Staying mainly warm, fine and dry, September can nevertheless be only described as difficult for the most part but last week’s drop in temperature, accompanied by strong winds and driving rain by Friday certainly put the tin hat on it as far as good fishing was concerned.

Before I dive into last weekend’s reports, which make for dismal reading, I must first catch up with the Liam Wilson Memorial Trophy match that took place on Westwood Lakes, Wyberton the previous Saturday. Once the mist had cleared a beautiful sunny morning saw many of Liam’s friends and family, alongside members of the Boston Youth Angling Club, take up most of the pegs on all three lakes. Hawk Lake was on form and fished the better of the three lakes, producing the top weight of the match to one of the youngest anglers taking part. Ten-year-old Chris Weedon kept it simple and fished pole at 3metres to catch steadily throughout the match for a winning weight of 22lbs, whereas some of the older and more experienced anglers struggled on Kestrel and Kingfisher Lakes to produce any good weights. Top rod from Kingfisher was 15-year-old Daniel Austin who actually fished from his wheel chair due to a leg injury; Dan managed to fish long pole to the island and caught four fish for his 20lbs 4oz. On Kestrel, England Youth angler Jonathon Taylor took the honours fishing feeder tight to reeds from peg 11 for eight carp for his 19lbs 9oz, Shaun Higginbottom taking second with 13lbs 5ozs, which included a tail hooked 5lbs carp and took some time to land. Results: School year 8 and under (Hawk Lake), 1 Chris Weedon 22lbs; 2 Michael Stubbs 11lbs 6ozs; 3 Thomas Vamplew 8lbs 6ozs; Specimen Fish Trophy, Steve Fisher/Simon Burr; School year 9 and over (Kingfisher Lake), 1 Daniel Austin 20lbs 4ozs; 2 Kirsty Reed 6lbs 6ozs; Jonathan Taylor (junior) 5lbs 3ozs; Specimen Fish Trophy, Ali Wood; Adults (Kestrel Lake), 1 Jonathan Taylor 19lbs 9ozs; 2 Shaun Higginbottom 13lbs 5ozs; 3 Aron Tree 7lbs 14ozs; Specimen Fish Trophy, Lee Hepworth; Mixed pairs winners were Chris Weedon and Darren Clarke. The array of super trophies was presented by veteran angler and former NFA Champion Roy Jarvis. A raffle was held after the presentation and raised £500 for the Liam Wilson Memorial Fund, which will be given to the accident and emergency unit at Pilgrim Hospital. Thanks went to everyone concerned for their help and generosity in making the day a great success and organisers are already looking forward to seeing everyone again next year.

Now back to the weekend and the big match was, of course, the NFA Individual National Championship on the Bargate Drain on Saturday. Everyone had high hopes of a good match but it is sad to report that a very wintry day on the Friday put paid to all hopes of that. Instead many a good angler struggled for a bite and called it a day well before the final whistle, leaving those that did manage a few fish from here and there to fight it out for the prizes. The vast majority of the 150 anglers taking part could not make 1kg as few small fish showed any interest, and even fewer of their much larger brethren for that matter. End peg syndrome was hence the likely outcome and this proved to be the case over both parts of the match, as well as better catches from pegs where competitors had the advantage of the odd blank peg next to them. The winner, in the shape of Scott Rispin, a tackle dealer from Hull, took full advantage of end peg on the Windsor Bank section towards Queens Road. Taking a succession of good skimmers and topping it off with a small bream of some 2lbs he clinched victory by a margin of almost 3kgs. We then have to move to the far end of Horncastle Road, towards Cowbridge, to find the runner-up and here Sandra Scotthorne clinched that spot in the last 10 minutes with a couple of large bream. The next best weight of the day, and perhaps the most competitive was that of third placed Phil Pranskus who trounced anglers all around him with a mixed net of bream, roach and perch to chopped worm and caster, similarly for Jason Cunningham in fourth from the other end of Windsor Bank. Results: 1 Scott Rispin 6.500kgs; 2 Sandra Scotthorne 3.660kgs; 3 Phil Pranskus 3.530kgs; 4 Jason Cunningham 3.090kgs; 5 Mick Hanks 2.870kgs; 6 Neil Lloyd 2.470kgs; 7 Adam Playford 2.460kgs.

The following results from around the area go some way to prove that the poor fishing was more to do with water and climatic conditions than any one particular venue, and matches around the county and beyond suffered much the same fate.

