Winter League R7 2019

Winter League Round 7, -  Sunday 1oth February:

With a full on westerly gale and the Lock Gate paddles wide open, it made for difficult conditions for those venturing out on the basis of an improving weather forecast.  Two hours in to the contest the paddles were closed, which did improve the situation but with the canal the colour of coffee it was not the day for liquidised bread and punch tactics.

Unsurprisingly Mark Gratton fished the tip from the Lower Basin and between the breakers he netted 6 Bream (biggest 5lb 5oz), all on the worm,  for a near 16lb winning weight.  Close by on peg 17 league leader Adrian Hill opted for the short pole fishing on the ledge and managed 3lbs of bits for second.

It was much closer for third with a number of anglers 'eeking' out the bits as the conditions slowly improved.  Mike Bowden came out on top beating Rob Fuller and Paul Braund by an ounce.  Paul Braund's catch of 15 fish was bolstered by a couple of dog rudd (2ozs each!) which helped him Simon Hockaday by an ounce for the Bird Hide section win.

The most sensible angler prize goes to Paul Drissel who retired to the Brendon Arms for a warm up when the weather was at its peak.

Another bonus, this was the first contest in ages where no cormorants were seen.

After that you need to remind yourself that the daylight hours are increasing.