IT is timely to remind all readers that the new Environment Agency rod licences are due on April 1 and you could run into problems if you are caught out without one.

During February a total of 283 anglers were prosecuted by the Environment Agency for fishing without a licence earning the EA a total of over £34,000 in fines and costs. The heaviest fine was £220.

I am assured that EA bailiffs will be out in force and anyone caught without a licence will be prosecuted.

The Lower Avon championships fished at Newbridge on the final Sunday of the season produced some fine sport.

Bathampton match secretary Kevin Dicks gained a fine win with a mixed catch of bream and roach weighing 42lb 2oz, taken on feeder-fished worm and red maggots.

John Fudge, of Chippenham, was second with an all-bream catch weighing 40lb 14oz, taken on feeder-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

Similar tactics gave third prize to Mick Spencer of Bristol AC with a bream catch weighing 32lb 9oz, taken on feeder-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

The Wilts Angling open match fished at Todber Manor produced reasonable sport.

Todber Manor matchman Jamie Dixon gained a narrow win with a mixed catch of roach and skimmers weighing 15lb 8oz, taken fish on pole-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

Mick Gunning, of Trowbridge, was second with an all-carp catch weighing 14lb 12oz, taken on legered cat meat on a 12 hook. He was followed by Graham Potter, of Trowbridge, with an all-skimmer catch weighing 13lb, taken on pole-fished casters on an 18 hook.

Other placings: 4 Martin Barrett, Trowbridge, and Jeff Matthews, Trowbridge, 12lb.

The Wilts Angling open match fished on Sunday at Landsend Fishery produced some reasonable sport with carp, although the fishing was difficult.

Steve Gardner, of Chippenham, won with an all-carp catch weighing 48lb 9oz, taken on feeder-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

Runner-up spot was Martin Barrett, of Trowbridge, with a mixed bag of carp, skimmers, roach and ide weighing 40lb 10oz, taken on feeder-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

Kevin Grant, of Trowbridge, was third with an all-carp catch weighing 35lb 13oz, taken on feeder-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

Other placings: 4 Paul Cooper, Melksham, 25lb 4oz; 5 Howard Carpenter, Trowbridge, 21lb 8oz; 6 Pete Neate, Holt, 20lb 13oz.

The sixth round of the Witherington Farm Teams of Four event produced some good sport with carp. Bordon AC won with 35 points followed by Witherington Select with 34 and Poingdestres and Barneys Black with 33 points each.

Devizes matchman Gary Etheridge of Witherington Select took second prize with another carp catch weighing 59lb 1oz, taken on pole-fished sweet corn on a 14 hook fished over soft pellets.

He was followed by Dave Paull of Poingdestres with a carp catch weighing 55lb 8oz, also taken on pole fished sweet corn on a 14 hook.