Over on the Hobhole Drain at Ings Bridge on Sunday, Stickney AC could only find a very few fish, as mainly perch took any interest in proceedings, which ever bait was used. Three good specimens were enough to give Paul Woods the spoils as Chris Chapman followed close behind with a similar catch, which included the odd roach, after which just a single ounce gave Ray Taylor and John Briggs an equal third. Results: 1 Paul Woods 2lbs 8ozs; 2 Chris Chapman 1lb 13ozs; equal 3 Ray Taylor and John Briggs 1oz.

Things were even worse for Fishtoft AC who tackled a gin clear River Witham at Kirkstead Bridge on Sunday, perch again being the only real takers. Two perch plus an eel brought top spot again to Ben Brighton following his pairs win on the Bargate Drain the previous week. Terry Gooding pinched second with a single perch whilst Mark Cook and Ernie Heseltine were the only other weighers in third and fourth respectively. Results: 1 Ben Brighton 2lbs; 2 Terry Gooding 12ozs; 3 Mark Cook 4ozs; 4 Ernie Heseltine 3ozs. On Sunday October 7, meet at McDonald’s 7am for those not involved in the Boston Winter League.

A sharp frost greeted the 60 young anglers to the Lincs Junior Championship on the Foss Dyke Canal at Lincoln on Saturday. The bright sunlight that followed did not bode well for good fishing, and so it proved on most sections for all categories. The cadets were involved in a close battle for the top individual places on the golf course section and Scunthorpe’s Josh Barker just managed to hold on to the top spot ahead of in- form Boston lad Chris Weedon. Results: 1 Josh Barker Scunthorpe1lbs 4ozs; 2 Chris Weedon Boston 1lb 1½ozs; 3 Mathew York Scunthorpe 1lb 0¾ozs. Even though both Chris Weedon and Hannah Kitchen won their sections, two team members short meant that they finished just one point behind Lincoln, with Scunthorpe, the only team with a full complement, taking first place. Results: 1 Scunthorpe 7pts; 2 Lincoln 13pts; 3 Boston 14pts. The junior contingent landed a few more fish but Boston found themselves well beaten into fourth place, 16pts behind the winners Lincoln. Individuals: 1 Rocky Murley Holbeach 4lbs 7½ozs; 2 Ryan Liddard Scunthorpe 4lbs 6ozs; 3 Ben Dixon Scunthorpe 3lbs 9ozs. Teams: 1 Lincoln A 7pts; equal 2 Holbeach (8lbs 6oz) and Scunthorpe Red (5lbs 9oz) 14pts; 4 Boston 16pts. Another ding-dong battle in the intermediate category saw Boston lads Nick Wright and Joe Paton both winning their sections and with Reece Dillamore and Tyrell Dawson taking second in section, their 6pts total was far too good for both Lincoln and Holbeach who tied for second on 9pts. The 2007 Individual Lincolnshire Championship went to Boston’s Nicholas Wright who beat team mate Joe Paton by a touch over a pound, Holbeach lad Rocky Murley a further 5ozs down in third. Results: 1 Nicholas Wright Boston 5lbs 13½ozs; 2 Joe Paton Boston 4lbs 12ozs; 3 Rocky Murley Holbeach 4lbs 7½ozs; 4 Ryan Lithguard Scunthorpe 4lbs 6ozs; 5 John Holton Lincoln 4lbs 5ozs. More than £800 worth of prizes and trophies made this was by far the best competition of the season as all participants went away with an armful of goodies. Our thanks go to Kevin Martin and Lincoln AA for a great day out.

A final reminder to anglers that the Boston Winter League gets up and running this coming Sunday (October 7) and will take up many pegs on both the Windsor Bank and Horncastle Road sections of the Bargate Drain.

Review for September 23

Barry makes full use of end peg

No drastic change to the weather last week, despite the dire predictions to the contrary. Indeed, we even got away with a completely dry weekend, but things look to become much more unsettled as we move through the Autumnal Equinox into the end of September. And, as I write, we have already experienced a good downpour early Monday morning.

A slight improvement on overall weights in the pairs competition on the Bargate Drain on Sunday, but nothing really different from last week’s grueller over much the same stretches. This pre-curser to next Saturday’s individual national championship should have attracted many more matchmen who qualified for the event to come and put in some last minute practice. In the event just 44 mostly regular visitors gave it their time and actually produced one or two little surprise packages in the form of large tench, particularly from the Windsor Bank section.

