The 2017 UK Carp Championships got under way in blistering fashion over the past few weekends, with loads of fish banked in both the Pairs and Singles competitions.
Pairs qualifier – Brasenose One: With five pairs going through to the semi-finals, it was former British champions Chris Holmes and Neil River who took first place with a 26-fish catch for 494lb 1oz, beating Alex Lister and Carl Sharp into second on 399lb 9oz, and Rob and Brad Greening into third on 275lb. Jack Meyer and Lewis Swift on 239lb 15oz, and Aaron Fox and Gary Tomkins on 142lb 13oz also went through.
Pairs qualifier – Darenth Big Lake: Just seven fish were caught in this match, two of which by eventual winners Darren Ready and Lee Clapperton, who recorded a final weight of 40lb 15oz. Dave Mayne and Neo Ferrari had a 40lb 15oz mirror, which was enough for second place, and David and Matthew Barlow finished third with two fish for 34lb 15oz. The fourth and final qualification spot went to Eddie Marsh and Andy Rainbird on 26lb.
Singles qualifier – Farlows Lake Two: Mark Renwick dominated this match, landing 15 fish for a winning weight of 159¾lb. The battle for second place and the remaining qualification spot was won by AJ Collier, who had three fish for 44lb 1oz.
Singles qualifier – Coking Farm Long Lake: More than 200 fish was caught in this action-packed match, which was eventually won by Jack Lamb on 480lb 10oz for his 55-fish haul. Also progressing through to October’s final was Josh Bellow, who bagged 41 fish for a final weight of 371lb 9oz.
There are still a handful of places remaining in the Pairs and Singles competitions, which can be booked by visiting the www.ukcarpchamps.co.uk website.
