Barston Nets 'Twin Towers' Title

‘Wembley’ winner announced

Sharman wins its Masters

- Wayne Swinscoe & Stu Conroy

ALTHOUGH Evesham still ranks highly in the match fraternity’s affections, that venue’s long-held mantle of ‘Match Fishing’s Wembley’ has moved some 30 miles north to a West Midlands lake.

That’s the findings of Angler’s Mail’s three-week survey, in which we canvassed votes from 70 top matchmen for the water that they regard as the nation’s No.1 venue.

Barston Lake emerged as the top choice, despite the 25-years-plus longevity and history of Evesham’s annual August Bank Holiday Weekend Festival on the River Avon.

The Barston Masters Final was the most recent big match at the Solihull, West Midlands, water. Venue regular Wayne Sharman (Matrix) took the title with 108 lb of carp to 20 lb and F1s to 5 lb from peg 55, using Method feeder tactics.

“In the first hour I had four big F1s for 12 lb, then switched to bread punch on the same rig for carp of 5 lb and 8 lb,” said Wayne.

“After a quiet spell I switched to the 65 m line, again with bread, and my match came alive with four big carp to 20 lb in the next hour.

“The final 90 minutes dragged by with just one fish gracing the net. I estimated I had around 90 lb, but to my surprise, when the scales arrived they went 108 lb.

“After an anxious wait I found I’d won the title of 2017 Barston Master. I’m overwhelmed!”

Nigel Harrhy summarised his venue topping the Angler’s Mail ‘Match Wembley’ poll: “Sorry for being biased, but Barston is our Wembley. One mile from the centre of England. All anglers on the same lake with a million pound clubhouse overlooking the water. Bream, F1s and carp – that’s all anglers want today.”