Fish 'O' Mania Qualifier – Partridge Lakes

The eleventh Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier was held for the very first time at the fabulous venue of Partridge Lakes, Culcheth, Cheshire on Saturday 29th May 2010, and was won by 38 year old Transport manager, Steve Bamford (Sams Tackle And Bait) from Coppull, near Chorley. He became the eleventh qualifier to book his place in the Fish ‘O’ Mania Grand Final. Steve drew by the small islands on Willow Lake 20 and became the second qualifier in succession to qualify on caster. Steve was soon into chub and caught fairly well throughout the five hours, taking mainly fish from 1lb to 3lb in his huge 126-9-0 winning haul. Catching the majority of his chub on caster with just a few on maggot, and is the best non carp weight ever to qualify for a Fish ‘O’ Mania final. Steve managed to get through three pints of casters and also used a few maggots to keep the chub coming on the day.

Following almost a week of summer weather the Cheshire venue suffered from March temperatures and incessant cold rain on the day. The resident carp had only finished spawning during the week, and were therefore not particularly in a feeding mood. The match on the day was fished on Willow, Holbar Number One and Two Lakes, the March, Spey and Pine Canals and Covey Lakes.

Rob Pelling (Connect Tackle) fished pellet to net 73-10-0 of ide, carp and F1s to finish as runner-up from peg 70. Making it a one-two-three for the Manchester area was Bury based John Jowett (Drennan North West) with 70-12-0 of small carp and ide taken on poled pellet and worm. Former Kamasan Matchman of the Year, Andy Moors (Garbolino Bagem Baits) was fourth with 67-1-0 of soft pellet - caught F1s from Covey 62. Completing the top five was Wigan based match fishing legend Gary Whalley (Wigan) with 60-1-0 of pellet caught ide, small carp and F1s.