THE first major competitions of the season took place last week at Chew Valley Lake and the many who fished enjoyed excellent sport with the lake in prime condition.

The Hardy/Greys teams of six took place on Wednesday and Thursday and the 77 anglers taking part landed 461 trout an average of six per person. The teams winning through to the English Final were Bath Fulling Mill, Wimbleball FFC, Witcombe FFA, Chew Grenadiers and Kingsbridge Heavyweights.

In the Association of Major Clubs Spring match 72 fishermen took 249 trout on a blustery cold day. Rutland FF came out on top in the four man event. On the following day the weather deteriorated even more and 36 anglers suffered strong winds and heavy showers as they fished the first south west eliminator. Most competitors found the going hard but top rod John Horsey managed to tempt five fish to win. He was followed by Mark Withyman with four fish and Lee Sennington with three.

The week on the Bristol Water reservoirs was marked by some big fish despite hard conditions. At Barrow No.3 Reg Harris took a splendid 6lb 5oz brown trout which fell to a green and white lure and fought well, taking out all his line and most of the backing before being netted.

Chew produced a magnificent 1,725 trout last week averaging 2lb and topped by a brown of 3lb 1oz and a rainbow of 4lb 4oz, and no fewer than 102 limit bags.

At Blagdon 886 fish averaging 2lb were recorded topped by a brown of 4lb 8oz and a rainbow of 5lb 8oz, and a total of 50 limit bags. The Barrows yielded 173 trout averaging 1lb 12oz topped by a brown of 6lb 5oz and a rainbow of 4lb 9oz.

The Wessex Water trout fisheries are still providing good sport. At Clatworthy last week 421 fish were recorded with several fish in the 4lb range being caught. Best results are still on sinking lines with lures, with orange doing well.

At Hawkridge 133 fish were taken including a magnificent 9lb 4oz rainbow which fell to Steve Wyatt. John Stuckey had a fine 6lb 12oz rainbow in a four-fish limit bag of 15lb while Chris England took a five-fish limit weighing 11lb 8oz.

Sutton Bingham's good form continued with 311 fish, even though fewer fishermen were on the banks in the poor weather conditions. Top fish of the week was a 6lb 8oz rainbow taken by Paul Hood.

Do you want the chance to pocket £25,000? If so then hurry for the local qualifying event in the Fish O'Mania competition taking place on Sunday June 23 on the Bristol Avon between Kelston and Newbridge. It is being organised by Bathampton AA.

This event is limited to 100 pegs and there are still a few tickets available but these are selling fast. Full details can be obtained from NFA headquarters on (01283) 734735.

Bathampton AA is organising an open match on the venue the week before the match and details can be obtained from Kevin Dicks on (0117) 3771355.

Last week's Bathampton Open match fished at Newton Park produced some of the biggest weights ever in a competition in this part of the country. Top spot on a prolific day went to local star Des Shipp, now fishing for the talented Dorking squad, with an all-carp catch weighing 172lb 1oz taken on waggler fished sweetcorn on a 14 hook.

Bathampton match secretary Kevin Dicks clinched second prize with another carp catch weighing 137lb 6oz taken on waggler fished boilies on a 12 hook. Bathampton Avon Aquatics matchman Sean Townsend came in third with another carp catch weighing 86lb 3oz taken on pole fished sweetcorn on a 14 hook.

The Ted Brown Memorial match in memory of this popular local angler was fished at Viaduct Fisheries last week and raised the sum of £400 for the Bristol Oncology Centre.

The event was fished in gale force winds but weights were still reasonable with Carpenters Arms matchman Phil Terry carrying off top prize with an all carp catch weighing 56lb 3oz taken on pole fished pellets on a 14 hook.