Three days of fishing

ANGLERS are gearing themselves up for the annual Witherington Farm Fishery's three-day festival over this coming bank holiday weekend.

Last Saturday anglers braved miserable conditions for a pre-festival match which was won by Salisbury Angling Club stalwart Paul Barnard who hauled out 61lb 2oz from Barnmoor Lake. Second was Terry Sargent fishing Cottage Lake who netted 52lb.

Conditions were far from ideal with rain virtually all day and a gusty wind so the 39 entrants are keeping their fingers crossed for better weather over this coming weekend.

Across at Waldens Farm Fishery those anglers that put up with the weather over the weekend had reasonable bags from all five lakes.

Two anglers fishing Deacons match lake had between them more than 20 fish, including a ghost carp at 9lb and mirror and common carp around 4lb with several tench and crucian carp.

Carp just into double figures came from the fishery's other lakes along with bags of tench, skimmers and rudd.

Tench anglers will do well to make a trip to the New Forest Water Park between Fordingbridge and Ringwood where huge bags of tench have been coming out.

Individual anglers have been catching between 18 and 19 tench a sitting averaging 6lb a fish.

In addition carp anglers have been catching plenty of fish in the lower to mid-20lb while last year's baby carp are appearing now in large numbers weighing around 1lb.

The weather has been playing havoc with trout anglers on both rivers and stillwaters.

Norman Barter at the Chalke Valley Fly Fishery at Bishopstone said the high winds and rain have kept anglers away, but those who did brave the conditions caught fish.

Fly activity has been sparse but on the better days the evening rises have been quite good.

Forecasters predict an improvement in the weather which should lead to a better sport and more insect activity.

The Environment Agency is warning anglers that their officers will be out in force over the bank holiday weekend ensuring all anglers have a licence.

A rod licence blitz will be held throughout the region and anglers should note that fishing without a licence carries a risk of a fine of up to £2,500 compared with an annual licence fee of £22.25 or £3 for a day licence and £7 for an eight-day one.