HEAVYWEIGHT carp and a big tench have been taken from the region's fisheries over the last few days despite the yo-yo temperatures and torrential rain.

Heading the big carp captures is New Forest Water Park but close behind were Withering-ton Farm Fishery and Waldens Farm Fishery.

Two anglers fishing New Forest Water Park had 34 carp between them over a two day session with every fish in double figures and most of them over 20lb. The biggest was 25lb.

A 19lb 2oz carp was caught from Barnmoor Lake at Witherington Farm Fishery at the end of last week and another weighing 17lb from the fishery's Snake Lake - the second being a surprise for owner Tony Beeney, who did not realise carp that big were in the Snake.

Matches at Withering-ton over the last few days have been won with weights of 80lb, 50lb and 60lb.

The big tench came from Monks Lake at Waldens Farm Fishery and was caught by James Smith. It weighed 5lb 8oz and was taken on float fished sweetcorn from peg 28.

The same lake also gave James Walker, from Tis-bury, an 11lb 2oz ghost carp which fell for a float-fished lump of paste. Most anglers have had bags of between 15 and 20lb made up of skimmers, rudd, roach, crucians, chub and small carp.

Four good quality carp have been taken from Abbots Lake.

Dan Almond had a brace of commons at 15lb and 13lb and a pair of ghost carp at 14lb and 13lb all of which were caught on pellet from peg 56.

Young anglers have been having success on Popes Lake.

Twelve-year-old Tom Gemmell collected a bag of 13 carp, ghosts, commons and mirrors ranging in size from 2lb to 8lb 12oz while seven-year-old Hayley Perry used float-fished sweetcorn to catch a 5lb 1oz common carp.

Sunday's match, fished in non-stop rain, was won by Mark Cannings with 50lb. Mark Harvey was second with 47lb 8oz while Dave Parvin was just four ounces short in third.

The weather did not shine too kindly on Norman Barter for the start of the trout season at Chalke Valley Fly Fishery at Bishopstone.

The fishery holds a good stock of brown trout to 3lb and some brownies were caught from the lovely clear waters.

Warmer weather with quieter winds are needed to bring sport up to its best.

The fishery operates a catch-and-release system and has a fishing lodge on site which can supply all the angler's needs including tuition if required.