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ANGLING

 

All the up-to-date news from the 2007-2008 Boston and District angling scene

with Barry Mallett

 

Index

November 2007

 

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Review for November 25

 

First match success is landed by Ashmore

 

The past week saw some reasonable weather, albeit with some rain in the west of the county while things turned colder as we progressed towards the weekend. Temperatures pushed to reach double figures, but in fact never actually moved out of the single figure range.

 

The Kings Arms midweek match took place once more at Tattershall Bridge on the River Witham where the19 anglers found the fish to be spread out more than has been the case over recent weeks. Catches of big perch still filled the first two places as Dave Ashmore, in his first match of the winter, fished the pole and chopped worm to take perch to a pound for his winning net. He held off the challenge of Dave Bontoft who chose his usual heavyweight tactics for second, after which half that weight brought third place to Alex Rushton, and behind him Lee Wright in fourth. Results: 1 Dave Ashmore, Grimsby, 25lbs 5ozs; 2 Dave Bontoft, Pets Cabin, 24lbs 9ozs; 3 Alex Rushton, Short Ferry, 12lbs 9ozs; 4 Lee Wright, Grimsby, 10lbs 4ozs.

 

On to Saturday and 18 anglers endured a bitterly cold day and with the river running hard throughout the match leading weights were not centred around Tattershall Bridge for a change. Due to that run-off, a few bream, hybrids and skimmers fed alongside odd perch and Kevin Rice was the main beneficiary as he took a useful bonus in the shape of a bream of 6lbs to waggler and maggot tactics. Another big hybrid followed and despite adding only three more fish on the feeder he had enough to win the match. A long trip from Norwich was made worthwhile for Mike Whittaker who clinched second spot with the help of a few perch and a bonus hybrid. A couple of good bream brought an end to a poor run for Malc Coxall in taking third place, just 3ozs adrift of that second position, Bill White also in double figures and fourth. Results: 1 Kevin Rice, Sheffield, 11lbs 10ozs; 2 Mike Whittaker, Norwich, 10lbs 11ozs; 3 Malc Coxall, Metheringham, 10lbs 8ozs; 4 Bill White, Lincoln, 10lbs 2ozs.

 

The Saturday sweep at Crows Bridge on the River Steeping took place in even colder conditions and produced a similar result to the previous week, as most anglers again failed to bring anything to the scales. Winner from the peg nearest Crows Bridge was Chris Mawer who found four skimmers and a few tiny fish for 1lb 8ozs and in second place, with 20 odd fish, was Kevin Harrison who managed just 12ozs.Last in the prize list and the only other to catch was Graham Cripsey with similar fish for 8ozs, all three anglers using groundbait, squatt and pinkie tactics.

 

On to Sunday and all of the United Anglers Club found the going almost as hard on the Sibsey Trader Drain at Northlands. All, this is, except for Jamie Cole who ran away with the match from a peg right next to the bridge itself. Apart from his winning weight the competition was in the 2lbs to 3lbs range and at the very least every one of the 14 anglers here managed to weigh in. Jamie caught mainly roach to pole and pinkie but a few good perch helped to boost his weight to a different level. John Waterhouse led the chasing pack and for a change came out on top of that particular contest using a 6m whip together with pinkie, which was also the favoured bait for the rest of the club. Results: 1 Jamie Cole 8lbs 5ozs; 2 John Waterhouse 2lbs 12ozs; 3 Dave Johnson 2lbs 10ozs; 4 Chris Woolley 2lbs 5˝ozs; 5 Dave Willows 2lbs 5ozs.

 

Bingham AC found the going a little easier on the Frith Bank Drain at Anton’s Gowt but were surprised by the higher level of water on Sunday, found to be over 2ft in depth and giving a good covering to the usual muddy margins. Having said that, the competition for the top places was in the 4lbs to 5lbs category, the weights almost invariably consisting of roach, with a sprinkling of perch throughout the match for good measure. Such was the case for Brien Matthews, the eventual winner who stuck to pole and fluoro pinkie to take the day’s sole 5lbs plus weight. Hot on his heels though was second placed Mick Paling who adopted similar tactics and managed to hold off Steve Simpson in third position, a mere 5ozs behind. Results: 1 Brien Matthews 5lbs 10˝ozs; 2 Mick Paling 4lbs 14ozs; 3 Steve Simpson 4lbs 8ozs; 4 Dave Millington 4lbs 1oz.

