A much quieter week with only the odd heavy downpour to remind us that it’s still summer. Amazingly we experienced an almost completely dry weekend – Saturday’s overnight rain doing very little to alter water conditions, which are now back to normal in most cases. With a fair wind and a bit of luck the next few days will bring more in the way of sunshine and much less of the wet stuff according to the forecasters, having now of course passed the height of summer!

Looking through the reports it would seem that with these more normal conditions now prevailing, the larger fish have suddenly become notable by their absence, as only their much smaller cousins show any appetite for most of the presented baits. The ladies NFA national championship, which took place on the Calder and Hebble Canal near Wakefield on Saturday, was a good case in point. Apart from the prize winning weights, a big percentage of the 60-plus anglers could only conjure up around a pound or less of tiny see-through fish in the 10gms or less category. Unfortunately this also applied to our girls, with the exception of Linda Wells who turned in a good performance and nearly achieved the magic 1kg mark.

Individuals: 1 Helen Dagnall, Starlets AS, 3.030kgs; 2 Wendy Locker, Warrington AA Blue, 2.350kgs; 3 Emma Pickering, Barnsley & District AAS, 2.250kgs; 4 Lynda Lythgoe, Warrington AA Blue, 2.200kgs; 5 Sandra Scothorne, Barnsley & District AAS, 2.100kgs

Teams: 1 Warrington AA Blue 5.640kgs; 2 Barnsley & Dist AAS 5.330kgs; 3 Starlets AS 4.840kgs; 4 Warrington AA Gold 4.640kgs; 5 Shimano Arun Angling 4.090kgs; 10 Boston & Dist AA 1.930kgs (Susan Russell 0.450kgs; Christine Frazier 0.130kgs; June Balderson 0.450kgs; Linda Wells 0.900kgs).

The Fishtoft AC match on the golf course section of the Sibsey Trader Drain was the one exception as Ben Brighton produced another crushing victory, with 10lbs to spare for the second week on the trot. This time the long pole, worm and caster was employed to tempt four bream for his winning net. Others could not find anything other than bits, and only Rex Harrison and Gordon Manning could boast the same class of fish as they netted one decent bream apiece for second and third place respectively. Results: 1 Ben Brighton 14lbs 12ozs; 2 Rex Harrison 4lbs 8ozs; 3 Gordon Manning 4lbs 7ozs; 4 Brian Blackamore 3lbs. Those involved in the Club championship on Sunday should meet Ropers Arms for an 8.30 am draw.

Further upstream at Sibsey Northlands found Stickney AC struggled for a few small fish and even though everyone had something to show for their efforts Chris Chapman achieved success with less than 5lbs. Rob Damms just beat Frank Scrupps to second spot, thanks to a small tench, and this could count as total failure for Frank in not tempting any of those larger fish to his tried and tested feeder tactics for a change. Results: 1 Chris Chapman 4lbs 9ozs; 2 Rob Damms 3lbs 6ozs; 3 Frank Scrupps 3lbs 4ozs.

Another good result from the Windsor Bank section of the Bargate Drain from and here Coach and Horses AC members enjoyed decent nets of roach, perch and skimmers of all sizes up to 4ozs. Lee Feary set out to catch a better class of fish after first encountering those tiny half ounce specimens and did just that as pole and caster sorted out the 2-4oz category. Consequently he finished well clear of Paul Cater who put his faith in the squatt and pinky approach for some 200 tiddlers for second spot. Likewise Danny Pettigrew Jnr. brought a similar net to scales for third whilst Mick Corkrum and Billy Coope tied for fourth with well over 5lbs, lowest weight in the match being more than 3lbs. Results: 1 Lee Feary 8lbs 3ozs; 2 Paul Cater 6lbs 12ozs; 3 Danny Pettigrew Jnr. 6lbs 8ozs; 4 Mick Corkrum & Billy Coope 5lbs 12ozs. Next week the club will fish for the Terry Hurling memorial trophy, venue to be decided.

Surprising what a bright sunny day can do as a few fresh faces make these Monday evening matches ever more popular. However, with the water level low and no flow the fish were a little slow to feed for some, but Gary Shinn caught steady throughout to win with a pound to spare over Steve Winter. Sean Higginbottom finished close on his heels in third and barely managed to hold off Boston youth members Reece Dillamore and Joe Paiton, just 2 and 3ozs adrift respectively. For the record Gary’s weight consisted of roach and skimmers to pole at 7 metres as was the case for second placed Steve Winter. Results: 1 Gary Shinn 5lbs 6ozs; 2 Steve Winter 4lbs 6ozs; 3 Sean Higginbottom 3lbs 15ozs; 4 Reece Dillamore 3lbs 13ozs; 5 Joe Paiton 3lbs 12ozs; 6 Dave Simpson 3lbs 4ozs. If the sun continues to shine and the fish to feed we hope to see 20 plus fishing next week, meet same time, same place.

