My first fish was a rudd, aged 11 whilst on holiday in Devon, since then I have
been hooked! As a kid I learnt to fish with my Dad, we would fish for all-sorts; Carp, pike, chub, bream.
I then really got into match fishing aged 15, when I remember winning the Golden peg at Viaduct fishery! I have been sponsored in some form by Preston for 14 years, ever since I joined the local Preston Innovations Thatchers team, just after I learnt to drive. From then I started entering festivals, and Fish’o’mania qualifiers. I remember my first ever Whiteacres festival in 2006, I managed to come 2nd to Steve Ringer, ahead of his brother Phil in 3rd!
Aged 21 I then qualified for my first Fish’o’mania Final, from a venue I had never been to before, using a Flat Preston Method feeder with pennies glued to the bottom, as I only had a 15g one with me! From then on I have qualified for big money finals every year!
2011 was then a big moment in my career, winning the first Maver Match This Final! Since then I have really got the bug for these big events. Winning many more since, but also coming runner up so many times, by sometimes the narrowest of margins! Not nice experiences, but ones that I’m sure make me a better angler, striving me on, giving me the determination to be the best I can be!