Again with fairly clear and perhaps partially stagnant water, small fish in any great numbers were notable by their absence, possibly until conditions change for the better. Or, could it be that they have disappeared into the Wash as many other year class fish have done on a regular basis in seasons past when the drain has all but emptied after a major control malfunction?

I will not dwell on this subject or else I take up half of this edition but return hastily to the match itself. End peg was always going to be an advantage, as was the case in a previous match, but this time was the town end of the Horncastle Road section rather than the cemetery area. March angler Bob Fitzjohn made full use of that end peg at the ‘Billboards’ and after a flying start, when he took a good bream at the first put in, he continued with a few decent skimmers to pole, worm and caster, topping it all off with a bonus 3lbs tench for the day’s only double figure weight.

Down on Windsor Bank and stable-mate Rob Graves edged second place thanks to another big bream and finished just 4ozs in front of Lincs County angler Sean Stockley who made his third place from outside of Norprint gates, back on Horncastle Road. Grimsby anglers also got in on the act and fought it out in the Wheelers Close area with Les Waldren grabbing fourth, despite team mate Graham Ellis bringing a 4lbs plus common carp to scales. Les, by the way, included an even bigger tench of around 5lbs to help him to that position. The pairs competition itself went right down to the wire and although being decided on a low points basis the top two could not be separated. Ultimately then at that point, total weight came in the reckoning and with both Ben Brighton and Dave Bontoft finishing in the 5lbs category the trophy went in their direction, leaving Grimsby lads Les Waldren and Mick Tamms in the runner-up position, team mates Graham Ellis and Roy Wells a point behind in third.

Individuals: 1 Bob Fitzjohn, March AC, 10lbs 15ozs; 2 Rob Graves, March AC, 7lbs 13ozs; 3 Sean Stockley, Garbolino Lincs County, 7lbs 9ozs; 4 Les Waldren, Grimsby, 6lbs 11ozs; 5 Graham Ellis, Grimsby, 6lbs 4ozs; 6 Fred Bispham, BCUK Veterans, 5lbs 15ozs. Pairs: 1 Ben Brighton,Dave Bontoft (11lbs 1oz) 9pts; 2 Les Waldren, Mick Tamms (8lbs 9ozs) 9pts; 3 Graham Ellis, Roy Wells 10pts; 4 Danny West, Sean Stockley 14pts.

The Bargate Drain is not alone in suffering relatively poor form and Stickney AC proved the point by struggling on a clear Cowbridge Drain at Mastin’s Bridge. Small fish made up the catches bar none and Chris Chapman effectively ran away with the match in more than trebling the weight of second placed Paul Woods – John Briggs not even reaching the pound mark in third. Results: 1 Chris Chapman 3lbs 14ozs; 2 Paul Woods 1lb 4ozs; 3 John Briggs 12ozs.

Fishtoft AC came across very similar and perhaps even clearer conditions on the R.Glen at Money Bridge last Sunday and although no better fish showed any interest, small roach at least were to be had in some numbers. Simple tactics of pole and pinky sufficed to tempt these and Alan Dixon made no mistake from the end peg nearest to the bridge for a clear cut victory, well over a pound ahead of second placed Sean Creasey. He in turn kept almost a pound between himself and Janis, weights then struggling to achieve the 2lbs level. Results: 1 Alan Dixon 5lbs 10ozs; 2 Sean Creasey 4lbs 4ozs; 3 Janis 3lbs 5ozs; 4 Mick Morgan 2lbs. Next Sunday (September 30) meet on the River Witham, Kirkstead Bridge 7am.

The first round of the East Coast Junior league was fished on Sunday using the new platforms and car park at Wyberton Chain Bridge on the South Forty Foot drain. Thirty two young anglers were taking part so it was uncertain as to how the venue would fish as these sort of numbers are nowadays a rarity. A and B sections, using the pegs nearer the car park, have been in regular use and produced the top weights on the day but weights gradually fell away and only 9ozs were required to win D section.

