THE biggest angling festival in the country takes place on the River Avon in Evesham this weekend and, judging by recent results, it looks set to be a three-day spectacular dominated by big fish catches.

Bream to 6lb have been featuring in match weights up to 30lb, along with tench to 5lb and some big chub. Roach have been conspicuous by their absence, though, and many anglers are convinced the terrible flood of last July, which saw levels rise to a record 18 feet above normal, has taken its toll on stocks.

“Although I would love to see a roach-dominated weekend, I can’t see it happening,” former Shakespeare Championship winner Wayne Swinscoe said.

“I can see most competitors over the weekend going for big fish at some point and I won’t be surprised if a few anglers come back with a decent catch of bream or a couple of tench.

“That said, there have been festivals in the past when the roach suddenly switched on and ended up as the target fish, so I guess anything could happen.”

The festival gets under way with Saturday’s Shakespeare Championship which carries a £5,000 top prize.

This event is followed by the Wychavon Championship on Sunday with a top prize of £2,500.

At the Match Fishing Team Championship on Monday, 14 top teams go into battle for one of the most prestigious titles in the calendar.

The matches all take place from 11am until 4pm and there will be a bookmaker in attendance for spectators to have a flutter on their favourite anglers and teams.

Last year’s festival attracted more than 40,000 visitors and co-organiser and working group member Dave Harrell is expecting another bumper crowd.

“The Evesham Angling Festival is a very special three days for many people,” he said. “It grows in size every year and there are many side attractions apart from the fishing for the whole family to come along and enjoy.”

At the Evesham and District Association Junior and Intermediate Championships, Peatmoor’s John Gaylard was crowned intermediate champion to book a place in the Wychavon Championships.

Joining him on Sunday will be Jake Gallagher (Mosella Gallagher) who topped the junior standings.

The Shakespeare Women’s Championships ended in triumph for Worthing’s Samantha Sim, who weighed in 10lbs 13oz from peg 30 to take the title.

Evesham youth member Clare Kinnersley was third with 7-20 from peg 35.