SOME hefty carp and a good size tench that have been caught over the last few days indicate that summer fishing is just around the corner.

The big carp, headed by a 33lb 12oz beauty, all came from the New Forest Water Park fishery between Fordingbridge and Ringwood and were caught during the last fortnight.

Both lakes have been fishing well and in addition to the big carp there were two 27lb carp caught and several in the lower 20lb range.

Last weekend there were also signs that the fishery's tench are waking up with one or two coming to the net. A 4lb 8oz tench was the highlight of the week at Waldens Farm Fishery.

It was caught by Tim Walsh fishing Monks Lake on peg nine and using float-fished strawberry flavoured corn.

From peg six on the same lake Bill Smith used bread under a float and caught tench to 3lb plus some nice crucian carp to 1lb 8oz for a total bag of 22lb 4oz.

One of the week's heaviest bags came from Deacons Lake where Arthur Allen used float-fished corn to net a bag of 45lb made up entirely of carp between 1lb and 6lb.

Pike fishing has now ended for the season on Bishops Lake and Mark Palmer had one last sessions catching eight pike ranging in size from 5lb to 14lb.

The week's heaviest pike came from Abbots Lake and was caught by Gareth Cole using mackerel bait to tempt a fish of 18lb 3oz.

Carp are beginning to move now in Abbots Lake and showing an interest in surface baits.

Popes Lake continues to fish well for tench, skimmers, crucians and carp with the forest pegs the best on Deacons Lake for chub, rudd, roach and skimmers.

This year's Chatsworth Ang-ling Fair, over the May 22-23 weekend, is celebrating its silver anniversary and looks set to be the biggest and best yet.

A host of well-known names will be there, including John Wilson, Bob Nudd, Chris Ball as well as a contingent of top Euro-pean fly casters and fly tyers.

Vintage tackle expert Chris Sandford will be another guest ready to give valuations on old and interesting tackle.