Top rod came from section A in the shape of Lincoln’s John Holden who used pole and maggot at 8metres for a nice net of roach and skimmers. Similar tactics brought second spot to Boston’s Reece Dillamore, as was the case for team-mate Tyrell Dawson at the first peg. Results: 1 John Holden, Lincoln B, 7lbs 3ozs; 2 Reece Dillamore, Smurfs Elite, 6lbs 10ozs; 3 Tyrell Dawson, Smurfs Elite, 6lbs 8ozs; 4 Cameron Flowers, Holbeach A, 5lbs 14ozs.

Dropping just two points, last year’s champions Smurfs Elite continued where they left off and section wins from both Reece Dillamore and Luke Morley, adding to seconds from Nicolas Wright and Tyrell Dawson, saw them head the table by a single point. Holbeach A leads that chasing pack and will no doubt give them a run for their money over following rounds in other parts of the county this coming winter. Results: 1 Smurf’s Elite 6pts; 2 Holbeach A 7pts; 3 Lincoln B 18pts; 4 Boston Raiders 19pts; Lincoln A 20pts; 5 Kings Lynn Blue 22pts; 6 Kings Lynn Gold 24pts; 8 Holbeach B 27pts.

Not well attended but the Coach and Horses AC sweep downstream at Cook’s Lock also produced it fair share of fish. Mainly skimmers to 3ozs as Paul Cater, drawn at the first peg, took close on 200 such specimens to pole and maggots, be these large or small it mattered little. Likewise Lee Feary in second, but his fish being mainly in a smaller category, he finished over 4lbs down on Paul’s weight. Results: 1 Paul Cater 10lbs 14ozs; 2 Lee Feary 6lbs 9ozs; 3 Graham Upsall 5lbs.

Completing the picture was the Fenland Pike Club’s first outing of the season to the Northlands section of the Sibsey Trader Drain. Nothing earth shattering was expected and that proved to be the case as a single double figure fish fell to the ledgered smelt of Daniel Walker to win the day. Only odd jacks followed with Stephen Leverton claiming second and Spider Pawson third with a baby of just 14ozs. Results: 1 Daniel Walker 10lbs 8ozs; 2 Stephen Leverton 1lb 14ozs; 3 Spider Pawson 14ozs.

Finally a reminder to all anglers that the NFA Individual National championship takes place this coming Saturday September 29 on the Bargate Drain and will take up the vast majority of all available pegs from Mount Bridge through towards Cowbridge. The competition will also include around 40 pegs on the Cowbridge Drain from Mastins Bridge towards Bakers and the good news is that all pegs on these waters are entirely free for pleasure anglers on Sunday.

The following Sunday (October 7), however, sees the start of the ever popular Boston Winter League which usually boasts around 100 pegs and therefore will be taking up most of the Bargate Drain once again. Those that have yet to enter this competition, which is for teams of four, should do so as soon as possible by ringing Barry Mallett on (01205) 871815, £50 per team for the five match series.

Review for September 16

Weather fine, but fishing is below average

Another above average week with mainly dry, warm and sunny conditions but the recent ‘Indian Summer’ appears to be at an end as Atlantic lows look set to sweep across country and bring an end to the drought. Superb weather but below average fishing I’m afraid, as most local waters remain in poor form – those from much further afield as well by all accounts.

Dunscroft Social AC fished the Ings Bridge section of the Hobhole Drain last Saturday and although odd bream was taken, to boost winning weights, the majority had to settle for the odd skimmer and a few small roach. Results: 1 John Worthington 3.770kgs; 2 Jerry Standish 2.440kgs; 3 Dave Cottingham 1.700kgs.

Sunday found Sibsey AC using the same pegs but here any similarity ends as a single perch of 1lb 2ozs in the last five minutes boosted the winning weight to over a pound, the rest struggling for the odd small fish and a few ounces. Ian Singlehurst was that fortunate angler as a last minute swap to lobworm on the inside line brought about this result. No such luck for organiser Colin Peltell who tempted just three little fish for second, as did Jean Buttle, a half ounce short in third. Results: 1 Ian Singlehurst 1lb 4ozs; 2 Colin Peltell 5ozs; 3 Jean Buttle 4 ½ ozs.

No better at the top end of Horncastle Road where Orchard Park AC were in action. Not too much of that though as Graham Hague needed only a little over two pounds to take the honours ahead of Sean Higginbottom and Dave Turton, both not quite reaching that 2lbs category. Results: 1 Graham Hague 2lbs 4ozs; 2 Sean Higginbottom 1lb 15ozs; 3 Dave Turton 1lb
14ozs.

