Innholdsfortegnelse for 3255 i Angling Times

THIS is an image of the biggest cod ever caught by a UK angler. The enormous predator, weighing a colossal 90lb 6oz, was taken by Merseyside angler Bert Williams during a trip to Norway’s renowned cod fishing hotspot Soroya. Bert bagged his prize during a guided trip by UK-based firm Sportsquest. He was fishing in 80ft of water with a 30lb class rod and a 1ft long, 730 gram Westin Big Bob Lure tied to 60lb braided line. The fish was just one of a number of giants boated by Bert and other anglers during an explosive week in Soroya that also saw an 83lb 12oz specimen landed by Sportsquest guide Paul Stevens. Paul’s fish temporarily held the record for the biggest cod to be caught by a UK angler…

1985: Greg Buxton 1986: Alan Wilson 1987: Martin Hooper 1988: Martin Hooper 1989: Alan Wilson 1990: Len Arbery 1991: Ritchie McDonald 1992: Alan Wilson 1993: No Drennan Cup 1994: Andy Harman 1995: Mark Vials 1996: Bill Neil 1997: Matt Hayes 1998: Terry Lampard 1999: Dave Harman 2000: Terry Lampard 2001: Terry Lampard 2002: Tony Gibson 2003: Terry Lampard 2004: Andy Nellist 2005: Terry Lampard 2006: Terry Lampard 2007: Ted Bryan 2008: Darran Goulder 2009: Terry Lampard 2010: Julian Chidgey 2011: Neill Stephen 2012: Simon Lavin 2013: Gareth Goldson 2014: Jamie Cartwright 2015: Alan Stagg FIRST DRENNAN WINNER: CLASSIC AT PAGE 51…

HOT ON the heels of a ‘dream tench season’ that produced the biggest-ever specimen caught by design at 14lb 13oz, Dai Gribble turned his attentions to bream and hit the jackpot with this huge 20lb 10oz personal best. The Korum-backed big fish man started his history-making run in early June 2015 when he banked eight double-figure tench topped by one weighing 13lb 3oz from Kent’s Medway Valley Fishery. He then turned his attentions to a different water in the south and rewrote the history book in catching the biggest-ever tench caught by design weighing in at 14lb 12oz, and backed it up with a 10lb 6oz specimen, plus another double. And it was the same huge fish that soon beat the incredible benchmark when Dai was reunited with it a…

ONE of the great skills of modern matchfishing is sorting out the target species. Although carp are, and will probably remain, anglers’ main targets on commercial fisheries, I detect a sense of boredom and inevitability creeping into some segments of the sport and that’s where other species – perch in winter, for example – are coming more into play. In most commercials that have been around for 20 years or more there is a huge head of bream, for some reason now universally known as skimmers, whether 4oz or 4lb! At this time of year they are a more than viable target, until probably May, when they spawn. You’ll see in Steve Ringer’s feature this week (see pages 26 and 27) how he targets them fishing the feeder, and his…

WITH the current public naming craze, Lindholme Lakes’ Neil Grantham is offering a year’s free fishing for the angler who chooses a name that Neil likes for the new waters being created on the complex (see page 3). This comes at a time when a multi-million pound vessel is likely to be named ‘Boaty McBoatface’ thanks to a similar poll. This opens some exciting possibilities for combination names, maybe built around our pop culture. ‘Skimbobs’ Paradise’ perhaps? ‘Carp Ark’, ‘Chasing Carp’, ‘Bream Lover’, ‘Ruddimentary’? Feel free to use any of those.…

THIS WEEK’S 2 FOR 1 WATERS 1 Fields Farm Fishery, Cheshire 2 Newbridge Lakes, E Yorks 3 Hallcroft Fishery, Notts 4 Langley Lakes, Lancs 5 Rushfield Lakes, N Lincs 6 The Willows Fishery, Yorks 7 Wombwell Dam, S Yorks 8 Alvechurch Fisheries, W Mids 9 Climax Wold View Fisheries, Lincs 10 Evesbatch Fisheries, Hereford 11 Meadowlands Fishery, Warks 12 Peatling Pools, Leics 13 Rysons Lake, Northants 14 Smeatons Lakes, Notts 15 Crowsheath Fishery, Essex 16 Holme Grange Fishery, Berks 17 Ivy House Lakes, Wilts 18 Summerhayes Fishery, Somerset 19 Willinghurst Fisheries, Surrey 20 Windmill Fishery, Glos Turn to find out how these waters are fishing, plus loads more in your area…

CONIFER LAKE, ALLERTHORPE, EAST YORKS The lily pads are starting to reappear now, and fishing close to these with worms or sweetcorn is a good way of locating carp to over 10lb. 07766 821836, Postcode: YO42 4RL CRANE HALL FISHERY, PRESTON, LANCS Open water and margins both produce quality carp. Fish the pole down the edge or a feeder out in front with luncheon meat or corn. 07881 580561, Postcode: PR3 6TP FARVIEW LAKES, BINGLEY, WEST YORKS The feeder fished towards the central island on the Top Lake will fool carp to 12lb, tench and bream. Pellets, corn and meat work well. 07790 881323, Postcode: BD16 1UF FIELDS FARM FISHERY, SANDBACH, CHESHIRE Fish tight to the island on the Big Beam pool with expander pellets for nets of barbel, bream…

CANALS NOTTINGHAM CANAL, NOTTINGHAM, NOTTS THE canal is still carrying a little colour, making it ideal for roach and skimmers. The tins peg on the London Road stretch is the place to go for a good net on the pole. Contact: 0115 917 4736 Prices: £4 on the bank, Notts Federation of Anglers BIRMINGHAM WORCESTER CANAL, WORCESTER, W MIDS A big perch of 2lb 12oz was landed at Blackpole Bridge last week and anglers have also reported some quality roach and rudd on maggots. Contact: Droitwich Angling, 01905 779300 Prices: £6 a day from BAA or Droitwich Angling COVENTRY CANAL, NUNEATON, WARKS The Anchor Inn section is the hotspot here as it often is in winter. Fish bread down the middle and squatt or pinkie over groundbait down the edge…

CANON BRIDGE FISHERY, MADLEY, HEREFORDSHIRE Warlow Pool for grass carp to 17lb, while quality mirrors and commons to 20lb are also feeding well. 01981 252919, Postcode: HR2 9JE FISHERWICK LAKES, LICHFIELD, STAFFS Quality catfish, with some to over 20lb, caught this time last year. The same water may well produce a 30lb carp on cell boilies. 01543 433606, Postcode: WS13 8QF FRISBY LAKES, ASFORDBY, LEICS The carp, which were boosted with new stocks two years ago, have started to come out at around 25lb. Popped-up corn seems to be doing the trick in open water. 07414 777571, Postcode: LE14 3TL HARTLETON LAKE, ROSS-ON-WYE, HEREFORDSHIRE Anglers are taking carp to 16lb on boilies or pellets in conjunction with PVA bags. 01989 563723, Postcode: HR9 7SB KINGSLAND RESERVOIR, COATES, CAMBS The tench…

