Lee Thornton

My Story

Lee first discovered competitive fishing as a junior on the Fenland drains, winning his first open match at just 14 years old on his local stretch of the Old Nene with hemp for roach and a tench. As a young angler his ambitions were firmly set on team fishing and representing his country, which led to several successful years with Dick Clegg Mark One Sensas and eventually selection for the England Under-21 team, where he helped secure a team gold medal. In the same year he also qualified for Fish’O’Mania, finishing an impressive runner-up.

Although work and life meant fishing occasionally had to take a step back, Lee continued to compete whenever time allowed. After moving to the North West he enjoyed a particularly successful spell fishing local opens, winning numerous matches and eventually securing the Matchman of the Year title with a record-breaking points total — an achievement he still considers his greatest. Since returning to competitive fishing following Covid, Lee has focused on the sport’s biggest money events, qualifying for multiple major finals including Fish’O’Mania, Maver Match This, Golden Reel and Fish North, where he claimed victory in 2024. The Fishub Premier League is something he is hugely excited about, offering a format where every decision and every minute of the match truly counts against some of the best anglers in the country.

Factfile!

Age
39
Hometown
Heswall, Wirral
Nickname
None
Sponsors
Maver
Biggest Angling Achievement
Matchman of the Year Winner 2015 (Highest Ever Points Score)
Favourite Venue
Partridge Lakes
Favourite Species
Carp and F1s
Favourite Method
Pole Fishing
Favourite Food
Steak
Hobbies Outside of Fishing
Work and Exercising His Three Dogs
Biggest Weight
386lb (Forest Lane)

Angling Achievements

Fish North Champion – 2024
Matchman of the Year Winner – 2015 (Highest Ever Points Score)
Matchman of the Year Runner-Up – 2014
Fish’O’Mania Finalist – 2005, 2019, 2025
Fish’O’Mania Runner-Up – 2005 (Youngest Qualifier at the Time)
Maver Match This Finalist – 4 Times (Best Finish 3rd)
Golden Reel Finalist – 2 Times (2022, 2023)
Parkdean Masters Finalist – 3 Times (2012–2015)
Fish North Finalist – 4 Times (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Fish Midlands Qualifier – 2024
Junior National Team Gold Medal Winner
England Youth Team Gold Medal Winner
Angling Times Winter League Finalist – 3 Times