The Coach and Horses AC tackled the ‘Billboards’ section on Horncastle Road and here small fish were also in short supply as bigger specimens dominated. Three decent bream to maggot and quivertip helped Graham Upsall – despite losing three similar specimens – cruise to a comfortable victory. One foul-hooked tench of five pounds ensured second place for Paul Cater, third going to Lee Feary who recorded mere ounces. Results: 1 Graham Upsall 9lbs 3ozs; 2 Paul Cater 6lbs 11ozs; 3 Lee Feary 3ozs. Next Sunday meet Cooks Lock, S. Forty Foot Drain

Travelling to the River Ouse, Fishtoft AC suffered a similar fate at Windmill Bridge near Denver Sluice and for once Rod Asher was not the bridesmaid as he, along with most of the others, tempted just the odd big fish or two to make results look respectable. A single bream, a large hybrid and a solitary perch was enough to gain a comfortable win as Gordon Manning landed a lone tench of over five pounds for second. Likewise another lone tench gave Nigel Taylor third and yet another single perch bringing Rex Harrison home in fourth, most of the others not troubling the scales. Results: 1 Rod Asher 7lbs 9ozs; 2 Gordon Manning 5lbs 2ozs; 3 Nigel Taylor 3lbs; 4 Rex Harrison 1lb 9ozs. Next Sunday meet Money Bridge on the River Glen.
Stickney AC settled on the same pegs as used by Orchard Park AC the previous day and a similar outcome for most members, apart from the top two. Kevin Hunt took a comfortable second with the help of a perch of 2lbs but pride of place for this week must surely go to Yappy Mountain who ran away with the match. His usual method of tip, worm and caster yielded five good bream in the first hour, another five following in the next three to total well over 33lbs. Frank Scrupps in comparison used the exact same tactics and finished with the grand total of 10ozs, such is life! Results: 1 Yappy Mountain 33lbs 9ozs; 2 Kevin Hunt 7lbs 2ozs; 3 Ray Taylor 3lbs 3ozs. Next Sunday the club will meet at Mastins Bridge on the Kelsey.

Poorly attended but the Boston Memorial match took place on a seemingly in form Windsor Bank section of the Bargate Drain on Sunday. The 28 competitors took heart from reports of good catches of skimmers and roach, along with odd big bream over the previous few days, but all this went by the board as the match progressed. It soon became obvious that the vast majority of these shoals had decided that Sunday was Sunday and refused to be interested in most anglers’ offerings. Indeed, many a crack matchman could barely conjure up more than a pound of bits and some even a biteless five hours. And so, top marks must go to Grimsby’s Graham Ellis who worked hard at feeding three different lines in order to keep fish on the boil. He actually fed different baits in these swims but finally took a nice net of small skimmers to mainly caster and won the day with only 10ozs to spare over his nearest rival. This challenge came in the shape of veteran Mansfield angler Fred Bispham who elected to stick to his tried and trusted pole and squatt method. Not to be completely outdone he also took a net of skimmers which, at the end of the day, was enough to see off young Gavin Butler who took third spot, a mere 4ozs ahead of Grimsby’s Mick Tamms in fourth. Such was the difference in the two halves of the match that the twenty pegs on the Crescent to Vauxhall Bridge section, as opposed to the Mount Bridge length, could only produce less than 4lbs to any one competitor, even though blank spaces should have given an edge to those with this advantage in that area. Consequently Boston’s Mark Griggs, at a peg near to the swings on Windsor Crescent, produced the best weight from here and clocked the scales at just 3lbs 14 ½ ozs. Results: 1 Graham Ellis Grimsby 7lbs 2ozs; 2 Fred Bispham BCUK 6lbs 8ozs; 3 Gavin Butler Sensas Mark One 5lbs 15ozs; 4 Mick Tamms Grimsby 5lbs 11ozs; 5 Bob Walker Sheffield 4lbs 7ozs.

Next Sunday (September 23) will see Boston & DAA organise the pairs match for the Ray Smith Trophy which no doubt will be used by many in the run up to the following week’s individual NFA championship. Those wishing to book for this pairs competition should therefore do so ASAP and ring Barry Mallett on (010205) 871815, draw will take place at the Ball House Inn. The match will be using the vast majority of pegs, both on the Windsor Bank and Horncastle Road sections of the Bargate Drain, pleasure anglers please be aware, and should consult notice boards prior to attempting to fish.