DEAL, KENT Decent bass are showing on the pier, along with small pollack around the lower deck. Thornbacks have also been appearing. Contact: Pleasure Angling, 01304 239191 DUNGENESS, KENT At the back of the boats, plenty of codling and dogfish are about, along with some big dabs. Try close in for an early bass. Contact: Seagull Tackle, 01797 366837 MINEHEAD, SOMERSET The harbour has been popular with those in search of dogfish. Bass will start to show within the next couple of weeks. Contact: Westcoast Tackle, 01643 705745 PENDINE, CARMARTHENSHIRE There are reports of bass and flounders here. It always fishes well when there is a bit of surf. Contact: Angler’s Corner, 01554 773981 PORTLAND, DORSET There are lots of flounders and large thornback rays in the harbour. The rays…

An increasing number of commercial fisheries now have a large head of skimmers in them which in the early spring become a legitimate target fish if you want to get bites all day. One such venue that I visit on a regular basis is Meadowlands near Coventry, where skimmer weights in excess of 30lb are regularly taken on its Lambsdown Lake. The interesting thing here, though, is that these weights don’t tend to be on the pole as you’d expect - it’s the feeder that’s been doing all the damage. Of course with the water still being cold it hasn’t been a case of really attacking it. Instead a more subtle approach has been called for, which is what I’m going to talk to you about in this week’s column.…

HELICOPTER RIG  This set-up is tangle-free and is a good way of tempting big roach at distance on large lakes. FEEDER  A blockend swimfeeder containing maggots will release it contents slowly into the swim HOOKBAIT  Three red maggots on the hook. If small roach are a problem, try using dead reds instead. MARCH and April can be tricky months for the stillwater angler. Carp, bream and tench have yet to really get going, thanks to the low water temperatures, and so sport can be patchy at best. Fortunately, there is one species that I think really comes into its prime right now – stillwater roach. If you enjoy putting a bag of redfins together, or perhaps want to sit it out for a specimen, the combination of lengthening days and…

EARLY spring can be a tricky period for the big-fish angler, but there is one species which makes a challenging and rewarding target right now. ‘Big, bold and beautiful’ describes perfectly a specimen perch, and hundreds of commercial stillwater venues hold these magnificent creatures. What’s more, as the last few weeks have been cold, a personal best could also be on offer. A gravid perch is the biggest it will be all year and if you find one, the likelihood is that there will be more nearby as they gather for spawning. So, even though our rivers are off limits, there’s every reason to visit your local commercial to give this type of fishing a go. Let’s take a look at how to maximise your chances… WHERE TO FIND THEM…

THESE two Middy Baggin’ Machine Synaptic rods are built to withstand all the stresses and strains of modern day commercial carp fishing. The new Synaptic carbon cloth combines with resins that allow the blanks to be extremely strong and flexible while retaining a good degree of lightness and stiffness. Some modern materials achieve these qualities but tend to be a bit on the brittle side, but there are no such problems with these two rods. The slimline black blanks are capable of casting feeders of up to 30g and pellet wagglers weighing 12g without bouncing around all over the place. Both models have a soft, progressive tip action that starts to tighten up quickly just past the middle of the blank, offering plenty of pulling power exactly where you need…

Awe-inspiring Drennan Cup OBVIOUSLY don’t look old enough (stop I laughing at the back!), but I can remember perfectly the first ever Drennan Cup winner announcement. It was back in 1985 that Greg Buxton, a quietly-spoken young man who seemed a little overawed by the occasion, collected his cup from sponsor Peter Drennan, beating such angling luminaries as Neville Fickling, Alastair Nicholson and Ritchie McDonald into the runners-up positions. Greg’s winning feat was a string of barbel topped by a 14 pounder. Fourteen pounds? Is that all, I can hear you ask. Well, it certainly goes to show how much specimen fishing has come on in the 31 intervening years. Now, a 14lb barbel, while still an impressive capture, is rarely worthy of a weekly award, let alone the overall…

1 TERRY LAMPARD  The undisputed king of the Drennan Cup, the late, great Terry Lampard lifted the trophy no fewer than seven times, in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2009. His ability was there for all to see when he landed a 3lb river roach and 7lb chub on film during Catching The Impossible, a true specimen angling legend. 2 MATT HAYES  Just before his rise to fame through Total Fishing, in 1997 Matt Hayes lifted the Drennan Cup, thanks to four 1lb-plus dace, four rudd over 3lb and a 9lb 7oz tench. 3 ALAN WILSON  A British record tench of 12lb 8oz from Wilstone Reservoir helped Alan become the second ever winner in 1986. Highly respected specialist angler Alan went on to win the competition again six…

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Almost everywhere I go lately I have seen these birds starting to get into their summer plumage, which includes that lovely crest on their head. HEN HARRIER I used to see these when fishing the North Wales coast. Most people think they are a young buzzard, but it’s easy to tell them apart – a hen harrier has a longer and slimmer tail in flight than the buzzard. MALE OTTER I have seen the same large dog otter twice on the Severn and it is huge! It is not afraid of anglers and I last saw it with a barbel of about 6lb.…

KNOW someone who went fishing, but stopped for some reason? Thought about helping them start again? Then watch out for our FREE four-hour Get Back Into Angling sessions near you run by qualified angling coaches who’ll provide the skills and confidence for anyone to get back into angling after a break from the sport. Use of tackle and bait is provided free, so all you’ll need to bring with you is a friend with a rod licence! The cost of this kind of coaching would usually be about £50, so this is a bargain - adult daily licences for a mate are just £3.75. For more info about Get Back Into Angling dates in your area, sign up for e-newsletters at www.fishinginfo.co.uk…

A CAMPAIGN to secure the future of one of the nation’s favourite fish has taken another step forward. The National Crucian Conservation Project (NCCP) is an Angling Trust initiative to promote the conservation of the species and encourage the development of well-managed crucian fisheries. The latest club to get involved is Bedfordshire’s Biggleswade & Hitchin AA, which has stocked 300 crucians into one of their waters, Grace’s Lake. The region’s Shuttleworth College have also been busy trying to preserve the species, removing carp from the Middle Lake so that a new stocking of hundreds of crucians don’t hybridise. To find out more about the project visit: www.anglingtrust.net…

