THE Ivy House fishery midweek open match produced mixed results. Nick Gale, of Melksham AC, gained a runaway win with a carp catch weighing 59lb 12oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn and pellets.

Runner-up prize went to Ivy House matchman Keith Barry with a mixed bag of carp and silvers weighing 30lb 8oz, taken on pole-fished pellets.

Pete Connor, of Ivy House, was third with a mixed catch weighing 29lb 4oz and Tony Gilbert, of Devizes, fourth with a mixed bag weighing 28lb 8oz.

The Frome Victorians match fished on the Kennet and Avon Canal at Whaddon on Sunday produced excellent sport.

Top honours went to Glastonbury matchman Jamie Stevens with a mixed catch of tench and skimmers weighing 16lb 4oz, taken on pole-fished casters on a 20 hook.

The Wilts Angling open match fished at Rood Ashton on Monday produced a close result.

Top spot went to Darren Fletcher, of Melksham, with a carp catch weighing 42lb, taken on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook.

Right on his heels came Dave Bancroft, of Trowbridge, with a carp catch weighing 41lb 8oz, taken on alternating pole-fished pellets and cat meat. He was followed by Howard Carpenter, of Trowbridge, with a carp catch weighing 37lb 12oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn.

Other placings: 4 Pete Neate, Holt, 37lb 8oz; 5 Steve Saunders, Bath, 36lb 12oz; 6 Martin Barrett, Trowbridge, 32lb.

It was also a close finish in the Wilts open match fished at Rood Ashton on Wednesday. Ian Willetts, of Bradford, chalked up another win with a carp catch weighing 41lb 4oz, taken on pole-fished cat meat. Dave Bancroft, of Trowbridge, was runner-up with a carp catch weighing 40lb 3oz, again taken by alternating pole-fished pellets and cat meat.

Mick Gunning, of Trowbridge, was third with a carp catch weighing 38lb 3oz, taken on pole-fished pellets.

Other placings: 4 Gary Etheridge, Devizes, 26lb 12oz; 5 Mick Higgins, Westbury, 23lb 12oz; 6 Ben Leach, Bath, 23lb 10oz.

Mere ounces separated the top two places in the Wilts Angling open match fished at Todber Manor on Sunday.

Pete Neate, of Holt, won with a carp catch weighing 43lb 15oz, taken on pole-fished pellets. Just one fish away came Nick Johns, of Trowbridge, with a carp catch weighing 43lb 12oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn.

He was followed by Steve Gardner, of Chippenham, with a carp catch weighing 36lb, taken by alternating pole-fished pellets and cat meat.

Other placings: 4 Dave Bancroft, Trowbridge, 34lb 12oz; 5 Mick Gunning, Trowbridge, 26lb 12oz; 6 Paul Bond, Trowbridge, 24lb 12oz.

Last week on the Bristol Water trout fisheries ended with strong north winds but catches held up well in the awkward conditions.

Conditions at Chew were similar to the previous week, with fish being caught in the same areas, but there are a few more fish being found off Wick and in the middle of the Lake.

Chris Baird who lives in Co Antrim in Northern Ireland is becoming a bit of a Chew regular. For the past three weeks he has travelled by air from Belfast with five companions for a day's fishing. They leave at 7am and are fishing by 10.30am, returning home at 11pm. At an all-in cost for the day of £60 they think it is fantastic value for money to fish at Chew.

Future events: May 22, Waterside AC match at K & A Canal Pound Close; Ridgeway match at Viaduct Fishery.