Westwood lakes at Wyberton will host the Liam Wilson memorial match, now in its third year, and will see 60 anglers of all ages filling pegs on all three lakes this coming weekend. Support has been tremendous and weather permitting everyone should have a cracking day. Funds raised on the day will go to the Liam Wilson Memorial Fund, which in turn will be forwarded to the Pilgrim Hospital A&E Dept.

Review for September 9

Memorial match hooks a tidy cash sum

A truly gorgeous late summer weekend brought out many pleasure anglers onto the riverbanks. And they were greeted by warm sunshine and light winds on both days. Unfortunately the weather seemed to keep the fish subdued as most events will show that small fish in particular paid scant interest in anglers’ offerings.

The Pauline Yarwood Memorial match took place under those self same conditions on the Sibsey Trader Drain last Sunday, which were perhaps too good to produce any startling weights. A total of 59 anglers participated in the match, which took place to remember Pauline, and also raise money for the St Barnabas Hospice. Indeed, the fund-raising far outstripped the fishing as match tickets, donations and money from the huge raffle, with more than 40 prizes on offer, brought in the region of £670 for this very worthy cause.

To the match itself, which in the most part can only be described as abysmal as the vast majority did not achieve the pound mark, a few not even managing a bite. The winner though had no such problems and from a favoured peg on the golf course section Steve Gregory proceeded to score a runaway victory. He set about the job with maggot and pellet to take a steady stream of good bream using a 13m pole, and landed nine such fish to 4lbs plus the odd perch for that winning weight. Way back in the distance was second placed Craig Butterfield who employed a variety of different tactics throughout the five hours.

Starting with pole and chopped worm he took the odd eel and perch to a pound plus before switching to catching small fish on squatt. He then changed for the final time to pole and seed and landed a few better roach in the last hour for that runner-up spot. Veteran Barry Pogson was the only one to tempt a bream from the Stonebridge section and a single large specimen was sufficient to claim third. After that it was only odd skimmers and bits as another veteran, in the shape of Brian Clarke, landed fourth, Eric Brown was fifth and Roly S came sixth, needing a mere 2½lbs to achieve that position. Ladies from as far afield as Burton-on-Trent and Milton Keynes were also in attendance with Nula Grey, from the latter, taking second equal with Christine Frazier in their separate competition. Pride of place in this event goes to our own Sue Russell, who took the top prize with just 12ozs.

Results: 1 Steve Gregory, Miracle Baits, 32lbs 7ozs; 2 Craig Butterfield, Browning Boston, 4lbs 4ozs; 3 Barry Pogson, Spilsby, 3lbs 10ozs; 4 Brian Clarke, Sibsey, 3lbs 8ozs; 5 Eric Brown, Boston, 2lbs 11ozs; 6 Roly Sharp, Boston, 2lbs 8½ozs.

Fishtoft AC members were almost equally up against it on the Hobhole Drain at Midville where the odd two or three bream made weights look respectable. Ben Brighton tempted a couple to clinch the top spot as Mark Cook finished runner-up for the second week running with a single bream plus a few bits – as did Mick Morgan for third place. Next Sunday the club will travel to the R. Ouse, meet Little Chef, Algarkirk 7am. Results: 1 Ben Brighton 7lbs 4ozs; 2 Mark Cook 3lbs 7ozs; 3 Mick Morgan 3lbs 4ozs; Mark Naylor 1lb 12ozs.

The Coach and Horses AC had a similar result from the Windsor Bank section of the Bargate Drain where most had to settle for either the odd bream or a mixed bag of bits. Not so Paul Cater who, with the advantage of an end peg, conjured up nearly a stone of good skimmers to pole and worm or squatt, also including a specimen roach of 1lb 3ozs. Graham Upsall brought that odd bream to scales and with the addition of a couple of skimmers and perch made second place, well ahead of Danny Pettigrew Jnr in third. Results: 1 Paul Cater 13lbs 9ozs; 2 Graham Upsall 7lbs 12ozs; 3 Danny Pettigrew junior 4lbs 14ozs.

The Chapel Hill Marina Club match on the Horncastle Road fell below expectations as a single large tench secured victory for Dave Sellabanks. Two small bream from Mark Naylor ran him close but was easily enough to claim second place, after which catches fell away and a single bream brought third to Joe Littlewood. Results: 1 Dave Sellabanks 5lbs 12ozs; 2 Mark Naylor 5lbs 9ozs; 3 Joe Littlewood 2lbs 9ozs.

