The hard night frosts and cold wintery days leading up to the 4th December had frozen the Canal Pool at Hough fishery. Competitors were met with about 10mm thick ice over the entire pool. But after sterling efforts from Clive Biddulph, who was pulled round the pool in a small boat, as there were no oars, used a garden rake to pull himself towards the island and broke the ice in all 17 pegs used for the match. It was, therefore, justly fitting that he finished in second place with 6 Lbs dead, only beaten by Bob Smith with 8 Lbs 12 Ozs. Third was Kevin Nicholls with 5 Lbs 8 Ozs. The extreme conditions meant that it was difficult to locate fish for most of us (especially me!) but the 'secret' bait was bread punch that worked for those that caught well. The league is now headed by Ken Arnold, who is just ahead on weight, but tied with Bob Smith on 17 points. Our Match Secretary, Will Carr had a good result to pop into third place with 15 points. For the full result, please clickon the link.

WINTER LEAGUE 2017 POINTS MATCH 3 HOUGH FISHERY.xlsx (46.37 kb)

On a dour, cold and miserable Sunday 20th November, all 17 winter leaguers assembled at Melverley Fishery to contest the second round of this year's Winter League on the Birches Pool. The forecast was ominous with big winds, torrential rain and a maximum temperature of 6C. But in the event, the wind died down by midday and the rain only fell in light spots now and again. However, the pool did not fish very well and some of those present actually blanked! Winner though was Tony Poolton from last peg 17. He fished chopped worm and caster on the long pole for a mixed bag of small carp, roach and a spanking bonus perch for 23 Lbs dead. Second was that man again, Ken Arnold, whose "just 4 carp" consisted of one of them being a "lump," which pulled the scales round to 19 Lbs 4 Ozs all taken on the waggler and meat (probably!). Third was yours truly (a frame at long last!) with 16 Lbs dead that consisted of 6 carp all taken on the method feeder. For the full result, click on the link.

WINTER LEAGUE 2017 POINTS MATCH 2 MELVERLEY FARM.xlsx (12.19 kb)

This is a new venue, so I am grateful to Kev Nicholls for the map below. Take the B5065 off the A49 signposted to Wem. The fishery is about 5 minutes down this road on the left. We will be fishing the "Canal Pool" which is the one with the island in the middle. You cannot fish it on a day ticket, as it is a syndicate water, but the cost is only £30/year. There is no phone number and the owners don't know its Post Code! Draw at 0845 Hrs. If you want a breakfast, Gordon Bradley recommends the cafe at the roundabout where the A41 meets the A49, just to the right of the petrol station, but not the truck stop. Gordon and Kev will be there from about 0715 Hrs. The fishery is 7 minutes from here.

For those travelling directly to the pools, Clive Biddulph has provided the following directions: 

The Post code for Hough Fishery is roughly SY4 5RT. This is for Hollies Organic Farm, which is just down the road on the other side of B5065.

Hough fishery is on left coming from Prees. It does have a sign and the entrance has two white gates with overtop latches like Buildwas car park.
Quickest way for me is Hodnet, then carry on up the hill, first left to Weston, then keep right in Weston, then over the A49 at cross roads a on minor road, then right up the B5065.

The first round of this year's Winter League was held on the river on 6th November. The conditions looked grim before the start; overnight frost (the first real frost of the autumn), high north wind that had blown half the tree leaves in Shropshire into the river, which was low and clear. I think all the 15 anglers that turned out were expecting it to be a grueller! However, against the odds, from peg 27, our Match Secretary, Will Carr, managed to put an excellent 23 Lbs 4 Ozs onto the scales. This consisted of some quality chub and a few dace all taken on the waggler and maggot. Second, with 4 barbel taken on the feeder from peg 95 for 20 Lbs exactly, was Colin Morris. Third spot was that extremely lucky angler (again!) as he was out of the wind in another world to the rest of us in his "favourite" peg 8, Brian Tinman, with another good bag of chub for 10 Lbs 6 Ozs. The next round is at Melverly, Birches Pool, so let's hope the weather might be a little kinder! For the complete resullt, click on the link.

WINTER LEAGUE 2017 POINTS.pdf (12.19 kb)

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)