Pleasure anglers should be aware that the Boston and District Angling Association club championship match will take place this coming Sunday on both the Windsor Bank and Horncastle Road sections of the Bargate Drain. Please consult notice boards for pegging information before attempting to fish. Similarly the rearranged Annual match will take place on the same venue the following Sunday August 12, bookings for which are taken by Barry Mallett on (01205) 871815. Tickets £3.50, plus optional pools on the morning.

Review for July 22

Ben’s tactics earn match win rewards

Not a particularly wet week, until Friday that is, when the really heavy stuff finally got going. And once started, it hardly knew when to stop. To a lesser extent, it unfortunately continued through Saturday. But the damage had already been done, and by the afternoon most local waters around Boston were already carrying some 4ft or more of silt and rubbish laden floodwater.

From this you may gather that come Sunday there was subsequently very little angling activity. But the odd local club event did get off the ground, albeit not necessarily on local venues. The forecast is for more of the same but hopefully not as heavy and prolonged as previous weeks. Before I progress I must mention that the new platforms and disabled facility on the South Forty Foot Drain at Wyberton Chain Bridge are now available. Apparently those that have already used these have given it nothing but praise and from anyone’s point of view it brings a much-needed addition to angling facilities on this side of town.

This of course has all been brought about by the REEL project in consultation with Boston and DAA and will be officially opened by their representatives and others such as Bob Nudd on the afternoon of Thursday August 16.

Fishtoft AC’s visit to the Coronation Channel at Spalding went ahead as scheduled, as on arrival they found conditions virtually normal with no apparent amount of floodwater in the system. Consequently the club had a much better day’s fishing than was anticipated, with roach and skimmers of all sizes being ready feeders. Almost 10lbs separated first from second as Ben Brighton employed feeder and red maggot tactics to deadly effect and bring a number of big skimmers to the net for an easy win. Rod Asher took the runner-up spot for the second week on the trot, and was achieved by pole tactics combined with squatt and pinky for a good net of small fish. Similarly Mark Cook took fairly close order in third using like tactics, as did fourth placed Gary Shinn. Results: 1 Ben Brighton 16lbs 7ozs; 2 Rod Asher 6lbs 8ozs; 3 Mark Cook 6lbs 2ozs; 4 Gary Shinn 5lbs 4ozs. Next Sunday the club will fish the Sibsey Trader Drain, meet Stonebridge 7 am.

Due to lack of local reports I have to look further afield this week, Lincoln being the next port of call. Much the same conditions also applied here and the latest Whisby AS on the Tidal Trent was in serious doubt right down to the last minute, but the organisers decided to take the chance. Even though the river was already well up and rising it was not too bad for the first half of the match and in view of the conditions the venue actually fished reasonably well.

There was a real surprise in store for Roly Moses who he hooked a big fish that took 15 minutes or more to land and when netted proved to be a fine common carp in excellent condition, tipping the scales at 13lb 3ozs. Fishing the feeder in conjunction with two red maggots and a worm on a size 16 hook and 3lb hook length, he did well to land this super fish, and adding a good bream and a few skimmers, he took the match with some ease. John Small also grabbed some of the action using similar tactics and also tempted a bream of around 6½lbs. Adding this to a mixed bag of roach, dace and chub, it saw him pinch second spot from Alan Houlton who came up with a similar, but slightly smaller net of the same species. Results: 1 Roly Moses, Brigg Britannia, 24lbs 5ozs; 2 John Small, Lincoln Whisby AS, 15lbs 11ozs; 3 Alan Houlton, Harrisons Lincs County, 14lbs 9ozs; 4 Rob Thorley, Lincoln Whisby AS, 12lbs 12ozs.

Roly Moses is making a determined bid to retain the aggregate trophy he won last year and after three matches he has the maximum score of 21 points. John Small heads the chasing pack and is currently in second place with 18 points.

The third match of the VW Specialist series also took place on the Tidal Trent at N. Clifton, just fourteen anglers fishing for the Graham Wilson Memorial Trophy on Sunday. A case of “as you were” as Alan Henry gave a repeat performance to clinch the match for the second week running, again feeder, maggot and worm the method to top off his net of skimmers with a good bream.

