ENGLAND anglers aimed for a plethora of medals at the World Angling Games in South Africa in February 2019 – but they did not target the lure fishing event.
Full World Games carp and match fishing coverage is in Angler’s Mail magazine this week – but the England Lure Fishing Team did not compete.
England Lure Fishing Team supremo Steve Collett decided not to waste money on a ‘jolly’.
Instead, Steve is already focused upon preparing for the 2020 World Lure Champs in Poland.
Dozens of event across all disciplines took place in South Africa for the World Games, which is rated as fishing’s equivalent to the Olympics.
Angler’s Mail magazine columnist Steve said: “I’d have loved to have gone out there for a jolly, but there was no point being so close to last autumn’s World Champs held here at Rutland.
“We’re still licking our wounds after that and going to South Africa would have been another drubbing which the boys don’t need.
“Because of the huge cost it would have been just eligible for those able to afford it, and I’m training to build a young team, hungry to learn and with good team spirit.
“My remit is to improve us, not to just go through the motions, so we decided not to go to South Africa.
“It’s not like the men’s coarse team who don’t have to pay and just turn up and sit on a box and fish.
“At Rutland alone it cost us £10,000, and South Africa would have been much, much higher.
“The long-term aim is to win the World Lure Champs, but we have to take it step-by-step.
“We hope to move up the World Ranking in Poland next year,” added England Lure Fishing Team chief Steve, whose unique ‘live’ features are a must-read in the weekly Angler’s Mail magazine.
Angling Trust competitions administration manager Sandra Johnson explained that England were well represented with Ladies, Feeder, Carp and Masters teams. There were also five English sea teams.
She added: “South Africa can be quite expensive, but not necessarily the hardest one to send teams to as it will vary with costs depending what is included in the overall World Championship.
“There are other World Champs over 2019 including the Mens World Champs in Serbia on September 7-8,” she added.
GOT SOME GREAT PHOTOS? You could appear in print and online with us! Email pix with info to: anglersmail@ti-media.com
Big value subscriptions to Angler’s Mail magazine are now at a Bargain Price! Get the deals here 
fal.cn/SI7K
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail magazine delivered to your door, or the door of a friend/relative. And it’s at discounted rates… to suit all pockets.
There are great deals for the print version and for the digital version, too.
You may also like to read these Angler’s Mail stories…
Lure fishing tips for pike that work NOW!
A MOBILE approach with lures is my favourite for warmer water pike, before cooler autumn weather and then winter kicks…
Lure fishing shockers include a sea fish from a canal!
The 28-year-old lure fishing fan, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, caught the unusual coastal visitor from the Aire and Calder Navigation…
Angler hooked for wedding by fishing lure!
Women took advantage of this leap year’s February 29 to propose to their boyfriends, as traditionally it has always…