Three Dayer At The Barn

by Jon · 24th June 2021

Just spent three nice days at Tunnel Barn Farm trying to defend my Daiwa Masters title. Good company, good weather, tough fishing but I’ve still managed a few fish each day.

Day 1 I was handed peg 21 on Canal which was certainly not ideal! I fished chopped worm all over the peg for a nice 82lb mixed bag. I really felt I’d done as much as I could and prayed it was enough to take the section, but there were two 88lbs down the other end of the lake, which pushed me into 3rd. Felt a bit unlucky to be honest, but I gave it my best shot.

Day 2 I really wanted a flyer and thankfully got one in the shape of Top 33! I managed to win the section and lake with 68lb. A few fish early on worms, a dozen on casters down the reeds to my right and seven carp for over 30lb on a mugging rig, fishing my MTX4 up to 18 metres down the gap. Great fun with a 5-7lb carp on the end!

Day 3 I had to get a section win to make the top 12… but that was a very tall order off Canal 5, which has hardly any all-important reeds compared to the rest of the section, plus two end pegs to contend with. I’ve faffed around on worm and caster for a few fish, but eventually swapped everything to maggots with 90 minutes to go and it was miles better, catching long on the deck and a great run late on the short pole for 63lb. Another section 3rd with 72lb and 97lb off the two end pegs. Highlight was a lovely plump goldfish on the maggot rig!

I must say a huge well done to Mitch Davidson on a very deserving Daiwa Masters win and also the other three anglers who each scored maximum points, Matty Dawes, Steve Barraclough and Jack Danby.

I ended up with 7 points with 5 points needed to get in the frame and caught 215lb of fish, so not too bad really.

Thanks to Tunnel Barn Farm for being fantastic hosts, Tom Scholey and Catch More Media for the great coverage and Daiwa for the generous sponsorship.

Only down side for me was having to miss this year’s UK Champs for the first time, so hopefully these two events wont clash next year. Oh, and I’ve still got a gazillion pints of casters in the fridge!