Middy UK Sponsored Anglers

Liam Jake Lunn

🧑‍🎣 Personal & Background
I’m Liam Jake Lunn, proudly from West Yorkshire. My love for fishing started young, spending time on the riverbanks with my dad. Those early experiences naturally led me into junior match fishing, where my passion for the sport really took shape. After a break from the scene, I’ve returned with more focus and hunger than ever.

🎯 Style & Specialties
My go-to tactic is fishing in the edge — it’s such a crucial part of match fishing. Those final hours can be make-or-break, and there’s nothing better than pulling together a big weight when it matters most.

One venue that means a lot to me is Messingham Sands in Lincolnshire. It’s a place full of great memories and always delivers an exciting day on the water.

🏆 Experience & Highlights
I’ve qualified for the MAP UK Pole Championships two years in a row, finishing in the top 15 last year — a result I’m really proud of. Another big highlight for me was joining Middy as their Sponsorship Coordinator, a role that allows me to support other anglers and grow within the sport I love.

This year also brought a personal milestone: my first feature in a match fishing magazine, filmed at the brilliant Woodlands Lakes in Thirsk, showcasing bomb fishing — one of my go-to tactics during the colder months.

🌟 Personal Touch
Looking ahead, my biggest goal is to help develop and grow the junior division. Fishing is such an incredible sport, and it’s vital we support and inspire the next generation to keep it thriving.

If I could give one piece of advice to young or up-and-coming anglers, it would be this: get out on the bank and enjoy every moment. Each trip teaches you something new — the experience adds up fast, and before you know it, you’ll be making your own mark.

John Jones

John has been with middy for a long time and is part of the old guard, very much still leading by example with one of the most impressive match CVS amongst the orange army anglers.  Qualified for 8 major finals in recent years.

• Golden reel final x2
• Golden rod final x4
• Fish-o-mania final X2

Luke Bamford

🧑‍🎣 Personal & Background
Hi, I’m Luke Bamford from Nottingham. I got into fishing thanks to my dad — he always took me along when I was a kid, and I loved it from the very start. Those early days on the bank gave me a real passion for the sport that’s stuck with me ever since.

🎯 Style & Specialties
My favourite method is without a doubt paste fishing 🎣 — there’s something about it that just suits my style and consistently brings results when done right.

When it comes to venues, it has to be Glebe Fishery — a top-notch venue with plenty of great memories and challenging days on the water.

🏆 Experience & Highlights
Over the years I’ve qualified for several major competitions, including:
• 🎯 Maver Match This – 4 times
• 🎯 Golden Reel – 4 times
• 🎯 FishOMania – 1 time
• 🎯 Super Cup – 2 times

These events have pushed me to raise my game and continue improving every time I hit the bank.

🎒 Gear & The Brand
I’m proud to represent both Middy 🧡 and Aquastim 💥 — two brands that back me with quality gear and support.

My go-to piece of kit is my Middy Reactacore XZ65-3 pole — it’s an essential part of my setup and performs flawlessly every time.

🌟 Personal Touch
My main goal is clear: to win FishOMania — it’s the dream and something I’m working hard to achieve.

To any young or up-and-coming anglers, my advice is:

“You learn more getting beat than you do winning.” So don’t get disheartened — keep going, keep learning, and the results will come.

Marc Ritchie Wrighting

🧑‍🎣 Personal & Background
I’m Marc Ritchie Wrighting. I first got into fishing at the age of 14, going out on the bank with my dad — and I’ve never looked back since. That early introduction lit the fire, and it’s been a huge part of my life ever since.

🎯 Style & Specialties
My favourite methods are short pole and edge fishing — both give you the chance to catch big weights up close and keep things exciting right until the final whistle.
A venue that’s really special to me is Decoy Lakes in Peterborough — it’s a place I’ve spent a lot of time and had some great results.

🏆 Experience & Highlights
One of my proudest achievements to date is qualifying for the Guru Commercial Masters Final — a massive moment in my angling journey and something I’ll always remember.