BT SPORT is to show one of fishing’s biggest competitions this week. Following the reaction to the news that carp fishing legend Rob Hughes had signed a three-year TV deal with the broadcaster, the first and second rounds of the UK Angling Championships 2015 will be aired tomorrow on BT Sport 1 at 9.30pm and 10pm. “BT have been so overwhelmed by the response to the news of our deal they wanted to start showing fishing as quickly as possible,” said Rob. You can also see rounds three and four on the same channel at 9.30pm and 10pm this Thursday.…

A HOST of the UK’s best specimen carp waters have launched a campaign to get more anglers targeting the huge shoals of bream and tench that reside in their award-winning fisheries. Many big-fish enthusiasts will be on the hunt for a new personal best in the coming weeks, and the owners of some of the country’s finest big carp complexes have revealed their stocks offer the perfect solution. High volumes of bait have helped the bream and tench in such fisheries reach record-shaking proportions, although their true size is often only highlighted following accidental captures by carp anglers. Linear Fisheries in Oxfordshire is among those determined to attract more passionate big-fish enthusiasts to unlock the true bream and tench potential of their waters. Head bailiff Ian Roper, who has been…

A RECORD-breaking crowd was treated to the ultimate celebration of angling as the sport’s stars came together at the year’s biggest fishing show. Over 20,000 people travelled to The Big One event at Hampshire’s Farnborough Airport, with organisers left overawed at the sheer numbers who flooded through the gates. Visitors were treated to a weekend of top-quality entertainment at the venue, with dozens of the sport’s most iconic figures, including Des Shipp, Will Raison and Ali Hamidi, making an appearance. Several hours of demonstrations from the best in the business were performed, with ticket holders also given the opportunity to sample the latest tackle under the guidance of their heroes, before grabbing a bargain from the numerous retailers that attended. Chief organiser Vince Davies has been inundated with positive feedback…

JUNE 16, 2015 (CONTINUED) Rob Thompson, 11lb 9oz tench, Southern pit Barry Fisher, 5lb 11oz eel, Warwickshire lake JUNE 23, 2015 Colin Hebb, 12lb 1oz tench, Yorkshire lake Barry McConnell, 5lb 15oz eel, Manchester lake Darran Goulder, 11lb 10oz tench, Southern lake Adam Perna, 5lb 9oz eel, Warks lake JUNE 30, 2015 Steve Pitts, 6lb 5oz eel, S lake Brian Hankins, 12lb 11oz tench, Colne Valley pit JULY 7, 2015 Dai Gribble, 20lb 10oz bream, southern lake JULY 14, 2015 Josh Fisher, 3lb 1oz rudd, East Anglian river JULY 21, 2015 No awards JULY 28, 2015 John Greenhalf, 7lb 4oz eel, Sussex lake AUGUST 4, 2015 No awards AUGUST 11, 2015 Neville Fickling, 16lb 8oz zander, River Trent Kelvin Sherman, 16lb 14oz barbel, River Thame AUGUST 18, 2015 Alfie Naylor…

AT LAST my old pal, Tom Pickering, has another book out, explaining how to do it right (see page 54). Tom’s books are always clear, concise and to the point and, while most angling techniques are open to opinion and interpretation, if you only do what Tom does, you can’t go far wrong. If you don’t agree, can I refer you to his record as an angler? I know when we had Tom on Tight Lines, his knowledge and matter-of-fact description of how to fish shone through. His ‘six-inch-rule’ is worth remembering, for example, and his expertise on the feeder is legendary. While Tom comes to his methods via the match angling route, for enjoyable sport that produces the goods, it’s a must-read.…

TWO more previous finalists have made it through the first Fish O’ hurdle, with Kerry Kirkwood and Chris Kitchin the latest names to be added to the semifinal roster. Every year I comment on how some anglers have the knack of qualifiying. What it is, I don’t know – I wish I did, because I’d package it and sell it – making a fortune in the process. Both are great competitors and superb characters, too. It’s going to be a fun one! The whole Sky Sports team are as keen as ever. Saturday, July 9 can’t come soon enough for me.…

CANALS SOUTH YORKSHIRE NAVIGATION CANAL, MEXBOROUGH, S YORKS The roach fishing is excellent here, with fish to 1lb falling to caster fished on the float or small feeders. Contact: Paul’s Fishing Tackle, 01709 862558 Prices: £3.50 on the bank or Paul’s Tackle, Rotherham DUAA ASHTON CANAL, AUDENSHAW, MANCHESTER The pegs at Lumb Lane are worth a visit for a net of roach to 1lb, perch and the odd skimmer and ruffe. Fish bread or casters at around 4m for best results. Contact: Carp Fever Angling Centre, 01613 700550 Prices: Part of the £20 a year Waterway Wanderers Scheme; see Canal and River Trust Website LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL, ADLINGTON MARINA, LANCS Head to Bond’s Bridge where a net of skimmers is on the cards. Fish bread punch at around 10m…

CLEVELY BRIDGE FISHERIES, PRESTON, LANCS Swanbrook Lake has been throwing up some good catches of big carp, with fish averaging in the low twenties on boilies. 07958 797117, Postcode: PR3 1BY FOUR SEASONS FISHERIES, BLACKPOOL, LANCS Mill Lake is worth for carp averaging 15lb. The lake is available for overnight bookings, but contact the fishery well in advance. 01253 894357, Postcode: FY3 0AY GAWSWORTH FISHERIES, MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE For quality fish the best place to head is Wood Pool, where there are tench to 9lb as well as perch well over 4lb. 01260 223442, Postcode: SK11 9RQ HOME FARM FISHERY, ALSAGER, CHESHIRE The Catfish Lake here contains around 80 specimen wels cats weighing up to 60lb-plus. 07713 886654, Postcode: ST7 2UD LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL, BURSCOUGH, LANCS The Wigan DAA length…

CROMER, NORFOLK Some nice late-season cod are being caught from the beach and pier on squid and lugworm. A short cast is all that’s needed as the fish are close to shore. Contact: Team Sabre Tackle, 01263 513676 PWLLHELI, GWYNEDD This deepwater beach offers an excellent chance of a double-figure bull huss from March to April. Contact: Llyn Angling, 01758 613291 SIZEWELL, SUFFOLK A chance of an early-season bass by the pipes. There are also lots of small codling and whiting. Contact: Southwold Angling Centre, 01502 722085 SKEGNESS, LINCS Try Jackson’s Corner car park, where one angler caught dogfish, rockling and whiting on mackerel frills. Contact: Lakeside Leisure, 01754 872631 TYWYN, GWYNEDD The beach opposite the caravans for good flatties including dab and flounder. Try double flapper rigs with ragworm…

