Please Note:
As from January 1st 2009, the use of a catapult for feeding groundbait is no longer allowed on any of the 3 lakes.
Catapults may be used for loose feeding of maggots and casters, pellets, corn, etc.
The use of a big waggler is still allowed but feeding of ground bait must be by hand only.
PVA pellet tea bags are also prohibited.
39 anglers participated in this hotly contested festival with huge weights recorded throughout the festival.
It was a disappointing turn-out with many anglers finding the recession biting into their wallets.
Mixes of hot humid conditions, plus heavy winds always going to make angling difficult but true to form, Larford produced exceptional results.
It was a near faultless performance from Ian Giddins who narrowly missed out on last years title.
Ian fished a faultless long distance big waggler attack on the Specimen Lake, pole and pellet shallow on the Match and Arena Lakes.
Ian collected 3 lake wins to secure his biggest win of the season collecting over £800, Maver tackle and trophies.
Ian also was rewarded with a sponsorship package from Maver.
Tony Dawson fished similar tactics to the winner but used a large bubble float on both the Match and Specimen Lakes.
Tony secured 3 section wins to draw on points with the winner, but a lesser overall weight over the 5 days.
Third placed Matt Smith was probably the unluckiest man in the overall festival.
Entering the last day, Matt was in front but still needed to secure a section win.
63-140kgs of F1 carp shallow, Matt had 2 fish jump out of his keepnets and lost the section by 60grms.
Now that’s bad luck.
The week produced a massive 9,462-220kgs (over 21,000 lbs of fish) in just 5 days to 39 anglers.
The average per man per day being 107lbs over the 5 days.
The 2009 Larford Festival is certain to be a sell out as the fishing just gets better and better.
Match Lake
Conditions had not been favourable throughout the week. Tactics on Match Lake generally were pellet and 13m fished shallow for F1 carp plus a few bigger carp. Lots of large carp were caught down the edge with big fish coming to corn and worm to 15lbs.
Specimen Lake
Loads of big carp, tench and bream caught on the big splasher and groundbait. Big carp from both banks on meat, corn & worm fished down the edge.
Arena Lake
In fantastic form with 100kgs needed to win a section. Most carp were caught shallow on Top 2 Kits right down the edge with fish to 20lbs turning up.
| Place | Name | Total Points | Total Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ian Giddins | 9 | 386-340kgs |
| 2nd | Tony Dawson | 9 | 341-860kgs |
| 3rd | Matt Smith | 9 | 332-400kgs |
| 4th | Craig O'brien | 10 | 341-020kgs |
| 5th | Mark Pleavin | 10 | 311-600kgs |
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| Photographs courtesy of Angling Times |
