Competitions
16 September 2025
Brush defends his title in TideFest roach bonanza!
The TideFest Angling Championship trophy returned in the car of defending champion Mark Brush after the Daiwa Gordon League star retained the crown after a great match on the Tidal River Thames around West London which saw quality roach make up the bulk of the leading weights.
Fished between Kew Bridge and Barnes, Mark took a fine 26-5-0 of roach to well over 1lb to the scales to win from Zone A at Kew, catching on groundbait feeder with double and triple red maggot tactics, earning him not only the trophy but also £400 in winnings.
Closest to him was Andrew Wooding with 20-5-0 of roach from further downriver on the same section below Oliver’s Island, feeder tactics again working and seeing him include a fine 2lb-plus fish in his net. The Barnes zone was won by Rob Peck with 18-8-0, Chiswick by Steve Edwards with 11-14-0.
“These were the best hauls of roach I’ve seen from the Tidal Thames for very many years, and the quality was amazing. Nearly every roach was a good ‘netter’ with plenty of 1lb-plus specimens and that fabulous 2lb fish,” said TideFest founder and organiser Martin Salter. “All fish were in prime condition and living in the heart of London! I have no doubt with the new Thames Super Sewer now in operation the water quality will only get better along with the fishing.”
“It’s absolutely wonderful to see such magnificent roach and other silverfish from the fully tidal stretch of River Thames,” enthused Thames regular and Angling Times columnist Keith Arthur. “With roach to 2lb caught in matches it gives an indication of the potential for those prepared to tackle a big river with a huge tidal variation. Congratulations to my mate Mark Brush for yet another success, making his trip from Gloucestershire well worthwhile.”
Result:
1 Mark Brush 26-5-0 (Zone A – Kew)
2 Andrew Wooding 20-5-0 (Zone B – Kew)
3 Rob Peck 18-8-0 (Zone C – Barnes)
4 Steve Edwards 11-14-0 (Zone D – Chiswick)
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