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Sunday, 1 March 2026

2026 - 28th February -The official invite on MSM for the GOTLAND CARP FESTIVAL

The Beautiful island of Gotland is Sweden's Ibiza and a much destined place during the summer season . It also holds many great fishing places so families can include fishing in their summer activities. The island is reached by two main towns Ferry ports on the Swedish East coast , they being Nynashamn and Oskarshamn and our organiser Jorgen Axenmo has secured discounted ferry prices (see invitation)



Jõrgen Axenmo - 'I had a Dream' , it was not a Bream but a Carp Festival ! Yes , the man with the passion and go ahead to organise this great event






A lot of work going into this Gotland festival as there is a need to have a major competition in SWEDEN to replace the previous years festivals in South Sweden when the Scandinavian masters was the dominant event run by Mikael Tono and Roger Bengtsson at the start of every Swedish match season. 

The competition has seen many major anglers from all over europe attending in recent years such as Tamas Walter , Milo Columbo , Denis White , Klaus Fix , Sascher Sneider , Stefan Holst , Roger Bengtsson , Mikael Tono , Tom Ostland , Carl + Bart Visser , Aden Toten , Phil Briscoe , Bela Sagi and many many more.


Just a few of the great anglers who have graced Sweden in the last 25 years 
















Back in the day we had 8 countries taking part 







When this first festival has been run and no doubt a clear success then the possibilities to go for a 4-5 days festival is possible as people like Jõrgen deserve support and backup and we at METMASK AB and MATRIX-GERMANY will continue to do so. 

The events don't stop there as events like the Snoge Feeder Festival in Skane two times a year are growing in popularity. These organised by the PRESTON METMASK team by Willem Poelstra 

We also have the feeder festivals in July organised by Jonas Jansson at Karls-Grav i Vanersborg (See Feedertorget on Facebook).

There is a the 4 days festival at Orebro/Arboga run by Jesper Dyberg

Yet to be confirmed but a Karlstad 3 day river event is a strong chance run by METMASK and MATRIX Germany

Saturday, 17 January 2026

2026 - Trosa - January 17th

With recent heavy snow and now a thaw i took the opportunity to fish Trosa (i am now a member of the club) . Decided to take my Jig/Drop-shot gear with me to view the conditions as i was unsure if any ice flows exist. 







I arrived into the centre of town on opposite side to Bohmans Hotel and already there was many anglers.



I counted at least 24 anglers as far as i could see.





After an hour of fruitless fishing the man himself the '45-47-49 Perch Whisperer' arrived  having fished the other side most of the morning. We sat and chat all things fishing but Pasi's experience said that the fishing wont happen today as there was not one report of a fish take .



Then the sun started to lift spirits , well at least for a few minutes , very pleasant.




Using a 9' feeder rod for jigging and my usual GUNKI rod for drop shotting - shortly after lost both rod rigs on snags !!





Opposite was management from Sodersportsfiske .



My membership and fishing permission card 






 

Saturday, 20 December 2025

2025 - Sodertalje canal - Dec 20th

Unusual weather gives window of opportunity to fish as winter , as yet , has not made an appearance, yet! Weather this month has realised the darkest for Stockholm since 1934 !! 

I decided to fish past the marina into a bowl area just off the main canal system . It has yielded good fishing last year to expert Stefan Johansson, so lets see if i can impress . 

Cloudy , 6-8 degrees , little windy .







Only dead maggots and small corn for bait







Surprise no 1 ......Blue sky !!!!!!




Surprise no 2 ....... huge horse with rider donned in festive gear standing behind me !



Surprise no3 .........the sun came out , for at least 20 seconds !!!  ....wow !!! 



Managed to get 36 after 4 hours fishing (35 roach + 1 Perch) 






End of the day , equipment back into the car ..........fortunate to have this on my doorstep 



Tuesday, 9 December 2025

2025 - Mill on Soar - December 7th - A meeting of old friends

Rob Scotting the new owner of 'Mill-on-Soar' fishery is transforming the venue with better pegs and amenities. Plus ! he is installing predator fences on the periphery of the complex . Later he is to de-silt the lake providing more volume of water for the fish to grow well and provide better sport for all anglers . With the added attraction of the Pub/Restaurant on the same site then its a real 'Gold' mine for fishing .


 


Lots of the Soar valley winter leagues boys on show including master Roberts , the 'Joe' who has a wealth of International experience and in recent years with the ENGLAND youth teams. Great to see him as not seen him since he was pegged next to me on Loughbro' canal and he beat me by 0.5 kilo.








Next , another legend especially on Midland canals is Tommy Boyce of Sensas Starlets  







Ron Scales of Raygill Tackle , legend on the local circuits 

 


Rob Scotting the owner of the complex and the Raygill Tackle shop emporium




David Gough - Canal master and a member of the 'Netbuster' team







Joff Woodgett - Legend and member of the Raygill squad - top canal man




Joff taking a better roach




Well , another legend from the '4 Counties' team - Steve Darlison



End peg and its Steve Oakes of the Wigston team 















Sunday, 23 November 2025

2025 - Sodertalje canal - Nov 23rd

Having met with Stefan Johansson start of the week i was rather influenced to fish it myself as i witnessed a great catching of fish by him, 'the fish whisperer' 😀 . He secured 54 fish in 2 hours when i arrived , what will i get today?






Stefan in action......













My turn to impress ? we will see ?



 


Beautiful late winter sun , really needed on a cold day of just 2 deg






Paternoster/helicopter rig 



Small boat passing



End of a very cold day and 31 Roach was my final total 






20 metres walk ......so easy to get to



Parking in the street with no restrictions