A gaggle of Lincoln Whisby anglers completed a clean sweep of the prizes as Frank Butler also tempted a fine bream to claim second, ahead of Dave Small who finished with a similar catch. Weights then dropped away a little as John Small needed less than 4lbs to take fourth. Results: 1 Alan Henry, Lincoln Whisby AS, 9lbs 10ozs; 2 Frank Butler, Lincoln Whisby AS 6lbs 13ozs; 3 Dave Small Lincoln Whisby AS 6lbs; 4 John Small Lincoln Whisby AS 3lbs 13ozs.

At the halfway stage in this series Alan Henry leads for the race for the trophy with 30 pts from Paul Clark, Lincoln Whisby AS, and Chris Elsom, Harrisons Lincs County, each on 21 pts.

After the rains the Bargate Drain was yet very muddy, four feet up and running off rather fast as only a few diehards turned out to fish the Monday evening sweep. Swimfeeder being the preferred method for most, match organiser Dave Rance set about the job and was the only angler to break the pound mark with a skimmer and a few bits. And the good news for a change – it didn’t rain! Results: 1 Dave Rance 1lb 12ozs; 2 Gary Shinn 12oz; 3 Brian Clarke 10ozs. Next week, same time, same place.

Review for July 15

Testing time for junior match contestants

A few hefty showers, mainly during night time hours, otherwise it was a much drier week for our neck of the woods than was earlier suggested. Not that more normal water conditions bring much of a bonus, either in the form of higher weights or increased numbers of bigger fish to be caught. The reverse is usually true as rivers and drains lose their colour, so in turn fish of all categories and species become wary of anything but the right, and better-presented bait and tackle.

Contrary to all expectations anglers, to all intents and purposes, enjoyed almost a completely dry Sunday for a change. Albeit a somewhat cloudy and breezy one, and as the rain did not arrive until late in the afternoon, most had by then completed their various activities and headed on home.

The King’s Lynn junior match took place on Sunday on the Chapel stretch of the Ten Mile Bank, part of the River Ouse. Following on as it did, the day after the Division Three NFA Championship, this was never going to be easy for those youngsters taking part. And so it, proved to be the case as seven dry nets were recorded and most sections were won by the odd big fish to swimfeeder or pole-fished worm. A single bream indeed settled the issue as Lynn’s Kayleigh Williams tempted one large fish to feeder tactics. Best net was probably that of James Wright who clinched second by taking an all roach catch to pole and maggot, followed by our own Nicholas Wright who added a tench to a few bits.

Individuals: 1 Kayleigh Williams, King’s Lynn Gold, 5lbs 12ozs; 2 James Wright, Holbeach, 5lbs 4ozs; 3 Nicholas Wright, Boston, 4lbs 10ozs. Two sections wins, plus a second and third from the Boston’s team of Luke Morley, Reece Dillamore, Tyrell Dawson and Nicholas Wright ensured a comfortable win as Holbeach took the runner-up spot ahead of hosts Kings Lynn. Results: 1 Boston 7pts; 2 Holbeach 11pts; equal 3 King’s Lynn Gold and King’s Lynn Blue.

End peg syndrome struck the latest Fishtoft AC match which took place at Cook’s Lock on the South Forty Foot Drain last Sunday. Both end two anglers took the top four places and at the lock end Jerry Clifton scored a clear-cut victory with a stone plus of roach and skimmers. Likewise, from the far end of the 16 competitors, Rod Asher weighed in a level 10lbs for second, only just beating Ben Brighton, who was pegged next to Jerry, into third place. Results: 1 Jerry Clifton 14lbs 4ozs; 2 Rod Asher 10lbs; 3 Ben Brighton 9lbs 8ozs; 4 Gordon Manning 4lbs 8ozs. Next Sunday (July 22) meet McDonald’s, Spalding 7 am for a club match on the Coronation Channel.

Over to the Bargate Drain and clubs found conditions more difficult than recent times as the odd bream or tench was generally enough to scoop the top prize. Certainly the case for Stickney AC on the railway bridge end of Horncastle Road where a magnificent tench of 6lbs 11ozs brought yet another victory to in-form Frank Scrupps. A much smaller version gave Yappy Mountain second as most anglers could only scrape together a couple of pounds of bits. Results: 1 Frank Scrupps 10lbs 2ozs; 2 Yappy Mountain 2lbs 15ozs; 3 John Briggs 2lbs 5ozs; 4 Paul Wood 2lbs 2ozs.

