last minute, although he will get no practice so keep those each way tenners in your pocket. We did manage a three kilo weight in the morning, thanks largely to a superb wild 2lb 8oz barbel. </P><P><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/Markbarbelup.jpg border=0><BR><BR><EM>USA member Mark Green with a wild Mondego barbel.</EM><BR><BR>You will see from the picture in which Mark Green is holding the fish that these barbel are unlike ours, with much bigger mouths and bigger scales. And if you think our barbel fight hard, you should do battle with one of these Mondego brutes. They are awesome!<BR>What is certain is that this match won’t be like the last World Championships on the Mondego in 1987, when Clive Branson of Wales took the gold medal. <BR>The venue is very different now, said USA manager Mick Thill, who fished the match.<BR>Then the big teams like Italy and France were just not as proficient on the waggler as England and they were able to win quite easily. These days I’d say the Italians in particular are at least as good as England on the running line, whereas then they tried to compete on the Bolognese rod.<BR>We expected a pole match then and it was the waggler that came through. This time we were expecting the waggler to be key but all indications are that it’s a pole match.<BR>What has changed the venue so much is a massive flood that destroyed a huge dam and washed all the resident fish away. Fish gradually recovered and mullet moved in, and then were trapped when the levels dropped.<BR>These fish just are not like mullet you find in brackish water, commented England’s manager Mark Downes. They have lived all of there lives in freshwater and they take some working out. However, we have taken a lot in pre practice and we are growing in confidence all the time.<BR>Tomorrow (Friday) we have the last trial, followed by the official parade and opening ceremony, followed by a long night of rigs, hooks and elastics and then a 4.30am start and the big one. I don’t think I’ll get time for a report tomorrow night but will let you know the results from the first day as soon as I can after the match, which should be about 10-11pm.<BR>Cetainly the momentum is growing behind the build up, with TV crews on the banks today and plenty of photgraphers too. <BR><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/tv2.jpg border=0></P><P><EM>A Portuguese team member is interviewed by a television crew today.<BR></EM><BR>Last time the World Championships were in Portugal, over 10,000 local people lined the streets for the opening ceremony. Let the games commence!</P><P><U><STRONG>Wednesday September 11, three days to go<BR></STRONG></U>TODAY we were on E section, which is right in the town of Coimbra and much deeper and slower than the other four sections. <BR>We were told it’s the place to draw as on Tuesday weights up to five kilos and big barbel had shown, but today it fished very differently with mainly small fish showing and a best weight of 8lb to one of the Slovenian team of all people. </P><P><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/esection.jpg border=0><BR>Another fish that showed were big shad – well they look pretty big but are really thin and probably don’t weigh much. <BR>In fact in four put ins today I had four different fish – a shad, a boga, a pumpkinseed and a gudgeon! Not sure if they are allis or twaite shad – maybe someone out there in cyberspace will be able to tell from the picture below. <BR><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/shad.jpg border=0></P><P>There were only six teams on E section which is well away from the other sections so I can only tell you what went on there.<BR>Wales fished the zone well. Spud Murphy (pictured with his catch below) won the morning heat again, this time with a 7lb weight of boga taken at 13 metres. But their backing weights were good too with Ian Leach weighing in over 6lb and manager Eric Humphries appears to be on top of things. <BR><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/spudupright.jpg border=0><BR>The first day we struggled but we sorted a few things out yesterday and the team seems to be growing in confidence, said the bearded wonder.<BR>Virtually everything we were told about the venue prior to coming has been spot on, but you need to fish to fine tune things. We are certainly fishing lighter than we expected to.<BR>Wales were experimenting with olivette and strung out shot rigs today but it was pretty inconclusive. What Eric (pictured below) did say is that he didn’t think they fed enough because the bigger fish were there and then quickly disappeared. </P><P><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/Ericupright.jpg border=0></P><P>He also said that you need to fish long to get the bigger fish and two anglers who he’d had fishing short had been loused out with very small boga. Everyone is fishing the pole.<BR>For USA it was normal service resumed after two strong days. The day started with yours truly running over my camera case. Luckily the cameras and lenses survived, although the case needs some minor surgery. I followed by breaking the No9 section on my Logic on the strike (luckily a mate Mac Campbell has loaned me his so I have a spare) and just as the team mates were recovering from the laughter Mick Thill left his top six in the river and had to dive in after it.<BR><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/Mickinwater.jpg border=0> <BR>We did however catch a few fish with a best weight of 6lb to Californian Mark Green, who is pictured at the top of the story setting up on the section, which is overlooked by the famous icon of Coimbra, the clock tower of the ancient university.<BR>Curiously Mark Addy turned up half way through the session with Alan Scotthorne, which means Alan is either fishing or out of the team, which I doubt somewhat. I later found out off Eric what was going on. <BR>England have come with seven anglers this year instead of the usual six, and have been turning up in their zone early and grabbing either end, which restricts the teams drawn next to them. The French have been doing the same and several teams, including the Polish have complained and presumably the English decided the prudent thing to do was to leave out one angler who would definitely be fishing. <BR>I did ask Mark whether he’s picked the team yet, to which he replied: No, and if I had I wouldn’t tell you. For that you can read Yes but I’m not telling you.