BURY HILL FISHERIES, DORKING, SURREY The pole at 14m on Bonds Lake for carp of 3lb to 4lb. Fish pellet over the top of groundbait to catch. 01306 877540, Postcode: RH4 3JU CHIGBORO FISHERIES, MALDON, ESSEX Heybridge Mere is a classic roach and rudd pit, where fish-a-chuck action is enjoyed. Loosefeeding maggot or caster is a great tactic. 07702 244440, Postcode: CM9 4RE CROWSHEATH FISHERY, BILLERICAY, ESSEX There are around 150 pike in the large water with many over 20lb. Floatfished seabaits are your best bet. Target the margins. 07402 298218, Postcode: CM11 1JT FERNHILL FARM FISHERIES, BANBURY, OXON The Pleasure Lake for a good bag of roach and 30lb nets are on the cards here. Casters presented up in the water on the pole or waggler are proven winners.…

“It is stuffed with bream and anglers have been sacking up, with bags to 100lb.” With carp and tench still proving hard to come by in the cool temperatures and river angling out of the question, early spring is a great time to fish for bream. These days most commercial fisheries stock the species, meaning you don’t have to travel far to put together a big bag. Here are 26 brilliant skimmer waters for you to try this weekend. For extra tips on how to target skimmers, see this week’s Steve Ringer column on pages 26 &27 NORTH 1 ANGEL OF THE NORTH FISHERY, CHESTER-LESTREET, DURHAM Bowes Lake contains some huge slabs to double-figures and these can be targeted in the deeper water with corn and pellets. Contact: 0191 410…

TWISTED LOOP  I tie a four-inch twisted loop just below the small rubber line stop to further enhance the feeder rig’s anti-tangle properties. I normally start with a 50cm hooklink. QUICK CHANGE CLIP  I use a snap link swivel to attach the feeder to my stiff anti-tangle boom. This enables me to swap feeders with the minimum of fuss. STRAP ON LEADS  I like to use a small 10g Drennan cage feeder for skimmer fishing, but add a further 10g of lead so that I can tighten up to the feeder without fear of moving it. STIFF BOOM  I like to make my own anti-tangle booms for feeder fishing using thick, stiff fluorocarbon. A small sliding bead sits at one end and the snap link swivel at the other. Both…

THE biggest carp in your local commercial are finally coming out of their winter slumber and there’s one place they are heading for a much-needed feast – the margins. After lying dormant for several months, these double-figure fish are desperate to feed and their large appetite almost inevitably leads to them coming within inches of the bank. England international and Garbolino UK boss Darren Cox has capitalised on this spring-time trend on countless occasions, using the pole to crunch out carp to almost 20lb. “We’ve now reached a period where the water has a bit more colour in it and the temperatures are on the up, giving these very big carp the confidence they need to feed up in the margins,” says Darren. “So much bait gets dumped in the…

BRAKING SYSTEM  The FMR MK2’s Precision Braking System can be set so that the handle can backwind, but under a constant pressure which prevents it from overrunning. This is ideal when Method feeder fishing, or playing big fish by backwinding. SMOOTH CASTING  The digitally-machined spools on the FMR MK2 reels have ‘anti-friction’ lips, leading to longer, smoother casts., as well as monofilament and braid friendly line rollers and clips. Each model also has a spare spool. The 3000 model has a capacity of 185m of 0.16mm line (and 150m of 0.20mm), while the 4000 will hold 250m and 200m. HANDLE OPTIONS  Both the 3000 and 4000-sized FMR MK2 reels come supplied with single and double handles, as standard. These have non-slip, soft touch rubber grips. The original Frenzee FMR reels…

WARREN Harrison banked this mind-blowing 101lb 7oz mirror last week to become the first angler ever to catch three different fish over 90lb. The Manchester angler made history in September 2014 by catching a 94lb mirror, 90lb common and an 87lb mirror in the same session at Hungary’s Euro Aqua, and returned to eclipse that feat. Speaking to Angling Times from the bank halfway through his two-week session with friend Dave Treasure, Warren said: “It’s just unbelievable. I’m the only person in the world to catch a full set of different fish from 10lb, 20lb, 30lb, up to 80lb, 90lb and 100lb. I just can’t believe it! We’ve been here for eight days and between the two of us we’ve had about 40 fish including three sixties to 63lb and…

CARP fishing can be a confusing world, so we’ve created the ultimate guide to honing your skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you cannot fail to learn from the wealth of information stuffed into Improve Your Carp Fishing. This 132-page publication takes you through every aspect, from bait and rigs, to location and tackle. With the stunning photography and clear instruction you have come to expect from our titles, this standalone manual features tips, in-session pieces and advice from such experts as Dean Macey, Iain Macmillan, Paul Garner, and Ian Russell. We really have covered all the bases, including a rundown of the top 100 day-ticket carp waters, a glossary of terms, a guide to caring for your catch and an introduction to essential knots. At just £6.99,…

ANGLING has very few true ambassadors who are willing to work tirelessly to get our sport the coverage it deserves, but Rob Hughes is an exception the rule. Lots of people talk about great ideas for promoting angling, but they want others to implement their often hare-brained ideas. But with Rob it is all very different. This is a man who is clearly passionate about the sport and wants to share that with a huge audience. His work with the England Carp Team played a major part in getting the squad a gold medal at the World Championships and he has now convinced a massive TV broadcaster that angling deserves more than just a brief mention every now and then. BT Sport is a huge broadcaster that attracts millions of…

IT’S a bit of an ‘in-between’ period. The rivers have closed and it’s not quite warm enough for the spring species to feed properly. Thankfully, I’m still finding a few kippers to catch! SUNDAY The plan was to enjoy a day in with my wife Margaret, but it went pear-shaped in the afternoon when I had a phone call from my mate, Nige Williams, telling me that the Lower Severn had dropped enough to have a bash for a few zander. “When are you going?” I asked. “Now!” he replied, so 30 minutes later I was in the car heading for Upton Marina, where we were going to launch Nige’s boat. He has a 16ft Bay Hunter boat and knows how to use it brilliantly, so I was looking forward…

STUCK for somewhere to take the kids over the Easter holidays? The fishinginfo.co.uk  website lists dozens of events ideal for families to have a go at fishing. They’re fun, safe and informal – and the youngsters love them. This Saturday you can go family fishing at Poringland Lakes in Norwich and on Monday there’s a Get Into Angling morning at Corby Junior Fishing Club. Fishinginfo.co.uk  is the ideal place to find loads of info about fishing. Discover new venues to cast a line, clubs to join, tackle shops and coaches in your area, latest river levels and weather forecasts. You can also set up your own favourite searches by registering free with fishinginfo.co.uk , subscribe to the Angling Trust newsletter to keep you updated on…

