Saturday 13th June 2026
Just two weeks after the season opener at Umberton Farm, SWAS members headed to Old Hough's Upper Benbo Snake Lake for Match Two of the 2026 calendar.
Whilst the weather couldn't have been more different from our opening fixture, one thing remained the same – the fish were not going to make it easy... for some
A Battle Against the Wind
Members arrived to find Upper Benbo being battered by a strong wind that would dictate the day's tactics from the very first whistle.
Holding a 14-metre pole proved almost impossible at times, with anglers forced to constantly adapt throughout the match. For many, simply presenting a bait correctly became a challenge in itself.
As a result, several different approaches produced fish during the day. Some anglers found success fishing pellet on the feeder, whilst others picked up valuable fish down the edge using corn on shorter pole lines.
Those who persevered on the long pole managed to catch, but it was clear that the conditions favoured anglers willing to think on their feet.
Joe Finds the Winning Formula
On peg 21, Joe Walsh quickly decided that trying to fish long pole all day was a battle he wasn't prepared to lose.
After just thirty minutes, he abandoned the long pole approach altogether; Instead, Joe spent the majority of the match fishing a top kit line.
Groundbait and corn were fed down the right-hand edge at top kit plus one, whilst pellets were fed over a second line in front of his keepnets.
The decision proved masterfull!
By concentrating on manageable lines and keeping presentation perfect despite the conditions, Joe steadily built a superb winning weight of 71lb 1oz, comfortably securing both the match victory and the day's biggest fish prize with an impressive 11lb specimen.
Joe Walsh – Match Winner (71lb 1oz)
Knotty Takes Runner-Up Spot
Second place went to Knotty, who put together an excellent net of 36lb 10oz.
On a day when many anglers struggled to maintain any consistency, Knotty's weight was enough to comfortably secure the runner-up position and valuable league points.
Knotty – 2nd Overall (36lb 10oz)
Section Winners
As always, section honours provided plenty of competition throughout the field.
Section A
🥇 Si Prince – 34lb 11oz
Section B
🥇 Dave Hebbron – 29lb 12oz
Section C
🥇 Pat Lowe – 29lb 11oz
Section D
🥇 Gilly – 19lb 9oz
All Four anglers put together excellent weights under difficult conditions and were rewarded with section wins.
Top Six Results
Position | Angler | Weight |
🥇 1st | Joe Walsh | 71lb 1oz |
🥈 2nd | Knotty | 36lb 10oz |
3rd | Si Prince | 34lb 11oz |
4th | Dave Hebbron | 29lb 12oz |
5th | Pat Lowe | 29lb 11oz |
6th | Lee | 27lb 6oz |
Big Fish
🎣 Joe Walsh – 11lb 0oz
Looking Ahead
Two matches into the season and the league table is already beginning to take shape.
With valuable points available at every venue and several anglers already showing strong early form, the race for the 2026 SWAS Championship is well underway.
Tight lines until next time.