Reaching a big final like that shows what hard work and commitment can achieve, and it’s only motivated me to push further.

🎒 Gear & The Brand
For me, it’s Middy all the way — I use their gear with total confidence and it performs every time.

The one bit of kit I never leave home without is my ReactAcore XK55 pole — absolutely love it and trust it for all my pole work.

🌟 Personal Touch
My goal moving forward is simple: keep making big finals and stamp my name at the top of the sport. I’m all in.

To young or up-and-coming anglers, my advice is: Always try your hardest and always back yourself. Believe in what you’re doing, keep learning, and the results will come.

Nathan Proctor

🧑‍🎣 Personal & Background

I’m Nathan Procter from Ripon, up in beautiful North Yorkshire. I’ve been fishing rivers since the age of five, taught by my dad and grandfather — probably the two best river anglers I’ve ever known. Their passion became mine, and I’ve never looked back.

🎯 Style & Specialties

I’m all about river fishing — proper angling. I love speed fishing with long and short whips, and you can’t beat a good day on the stick float.
Favourite venue? Got to be the River Tyne, where I broke the match record with 103lb of dace on a 6m whip. A close second is the River Ure at Ripon — I lived on the bank as a teenager and have won just about every match on the calendar there over the years.

🏆 Experience & Highlights

My journey’s taken me across the northern river match scene, with some proud moments along the way:
• 🎯 2x Northern River Masters Finalist
• 🏆 Swale Masters Champion – Individual & Team
• 🥇 Ripon 3-Day Festival Winner – Top 10 for 15 consecutive years
• 🥈 2nd in King of the Tyne Series
• 🥈 2nd in Tees 3-Day Festival

My proudest moments? Smashing that Tyne record, earning my Middy sponsorship, and maybe best of all — seeing anglers I’ve taught now winning matches themselves.

🎒 Gear & The Brand

It’s Middy all the way for me — top-quality gear that delivers every time.
My favourite bit of kit? The Arch-Tech 8m Speed Whip — ideal for big nets of silvers but tough enough for barbel and chub too.

🌟 The Personal Touch

Next big goal is to qualify for the Northern River Masters Final again — and in 2026, I’m setting my sights on the RiverFest qualifiers.
My advice to anyone coming through:

“Enjoy your fishing — better results come when you’re enjoying it.
And if you think you should do something, do it. There’s a reason it crossed your mind — nine times out of ten, it’s the right call.” 👍

Izzy Gibbins

🧑‍🎣 Personal & Background
I’m Izzy Gibbins from Warrington. I got into fishing around 8 years ago, joining my dad on trips to Sycamore Fisheries in Golborne. From there, my passion for the sport grew quickly, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

🎯 Style & Specialties
My favourite method has to be fishing on the pole — any method on the pole really. I love the accuracy it offers, and the control it gives you over your presentation.

One of my favourite venues is Partridge Lakes, which I regularly visit. I particularly enjoy fishing on Ribbon, Tweed, and Covey 5 — they’re great lakes with loads of character.

🏆 Experience & Highlights
I’ve competed in a number of key junior events, including the Canal & River Trust matches and the Angling Trust Junior and Youth Nationals. I’ve achieved top female positions and enjoyed team wins, which have been brilliant experiences.
One of the things I’m most proud of is running the ‘Junior and Youth Angling Community UK’ Facebook group — a platform to connect, support, and grow the next generation of anglers.

🎒 Gear & The Brand
When it comes to tackle, it’s Middy all the way for me! I genuinely love the gear and use it with confidence every time I’m on the bank.

Favourite bit of kit? Honestly — all of it! 😂

🌟 Personal Touch
Looking ahead, my goals are to compete in more matches, maybe enter some qualifiers, and most importantly, help bring more young anglers into this amazing sport.

My advice to others just starting out: Practice and patience make perfect.

Remember, it’s called fishing, not catching — so relax, enjoy the process, and take in the scenery along the way.

Harry Thwaites

🧑‍🎣 Personal & Background
I’m Harry Thwaites from Greater Manchester. My angling journey began around four years ago after a taster session at Forest School — I was instantly hooked!