The NFA East Midlands Junior Match took place on the Chesterfield Canal at Retford and was the run for the first time in three years. Cloudy skies and a good bit of colour gave the five teams taking part some hope of catching a few fish. The results from the previous week’s National showed 4lbs from most pegs but as usual the fish did not feed as expected and most struggled for a few bites, with half a kilo of small roach and gudgeon a good weight. The Boston team of six anglers managed 3rd spot with 19pts, behind the two local sides Pride of Derby Juniors on 12 pts and the winners and host side Worksop A with 11pts, on a low points basis. Top individual was Karl Moore of Worksop from end peg 11 below the bridge – bream and skimmers making up the weight, and top Boston rod Joe Paton in 6th with 0.590kgs. Results: 1 Karl Moore, Worksop, 3.670kgs; 2 Nick Board, Pride of Derby, 1.200kgs; 3 Reece Nicholson, Worksop, 0.820kgs; 4 Brian Muir, Pride of Derby, 0.630kgs.

Next Sunday (September 16) sees the Boston Memorial match take place on the Bargate Drain, Windsor Bank section, but may well also include Horncastle Road as anglers may use this as a practice in the run up to the NFA Individual National Championship on Saturday September 29. This also goes for the pairs match the following Sunday (September 23) which, with a good turnout, will cover both town and Horncastle Road sections. Bookings for both can be made as usual by contacting Barry Mallett on (01025) 871815.

Review for September 2

Right team tactics yields clear-cup winners

A very dry and relatively warm period as we move into September and local waters are suddenly looking a touch on the stale side. Waters are now some way below summer level and with any remaining colour having dropped out in recent days; smaller fish are now mostly at a premium.

The NFA Division Two Championship on the Foss Dyke and Chesterfield Canals also went a long way to prove that our area was not alone as many a top class angler struggled for less than a pound of bits. Unfortunately some of the Boston and District Angling Association team members fell into that category and hence the team itself fell some 40 points short of the promotion level in 19th place. The day belonged to Daiwa Dorking who really got team tactics right and paralysed the opposition by coming home with a 50 plus point advantage over runners-up Seward Dorset Raiders and Fox Match Arun. The good news from Boston’s point of view was that three of those taking part particularly excelled themselves and came home with the consolation of some prize money. In sections, Steve Winter took second place and 45pts with 2.510kgs from A, while Dave Edgoose grabbed some of the action taking fifth place in D with 1.940kgs. But, pride of place must surely go to Chris Mawer who not only claimed 4th in C section but also finished strongly in overall 16th position with 2.930Kgs. The Division Two champion turned out to be the appropriately named Mick Topping who achieved this lofty position by landing no less than six tench for his winning weight – as did Jim Sene in second position with 4 similar specimens apparently. Teams: 1 Daiwa Dorking 390pts; 2 Seward Dorset Raiders 334pts; 3 Fox Match Arun 332pts; individuals: 1 Mick Topping Mosella, Lostock Tackle, 7.760kgs; 2 Jim Sene, Tonbridge, 5.200kgs; 3 Paul Holland, Daiwa Dorking, 4.760kgs; 4 Simon Willsmore, Daiwa Dorking, 4.150kgs. 5 Mark Howse, South Cerney, 4.080kgs.

Two sides to every story and the Benevolent match on the Horncastle Road section of the Bargate Drain is a prime example. Not well-attended – a mere 22 anglers participating – but a superb result on paper as bream dominated the top weights. In reality it was virtually a case of ‘bream or nowt’, as most pegs failed to produce anything other than the odd few small roach. However, Boston angler Don Green, drawn in front of the cemetery, scored a clear cut victory in beating runner-up Mick Balls by just over 10lbs. Don started off with worm and feeder tactics to land two good fish at an early stage but then switched to pole and squatt at 8m for small fish after a blank period. Having little success he then held this line and introduced worm, into the mix, at which point the swim came alive and Don continued catching another seven bream ranging from 1lb to 4lbs. Mick stuck to similar pole tactics and from 3 pegs downsteam of Don took four good fish for his second place. Likewise and to a lesser extent Lincoln angler Neil Smithson found three such similar specimens from a peg near to the Norprint entrance, team-mate Gordon Bell grabbing fourth with a nice net of skimmers from the end peg. Results: 1 Don Green, Boston, 24lbs 9ozs; 2 Mick Balls, Grimsby, 13lbs 15ozs; 3 Neil Smithson, Harrisons Lincs County, 10lbs 7ozs; 4 Gordon Bell, Harrisons Lincs County, 7lbs 11ozs; 5 Dale Whelan, Harrisons Lincs County, 5lbs 2ozs.

