ANGLING: AS WE move into December and the colder weather, it is time for the pike angler to set out in search of his quarry.

This is the traditional time of year for pike fishing and the west country offers a wide choice of venues.

The Bristol Avon holds a good head of pike throughout its length and the upper reaches can produce some good specimens.

The Kennet & Avon Canal is another excellent venue with pike all along its length and there are some big fish to be caught.

In Somerset, the Kings Sedgemoor Drain and the River Brue are other good venues.

One of the advantages in colder weather is that the pike angler can move about either fishing with a spinner or with dead baits. Walking the banks and casting can produce some good catches.

In the colder conditions keeping on the move can be more pleasant than sitting in one spot all day so why not give pike fishing a go?

Much has already been said about the traditional Christmas matches which take place during December each year but little has been mentioned about matches for junior anglers.

The Bathampton Senior event is well known and well established but the club also organises a match for the junior angler.

This year the event will take place at Withy Pool on the Hunstrete complex on Sunday December 30 and is open to all anglers, both boys and girls, age 17 or under. Entry to the event costs just £2 and every competitor is guaranteed a prize. If you would like to take part then contact Rod Bracey on (01225) 338127. Remember this is an open event and not just for club members.

Fish were hard to tempt in the Devizes Christmas match fished at Crookwood Lake on Sunday after a heavy overnight frost. Top honours of the day and a hamper and £110 went to Chippenham matchman Stuart White with a mixed catch of roach and skimmers weighing 4lb 1oz taken on pole fished pinkies and casters on a 22 hook. Runner up prize went to Swindon youngster Darren Scott with an all roach catch weighing 3lb 15oz taken on pole fished squats on a 26 hook. He was followed by Melksham matchman Robin Guy with another roach catch weighing

3lb 4oz taken on pole fished pinkies on a 26 hook. The pairs prize went to Ray Sheridan of Devizes and Stuart White with a weight of 5lb 1oz. Other placings: 4. Dave Brantom Chippenham 3lb 4oz; 5. Paul Morris Devizes 2lb 4oz; 6. Gary Williamson Devizes 2lb 2oz.

The Blue Circle Christmas match fished at Blue Circle Lake on Sunday produced reasonable weights after a heavy overnight frost put the fish down. Top honours on the day went to Trowbridge matchman Howard Carpenter with a mixed catch of bream and roach weighing 11lb 11oz for a comfortable win taking his fish on feeder fished red maggots on a 20 hook. Runner up spot went to Trowbridge matchman Bill Turner with an all bleak catch weighing 6lb 14oz taken on whip fished maggots on an 18 hook. Martin Barrett of Trowbridge clinched third prize with another bleak catch weighing 6lb 10 oz also taken on whip fished maggots on an 18 hook. Other placings: 4. Mike Withey Westbury 5lb 14oz; 5. Steve Shaw Trowbridge 4lb 14oz; 6. Steve Martin Westbury 4lb 10oz.

Fish were also hard to tempt in the Wilts Angling Open match fished at Longleat on Sunday.

Warminster matchman Liam Braddell took top prize with a mixed bag of roach and skimmers weighing 13lb 6oz taken on waggler fished casters on a 20 hook. Frome matchman Gary Dallimore carried off second prize with a mixed catch of carp and skimmers weighing 12lb 6oz taken alternating with pole and waggler fished casters on a 20 hook. He was followed by Westbury matchman Andy Pritchard with a mixed catch of roach and skimmers weighing 8lb 12oz taken on waggler fished casters on a 20 hook. Other placings: 4. Paul Bond Warminster 8 lb 0oz; 5. Steve Foreman Bradford 5lb 7oz; 6. Barry Morzella Bristol 4lb 9 oz.