The 2024 FIPSed (Fédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive en Eau Douce) Coarse Angling Nations World Championships, held on the Canal D’Aire in Béthune, Northern France, presented a formidable challenge for the Angling Trust England team. Despite entering the competition with high hopes and a strong desire for a medal, England faced unexpected difficulties that ultimately led to an eighth-place finish in this prestigious event.
The Gobie Conundrum
A significant factor in this year’s championships was the prevalence of gobies, a small fish species that is relatively unknown to UK anglers but is becoming increasingly common across mainland Europe. The competition proved to be a low-weight affair, with England’s two-day score of 57 points falling short of their expectations. In contrast, Croatia claimed gold with an impressive 31 points, followed by Italy with 40 points, and the host nation France securing bronze with 43 points.
The presence of gobies became a crucial element in determining success throughout the championship. Traditional target species such as roach, bream, and skimmers were scarce and not consistently present in every peg. As a result, anglers had to adapt their strategies to focus on catching gobies, which primarily inhabited the marginal rocks and boulders along the canal.
England’s team manager, Mark Downes, explained the significance of the gobie factor:
Tactical Approach and Challenges
England’s tactical strategy was meticulously planned to address the unique conditions of the venue. Their approach involved feeding a carefully prepared mix of groundbait combined with soil containing mashed worms and maggots close to the bank. Anglers set up two primary lines of attack: one targeting gobies amidst the rocks and boulders, and another positioned just beyond them.
Downes emphasised the importance of accurate peg mapping, stating, “You could only catch the gobies by fishing on top of a boulder, so mapping your peg out accurately was crucial.” This precision was vital for successfully locating and catching gobies, which formed the foundation of their competitive strategy.
Further out, at a distance of 13 metres, anglers attempted to catch larger fish such as roach, skimmers, and the occasional bream using a groundbait and leam mix. However, this approach came with its own set of challenges. Downes warned of the potential pitfall: “The trap that you could fall into here was spending too long trying and neglecting that gobie line, so time management was crucial too, especially where boats were concerned.”
The presence of large barges on the canal added another layer of complexity to the competition. These massive vessels could disrupt fishing for up to 40 minutes after passing through, requiring anglers to adapt their strategies accordingly. To mitigate this issue, England employed runners on A and E sections to provide warning of approaching barges, allowing anglers to adjust their tactics and make the most of their fishing time.
Day-by-Day Performance
Day One
The opening day of the championship saw mixed results for the England team:
- Matt Godfrey delivered an outstanding performance, securing a section win.
- Will Raison and James Dent both achieved commendable third-place finishes in their respective sections.
- Unfortunately, Steve Hemingray and Cameron Hughes drew pegs that yielded few gobies, resulting in disappointing scores of 11 and 13 points respectively.
After Day One, England found themselves in ninth place overall, trailing the bronze medal position by 10 points. This deficit, while significant, was not insurmountable, but it would require a strong performance on day two to overcome.
Day Two
In response to the challenges faced on the first day, England made a strategic change to their lineup, with Sean Ashby replacing Cameron Hughes. The team’s performance showed marked improvement:
- Matt Godfrey, Steve Hemingray, and William Raison all secured third-place finishes in their sections.
- James Dent continued his solid performance with a fourth-place finish.
- Unfortunately, Sean Ashby faced a particularly challenging peg, managing to return only 13 points.
Despite a more competitive overall score of 26 points on Day Two, England’s final position remained eighth. The teams they were chasing also performed well, maintaining their advantage and keeping England at arm’s length in the standings.
Reflecting on the championship, Mark Downes provided insight into the factors that influenced England’s performance: “The bad results cost us. I think you could have carried one high score, but not three, and if you look at the leading teams, they’ve been very consistent with thirds and fourths across the board.”
Downes also highlighted the growing importance of experience with gobie fishing, noting, “Croatia and Italy do it a lot, and it’s a fish that I think we’re going to be seeing a lot more of in future World Champs as more and more are spreading into river and canal systems in Western Europe.”
This championship has underscored the need for adaptability and species-specific knowledge in international competition. As the angling landscape continues to evolve, teams will need to broaden their expertise to remain competitive at the highest level. The experience gained from this event will undoubtedly influence England’s approach to future championships, as they look to refine their tactics and improve their performance in the face of changing conditions and species dynamics in international angling competitions.
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