I am convinced that they regard the River Nene primarily as a water course and get rid of any excess water as quickly as possible with scant regard for angling or fish stocks.

But let's give credit where it's due as they have targeted strategic areas along our local river for a restocking programme that will continue for several years.

Unfortunately they will not be stocking the river with thousands of roach, bream or chub but on the bright side will be introducing barbel, a much sought after fish these days and one I and many others feel will benefit everyone in the long term.

That includes pleasure anglers that have yet to test their tackle against these hard-fighting fish.

I would love to see the likes of the Orton and Alwalton sections stocked but for now we will have to settle for a good stocking of fish a little higher up the river at Castor.

In time I am sure they will spread throughout the lower end of the system, hopefully well after 'Sammy the Seal' has gone home!



JVAC have a wealth of talented rods fishing for them these days and one of them is Rob Bell.

He is back in the winning grove after a relatively poor month, taking the top spot in the club's latest match on the Horseshoe Lake at Decoy.

Fishing from peg five he fed heavily with caster taking fish to double figures up in the water to record 76lb ½oz. Steve Freeman came second on 56lb 15½oz and Dave Parsons third on 54lb 15oz.



MAKING the most of a strong back wind on the Silver Fish pool at Kingsland was Ron Gilbert in the Grebe AC match.

He had a chub weight taken on the pole and waggler with worm and caster for 40lb 4oz. Runner-up with a level 21lb was Trevor Dew followed by Jon Bowland with 15lb 4oz.



WARMINGTON'S Frostbite Trophy was fished on the River Nene at Fotheringhay this year and saw club stalwart John Greenwood take the honours finishing with a net of roach and skimmers for 6lb 9oz.

There was a tie for second place between Mel Saggars and Brian Spence, who both weighed in 4lb 4oz.



WHAT a difference a week can make in angling.

Ten days ago anglers from across the area were singing the praises of the Whittlesey-run waters at the back of Carpet City in Whittlesey where double figure nets had regularly been taken.

It was a completely different story last Saturday when Paul Wright came out on top with a very modest 10oz, followed by Dave White with 9oz.

Those fishing this weekend's match should note that the draw will be 12.30pm.



ONE water that has been at its best all season is the Forty Foot Drain at the top end, know locally as Ramsey Narrows.

In Sunday's waggler only match Paul Kilby came out top with a level 14lb, his catch including a decent tench and a net of skimmers.

Runner-up was George Cole, who weighed in 11lb 8oz, followed by Andrew Kilby on 10lb and Keith Rayment with 9lb 14oz.



OVER on the Twenty Foot at March the drain was in cracking form for the Allsorts AC club members.

In a tight finish Steve Drew came out on top with 12lb 13oz of roach all taken on a whip.

Runner-up Pete Molesworth pushed him hard. Fishing similar tactics he recorded 12lb 2oz followed by Dave Arbon with 7lb 13oz.