Just 16 anglers turned out for this final match of the Summer League series, our Wines & Spirits match, and saw one old face return, Martin Whittaker, who has been absent for a few years due to health issues. It was also good to see our lady match angler, Lynn Baker, back for another match too. The river looked good, but by midday had changed colour, due to Welsh Compensation Water and this killed sport off. So weights were low, but that man, Graham Jones, opted for a stick float and maggot approach from peg 77 to put another winning weight of 11 Lbs 12 Ozs on the scales to clinch the Angler of the Year trophy once again. Well done Graham. Second, with a weight of 9 Lbs 8 Ozs that included a 9 Lbs barbel, from peg 24 was Colin Morris and third was Craig Cope from peg 80 with a weight of 6 Lbs 6 Ozs. For the full year's result, click on the link.

Match 10 - 23 Oct 16 Sheet1.pdf (45.63 kb)

Member Andrew Taylor caught this 12 lb 4oz personal best barbel from the Buildwas water last week. It was in superb Autumn condition and caught on a Hardy Marksman rod Shimano Baitrunner and 10lbs line. The rig was a semi-fixed in 3 oz in-line set up with 2 boosted 8 mm blitz pellets hair rigged to a size 8 raptor hook.

It could not now be poised better! After Graham Jones managing only 3 points from this match and Nick Bastock pulling an excellent win out of the bag with an all silver fish float caught bag of 16 Lbs 8 Ozs for a maximum 10 points, there are now just 4 points in it going into the 10th and final match on 23rd October. Graham has 55 and Nick 51. This was a difficult day to locate fish. The sun was out and the river was low after the incredibly long dry spell we have had. So choosing to leave the feeder rod alone proved to be the right decision for Nick fishing from peg 118. However, Graham persisted with the feeder from peg 115 for too long, only switching to the float too late in the match for a weight of just 6 Lbs 2 Ozs. Second, from peg 117 next door to Nick, was Gordon Bradley with two barbel - the second taken on the whistle. Gordon admitted afterwards that it was only the rod slamming into his leg whilst he started to pack his tackle up that alerted him to the take! Third was veteran Pat Nolan from peg 29, which he had fished in the previous week and blanked. So all the knowledge learned paid off with two barbel for 10 Lbs 8 Ozs. For the full result, click on the link.

Match 9.pdf (44.24 kb)

For anyone wishing to fish this year's Winter Leaague, here are the dates and venues that have been booked. Places are limited and there is an up front pool of £20 to be paid to our Match Secretary, Will Carr 07903 505123. There will be a £15 pool for each match to cover the cost of the venues.