<BR>The main word I have from England in B section is that they struggled again, but that Stu Conroy may have been fishing his way into the team. <BR>It is certainly clear the the middle two sections, B and C, are the toughest and there were several blanks there today. However I would be surprised if there are any blanks in the match itself as there are hundreds of minnow sized gudgeon in the margins.<BR>I know the Swiss had blanks there today and they say the team next to them never caught a fish. <BR>Our team has tried double leaming it, but as we have been on fish every day this method has failed every time compared to groundbait and regular feeding.<BR>It is also emerging that the mullet are generally foul hooked and that the locals have a rig especially for this, with a big hook and strong elastic. The fish often jump clear of the water when hooked and often get off, but as deliberately foul hooking fish is banned in the World Champs, but accidentally foul hooked fish are allowed, it will be interesting to see how this pans out.</P><P><U><STRONG>Tuesday September 10, four days to go<BR></STRONG></U>The first news I have from the home nations I’ve been missing out on in my first two reports is positive. <BR>I seems the mid town section in the centre of Coimbra is emerging as the favourite for big weights, and while the Irish did really well with a top weight of around 4 kilos on Monday, I’m told the Scots did even better on Tuesday with a top weight of over five kilos of boga. That’s the best weight of I know of so far. <BR>The water here is deeper and wider than the rest of the stretch and without any weirs to enclose the fish, the word is this section will just get better and better with 6lb required for good section points.<BR>I had a long chat with Mark Downes and Mark Addy today. Mr Happiness himself Will Raison topped the main practise with 2.2 kilos in morning, but several of the team struggled for a kilo in section which looks to be the most unfair as it gets better the further downstream you go. <BR>England were still experimenting, with three of the anglers fishing waggler. The best of the running line weights was just 600gr, which will be no good in the match. <BR>“The waggler appears to be a waste of time,” admitted Downes wearing his coolest Mafia sunglasses. “I’d say we’re about eighth in the running but we’re improving. This place is fishing harder than we thought – 1.5kg will be pretty good in some sections.<BR><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/raison.jpg border=0></P><P><EM>Will Raison, England`s top performer.</EM> </P><P><BR>Spud Murphy won the Welsh trial in D section with 2.8 kilos and commented: It’s doing me head in. I can’t believe you have to fish a big river like this so fine. With 0.06mm hooklengths the norm, we know what you mean `Spud.</P><P><U><STRONG>Monday September 9, five days to go</STRONG></U></P><P>THE picture is starting to take shape following the first day of official practice. <BR>Mullet to 2lb are appearing in numbers in some sections, but they fight like fish three times their size and many are being lost. <BR>Pockets of fish are showing towards the end pegs, while those fishing in a long line of anglers are struggling. <BR>A bottom feeding fish called a boga dominated catches today. The fish (pictured below) looks like a cross between a dace and barbel with a tough, under slung mouth.</P><P> <IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/boga.jpeg.jpg border=0><BR>The method appears to be to fish bloodworm over joker slightly overdepth but many anglers are struggling to hit bites with small shad and scardola taking the bait on the drop. <BR>Almost every team fished exclusively on the pole today, with very few trying the running line.<BR>The big teams are using a groundbait that smells strongly of peanut. It is fed holding plenty of joker which the boga love, but there will be a limit of one litre of joker and bloodworm combined in the match.<BR>England drew D30 today on the beautiful Choupal stretch. I had a quick chat with joint manager Mark Addy in the afternoon and he told me the team had struggled in the morning with a top weight of well under two kilos, but they were catching better in the afternoon. Their week of pre practise had been on a stretch holding few boga and so they, like many of the teams, are learning all the time.<BR>I have managed to speak to many of the teams, although not all of the home nations. Spain drew B9 today and had a top weight of two kilos in the morning, but they really struggled in the afternoon.<BR>C section was very poor. The fancied Italians drew end peg and their top weight was only 15 fish, which would be maybe 2lb. Sweden were two boxes away and caught next to nothing while the Scots nearby only caught a few fish. <BR>The Dutch were on C16 had and their top weight was less than a kilo in the morning and in the afternoon the top weight was two kilos, while the Portuguese had a biggest weight of two kilos in the morning.<BR>Word is that on A and D sections, mullet averaging 14oz are showing in numbers, but they are breaking light line rigs, while on B (pictured below) and C, boga to 5oz are the important fish.</P><P><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/venue.jpeg.jpg border=0><BR>Word is that the French did well on E section catching lots of small boga. This section is much deeper and wider than the other four sections. On E31 they had a top weight of 3.5 kilos, possibly the biggest weight of the day.