HELP the Canal & River Trust improve its website by taking part in a short survey at bit.ly/CRTSurvey – it should only take about a minute. We’ll be working more closely with C&RT to help promote angling on the canals that it manages. Did you know that nearly one million people live within a mile of a canal or river? We want to encourage them to go fishing within walking distance of home. Angling Trust members can buy a Waterway’s Wanderer ticket to fish on many canals for £10 – that’s a 50 per cent saving on the regular price – less than 3p a day!…

IT’S the bookazine you’ve all been waiting for – Tommy Pickering’s ultimate guide to all things coarse fishing! In an angling career spanning some 55 years, there is little the genial Yorkshireman doesn’t know about the sport. World champion in 1989, world match record holder, winner of the £25,000 Parkdean Masters, co-founder of the Barnsley Blacks and manager of the England Feeder team are just a few achievements of the popular Preston Innovations consultant. Now Tommy has rolled all this experience and knowledge into this 132-page guide. So whether you’re a commercial carp, bream, river or canal angler, you’re guaranteed to learn from the talented all-rounder. 132 PAGES PACKED WITH EXPERT ADVICE FOR ALL ANGLERS ONLY £6.99…

WE’RE in a funny time of year when the carp on commercials haven’t really got their heads down, which makes for some close matches, but no big headline-grabbing weights and this week’s top-10 winners, who all receive a Bait-Tech T-shirt for their troubles, are dominated by more reliable silverfish. Best of them all is Warren Peaty, who dominated his Lee Green AC matches last summer with massive weights of carp. He showed that he can also turn his hand to finer silverfish work, winning their match at Kent’s Pittlands Fishery with a solid 66-10-0 of roach and skimmers fishing pole and maggot. Mark Beard also enjoyed plenty of action with 54-0-0 on the same approach. Big fish made up the winning 15-10-0 of Richard Higgs as he fished the Exeter…

Tuesday, March 29 Acorn Fishery Tuesday Tenner, Kingston Seymour - Mike 01179 497310 Alders Farm, Affordable Open, Great Brickhill – Trevor 07860 235655 Aston Park Fisheries, Sheffield - Alex 07743 845737 Coleman’s Cottage Fishery, Witham – Gerry 01376 516383 Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery, Retford – Nick 01777 710448 Decoy, Eastrea – Di 01733 202230 Garbolino Lindholme Lakes, Epworth – Neil 01427 872905 Heronbrook Over 55s, – Neil 07879 441288 Janson’s, Elton - 07976 317864 Kobra, Dynamite Baits Makin’s Fishery, Wolvey – John 07749 284823 Little John Lakes, Ollerton - Steve 07715 096738 Meadow View Fisheries OAP & Dis, Warrington – Brian 01925 757985 New Moorlands Farm, Kidderminster - Dave 07772 297462 Oaks, Sessay - Chris 07885 553323 Old Hough Fishery, Middlewich – Doug 07976 381996 Partridge Lakes, Culceth - Mel/Nel 07950…

EXCITEMENT is building for an event designed to create the next generation of match angling stars and award one lucky angler a sponsorship deal from one of the country’s biggest tackle firms. The Guru Match Academy takes place at Guru Makins Fishery in Warwickshire on August 22 and 23, with 40 students between the ages of 13 and 17 selected via an application process. They will go on to receive a day’s tuition from an elite group of anglers made up of Angling Times columnist Steve Ringer, Adam Rooney, Pemb Wrighting and Andy Bennett. One angler from each day will win an amazing ‘moneycan’t-buy’ Guru sponsorship deal for a year. For more details or to download an application form cut and paste the following link into your browser address bar:…

ONE OF the UK’s top commercial fisheries is celebrating a £1 million revamp by offering Angling Times readers the chance to win a year’s free fishing. Neil Grantham, owner of Garbolino Lindholme Lakes in South Yorkshire, is calling on Angling Times readers to suggest suitable names for one of three possible new waters being built at the complex as part of a bid to turn it into ‘the White Acres of the North’. The winner, chosen by the 52-year-old, will be given free fishing for a year at the popular venue. Neil, who has run the fishery for more than a decade, told Angling Times: “The new waters will add around 200 pegs to the complex, supplementing the 500-plus pegs we already have to make it one of the largest…

THE end of the river season may herald a break from fishing for many, but among the specimen hunting fraternity it means one thing – the announcement of the Drennan Cup winner! In just a few weeks’ time we’ll find out who has won Britain’s most coveted specimen angling prize and as ever, Angling Times has received a glut of entries over the past 12 months, with 127 weekly awards being handed out. Some catches are from former winners of the cup or household names, but the vast majority of weekly winners are from big fish men that you may not be so familiar with and who would dearly love to add the Drennan Cup trophy to their fishing CVs. But it’ll be their fellow anglers who decide the outcome,…

APRIL 7, 2015 Lee Snow, 15lb 9oz bream, Leicestershire gravel pit APRIL 14, 2015 Mike Townsend, 4lb 1oz perch, Yorkshire canal APRIL 21, 2015 Thomas Smith, 5lb 2oz perch, Cotswold gravel pit Paul Garner, 16lb 12oz bream, Midlands gravel pit APRIL 28, 2015 Steve Andrews, 11lb 7oz tench, Southern stillwater MAY 5, 2015 Gary Knowles, 3lb 1oz roach, Lochnaw Castle Loch Paul Parish, 10lb 1oz tench, Linear Fisheries Adrian Eves, 16lb 14oz bream, Southern stillwater Geoff Collins, 15lb 9oz bream, Midlands stillwater MAY 12, 2015 Josh Fisher, 11lb 1oz tench, Southern stillwater Geoff Collins, 4lb 1oz crucian, Surrey club lake MAY 19, 2015 Steve Frapwell, 4lb 10oz crucian, Marsh Farm Phil Smith, 4lb 8oz crucian, Marsh Farm Christian Hodgkinson, 11lb 10oz tench, Bawburgh Lakes James Crameri, 20lb 15oz bream, Fenland…

NOVEMBER 10, 2015 Darran Goulder, 4lb 6oz perch, Southern river Ellis Forrester, 16lb 9oz barbel, River Thames Matt Tan, 1lb and 14oz dace, Hampshire Avon NOVEMBER 17, 2015 Robert Young, 8lb 4oz 8dr chub, Dorset Stour Bryan Culley, 4lb 4oz perch, Midland reservoir Richard Easom, 16lb 14oz barbel, River Trent NOVEMBER 24, 2015 Luke Ayling, 16lb 7oz barbel, River Thame Kevin O’Kane, 7lb 11oz chub, River Lea Steve Russell, 15lb 15oz barbel, Midlands river Billy McDonald, 2lb 8oz roach, River Test Dave Turley, 35lb 8oz pike, Scottish loch DECEMBER 1, 2015 Neil Wayte, 17lb 13oz barbel, River Thames Stephen McGarvey, 32lb 2oz pike, undisclosed Stillwater DECEMBER 8, 2015 Nigel Davis, 7lb 6oz chub, Dorset Stour Steve Rowley, 31lb 5oz pike, Southern gravel pit James Denison, 2lb 10oz roach, Southern river…

