MERSEY BASIN SPECIES HUNT – THE FINAL STANDINGS

After nearly 4 months of intense competition, the inaugural Mersey Basin Species Hunt has come to an end.

As a new event for 2025, anglers were challenged to catch as many different species of fish as possible from rivers in the Mersey catchment, with 3 points awarded per species, and an additional 5 bonus points for the biggest caught.

Across the whole catchment, a whopping 21 different species of fish were recorded, which made for some close contests between the frontrunners in the 3 local leagues and overall.

Making the most of his bonus points in the Mersey, Goyt & Tame League was Leigh rod Neil Milsom, who narrowly overtook Phil Bennett to win by just a 4-point margin despite finishing on a lower total species count.  Helped along the way in large part thanks to his 7 league specimens, Neil targeted a variety of waters from small brooks to the daunting lower Mersey – recording the biggest bream and biggest ruffe of the competition in the process.

In perhaps the toughest local contest of the three, it was Phil Bennett who took the crown on the Irwell League. Phil caught 9 species for a total of 52 points with his league specimens; the highlight of which was a stunning 37cm grayling. This fish was just enough to overtake Stuart Brierley with his fine collection of minispecies. A special mention in this league must also go to Megan Madden for her 87cm Medlock pike and the biggest fish of the entire Species Hunt!

The most emphatic win of the competition however went to overall champion Simon Thomas in the Weaver & Dane League, winning with a phenomenal 90-point total. Focusing on his local River Dane, Simon caught a superb mixture of species that ranged from specimen brown trout through to diminutive (but very useful) gudgeon.

Simon’s 15 species from the Weaver & Dane were also enough to take the overall title of Mersey Basin Species Hunt Champion for 2025, with Rob Ledwards in the runner up position and Phil Bennett in 3^rd across all waterways in the catchment.

Our ‘Top Junior’ for the competition was young Thomas Milsom, whose fish from a small tributary of the River Mersey were richly rewarded.

Reflecting on his victory, a jubilant Simon said:

“I’ve really enjoyed taking part. As someone who mainly fishes the lead for bigger fish like chub and barbel nowadays, picking up a float rod for the first time in years to seek out all these different species has really taken me back. It’s like being a kid again and reminds you what fishing is all about!”

The Angling Trust would like to thank every angler who took part, in addition to Mersey Rivers Trust, Glasgow Angling Centre & Tronixpro for their support. The final results can be found below: