"Myself and Lee Botchett won the first Heat with 350lb. Looking through the log I think it was a total of 42 fish. We fished the first Heat last year at Celtic Lakes and are delighted to have qualified for the final again. It was an exhausting weekend but we are very pleased that the effort paid off. Sorry no photos of fish, didn't seem to have time to take any ;-). Looking forward to the final and I hope by then Lee can make a decent cup of tea... ;-)"

Despite finishing in 6th place, Chris O'regan was upbeat about the experience of competing in the 2008 Wales carp Masters:

"The Carp Masters was very well run, a lot of fish were caught, not many by us. A really nice 27 lb common was caught by some blonde fishing virgin, We are going to try again !!!!."

John Carney, who heads the Wales Carp Masters team was delighted with the first heat of this years event:

"We are all feeling a little knackered right now but we are over the moon at the way the first heat of the Wales Carp Masters has gone. I would like to thank the whole WCM team for their hard work and effort, not only during the heat but also in the planning and organising of the event. I would also like to thank the competitors for the exemplary way they conducted themselves during the weekend and finally congratulations to the winning two pairs who we look forward to seeing back here at Celtic Lakes in the final in August".

There are still places available in the remaining five heats. Heats three and four at Celtic Lakes were both won last year with weights topping 500lbs and 600lbs respectively. So if you fancy some amazing carp fishing and a chance to be crowned Wales carp Masters 2008, please visit our registration page to find out more.

Click here to register

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