Former Veterans World Champion Harry Billing has added another accolade to his glittering career after claiming the Welsh Individual Coarse Angling Champion title at yesterday’s Angling Cymru DragonMania Final at Weston Pools.
The 71-year-old Sonubaits and Garbolino-sponsored angler from Winwick, near Warrington, weighed in a winning bag of 84lb 7oz from peg six on Canal Pool, securing the trophy and the £2,000 winner’s cheque. His margin of victory was razor-thin, just 4oz ahead of defending champion and Weston regular Matty Dawes, who recorded 84lb 3oz from peg 17, narrowly missing out on back-to-back DragonMania titles.
Speaking after his victory, Billing, who was individual and team vets world champion in 2016, said:
"It’s fantastic, I’m absolutely delighted with that. I had an aerator, so I started shallow on the aerator on ide and caught a few there. Came short on pellet, which didn’t really work, so I went long to 16 metres where it’s a little bit shallower, put maggots in there and never really looked back."
"I was told it was a decent peg, and I was half hoping to catch 70lb and possibly win the section. I just picked away all day, had an eight-pounder and a five-pounder, and they made all the difference. With 10 minutes to go, I went down the left edge with hemp and corn, which sealed it. Just beat Matty, who I think is a brilliant angler, by the way."
"I’ve probably fished 9.5 out of 10 today; it’s impossible to fish perfectly, but considering I haven’t seen the venue for months, I made some key decisions at the right time, which worked out well."
A stellar field of top coarse match anglers had been vying for the DragonMania crown, with the final contested by the winners of 20 qualifying matches held at six venues across Wales between April and September. The £3,000 prize pot included £2,000 for the winner and four section prizes of £250.
The weather was overcast and cloudy, though most competitors would have preferred a breeze to ripple the surface and clear the falling leaves. Many anglers fished short to start while priming the longer, shallow lines for later, with a focus on edge fishing in the closing stages.
Andrew Griffiths (peg 42) caught ide and a few F1s to the bridge, Matty Dawes (17) started short then moved long and shallow, and 2025 Daiwa Pole Fishing Masters champion Mikey Williams (23) also caught early. However, the fish switched off and on all day, meaning patience and strategic decisions were key.
Billing (6) patiently targeted 16 metres, while Andrew Price (12) fished his right edge, FishOMania runner-up Steve Openshaw (48) had a late run, and Richie O’Connor (26) battled peg-to-peg with John Harvey (36). In the end, Billing’s patient approach triumphed, with an 84lb 7oz bag of carp and silvers narrowly edging out Dawes’ 84lb 3oz.
"I’m not too disappointed," said Preston Innovations-backed Dawes.
"I feel like I’ve had a good match. I’ve been on the methods, just a bit wrong on the weights. That’s match fishing. Well done to Harry; he doesn’t come here often and he’s a class angler."