 

Having had a tour around the local area, Fishtoft AC members finally settled on pegs at the cemetery on the Bargate Drain, but then spent the remaining hours in a fruitless effort to try and induce a bite of any description. Could say it was a dead loss!! Next Sunday they will try again and meet at McDonald’s 7.30am.

 

Pleasure anglers should note that the fifth and final round of the Boston Winter League will take place this coming Sunday and will use most of the Frith Bank Drain once again.

 

The Lincoln Fur and Feather open match will be fished on Saturday December 8 on the Upper Witham in Lincoln. The draw will take place at the Bracebridge Café, Newark Road, Lincoln from 8.15am, tickets are Ł15 al- in from Frank Butler on (01522) 534174.

 

Review for November 18

 

Ron weighs in for win as skimmers dominate

 

An extremely raw few days (as forecast) has been experienced with daytime temperatures remaining well down in single figures running up to, and including the weekend. Adding to the general woes was a very cold, dull and dreary Sunday that surely signals the end of a comparatively warm and dry autumn.

 

Mixed results from the River Witham, which remains gin clear and carries too much water at present, especially for the time of year. Both mid-week and Saturday matches took place at Tattershall Bridge where skimmers in both cases dominated proceedings for a change. Match organiser Ron Chambers took full advantage of his draw and produced the winning weight to quivertip and maggot. John Duffield grabbed second with a mixed bag to float tactics, ahead of Frank Butler and Dave Bontoft who this time had to give best to the ‘old stagers’ on either side of him. Results: 1 Ron Chambers, Kirkstead, 11lbs 7ozs; 2 John Duffield, Lincoln, 10lbs 8ozs; 3 Frank Butler, Lincoln, 9lbs 15ozs; Dave Bontoft, Pets Cabin, 9lbs 8ozs.

 

That very cold Saturday ensured a dramatic fall in weights as Graham Worley needed just a level 4lbs of skimmers to clinch the top spot – John Duffield again the bridesmaid in the space of four days. Results: 1 Graham Worley, Lincoln, 4lbs 2 John Duffield, Lincoln, 3lbs 4ozs; 3 Les Wallace, Lincoln, 1lb 15ozs.

 

Just nine hardy souls fished the latest River Steeping open on Saturday, and being the coldest day so far, the weather had an obvious bearing on feeding patterns but no one really expected most of the little fish to go on hunger strike. After two hours, with only a handful of fish caught, only 4 were left to contest the outcome as all the younger entrants showing maturity beyond their years and went home to a warm fire and a hot toddy – or something like that.  It fell to the senior citizen in the match to show everyone else how to do it as Brian Clark stuck to his task and brought a few small fish to the scales. Close behind was the “worm man” Russ Parsons who added a bonus net perch of around 8ozs to grab second place. Results: 1 Brian Clark 1lb 13ozs; 2 Russ Parsons 1lb 6ozs; 3 Keith Dobson 11ozs; 4 Chris Mawer 9ozs.

 

No better conditions for Sunday and perhaps even worse as driving rain greeted competitors to the fourth round Boston Winter League match on the Frith Bank Drain. Despite most weather forecasts to the contrary the damp start soon abated and although never very warm, the rest of the day refused to produce another spot. Although on the clear side the water level remained at a constant level and anglers were hence pleasantly surprised that fish fed mainly to breadpunch or pinky throughout the match length, which of course resulted in much higher catches than was first anticipated. Average weights came in at around the 4lbs mark and those who reached the exalted heights of the top six needed seven pounds and more to achieve those lofty positions. Heading the field was the surprise package from the Horncastle outfit in the shape of Neville Soulby, who took full advantage of an early peg near to the little footbridge, at the Antons Gowt end of the match. A ‘fish a chuck ‘brought a good net of roach to pole and punch, leaving him well clear of second placed John Briggs who adopted similar tactics at a peg close to Tattershall Road bridge. Just the two double figure nets but Lincoln angler John Turner made third place his own with a smidgeon under 9lbs. After that a few anglers made the seven pounds range and were led home by that man Dave Bontoft once again with his second fourth position in as many days.