WITH the season just finished, it’s great to look back at the successful catches of the year through the eyes of the Drennan Cup (pages 6-11). This long-running competition really fires the imagination of so many anglers – even my old mate Chris ‘Cripsy Duck’ Gadsden has had a couple of weekly awards. In among a whole ocean of positives, though, there is always a negative or two – just as in the old days when match fishing had a similar contest that often went down to the wire. Anglers ‘in the frame’ would book several matches in the hope that they’d get the requisite number of competitors for it to count. They would even go to the extent of drawing and if the peg wasn’t considered good enough, drive…

I SPENT a superb weekend at The Big One with the Get Hooked on Fishing team. We don’t just blag a free stand and rattle buckets, we provide activities for young (and some not-so-young) anglers and potential anglers. They involve casting games, groundbait (bean-bag) throwing games and even, thanks to Tronix Pro, a fish-fighting machine that has claimed three rods in its last two outings! The show itself was busy, especially on Saturday and I heard that one boilie company had sold 7.5 tonnes of bait in seven hours of trading. That’s motoring! With an increasing number of major players exhibiting, rather than selling, this is definitely the ‘must-see’ show. The retailers have also got their acts together and it’s not just a dumping ground for old stock; it is…

A DAY spent on the bank to learn all about Andy May’s latest carp-fishing edges was always going to be tricky after sub-zero temperatures the night before his session. The MAP-backed angler had chosen Capricious Pool at Staffordshire’s Blake Hall Fisheries to display how he has been bagging of late after recommendations from a friend that the feeder was doing the damage. However, with bites at a premium owing to the cold weather, Andy was soon itching to try the pole. “There’s no way I am sitting watching a motionless tip all day long,” he joked. “I’m getting the pole out to see whether I can get a few bites on that!” And when the float went under minutes after starting, it wasn’t a carp, but a 1lb skimmer that…

BLACKPOOL, LANCS The sea wall has seen plenty of small codling. The bass should begin to move in soon. Contact: Westcoast Tackle, 01253 851001 BOWNESS-ON-SOLWAY, CUMBRIA Port Carlisle has been consistent for anglers in search of flounders, with sizeable fish of up to 2lb being caught on daytime tides. Contact: Geoff Wilson Tackle, 01228 531542 OTTERSPOOL, MERSEYSIDE The Mersey Road railings area has been in great form of late, with plenty of codling and whiting landed on worm baits. Contact: Bob’s Tackle, 07773 106426 SOUTH SHIELDS, TYNESIDE This mark has produced codling around 3lb and decent coalfish. Plaice have also started to show from the Block’s area. Contact: Billy’s Tackle, 01912 596262 SUNDERLAND, WEARSIDE Roker Pier is worth a visit for a bag of codling. Most are coming out of…

ALVECHURCH FISHERIES, BIRMINGHAM, W MIDS The Horseshoe Lake will soon respond to paste fished down the edge. Expect carp to 14lb, although tench, barbel and crucians may also show. Fish maggot and caster on the deck down the track for silverfish and carp. 0121 445 4274, Postcode: B45 8BW CLIMAX WOLD VIEW FISHERIES, MARKET RASEN, LINCS The corn and bomb fished in conjunction with the pellet cone is working on the Gold Lake. Clip up at distance into open water for bites. Expect anything from carp to barbel. 01673 828827, Postcode: LN8 3YR ELMBRIDGE FISHERY, DROITWICH, WORCS Peacock Pool is the smallest water here, but that doesn’t stop anglers flocking to it. Long pole with pellet and corn towards the island will help you put a 60lb haul of carp…

CANALS GRAND UNION CANAL, COSGROVE, BUCKS The wide section opposite the marina car park is known for its big perch. You can fish baits like worm here down the middle and close in and work between the two lines. Contact: Gone Fishin’, 01908 313158 Prices: £15 a year Deanshanger AC BUDE CANAL, BUDE, CORNWALL The lower basin or high 30s pegs are the hotspots for odd tench, carp, bream and small silvers. Waggler, pole or small feeder will all work here. Contact: Waterfront Fishing Tackle 01288 35960 Prices: £5 a day from the Crescent post office, Bude Canal AA GRAND UNION CANAL, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, HERTS Lure anglers fishing by The Three Horseshoes at Winkwell have been catching some good perch and chub on small plastic jigs. Contact: Oakwood Angling 02088…

ALDERWOOD PONDS FISHERY, STEYNING, WEST SUSSEX The Island Pond is seeing roach to 2lb 5oz, perch over 3lb and carp to 20lb. 01903 816377, Postcode: BN44 3AA CALDECOTTE LAKES, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKS Both lakes contain roach to 3lb and bream over 10lb. Carp to 30lb have also featured in catches. 01908 313158, Milton Keynes AA, Postcode: MK7 8HHP CREEDY LAKES, CREDITON, DEVON There have been some nice catches from the Main Lake, with carp to over 20lb being taken on the surface or on zig rigs. 01363 772684, Postcode: EX17 4AB NEW FARM FISHERY, MAIDENHEAD, BERKS The carp fishing has really got going on the Cat and Carp Lake with a 27lb and a 32lb brace. Catfish are also showing on legered luncheon meat and pellet towards the island. 01628…

LOOP IN MAINLINE Des ties a large loop in the end of the 6lb Power Max mainline. He puts another overhand knot in this to stiffen the loop like a boom and stop tangles. The end of it is attached loop to loop with the hooklength. HOOKLENGTH This is either 0.15mm Preston Powerline when there are F1s about, or 0.17mm if the targets are solely carp. A 2ft hooklength means a slow fall of the meat over the last 2ft of depth. BOMB Des has never been a fan of light bombs, the lightest he goes is 3/4oz. This makes casting and sinking the line easier, and provides a very positive hooking effect. STOP This is a tiny bead which comes in all sorts of forms (this one is from…

