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Angling roundup: It’s snow fun trying to fish in this weather
BEATING THE WEATHER AND HIS RIVALS: Tony Evans. Photo supplied
ANGLING ground to a halt at the weekend as the predicted snow and frosts put paid to any hopes of fishing - unless of course you were completely mad or an expert ice breaker.
There were a few anglers that decided to venture over to Townsend Lakes for the open match. It was one of the few matches to take place across the country and while I have broken the ice on the likes of the River Nene, fenland drains and several stillwaters across the area, Sunday was a day for me and the majority to stay indoors.
We can only hope that we see some improvement throughout the rest of the week or this weekend’s action is also going to become a casualty of the winter weather. Last year it lasted so long we all became accustomed to it but this sudden onslaught came as something of a surprise, most of us expecting the worst of the snow would miss us.
How anglers managed to get over to Townsend Lakes is something of a mystery, but then having to break ice inches thick would have put most of us off winter fishing for life.
The match did get under way though with most spending around an hour breaking the ice sufficiently enough to wet a line. The venue did in fact fish well with Bourne rod Tony Evans taking first place with a very respectable 39lb 8oz. Evans had broken the ice right across to the far side and his efforts paid off as his long pole line saw small carp more than willing to feed. Using small soft pellets on the hook Evans took carp to 2lb and together with a late run of silvers finished well clear of the chasing pack.
Runner-up was fishery boss Colin Begbie who fished red maggot all day down the middle in the deepest water netting small carp and Ide for 24lb 7oz. Spalding rod Tom Wilson came third, taking crucian carp on maggot and together with silvers and tench finished with 22lb 11oz.
With the venue in relatively good winter form I am sure there will again be quite a few anglers fishing the venue again this weekend, so give Colin a call on 01945 774008 for all the times and details.
n TYDD Gote AC fished their midweek match on the North Level drain with Emneth tackle dealer Mick Asker winning with 5lb 7½oz. He had a net of small fish taken on the whip with pinkie. Runner-up was Andy Greenwood on 5lb 3½oz followed by Phil Parnell with 5lb 2oz. Providing conditions allow, the Wednesday and Sunday Tydd matches will draw at 9am at Clough Bridge, fishing 10am-3pm. The club will also be running a Pike qualifier on Sunday, draw at 8.15am at Clough Treatment Works, again weather permitting.
n ANOTHER local club that managed to get a match in before the weather hit home was Whittlesey AC, who had a Saturday match on Whittlesey Dyke. They fished right at the top end from the Ashline Lock basin and along the disabled platforms. Even here ice had to be broken and with a bitterly cold wind on the water it was no wonder the weights were on the low side.
Andy Lawrence romped home a clear winner with an all-small catch weighing in with 6lb 2oz taken on bread punch which made his trip from beyond Wisbech worthwhile.
Sensas Mark One rod Rob Hewison was not that far behind, again using bread punch and pole on the opposite bank to the winner he put 5lb 4oz to the scales. On the platforms Chris Bishop fished well all day with the pole and bread punch taking better sized fish for third place with a weight of 4lb 6oz.
n THIS weekend sees the big March Open on the Old Nene through the town and out at the bypass sections. Hopefully the weather will have improved by then or it could be yet another day to spend indoors! Right now the venue is still frozen over in several places but I am sure the match will go ahead providing access to all sections is available. Bob Fitzjohn is running this one and can be contacted on 07970 673439.
n SUMMER may seem a long way off but with several big team events dropping by the wayside over the past couple of years a fresh, new event could well be up and running if enough interest is shown.
Hoping to get it off the ground is none other than England team manager Mark Downes. He is looking at a three or four match league event in several areas around the country with the winners going though to fish the Sensas Team Challenge Final.
At least one of the rounds could see bloodworm and joker being used and in all the rounds there will be a limit on the length of poles to be used and a strict bait limit will also be enforced.
It all sounds quite positive and I am sure several of our local sides could well be interested.
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Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
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Two slips and a gully.
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 08:34 AMReally sad news to learn of Robin Harris's death. He was always very keen to pass on his knowledge and I remember well the Wednesday night junior fishing matches back in the early 80's, trying to help us kids. His wife once saved me from some big kids trying to steel a new basket I'd bought from Robin's peg when I was about 14 - my hero! Ken Wade is right when he says that Robin never got the recognition he deserved, can't be too many World Champions from Peterborough. Thoughts are with his family.
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