 

Teamwise, the Division One race is virtually over as Grimsby self destructed, and although the East Midlands MG A side could only manage fourth behind a resurgent BCUK they now hold a commanding 15 point lead over them and Holbeach AC who pulled themselves up to level for the runner-up spot. Into Div 2 and despite conceding some ground to Lincoln Whisby and an equally resurgent BAC A outfit Wainfleet are looking good value for their 8 point advantage but still need to stay on their mettle for the last round in a fortnight’s time.

 

The individual race in both divisions is still wide open and if previous years are anything to go by a poor match to finish the series will turn the whole leaderboard on its head. A substitute for Andy Dixon kept the momentum going and the seven points gained by that man kept him sitting at the top of the tree, albeit from team mate Mark Nesbitt who continues to snap at his heels. Even tighter for the Div 2 title which at present has turned into a three-way scrap between Dave Bontoft, John Turner and Jim Whitmore at present, none though cannot afford any slip up and so be overtaken by the chasing pack right at the death.

 

Individuals: 1 Neville Soulby, Horncastle, 11lbs 13ozs; 2 John Briggs, BAC A, 10lbs 4ozs; 3 John Turner, Lincoln Whisby, 8lbs 15ozs; 4 Dave Bontoft, Wainfleet AC, 7lbs 13ozs; 5 Mick Stephens, K9, 7lbs 8 ˝ozs; 6 Trevor Ogilvie 7lbs 6ozs.

 

Overall

Div One: 1 Andy Dixon 32pts; 2 Mark Nesbitt 30pts; 3 Steve Winter 28pts; 4 Ian Thrower 27pts.

Div Two: equal 1 Dave Bontoft, John Turner and Jim Whitmore 32pts; 4 Alan Henry 39pts; 5 Neville Soulby 28pts.

 

Teams

Div One: BCUK 34 pts; 2 Holbeach AC 26pts; 3= DSC & East Midland MG A 23pts; 5 K9 18pts.

Div Two: 1 Lincoln Whisby 29pts; 2 BAC A 26pts; 3 Wainfleet AC 25pts; 4 E. Midland MG B 21pts.

 

Overall

Div One: 1 East Midland MG A 94pts; equal 2 Holbeach AC and Grimsby 79pts; equal 4 BCUK and Browning Boston 76pts. Div Two: 1 Wainfleet AC 110pts; 2 Lincoln Whisby 102pts; 3 Horncastle 83pts; 4 BAC A 76pts; 5 E. Midland MG B 72pts.

 

The Fenland Pike Club match produced some superb specimens in the 20lbs range and two such fish, weighing 19lbs 6ozs and 21lbs 12ozs, brought an easy win for Mark Bradbury. Andrew Walker followed up with second place as his total of 4 fish included another super pike of 21lbs 8ozs. Results: 1 Mark Bradbury 41lbs 2ozs; 2 Andrew Walker 28lbs 15ozs; 3 Daniel Walker 8lbs 10ozs.

 

Fishtoft AC continued their run of dismal results, this Sunday from the Sibsey Trader Drain where Rod Asher again held sway, this time with an even lower weight than his previous win. Just a few small fish to squatt, and topped of with a bonus perch of a pound to chopped worm making the difference. Gary Shinn was the unlucky angler in second spot as Barry Hudson clung on to third with the only other pound plus net. Results: 1 Rod Asher 2lbs 1 ˝ozs; 2 Gary Shinn 1lb 9ozs; 3 Barry Hudson 1lb 1 ˝ozs. Next Sunday meet McDonalds 7.30am.

 

Finally please note that the Boston Junior AC presentation night is on Friday November 23 at Kirton Leisure Centre. Admission is free and a raffle will be held to go towards the cost of the buffet. The evening will start at 7.30pm and we hope to have a local paper on hand to take some publicity photos, so please get all your friends and family to come along for a fun night out (try and let me know how many in your party so we can arrange the food – ring Dave Rance 01529 461215). Could those who hold annual trophies please return them to local tackle shops as soon as possible.