ANGLING

By Colin Scull

THE atrocious weather over the past couple of weeks has badly hit sport on local rivers but once again anglers are lucky to have been able to fish on canals and still waters throughout the area, although in places it has been difficult to travel with flooded roads.

Despite the still waters some matches were cancelled at the weekend. The Bath Spartans event on the Bristol Avon at Lacock was one casualty and the South West Winter League match was switched to the Kennet and Avon Canal.

The quarterly meeting of the NFA South West and South Wales Regional Council took place on Saturday at Fry Club, Keynsham. One of the items discussed was the position of regional championships. For the first time in over 25 years the Regional Senior championships, which had been scheduled to be fished on the Huntspill, had to be cancelled when only three clubs had entered by the closing date. In view of the apparent lack of interest by members it was decided that no match would be arranged for 2001 but that all member clubs would be asked to put forward their views about the future of the championships.

It was agreed to continue with the Junior championships which will once again be held on the Kennet and Avon Canal at Seend on Saturday July 21. The entry fee for next year will rise to £18 per team of six and the event will continue to be open to any teams of six. Entry forms will be available early in the new year.

Once again the region will be staging a qualifying match in the Fish O'Mania competition which offers a first prize of £25,000 and which was won a couple of years ago by Devizes' Kevin Rowles. This match will take place on Sunday July 15 on the Kennet and Avon Canal around Devizes. Tickets will be available in the spring.

As we move into November, we reach the traditional time of year for the pike enthusiast. Although pike fishing now takes place throughout the year, there was a time when pike fishing did not start until the autumn. At this time of year as temperatures start to fall, pike fishing can be both exciting and rewarding. Seeking out your quarry with a spinning rod keeps you on the move and warmer than sitting in one spot at the waterside. This area abounds with good pike venues and the Kennet and Avon Canal as well as local rivers hold plenty of big fish.

Anglers will again have to pay more for their Environment Agency rod licences next year with an adult licence costing £20 and £10 for concessionary licences.

Future events. Sunday November 12: West End match at Chippenham, Calne match at Christian Malford, Ushers Winter League match Kennet and Avon Canal at Bradford, British Legion Poppy Open match at Keynsham.