The Hobhole Drain at Giggs Bridge displayed similar characteristics for most of the Sibsey AC contingent as only ounces were recorded. For all but Derek Smith that is, as he somehow cornered the local populous of roach, perch and skimmers to post a runaway win. Jean Buttle led the rest of the field, albeit a street behind, with young Declan Peltell clinching third. Results: 1 Derek Smith 5lbs 7ozs; 2 Jean Buttle 7½ozs; 3 Declan Peltell 3ozs.

Fishtoft AC’s rearranged trip to the Newark Dyke proved to be a big disappointment last Sunday. Even though the water looked in near perfect trim many struggled for bites and with a very strong wind blowing straight downsteam, the feeder approach turned out to be the only real option for decent bait presentation. Brian Blackamore seemed to master the conditions better than most and came home the winner with a little over 6lbs of mainly small skimmers, beating second placed Mark Cook by a slim margin. After that weights fell away to the 3lbs category and Janus took 4th with a mainly perch catch from tight into the near bank. Results: 1 Brian Blackamore 6lbs 4ozs; 2 Mark Cook 5lbs; 3 Nick Mummery 3lbs 12ozs; 4 Janus 3lbs 7ozs.

A few more fish for the Coach and Horses AC members, pegged also on the Hobhole Drain at Ings Bridge. A good net of skimmers from the far end peg brought Danny Pettigrew junior within an ace of victory but in- form Lee Feary proved otherwise. An early bonus bream of around 4lbs, added to a couple of pounds or so of skimmers and perch, was enough to clinch the top spot, a single ounce being the margin. Weights then fell away and Paul Cater could do no better than finish in the 2lbs category to take third spot. Results: 1 Lee Feary 6lbs 11ozs; 2 Danny Pettigrew Jnr. 6lbs 10ozs. 3 Paul Cater 2lbs 120ozs; 4 Graham Upsall 2lbs. Next Sunday Windsor Bank section of the Bargate Drain.

The South Forty Foot Drain continues to be the surprise packet, as many anglers have discovered in recent days. Most pegs, including the disabled area, will produce a few pounds of mainly skimmers to the pleasure angler, an added bonus being that most club sweeps are also coming up with decent weights throughout their pegged length. Last Sunday proved the point and although a bream of 6lbs helped Frank Scrupps to a winning total, those down below fifth place could also boast of weights in the 5lbs range. That bream helped Frank easily outstrip the rest but young Joe Paiton showed his potential by take nearly 9lbs of smaller fish to clinch second spot ahead of the much more experienced, and national angler, John Briggs. Results: 1 Frank Scrupps 13lbs 4ozs; 2 Joe Paiton 8lbs 12ozs; 3 John Briggs 8lbs 4ozs; 4 Mark Thornton 6lbs 12ozs.

Liam’s Elite Angling Club was formed by friends and family of Liam Wilson following his tragic death in 2005, robbing Boston Youth Angling Team of a promising youngster. The club meet up once a month to enjoy a good days fishing together in a friendly and light-hearted manner. Their latest event was a Saturday afternoon visit to Hawk Lake at Westwood. The fish were feeding on the far bank from the off, which of course dictated tactics for the day’s top weights. Guest angler Dave Rance managed a respectable second place and despite being wheelchair bound due to a leg injury Daniel Austin was not far behind in third, but all had to give best to Gary Shinn who easily won with almost double the second placed weight. Results: 1 Gary Shinn 58lb 9oz; 2 Dave Rance 31lb 8oz; 3 Daniel Austin 26lb 6oz; 4 Dave Wilson 25lb 8oz; 5 Mark Thornton 19lb 6oz.

Next Sunday sees the Pauline Yarwood Memorial match take place on the Sibsey Trader Drain. Those that knew and remember her and would like to take part in the match, from which all proceeds go to St Barnabas Hospice, should ring Ann Balderson at Boston Angling Centre (01205) 353436.