Catch carp on sloppy pellets GET on sloppy pellets! If you’re fishing on a stillwater then you’ve got to try this simple pole fishing tactic – it’s perfect for catching carp and F1s from shallow water. In this exclusive Angling Times video Steve reveals how you can make the perfect pellets and the best way to feed them to draw fish into your swim and keep them there. He also shows you why heavier rigs are crucial for success and explains how you can set up such a rig. How to fish Steve’s Hybrid feeders  JOIN Steve at Bishops Bowl Fishery as he puts the new Guru Hybrid feeders through their paces. Learn the best way to set up the feeders – including information on mainlines and the best hooks…

BARFORD LAKES, BARFORD, NORFOLK Head to the Pleasure Lake for some serious lumps to 15lb. Trees or reeds always hold a few fish and late in the day can be relied upon for a run of fish using dead maggots over groundbait or pellet and corn combo. Although it is possible to catch on a top kit, going longer to put the bait well away from where you’re fishing will see you catch more consistently. CONTACT: 01603 759624 BAIT-TECH VIADUCT FISHERY, SOMERTON, SOMERSET The carp on Cary are massive, so use strong tackle. Pegs that back on to Campbell offer lots of overhanging trees that scream carp and there’s a spit that sticks out, allowing you to fish into the corner or on the long pole up the side of…

THIS Middy Baggin’ Machine Synaptic float and feeder Duo is ideal for anglers on a budget who want a single rod to cover a multitude of different methods. It has two separate top sections and comes with two push-in quivertips to make up a 10ft feeder rod that’s perfect for parrot cage commercial fishery pegs. With the feeder top, the rod is capable of fishing Method feeders up to 45g as well as cage and blockend feeders and straight leads. It has a soft progressive fish playing action, but with loads of power down the blank, and will handle reel lines up to 10lb with hooklinks up to 6lb. There’s also plenty of power to land double-figure carp, and the rod feels nicely balanced and responsive. During a live test…

MONSTER 3+3 ROD HOLDALL THIS latest Monster rod holdall is ideal for carrying longer rods up to 12ft. There are two models available - 170cm and 190cm (shown) - both of which feature a generous additional side pocket for storing and transporting extra kit such as feeder arms, landing net handles and even an umbrella. There is also a tip tube pocket, internal rod locators and padded reel separators. Price: £109.99 (190cm) & £99.99 (170cm) LEGER WEIGHTS Preston has released several new additions to its leger weight range. The Flat Pear is ideal for fishing marginal slopes, as well as rivers, while the Distance Bomb has the classic streamlined ‘Arlesey’ shape to optimise casting distance. Finally, the Match Cube is great for casting tight to islands. Sizes 15g, 20g, 30g…

FRENZEE’S new Japanese-manufactured Loaded Mono line is precision made to ensure it has accurate dimensions, with advanced strength ratings. Specifically designed to cater for the needs of the UK commercial match angler, it boasts soft and supple qualities making it well-suited to slow falling, and natural bait presentations. Perfect for all kinds of polefishing, the hi-tech rig and hooklength line has an accurately stated diameter rating. Sizes: 0.10mm (2.2lb) to 0.24mm (12.8lb) Price: £4.99 for 100m…

THIS perfect zip linear was symmetrical in more ways than one for Gary Denniss at Bluebell Lakes. The 31lb 14oz mirror was the first fish the 45-year-old ever caught from the Northamptonshire complex more than 13 years ago. “It’s one of the real old ones in Kingfisher,” Gary said, “and it doesn’t seem to get caught very often. It was 27lb 1oz when I had it back in October 2002.” The linear was the highlight of a bittersweet 48-hour weekend session for the Lincolnshire angler, who caught three twenties but also lost two fish including a known 40-pounder just yards from the net. “There were fish popping their heads out all over the place and I felt lucky to be there as they were waking up and feeling the first…

THE carp have woken up on Bluebell’s Mallard Lake, as Scott Reynolds proved with a massive haul. The 24-year-old fished Method feeders to bank 27 carp, including two of more than 30lb and 23 over 20lb in three nights. He said: “I had a few carp during the day, but most of the fish came at night. I had 12 fish the one night and, in the end, I never had both rods in the water at the same time. By 3am, I had to reel in because I was so tired.” The lake, which is the largest on the Northants day-ticket complex, is known for its large head of carp, but Scott was actually after one of the handful of massive bream present. The Dudley specimen hunter, who had…

FISHING ADVICE COULD MAKE YOU A LAW BREAKER A FRIEND of mine has a caravan on a site in North Yorkshire which also has a fishing lake. Upon making enquiries about the water, the owner told my friend that he would not need an Environment Agency rod licence to fish the lake as it is on private property. I would like to set the record straight. If you are coarse fishing in the UK then you must have a rod licence, regardless of whether the fishery is on private or public land. I don’t think the site owners are intentionally feeding anglers wrong information. I think it is more a lack of knowledge, but anglers could end up getting prosecuted if they target such lakes without a licence. John Robinson,…

A WHILE ago I bought a large and very realistic plastic crocodile head from a garden centre. Its jaws were wide open and, over the following years, I had some great fun with it while fishing. One day I remember well was a match on a St Helens water. While setting up, I put the head in the undergrowth at the back of my peg after tying some fine braid to it. I fed the other end of the braid under my box and grasped it in my hand. As the start approached, a few of the lads had gathered for a chat at the next peg and I called them over, saying that there was something in the foliage behind me which kept moving. When they arrived behind me,…

Fishing on the box Robson’s Extreme Fishing Challenge. Tuesday, March 29, 7pm Robson Green takes on five local master anglers on a trip to one of the wildest places on earth, South Australia. John Wilson’s Dream Fishing Tuesday, March 29, 9:30am It’s a family affair this week, as fishing fanatic John is joined by daughter Lisa, as the dynamic duo hunt skate in the stunning Scottish Highlands. River Monsters Tuesday, March 29, 1pm Jeremy Wade travels to the heart of Africa journeying along the Congo, a river shrouded in mystery and steeped in legend. The Great Rod Race Weds, March 30, 6am Day one of this ultimate freshwater fish angling challenge, and Matt Hayes and Mick Brown hit the road in search of trout and salmon. River Monsters Thurs, March…

ENGLAND Youth Fly Fishing and Water Aid UK will benefit from a competition being held in the Thames Valley near Oxford next month. The Trust has joined forces with Thames Water to reintroduce the Thames Water Shield Fly Fishing competition at Farmoor Reservoir on Saturday, April 16, with 64 places available. There are prizes up for grabs for winners, while the top junior rod will be presented with the Peter Stone Memorial Trophy. Entry for under 18s is £8, concessions £25 and adults £30 per angler, entry fees include boat hire and fishing permit. All proceeds f will be donated to England Youth Fly Fishing and Water Aid UK. More information and entry form on the Competitions section of the Trust website. SUPPORT THE ANGLING TRUST & FISH LEGAL Just…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH  ROGER FOWLES, FROM CANNOCK, ASKS: Q “I love fishing with groundbait in the edge. My club water is around 3ft deep in the edge and I seem to be struggling with foul-hooked fish. I’ve tried fishing with just pellets and corn, but this doesn’t have the effect that groundbait has. I’ve tried several types of bait over the top and still seem to be foul-hooking a large percentage of fish. Am I doing anything wrong?” It’s a difficult thing to get right in that depth as the more fish that are in the swim, the more the bait will get washed around, and the fish end up at all depths in your peg. This is why you are foul-hooking them. Firstly I wouldn’t feed any lightweight particles…