A similar tale from the Coach and Horses AC match in front of the cemetery, where a couple of bream to the usual feeder and worm tactics brought another emphatic win for Mick Corkrum, in this instance. An obvious increase in overall fish population here as Danny Pettigrew junior had to settle for second spot with a level 6lbs of bits, Graham Upsall easing into third with a similar type of catch. Results: 1 Mick Corkrum 10lbs 14ozs; 2 Danny Pettigrew Jnr. 6lbs; 3 Graham Upsall 4lbs 7ozs. On Sunday July 22 the club is due to tackle the Hobhole Drain but looking at the present low level, which is more like a winter scenario, the match may well be diverted to a more comfortable and safer venue such as the Bargate Drain.

The first dry start to Monday evening matches and biggest turn out this season, with 17 anglers taking part, but of course it could not last and all fish stopped feeding when a thunderstorm arrived at exactly 8pm. Too late to alter the outcome as Gary Shinn had already put together a good bag of roach and skimmers with a perch of 1½lbs added to ensure the victory. Andy Dillamore took a nice net of hemp caught roach as did son Reece in third. Results: 1 Gary Shinn 7lbs 2ozs; 2 Andy Dillamore 5lbs 2ozs; 3 Reece Dillamore 4lbs 4ozs; 4 Sean Higginbottom 3lbs 8ozs. Same time, same place next week, everyone welcome.

A final reminder to match anglers that the 112th Boston annual match will take place this coming Sunday on the Bargate Drain and the following Sunday the club championship for teams of six. Bookings are being taken by Barry Mallett on (01205) 871815.

Review for July 8

Floodwaters recede, but more rain forecast

More heavy rain arrived during last week but floodwaters are without doubt receding and the weekend turned out to be almost totally dry, to everyone’s relief. Sunday’s heavy showers failed to materialise but more rain is forecast this coming week to perhaps put us back on flood alert before next weekend (July 14 and 15).

The senior schools match went ahead as scheduled but they all had to endure a thoroughly wet night on the Horncastle Road section of the Bargate Drain last Thursday evening. Of the 36 entries only 28 turned up, out of which 2/3 of those had anything to show for their efforts at the end of the match. Girls were again in the ascendancy as Jordan Shinn, with the aid of a nice tench of 2lbs 11ozs, not only pinched the top spot in the under 14yrs category but also helped her Giles B team, consisting of herself and Reece Dillamore, to victory and win the Centenary trophy. Their A team of Luke Morley and Liam Shinn grabbed second and both outfits being one member light, they still managed to hold off Haven High C, who fished a full complement of Kyle Jobson, Leyton Holland and Lewis Richardson, in third.

Teams: 1 Giles B 2.810 kgs; 2 Giles A 2.010 kgs; 3 Haven High C 1.630 kgs.
Individuals: Under-14s (Hudson Cup), 1 Jordan Shinn, Giles B, 2.030 kgs; 2 Leyton Holland, Haven High C, 1.500 kgs; 3 Callum McPhail, William Lovell C. 0.550 kgs.
Under-17s (Beckett Cup), 1 Luke Morley, Giles A, 1.550 kgs; 2 Reece Dillamore 0.780 kgs; 3 Joe Paiton, William Lovell A, 0.700 kgs.
Prizes were kindly donated by Boston Angling Centre, Pilgrim Tackle, Gemma Savage and Boston and DAA.
Thanks were expressed to Boston & DAA for pegs, Norprint International for use of their car park, parents, guardians and teachers. Tony Vamplew, Sue Russell and family for help in weighing on such a dismally wet evening.

Junior nationals championship at Milton Keynes

Four practice sessions for this premier event on the Grand Union Canal on Saturday July 7 gave every member of the Boston teams much confidence as plenty of fish were caught on each occasion. But what a difference the weather can make as bright sunlight, after all the rains, brought about a stuttering catch rate as bites came and went, a result of which the intermediate and junior teams finished well down the list in 15th and 16th place respectively.

It was a totally different story from the Boston Cadets and despite a last-minute setback when a late rule change meant that two anglers had to drop out and replacements found, they excelled themselves in bringing home a total of no less than eleven medals and a silver trophy for second place overall. Adding to this, if that was at all possible, was the fact that they also produced the Individual Cadet Champion in the shape of Jake Gallagher who weighed in a total of 1.520kgs.

