“IT’S SHOW TIME!”

PEOPLE think I’m always on the bank, but last weekend saw me take a rare break – although fishing still played a part. I was off to the Angling Times Big One Show at Stoneleigh to join the Matrix gang and share a talk with Andy May. Getting up on stage was nerve-wracking.

Fortunately, Andy can talk for England and with Rob Hughes hosting us, we were soon rabbiting on about fishing, the lessons we learned and the Winning Ways films that myself and Andy do. I really enjoyed it.

Either side of the talk I met hundreds of people. The commonest question I got asked was about Slik elastic, why anglers should use it and what the difference was between it and hollow elastic.

Coming up is the Silverfish Final at Retford’s Hallcroft Fishery and by the time you read this, it’ll be over, hopefully with me winning the £4,000 first prize! All I know is that the fishing will be tricky.

You’ll need skimmers to win and I think I’ve got a pellet approach nailed down, but I’m taking some bloodworm just in case. The pole will dominate because the lakes are too silty for the feeder. It can take a few hours for the fish to begin feeding so a good helping of patience will be required too.

We’re then into the big-match qualifier season beginning and I’ll have one or two every weekend looking for a place in the Fish O’Mania, Match This and Golden Reel finals. Some miles will be going onto the van – let’s hope I can get qualification out of the way quickly!

“Getting up on stage was nervewracking”