Unbelievable Catches at Tench Masterclass

Last week the Angling Trust’s fundraising 48hr Tench Masterclass event was held at Farnham Angling Society’s Mill Lane Fishery and the results were simply breathtaking!

There were huge numbers of big fish caught and PB’s were smashed by almost everyone who took part. What’s more, the two days were captured for a forthcoming film being made by The Angling Trust.

The Event

Each of the seven lucky auction winners were each paired up with an expert from The Tenchfishers who would guide and mentor them over the next two days. Big fish specialist Duncan Charman was one of the experts on hand and as he has an intimate knowledge of the venue, he selected the seven best swims, and the draw was made. Everyone had just about enough time to get their bivvies up before the heavens opened in a pretty biblical manner. Not the most comfortable way to begin the event, but as it turned out that drop in air pressure had a big effect on the fishing. For the next two days each of the seven anglers would witness some of the most amazing fishing of their lives, as they brought fish after fish to the net, aided by the advice and support of their Tenchfishers’ guide. The Tenchfishers also put on a full programme of  workshops and teach-ins during the afternoon when the fishing was quiet, so thanks go to Adam Bojar, Gavin Barrett, Nigel Bray, Barry Cushing, Pat Dower, Duncan Charman, Dai Gribble, Tony King, Kevin Lucas, John Osborne, Chris Netto and Mark Tyrtanian.

The Fish

In total the seven anglers caught 81 tench (everyone caught), almost all over 5lb and most in the 6lb-9lb bracket including 10 tench PB’s (The Tenchfishers differentiate between male and female Tench PB’s). The biggest fish were a female of 8lb 13oz and male of 8lb 10oz. There were also 12 bream caught, including fish of 12lb 5oz, 12lb 3oz and 11lb along with 4 carp weighing 18lb, 22lb 12oz, 30lb 4oz and a colossal 40lb 14oz (known as two scale) and a grass carp of 33lb 11oz. Stunning fishing from a venue that is normally known for being far from an easy water.

Our congratulations go to John Whatley, Chris Miller, James White, Richard Miles, Gregory Bennet, Oliver Smith & Stuart Biggs who caught the fish and supporting the Angling Trust by bidding in the auction.

The Reaction

Angling Trust’s John Cheyne was at the event and was full of praise for those involved with the organisation.

“It’s been an absolutely mind blowing two days, I’ve never seen so many big Tench in my life. It’s credit to Farnham Angling Society that they have a water capable of producing this kind of result and I can’t thank the club and Ian Gray their Honorary Secretary enough, for not only hosting the event, but also the amount of work he has put in together with the Tenchfishers to make the Masterclass such an amazing success. We have had our Videographer Toby Curson here making a film with some input from the legendary Hugh Miles, and they have more footage of beautiful tench than they ever could have imagined. Not to mention the 40lb+ carp and double figure bream! The guys from the Tenchfishers have been outstanding. It’s been a joy to see guys like Dai Gribble, Duncan Charman, Pat Dower and Tony King sharing their knowledge, and doing everything possible to ensure that the auction winners not only caught fish at the event, but will be catching many more Tench in future, It’s been wonderful and none of them will forget these two days in a hurry.”

The Cause

The money raised by the event will be a huge help in the continued success of the “Tench Fishing The Future” project that Angling Trust are collaborating on with The Tenchfishers. Aimed at encouraging angling clubs and fisheries to consider developing new tench fisheries, to ensure that there will be waters like Mill Lane available for anglers right around the country to fish in the future. Special thanks to Ian Peacock and the committee of the Tenchfishers for supporting the event and providing all the bait.

You can find out more about the work and how your club can get involved HERE

To support our work join the Angling Trust Today by Clicking HERE

More information about The Tenchfishers HERE

More information about Farnham Angling Society HERE