Barrow angler gets England call up for international event

Joe Jaggar has made his way to Spain this week to compete at the World Freestyle Feeder Fishing Championships.

The competition is now in its third year after taking place in South Africa in 2022 - but this is the first time that England has seen a team involved.

Joe said: "I’m absolutely buzzing to be called up, having taken part in trials in April.

"I’ve been fishing from the age of six, having fished locally on the likes of Furness Fishing Association and Barrow Anglers, before spreading my wings further afield."

Joe with a successful catch - he'll be hoping for more of those at the weekend (Image: Colin Jaggar)

Last month he took part in a fishing festival where a 14th place finish was accompanied by the unexpected news.

"I found out on the final morning of that trip when the team manager, Tommy Pickering, pulled me to one side and told me I’d be part of this squad," he said.

This year has seen Joe move onto the international scene for the first time in his fishing career in the hope of earning this England call-up.

"I’ve fished plenty of big competitions on the domestic scene, having qualified for the Feedermasters final and winning the two day JCB Classic," he explained.

"But this year has been my first taste of competitions abroad with the intention of trying to break into the national squad."

The full squad for England who have made the trip to Spain (Image: Joe Jaggar)

The championships are set to take place in Fortaleny, Valencia on November 18 and 19, with the teams arriving on Monday, November 13.

The England squad will now be practising for the rest of the week in preparation for the big event.

Joe added: "We'll be whittled down to a team of four for the two-day competition, where we will fish in sections against all nations."

The team, out of a total of 25, that finishes with the lowest overall score will be crowned the winners, with the people of Cumbria now having more reason than ever to keep an eye on the tournament.