A Great FishOMania!

What a fantastic day at Westwood Lakes today for FishOMania! Wet, windy, blown inside out, needed windscreen wipers on my specs, but still loved it! Sadly conditions weren’t favourable and I never felt I was ever getting enough of an arrival to compete. A much more negative approach would’ve scored higher, but it just wasn’t meant to be. As I’ve said so many times already, however, just being there was my prize. Loved it!

I cannot thank everyone enough who’s messaged me and supported me. So so many people that I just had to give up replying to everyone late last night… but I do really appreciate everyone who has taken the time and effort to wish me luck!

A huge thanks to Matrix and Sonubaits for their continued support. Also to Tony Gee and Ace Tackle & Bait in Kidlington for very generously sponsoring me for the day. If you’ve not checked out their Oxfordshire shop you really must pay it a visit as you won’t get better service and advice in the region. Lanes Tackle in Coventry were also very helpful in the lead up to the big day. Sadly no sponsorship from Cadburys this year…

My bankrunner Aiden Mansfield was also absolutely brilliant. Exactly the kind of angler you need by your side. Just wish I could’ve caught him a few more fish… or let him have a go! I was also so proud to have my mum, dad, wife Mandy and daughter Katie behind me cheering me on. They all deserve a medal for sitting it out in that weather!

Glad I packed two big Matrix umbrellas for them! Katie also caught a mirror carp on one of the lake fish-ins, so she was made up!

After a midweek hiccup I think the actual event went exceptionally well. Westwood Lakes was perfect, the Angling Trust, Matchroom, cameramen and commentators all did a great job and the stewards were first class too. The crowd was also brilliant and more people than I expected considering the awful weather. Amazing sight to see so many umbrellas behind us all!

Lastly, and most importantly, a huge congrats to Matty Dawes on becoming the champion. I’m not much of a betting man, but I know I earned a few people some pennies as he was my red-hot tip to win on the day and sounds like he fished a great match.

So that’s it for another year. Have to admit I’d lost a bit of enthusiasm for the event over the past few years, but I’m all fired up to try and get back in the Final again now. I’d forgotten just how unique and special the day is! A lot of people seem to get deflated after big events like this, but not me. Can you believe I’m still going fishing again tomorrow? 🙂