Meeting on the Kennet and Avon Canal at Caen Locks, 30 anglers took part in a grand species hunt for a worthy cause last weekend.
Prizing variety over weight, the aim was to catch as many types of fish as possible, from ruffe to carp, and raise awareness and money for Prostate Cancer UK.
Devizes AA kindly hosted the event on its waters, with everything from carbon poles to split cane on show.
“It’s vital we encourage anglers to get checked. The key risk group is basically angling’s biggest demographic, and I wouldn’t be here today had it not been for a blood test!” said organiser Mark Everard. In recovery himself from the disease, he felt compelled to act after reflecting how many angling friends were over fifty.
“Men often feel embarrassed or just assume it won’t happen to them,” he said. “I had no symptoms at all, but thankfully it was detected early. Tests are free and confidential.”
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Boosting attendance further were River Monsters star Jeremy Wade, filmmaker Jack Perks and Angling Times staffers Chris Haydon and Dom Garnett.
Mark Lyman was winner on the day, with an impressive nine species mostly to floatfished maggot, including silver bream, roach and gudgeon. Jeremy Wade won the fish of the day award with a hard-battling 3lb tench, which features in an Angling Times video roundup on our YouTube channel.
“I was in a spot of panic on the morning, looking for much lighter tackle than I normally use!” Jeremy said.
“It’s been great fun, and I'm so pleased to support Mark in raising awareness. The more men who get tested, the more lives can be saved.”
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The day in numbers
11 species were caught on the day, including gudgeon, ruffe and tench.
£1000+ The event has already raised over a grand and counting!
1 in 8 Men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
50+ Men over fifty are the key risk group, a core angling demographic.
For more information, see prostatecanceruk.org or donate to Mark’s appeal at www. justgiving.com/page/mark- everard-devizes-fishing.
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