On The Podium At Packington

by Jonny · 10th March 2025

Sunday was the final round of the Packington Winter League. Ten rounds fished in all sorts of conditions, but sunny t-shirt weather greeted us!

Despite not a lot of sleep and zero prep I hoped the carp might feed and was quietly confident of catching a few. I had the last peg in the bag, which was a steady peg 12 on Big Gearys.

I’ve had a busy and enjoyable day, winning the lake and coming 2nd overall with 65lb. Nine fish from 12oz to 8lb on the Method feeder and 6mm Fluoro Bandum Wafter, two small carp on the bomb, a carp and a stockie on the PVA bag and eight or nine small carp on the long pole and pellet later on. Nice to get the 12ft Matrix Horizon Pro X Distance flexing.

I’d caught just enough to pip Steve Bellion who’s pushed me all the way and had some nice big fish on the bomb and method. He’s done well to keep his cool after finding four pleasure anglers fishing his peg in the morning, then getting hit by a golfball!

I was over the moon to end up 3rd overall in the league, behind Lee Richards and Steve Bellion. I rate these two anglers extremely highly and they’re really nice and friendly guys, too, so very well done to them both. It was a very pleasing finale to the league for me in lots of ways. Thanks to John Burchell and his team for running it and Matrix for sponsoring it.

Nice to finally get the winter fixtures over and done with. Even nicer to end with good weather and a nice result. Hopefully I can get back on the river before the close season now…

Finally, apologies if anyone’s been trying to contact me recently. Will try and catch up with all my messages next week!