CARP SOCIETY

CARP ANGLER OF THE YEAR AWARD

VOTING IS OPEN TILL THE 31st MAY

Now that we’ve announced the winners, we wanted to share a little more about our three finalists and their experiences fishing our lakes.

Iliya Dreshev

I’ve been a Carp Society member since 2020 and have fish for the last 6 years Horseshoe Lake only.

The first couple of years I learnt the lake and how to approach. But for the last few years I have managed to find the right tactics.

Due to busy life family and work, I can only do short-day sessions with a few overnighters. The shorts sessions really work for me as I started catching regularly with only one blank session last year 2025.

I manage to catch 2 of my target fish - Party Fish (below) and my UK PB at 36lb on the 2nd of April and the first of many for #CSPTA competition and 35lb common, which is on the picture for the vote.

The most memorable capture was a fish called ‘The Target’ on my second session at Horseshoe. Also, I’m from Bulgaria and from a young age always want to fish for carp in England and to be chosen for top 3 for this competition is great achievement for me.

I think I deserve this because I have had a great result for limited time on the bank.

Stuart Harbon

I first fished Horseshoe for a couple of years about 15 years ago, after coming back and fishing it for the last 5 years, I can honestly say it’s not about the biggest or the most, I’ve had the most special captures I’ve ever had this last 12 months, a Farriers 42lb Common, an equal PB mirror from Horseshoe 35lb.

I don’t catch a lot in the time that I have but they all mean something special, but why should catching matter, the place, the people, Arnie the Swan, the magic of the Carp Society, the happiness on my sons face, stuffing bacon rolls in his mouth, huddled in a bivvy in 50mph SW winds!

I arrive with anticipation and always leave happy and recharged, even when I don’t catch, full of anticipation for my next trip! We are not Tom Maker or Darrell Peck, we are just normal people with a passion for a fantastic sport, an escape from the mundane, an oasis for the mind and mental health, a place for the younger generation to experience what angling should all be about. We are all the Carp Society.

Myles Tilly

I first fished Horseshoe over 10 years ago when I took part in the Junior Carp Camp at 14 years old. Following on from this my passion for carp fishing has just continued to grow; fishing all over Europe and the UK!

I’ve been lucky enough to support the Carp Society being a tutor at the Junior Carp Camp for the last 2 years and I’ve been asked back this year for a 3^rd time, I feel extremely privileged to be asked. The buzz when you see your juniors learning, improving and the smile on their face when they are bent up into a Horseshoe carp is immense and 100% beats the buzz of catching one yourself. It’s great to be able to give back to young anglers in the same way that many others supported me on my fishing journey.

I’m fortunate to have fished Farriers and Horseshoe across the 25/26 season and have had caught Chillys @47.2 and Flo at just over 42lb on Farriers. I’ve had some proper tear ups on ‘Shoe and my most memorable capture being the One-Eyed Lin a proper Horseshoe relic. To be crowned the Society Angler of the year would be the highlight of my fishing career to date.

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE

INFORMATION AND NEWS

SHOW NEWS

This years show is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever!

With trade stands, book publishers, casting and bait boat demonstrations, there will be plenty to see, learn and enjoy throughout the day.

CONFIRMED STANDS:

LITTLE EGRET PRESS, DAVE DOG PUBLISHING, OUSE PIRATE PUBLICATIONS, BRIAN MILLS BOOK, THE CARP SOCIETY, SIGNATURE BAITS, WALLOP, HAULERZ TACKLE, MAD BAITS, DOBBINS BOBBINS, BESPOKE ANGLING, STICKY BAITS, AVID, PALLATRAX, ATOMIC TACKLE, SHIMANO, WOFTE, URBAN CARP TACKLE, SHARP TACKLE, FIVE STAR BAITS, ONAMAZU CARP COUTURE, FISHINITY PRO, ATOM-ESS, COMMANDO TACKLE, KENT PARTICLES, URBAN FROG TACKLE, TACKL, RIPPTON, SAILVVAY, DAIWA, SOUTHCOAST RODS AND TRAKKER!

CARP SOCIETY BAITS

CATCH MORE WITH FRENZEE!

Available exclusively from The Carp Society shop at Horseshoe Lake our high-attraction bait comes in two flavours

Phish Frenzee

A soft‑textured marine bait packed with hydrolysed liquids and a classic aroma, designed to draw fish down confidently and keep them feeding.

Nut Frenzee

A premium creamy nut mix engineered for long‑lasting attraction and reliable, year‑round effectiveness.

Call or email to order