Andy Power, a 21 year old from Wells, took first place in the latest PartyPoker.com Fisho’O’mania qualifier held at Shamley Green’s Willinghurst Fishery on Wednesday 10th June. Fishing the pellet method feeder towards the centre of the Old Lake from Peg 2, Andy took 16 Carp to 6lb in the second half of the match and secured the coveted top spot with 78-0-0.
A wet and miserable start to this qualifier put a real dampener on the day for most competitors. Nearly all the lakes used failed to live up to expectations as the larger Carp refused to feed. The newly opened John’s Lake produced most of the action with small Carp, Skimmers and Tench keeping the anglers occupied all day with some very impressive weights being taken.
Previous Fish’O’Mania finalist, Mark Harrington took second place with a creditable 68-12-0 from Peg 14 on John’s Lake. Mark caught 175 fish while fishing on the pole at 4 metres and getting through 8 pints of maggots and 3kg of groundbait in the process.
Third place went to former Fish’O’Mania champion Steve Jackson with a dozen method caught Carp from Peg 14 on Old Lake. This is the third time in four years that Steve has finished in the top three including one qualification on this venue.
Mick Seymour, a Willinghurst regular and on-site Chef, took fourth place from John’s Lake. Fishing Peg 23. Mick caught Carp and Bream to 5lb on pole and pellet totalling 62-14-0.
This is the 16th running of PartyPoker.com Fish ‘O’ Mania. Promoted by Essex-based Matchroom Sport, the event features 16 heats of 130 anglers each with the winner advancing forward to the Grand Final at Cudmore Fisheries, Whitmore near Newcastle-under-Lyme on Saturday 18th July.
The final will be televised live in its five hour entirety on Sky Sports with the eventual winner receiving £25,000. All qualifying events are covered by Sky Sports to be broadcast on their weekly magazine show ‘Tight Lines’, every Friday.