Alliance & Leicester Liverpool, Chapel Pool: 1 D Bradshaw, 78-8-0, pellet, carp; 2 J Bradshaw, 68-12-0; 3 P Turner, 65-8-0. Alvechurch Vets, Alvechurch Fishery: 1 D Lodge, 69-4-0, pellet, carp; 2 K Price, 23-5-0; 3 G Lundy, 18-12-0. Andy’s Mob, Hartleylands Farm: 1 B Rowden, 60-4-0, corn, mixed; 2 P Holm, 39-8-0; 3 C Upton, 36-0-0. Birmingham Thursday Club, Barston Lakes; 1 T Robertson, 12-0-0, pinkie, skimmers; 2 S Birch, 10-8-0; 3 D Crozier, 9-12-0. Brunswick Bros AS, North Benfleet Lake: 1 G Cole, 36-6-0, mixed, ide/carp; 2 D Sims, 19-10-0; 3 A Cockburn, 15-6-0. Carshalton DAS, Furnace Lake: 1 D Freeman, 43-12-0, pellet, bream; 2 L Collins, 34-8-0; 3 K Weller, 19-10-0. CESAS, Hartleylands Farm, Reservoir Lake: 1 P Lee, 110-11-0, maggot, carp; 2 M Williams, 44-8-0; 3 D…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery (Thurs) Campbell & Cary Lakes (29 pegs) Drawn on peg 114 on the Campbell Lake, Nigel Garrett fished the waggler at full depth with pellet to finish with 180-8-0, his catch including carp to double figures. Result: 1 N Garrett, Yeovil, 180-8-0; 2 R Gillett, Yeovil, 139-4-0; 3 T Lenny, Sillybait, 133-7-0; 4 C Dyer, Bait-Tech Viaduct, 116-9-0. Silvers: M Skyme, Bait-Tech Viaduct, 47-14-0. Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery (Fri) Campbell, Cary & Lodge Lakes (40 pegs) In summer-like conditions the carp decided to get their heads down for this Friday event which saw Craig Edmunds top the field with a huge 303-14-0. The Avon Angling rod drew peg 94 on the Cary Lake and fished the long pole down into the bay netting 32 fish.…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery Campbell & Cary Lakes (21 pegs) Result: 1 L Froggatt, Birmingham, 205-12-0; 2 R Lucas, Wiltshire Angling, 119-4-0; 3 A Tompkins, Tackle UK, 118-0-0. Silvers: S Russell, Tackle UK, 59-0-0. Dynamite Baits Oakfield (Weds) Red Kite Lake (10 pegs) Result: 1 R Wall, Dynamite Oakfield, 37-9-0; 2 J Brewster, Dynamite Oakfield, 35-6-0; 3 A Foulkes, Dynamite Oakfield, 29-8-0. Lake John (Weds) Top Lake (12 pegs) Result: 1 K Farrell, Browning/Lake John, 64-10-0; 2 S Crawley, Redbridge Lakes, 51-0-0; 3 B Everitt, Lake John/Redbridge, 44-8-0. Lake John Bottom Lake (12 pegs) Result: 1 B Lucas, King’s Langley, 59-12-0; 2 P Dunn, Lake John, 56-8-0; 3 R Stanley, Lake John, 55-0-0. Magic Lakes Over 60s (Tues) Waltham Abbey (12 pegs) Result: 1 A Hollingsworth, Roman Urn…

SUPPORT for the annual Bottesford AA-run Norman Chenoweth Memorial on the Grantham Canal continues to grow year-on-year. This year sees Sunday, April 10 host the match on sections controlled by the club with a 50 peg restriction being placed to keep numbers manageable and the fishing good. Fishing is from 10.30am until 3.30pm following the 8am draw at The Gap Inn, Muston, with Bottesford Match Secretary Bryan Baines the man to call on 01400 318345 or 07538 876131. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK/ANGLINGTIMES…

FOLLOWING on from the success of the open matches held on the Grand Union Canal around Tring last spring, Tring Anglers are again hosting matches throughout April and early May on a range of stretches, including a one-off pairs match. Four opens plus that pairs event, all on Sundays, makes up the calendar. Tickets are £20 all-in, £40 per pair for the pairs match, the draw for all matches taking place at the Angler’s Retreat, Tring at 8am with fishing from 10.30am until 3.30pm. Contact Dave Stoddart on 07930 252751 to book in.…

MONDAY TO SATURDAY Cross Drove Fishery Hockwold (30 pegs) Some of the venue’s famed big F1s to 4lb, backed by skimmers and brown goldfish saw Neil Parkinson win on Saturday with 60-11-0 off peg 34 where he caught on pellet and maggot at 13m. Terry Hall landed a brace of double figure carp to go with F1s on pellet at 13m from peg 12 for 50-1-0. Result: 1 N Parkinson, Dynamite Baits, 60-11-0; 2 T Hall, Chestnut Pool, 50-1-0; 3 R Bond, Maver Image, 39-12-0; 4 J Barrowman, PW Angling, 39-10-0; 5 C Vandervleit, Drennan/Bait-Tech, 39-8-0; 6 A Leathers, Browning Hot Rods, 39-6-0. Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery Vets (Thurs) Moat Pool (34 pegs) Decoy Lakes chief Johnny Smalley paid Hallcroft a visit and came away the winner as he took seven…

Lakeview Fishery Middy Xtreme Winter Series Grand Final Canal, River, Stream Lagoon & Serpent Pools (47 pegs) The £1,000 top prize in the culmination of this winter series went to Leicester man Tom Pringle. He weighed-in 65-7-0 from peg 15 on the Stream Pool where he kicked off fishing down the track with maggot before moving across to the island with pellet to take carp, F1s and a few skimmers. He also picked up a full set of luggage for his troubles, courtesy of event sponsors Middy. The race for second ended up being shared as Sean Huggins and Matt Smith both recorded 57-12-0 from pegs 20 and 17 respectively on the Stream Pool. Andy Searle won the top 10 pay-out for the highest combined weight across the series with…