Little bit of angling history

#1

Cofton Hackett won the ATWL Final (12 a side) on the River Shannon at Limerick with 276-13-8. It was a record weight then for the comp and possibly still is today. A team from Bristol also topped 200 lbs.
Man of the match for Cofton Hackett was Austin Clissett who had 101 lb 6 oz, I believe this was the first ever ton in a match but stand to be corrected.

This was 40 years ago, - AT paid reporters to fly over and cover this.

Compare this to the comp today and weep buckets.

I fished against Cofton Hackett for years in the West Mids WL; wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Some more names, not yey mentioned, from the Cofton era besides those on the Shakespeare thread, Tony Reece, Jim Ryder, John Ryder, Ron Lees, Bill Stroud, Gordon Priddy. Happy days........

#2

Nice one Bill

#3

Just to add a bit; no feeders in those days and no catapults.

It must be asked, "Has some of the skill gone out of it?"

#4

Bill you are right !!
I remember as a lad going with Tony Scott to the Trent matches and I kid you not He could throw a small ball of groundbait under arm two thirds across the river and hit the spot with great accuracy, I can still see it now, I must have spent years learning to do this, then the maggot revolution came !!!!!

#5

Remember me to TS if you see him, had some titanic battles in the Alpha matches at Trent Lock. You had to dig in early with TS before the shock of the ferry wore off

#6

Will do

#7

Who did Dave Pinches fish for them in them days Bill?

#8

Who did Dave Pinches fish for them in them days Bill?

dunno.

Bert Simmill was a man to be be feared on any river in those days.

Dave Pinches is only a spit owder than me you cheeky Woman's wetter

#9

Who did Dave Pinches fish for them in them days Bill?

Dunno, but he wore bad on them pongoes on the cut

if I remember right Lloydy - 8 balls down the track

#10

When I joined Heath town club Dave was the 1 I always wanted to beat class angler and top bloke

#11

When I joined Heath town club

Was that for the Tug 'o War team?