Angling Festival could prove to be a big 'un

12:14pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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THE biggest angling festival in the country will take place this weekend on the Avon in Evesham in an event organisers hope will be dominated by big catches.

Recently, bream up to 6lb in weight have been caught along with tench up to 5lb and some very large chub, a freshwater fish related to the carp family.

According to organisers, roach have been conspicuous in their absence and many anglers say they are convinced last year’s floods has taken its toll on stocks.

Wayne Swincoe, former Shakespeare Championship winner, said: “Although I would love to see a roach-dominated weekend I can’t see it happening.

“Most competitors will be going for big fish at some point and I won’t be surprised if a few come back with a decent catch of bream or a couple of tench.

“That said, there have been festivals in the past where the roach suddenly switched on and ended up as the target fish, so I guess anything could happen.”

The Evesham Angling Festival gets underway with the Shakespeare Championship on Saturday, August 23. This match carries a £5,000 top prize and a prize fund in excess of £10,000.

The Wychavon Championship takes place on the Sunday, with a top prize of £2,500.

The Match Fishing Team Championship is scheduled for the Bank Holiday Monday where 14 teams will go head-to-head for one of the most prestigious team titles available.

Matches will begin at 11am and run through until 4pm. A bookie will also be in attendance so spectators can have a flutter on their favourite anglers.

Last year’s festival attracted over 40,000 over the three days and Working Group members are hoping for another bumper crowd this time round.