<BR>Channel Islands drew D28 and had a best weight of 1.5 kilos, made up of a couple of nice mullet and half a dozen boga. </P><P><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/World_Champs/GP.jpeg.jpg border=0><BR>My own team USA drew B8 and we caught boga and mullet well, with a best weight of 3.25 kilos. That’s me pictured above with 5lb 2oz from the afternoon session. <BR>No news from Ireland or Wales, apart from the fact that Welsh manager Eric Humphries isn’t very happy with Lufthansa airlines because they’ve lost his luggage, and he’s not happy with England either because they got a better hotel rate than him. Mind you, those who know him know Eric is rarely happy with anything!</P><P><STRONG><U>Sunday September 8 – six days to go</U></STRONG></P><P>ANGLERS and hangers on from 38 countries have descended on the Portuguese university town of Coimbra, prepared for any angling eventuality.<BR>What they were not prepared for however is the incessant and unseasonal rain, which has severely disrupted so called pre-practise sessions prior to the five official days of practise, which start on Monday. <BR>The venue the teams of five will be tackling is the River Mondego – a wide and slow flowing river similar in size I guess to the middle Trent.<BR>Unlike the Trent however, this venue is full of fish and in the evening they can be seen topping, flashing and even jumping right across the river. </P><P><STRONG>Load of boga</STRONG><BR>Last year the same venue held the disabled world championship. In that event a small bottom feeding dace-like fish called a boga dominated.<BR>The technique for these fish is to pole-fish bloodworm over joker at 11-14 metres and to keep small balls of hard, peanut groundbait laced with joker going in. <BR>The fish run from 2-6oz and anglers will be fishing No3 or soft set No4 elastics for these, with 5kg of these in the three hours of a world championship match a good weight.<BR>The other species the venue is noted for is barbel. These can run from just a few ounces to 6lb, but few top 2lb. The method for these fish is sticky maggots and generally they are caught on a waggler line. <BR>However, locals say that they appear to be becoming either scarcer or harder to catch, and in the last three months no one has managed more than 4kg in a match fishing situation.</P><P><STRONG>Mullet back in fashion</STRONG><BR>However, in the last 12 months hundreds of mullet in the 12oz to 2lb bracket have invaded the stretch. These hard fighting fish live their whole lives in fresh water and are notoriously difficult to catch, and even though they fight like crazy, they require a light line approach. This species has made up the majority of match winning bags here of late, but not everyone will be able to catch them, according to Portuguese team member Jose Colado. He also says that the mullet are never caught twice.<BR>The England team is one of only two who arrived a week before the official practise. The other was Norway, managed by Jan Porter, who for some reason has died his hair auburn. Worrying.</P><P><STRONG>Magnificent seven</STRONG><BR>Many readers will know that the English have brought seven anglers with them instead of the usual six this year, and that could be important because like most of the teams they will be learning from scratch with the mullet. <BR>The squad of Alan Scotthorne, Steve Gardener, Sean Ashby, Darren Davies, Stu Conroy, Will Raison, Bob Nudd have been practising some 10km from the venue because practising on the venue is not allowed and the banks near to the venue are heavily overgrown. <BR>In fact the Portuguese government has put a lot of money behind the event to clear the stretch being used. The banks have been cleared and steps built, making it ideal for spectators. How we’d love to see that kind of backing for angling in the UK. <BR>It’s been hard to glean information so far but I did bump into Will, Steve, Bob and Stu in one of the TWELVE local tackle shops yesterday. <BR>They were taking a day off from fishing because of the rain (I guess they did the same today), but they did tell me they had been weighing in up to 7kg. The Norway team meanwhile said they have been having trouble hitting the bites. </P><P><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/Midland_Angler/bluegilljpg border=0></P><P><STRONG>Blue, blue day</STRONG><BR>I did have a fish myself in a gap in the rain yesterday, and caught some small barbel, a couple of good mullet and a bluegill (pictured) on the waggler and sticky mag. <BR>It’s certainly a little shallower than I was expecting at two metres, but I’m told that one of the sections in the town itself is four metres deep. That section holds no mullet as they have been unable to get above the sluice.<BR>As ever an intriguing battle is ahead with Italy and England clear favourites. Portugal however have two local anglers in their team and they may well be the bet. <BR>The French are another team good on small fish. Jean Desque is staying in my hotel and he told me this morning he’ll be happy to keep me up to date with their progress too. No news from the Scots, Welsh and Irish but I’ll be seeing them all tomorrow. </P><P><STRONG>Coimbra, Portugal<BR></STRONG>For anyone thinking of coming to spectate, I think they will like Coimbra. <BR>It’s quite a big town, which sprawls out from the river with plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants and having tasted the local paella, which included lobster, last night, I can tell you the food and wine is top notch. A local delicacy I intend to try is lamprey fricassee cooked Mondego Valley style! <BR>Away from the fishing Coimbra is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and its buildings, founded here in the 1500s, dominate the skyline here. </P><P><IMG src=/files/totalfishing/Assets/Images/Midland_Angler/coimbra 2.jpg border=0><BR>There are two impressive cathedrals, founded in 1162 and 1598 respectively plus several museums, including a natural history, botanical and zoological museum. <BR>Most of the competitors have flown in to Lisbon, which is a two-hour drive from the town. Porto airport is closer, but I believe this requires a change of plane from the UK. <BR>If you are thinking of coming, try and make it for the Friday, when there will be a spectacular parade in the town centre. The match takes place on Friday and Saturday.</P><P> </P><P> </P><P> </P><P> </P></p>

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