AFTER weeks of anticipation, well over 100 anglers turned out at Chew Valley Lake and the Barrows for the new trout fishing season, but they had to contend with the worst weather for many years in the following days with strong south west winds.

On opening day there were some good catches taken as the day warmed up and most anglers had fish by the end of the day.

The Barrows fished very well and Billy Seward started his season with a beautifully over wintered brown trout weighing 4lb 8oz.

At Chew anglers enjoying the shelter from the brisk SW winds had wonderful sport and limit bags were soon completed at Wick Green and also at the Barrows.

Top fish at Chew was a fine 5lb 2oz brown taken by Kevin Primmer.

The total catch at Chew for the first four days was 407 fish averaging 2lb 7oz. At the Barrows over the same period 201 fish averaging 1lb 8oz were recorded.

There was an excellent start to the new season on the Wessex Water fisheries. Clatworthy produced a total catch of 808 fish despite the windy conditions.

The fish were low in the water so sinking lines with lures accounted for most fish. Sue Gould took five fish for a weight of 20lb 7oz, topped by a magnificent 7lb 8oz rainbow.

Hawkridge was in great form, with 535 fish taken. Kevin Matthews took a 8lb 4oz rainbow in a five fish limit weighing 15lb 10oz.

Sutton Bingham opened well with 473 fish, including a 8lb 9oz rainbow.

Sea angler Jim Berry, from Melksham, also had a great day out of Minehead when he fished double mackerel heads on a paternoster rig to hook and land a fine 16lb 8oz spurdog.

The Royal British Legion national pairs competition was fished on the Kennet and Avon Canal and River Avon at Bradford where the competitors enjoyed excellent sport.

Bradford matchman Ian Stainer, fishing for Chippenham, took third spot on the Canal with a mixed bag of skimmers and roach weighing 11lb 4oz.

There was a close finish in the Ivy House Fishery open match at the weekend.

Top spot went to Westerleigh matchman Vince Shipp with an all-carp catch weighing 34 lb 8 oz taken on pole fished sweet corn on a 14 hook. Close behind came Chippenham matchman Elick Payne with another carp catch weighing 33lb 8oz, also taken on pole-fished sweet corn on a 14 hook.

The Wilts Angling Open match at Witherington Farm on Sunday produced reasonable catches of carp.

Graham Potter, of Trowbridge, won with an all-carp catch weighing 60lb 10oz, taken alternating with pole-fished sweet corn and red maggots for a comfortable win. Mick Gunning, of Trowbridge, was second with a carp catch weighing 50lb, using similar tactics.

Pete Neate, of Holt, was third with a carp catch weighing 38lb 6oz, taken on waggler fished sweet corn on a 14 hook.

Other placings: 4 Fred Eagles, Trowbridge, 36lb 4oz; 5 Terry Gatty, Melksham, 32lb 12oz; 6 Mick Withey, Westbury, 30lb 6oz.