Soon after, I joined Rochdale Walton Angling Club, where the members helped me build a solid foundation in fishing. I later moved on to Ramsbottom Angling, where I was able to connect with other young anglers and continue developing my skills.

I quickly gained valuable match angling experience at venues across the country, winning or placing in several major events — which led to becoming a Middy-sponsored angler.

In September 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to join the Sensas Future Networks Junior Team, which felt like the perfect step at the right time.

My favourite method is feeder fishing, closely followed by the pellet waggler — both give me the flexibility to adapt to different venues and conditions.
My favourite venues include Swinsty Reservoir in Yorkshire and Tunnel Barn Farm in Warwick, which have both provided some brilliant fishing experiences and competitive challenges.

🏆 Experience & Highlights
Here are some of my key achievements so far:
• 🏆 Angling Trust Junior Nationals Cadet Champion 2024
• 🥇 Guru A-Class 1st Place 2024
• 🥉 Guru Talent Pathway 2025 – 3rd Place
• 🥉 Tunnel Barn Junior 2-Day Festival 2025 – 3rd Place
• 🥈 Junior Youth Community Cup 2025 – 2nd Place
• 🥈 Team Silver – Junior Nationals 2025

Two of my proudest moments in angling have to be winning the AT Nationals, and also placing in this year’s Guru Talent Pathway — both were huge personal milestones for me.

🎒 Gear & The Brand
I’m proudly supported by Middy, and their gear plays a big part in my fishing.

The kit I never leave home without? Definitely my Middy Hardcases and Holdall — keeps everything safe, organised, and ready to go.

🌟 Personal Touch
Looking to the future, my ultimate goal is to fish for the England Team — it’s something I’m working towards with focus and determination.

For other young anglers out there: never give up when it gets tough. Every challenge is part of the learning process, and persistence really does pay off.

Tyler McAlpine

🧑‍🎣 Personal & Background
My name is Tyler McAlpine, and I’m from Falkirk, Scotland. I got into fishing at a young age while staying at my grandad’s caravan in Pitlochry, which was right next to the River Tummel. I got my very first rod from a small shop in the town centre, and from that moment, I was hooked.

Most of my early angling years were spent fly fishing for trout across rivers and lochs in Scotland. I only started match fishing in February 2024, but I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the competitive side of the sport.

🎯 Style & Specialties
My favourite method is definitely shallow fishing for F1s and ide. There’s just something about the constant movement and rhythm of shallow fishing — when it’s done right, it can make for an incredible day’s sport.

That said, my go-to tactic has to be fishing the edge. It’s a huge weight-builder in the final hour or so of a match, and I’ve seen it win plenty of matches firsthand.

A venue that’s particularly special to me is Lindholme Lakes, where I fished the 2025 Commercial Nationals with Team Middy. It was my first proper experience targeting F1s, something we don’t get much of in Scotland, and it left a lasting impression.

🏆 Experience & Highlights
While I haven’t qualified for or won any major matches yet, I’ve got my eyes firmly set on events like Fisho and Golden Reel. I’m working hard to get there.

My proudest moment so far was representing Middy at the 2025 Commercial Nationals at Lindholme. To be part of such a big event after only a short time in match fishing — and to represent a brand that’s helped me massively — was something I’ll always be proud of.

🎒 Gear & The Brand
It’s Middy Match Range all the way for me — their gear suits my fishing perfectly and I’ve got full confidence in it.

The two bits of kit I never leave home without are my seatbox and my pole. The pole is absolutely vital in my fishing, especially as I don’t do much feeder work. If I can fish the pole — I will!

🌟 Personal Touch
My goal for the future is clear: qualify for Fisho or Golden Reel and keep climbing the ranks in match fishing.

To young or up-and-coming anglers, my advice would be: don’t let bad results get in your head. We all have off days — what matters is learning from them and moving on. If you get the chance, sit behind experienced local anglers (if they’re okay with it). You’ll learn so much just from watching how they approach a match and applying it to your own fishing.