April saw the first Mainline Baits Pairs Competition of the year at Upper Tamar Lake. The weather was dry with a slight south westerly breeze. 19 pairs entered the event.

All anglers completed their biosecurity checks and dipped their equipment. 10am arrived and the draw was made. Anglers collected their Mainline goody bags. 10 pairs favoured the Devon bank and nine pairs the Cornwall side. All anglers were transported to their chosen pegs.

1pm arrived for the start of the competition. Within the hour the first fish was recorded, Peg 11, Dan Hole and Jack Chillingworth, 10Ib 7oz Common.

The Friday afternoon session turned out to be a busy time for the marshals. 6 fish caught. Peg 30, Jason McEvoy and Paul Thomas recording 3 fish: 17Ib Mirror, 21Ib 10oz Common, 9Ib Mirror.

Peg 8, Will Hayston and John Keirle with 6Ib 12oz Common. Peg 29, father & son duo Scott & David Bowden, 13Ib 14oz Common. Peg 14 also recording their first fish, Ken Sampson & Kenny Burgess, 9Ib 4oz Common.

Peg 30 now with 3 fish for 47Ib 15oz giving them a comfortable lead. Still a long way to go in this exciting competition.

Friday evening, another 5 fish had been caught. Peg 30 recorded a cracking 23Ib 9oz Mirror to extend their lead with total weight 62Ib 3oz.

Peg 12, George West and Andrew Woon, recorded their first fish, nice 17Ib Common.

Peg 24, Wayne Bateman and John Kneebone are on the sheet with 13Ib 12oz Common.

Peg 1, Matt Pepperell and Chris Hudson with a cracking 21Ib 14oz Mirror.

Peg 29, Scott and David Bowden recorded their second fish, 21Ib 12oz Mirror, putting them into second position, total weight of 35Ib 10oz.

Saturday morning a further six fish were caught in the early hours giving the marshals a busy time. No change in the leader board with Peg 30 still leading with 62Ib 3oz.

There is a battle going on between pegs 1, 29, and 12 for 2nd, 3rd and 4th positions.

Peg 1, Matt Pepperell and Chris Hudson recording their second fish, 17Ib 13oz Mirror.

Peg 12, George West and Andrew Woon recording their second fish, 13Ib Mirror. Saturday could prove to be an exciting day and positions could change.

Saturday afternoon. Peg 1, Matt Pepperell and Chris Hudson recorded their third fish, 18Ib 11oz Common, giving them a total of 58Ib 6oz.

Peg 11, Jack Chillingworth and Dan Hole with their second fish, 12Ib 14oz.

Peg 17, Nigel Woods with his first fish, 10Ib 8oz Common.

Peg 28, Terry Vincent and Ben Coombs, second fish, 3Ib 2oz Common, now could this be the smallest fish winner?

Peg 30, Jason McEvoy and Paul Thomas recorded their third fish with another 20Ib 12oz Mirror. This extends their lead with a total of 65Ib 15oz.

Peg 14, Ken Sampson and Kenny Burgess with their second fish, another 9Ib 4oz Common.

The weather had turned very cold with some heavy showers. Still very close contest between Peg 30 and Peg 1. The question is who is going to win the top prize of £2,250?

Saturday Evening. Current leaders, Peg 30, Jason McEvoy and Paul Thomas have recorded another cracking fish, 23Ib 1oz Mirror, making their total weight at the moment 68Ib 4oz.

Second place Peg 1, Matt Pepperell and Chris Hudson on 58Ib 6oz, followed closely by third place Peg 29, Scott and David Bowden on 52Ib 6oz. As we go into the final night session it’s still all to play for. It’s starting to turn into an exciting ending. Over 33 fish have been recorded and six 20Ib+ fish caught.

Sunday Morning. No change in the leader board. Peg 8 recorded their second fish and Peg 28 their third fish, making no change in the leader board.

This turned out to be another exciting competition with battle between Pegs 30, 1, 29, and 12.

I would like to thank all anglers that took part and again supporting our competition.

Results Below:

Big thank you to Mainline Baits and John Kneebone for once again sponsoring the event.

A massive thank you to our volunteer marshals Gary Vogel, Bob Davey, Laura Jenkin, Zinzan. Also a big thank you to our Head of Fisheries, Leon Fisher. (Thank you all Mervyn, Gary, Leon)

Next Mainline Pairs Competition 10, 11 and 12 July 2026.