This team of six, which consisted of David Ewing, Josh Winner, Sophie Williams, Chris Weedon, Bradley Proctor and Jake Gallagher are all aged between 11 and 12 and begs the question: what can they achieve in following years? Three of the team gained section wins, making it a great effort to claim that runner-up spot with 31 pts, not too far behind the heavily sponsored Smart Bait Leeds outfit who won with 36 points. Another local angler 15 year old Luke Morley, now fishing for the Farnborough and District junior team, took ninth place overall and was selected to fish at the Fish O’Mania event to be shown on Sky TV a week on Saturday.

Our next match is on Sunday at Ten Mile Bank and any members wanting to take part should contact team manager Dave Rance 01529 461415.

Club news

Things were surprisingly poor on the Sibsey Trader Drain where Sibsey AC fished the Stonebridge section and despite well-coloured conditions they found fish to be on the shy side despite plenty of activity. All reported the loss of many fish – some better specimens among them – off the hook, but Pete Coulson hung on to one decent bream of 3lbs to clinch victory. Maurice Sharp claimed second with a mixed bag of small fish and Ian Singlehurst a frustrated third, on a level pound. Results: 1 Pete Coulson 5lbs 2ozs; 2 Maurice Sharp 2lbs 4ozs; 3 Ian Singlehurst 1lb.

United Anglers fared much better on the railway bridge section of the Bargate Drain but despite a few larger fish showing their faces, most of the 15 competitors also complained of many bites and destroyed bait without much indication of the fact. However, the match was very competitive for the most part but Paul Cole eased to victory, taking three bream and a few skimmers to the tip, groundbait feeder and double red maggot for a comfortable win. A perch of around 2lbs helped Gus Foster to second using pole tactics whilst a large tench of 5lbs 3ozs gave Jamie Cole an easy third place ahead of a gaggle of 2lbs plus weights. Results: 1 Paul Cole 6lbs 10½ ozs; 2 Gus Foster 7lbs 12ozs; 3 Jamie Cole 6lbs 10½ ozs; 4 Mike Stratton 2lbs 8½ ozs.

Fishtoft AC settled on the cemetery length of the Bargate Drain and also came up with similar results as the Grimsby counterparts upstream. A tench in the 5lbs category ensured a win for Nick Mummery for the second week on the trot but probably the best catch here was the all roach effort from Ben Brighton in taking second spot. Janas netted a smaller tench in the 2-3lbs range to tie with Gordon Manning for third place.
1 Nick Mummery 6lbs 8ozs; 2 Ben Brighton 4lbs 8ozs; equal 3 Janas and Gordon Manning 3lbs. Next Sunday meet Cook’s Lock, S. Forty Foot Drain 7 am.

Stickney AC tried the Stonebridge end of the golf course stretch on Sunday and although many small fish were in evidence, the expected bigger fish i.e. bream, decided to do a disappearing act, despite the efforts from such as Yappy Mountain. Instead pole was king as Andy Dillamore gained second with a good catch of small roach but was beaten by Alan Fear who took the honours with a couple of decent skimmers and perch. Results: 1 Alan Fear 3lbs 14ozs; 2 Andy Dillamore 3lbs 6ozs; 3 Steve Evans 2lbs 7ozs. On Sunday July 15 the club will fish the Bargate Drain, cemetery footbridge to railway bridge section of Horncastle Road.

Carp up to 8lbs and averaging 4lbs gave Danny Pettigrew junior another comfortable win when they visited Alan Coupland’s lake at Wyberton on Sunday. Pole and paste was the winning combination and was also employed by second placed Lee Feary who finished with just a couple of fish less, the remainder finishing way back at some distance. Results: 1 Danny Pettigrew junior 38lbs; 2 Lee Feary 33lbs 6ozs; 3 Graham Upsall 6lbs 8ozs.

A welcome return to more seasonal weather improved the turn out, as 13 anglers took part in the Monday evening sweep on the Windsor Bank. No change in the winner though as Frank Scrupps carried on where he left off last week and with his usual tactics of feeder and worm he landed two good bream and a few bits to give him a 4lbs plus advantage at the weigh in. Gary Shinn improved one place from last week and a good bag of squatt fish gave him the edge over Andy Dillamore and son Reece in fourth. Results: 1 Frank Scrupps 9lbs 10ozs; 2 Gary Shinn 5lbs 6ozs; 3 Andy Dillamore 4lbs 14ozs; 4 Reece Dillamore 4lbs 10ozs. Next week same time, same place.