Archived News from Banks June 05 Dec 05

Shefford bailiffs have reported very few people on the banks of the recently prolific stretch of the River Ivel at Broom but carp anglers are still visiting the adjacent Broom lake. Venue regular Andrew Morrow has seen action on most days with catches of excellently conditioned fish with most being high doubles. His best fish was a common of 17lb. Further, in the early numbered pegs of the venue bags of silver fish are being taken on the pole. These fish are also attracting pike into this area of the lake and several anglers have reported multifish bags including fish to low doubles.  The town stretch of the River Flit particularly just downstream of the 'forks' continues to yield good quality roach and dace both on the pole or stickfloat.  The club publicity officer, Colin Smith (details on the club card) would like to hear from Maurice Green from Potton who reported the 36lb carp from the club's Harrold Country Park venue in last week's Chronicle.  This Sunday, the match group are back in action on the River Ivel at Broom
with the draw at 9-00am.

Andrew Morrow with 17lb common

Late news !! Maurice Green from Potton has reported a capture of a 36lb mirror carp from the Grebe Lake at Harrold Country Park.

With few reports from members it would seem that they have taken to Christmas shopping rather than venturing out on the banks. However it is like the river Ivel at Broom has become very patchy with few fish reported this week. Regulars suggest that the fish are shoaling in tight areas with the shoals also moving up and down the venue. Furthermore, pike are taking most baits intended for big perch and what few roach have been hooked also have been hit by the 'jacks' in the area. The Horsebridge and the town section of the river Flit has produced some sport for one or two members with catches of roach and dace from this underrated venue.
After a few weeks off the match group will be back in action on the River Ivel at Broom for the next club match which will be fished on January 8th with the draw at 9-00am. All members are welcome to join the match group with details available from Tim Ridge on 07949 447543. There is also much more information for members on the clubs website www.shefforddaa.org.uk

Temperatures of minus 5 greeted the match group when they met on the Rivers Hit and Flit in the Shefford town stretch of the venue to fish for the Gudgin Trophy. Pegged on the towpath length just downstream of 'the forks' and in spite of numerous interruptions from local folk out walking their dogs Chris Mayes still managed to catch fish on and off throughout the match and finished with roach and dace for 3lb 14oz. Neil Hallybone took second place with 1lb 15oz with Vic Jackson just one ounce adrift in third place again with all roach and dace. Vic Jackson also continues to catch good bags of fish from the River Ivel at Broom this time with a bag of perch which included fish of 2lb 8oz and 2lb 1oz and also a pike of around 9lb which picked up his lobworm bait intended for the 'stripeys'. Alan Thomas also had a go for the perch in the same area but ended up with a catch which included chub to 4lb 6oz again on quivertipped lobworm. Interestingly this is the venue for the next club match which will be fished on January 8th with the draw at 9-00am. All members are welcome to join the match group with details available from Tim Ridge on 07949 447543.
 

This last week has seen a return to catches of excellent bags of fish from the River Ivel at Broom. The best perch of the week reported is a specimen of 3lb 15oz taken on lobworm by member John Hooton. It wasn't the only big perch reported with several over two pounds including a 2lb 11oz fish landed by Craig Lancaster whilst having a day spinning in search of the 'stripeys'. Interestingly, roach over a pound have also been putting in appearance on the same venue with probably the best bag of fish over the past week landed by club bailiff, Vic Jackson who took an all roach catch of 20lbs plus which included five fish over the pound mark. Vic also returned to the scene of the last club match on the River Flit at Clifton Road Bridge and took over 5lb of roach in a short session on the stickfloat. With the club's local waters in excellent form it will be interesting to see the outcome of the next club match( for the Gudgin Trophy) on the Rivers Hit and Flit in the town this Sunday. All members are welcome with the draw at 9-00am, so why not give Tim Ridge a ring on 07949 447543 for details.

In the last couple of weeks the match group have fished two matches on quite different venues. Fishing on the River Ivel at the Back Meadows in Biggleswade they fished for the Andy Anderson Shield when Vic Jackson had several chub for a winning weight of 14lb 4oz. In second place was Pete Hennigan with 13lb 2oz which included an excellent chub of 5lb. Chris Mayes was third with his best fish a 1lb 1oz roach.
Last Sunday they fished the narrow section of the River Flit at Clifton Road bridge, a venue not used in matches for several years. Unfortunately the river although fining down was just pushing through a little too much. Pete Hennigan took the honours with a mainly roach catch of 3lb 5oz and Vic Jackson in second place with 1lb 7oz of roach. The 'tales' from the bank are of lost chub which would have resulted in more respectable weights. For the pleasure angler this is a venue definitely worth a try during the winter months when the crayfish are much less of a problem. Very little else has been reported during the last week but during the recent mild spell one or two members have been catching silver fish on the Broom River towards Jordan Mill and down at Broom Lake members have reported pike to double figures from the swims nearest the car-park. It
appears that large numbers of silver fish are shoaling up in these early numbered pegs.
 

The inclement weather appears to have put off even the most hardy of members with little in the way of any notable catches being reported. However on Thursday, club bailiff, Vic Jackson travelled to Dent's Farm near Downham Market to fish the final match in the 'Reel People Winter League' for registered disabled anglers. Vic finished 2nd in this event and after winning two matches in the series finished a creditable third overall in the league. Well done Vic.

The frosts of the past week certainly put paid to any decent weights being obtained in the match at the Broom end of the Stanford Canal. However, Club Fishery Officer, Nigel Gilbert worked the breadpunch to good effect to net an all roach catch of 2lb 10oz. Pete Hennigan had mainly roach in his catch of 1lb 7oz to take second place. Until the frosts arrived the canal had been fishing extremely well with silver fish being caught all along the 'cut'. This Sunday, 27th November, the match group are competing for the Andy Anderson shield on the River Ivel at the Back Meadows stretch with the draw at 9-00am.  Not surprisingly, reports from the general angler have been scarce this week with the only news being that the club's stretch on the River Ivel at Broom is reproducing the form of last winter with specimen perch to 3lb being caught in addition to some excellent bags of roach.
 

Last Sunday, in spite of a cold wind blowing the Shefford & District A.A. match group fished the in-form Airman Pit and were not disappointed with two bags of roach and perch over 10lbs and several other good backing weights. John Wigg won the match with an excellent net of 12lb 12oz followed by Pete Hennigan with 10lb 1oz which included two perch over a pound, the best a specimen of 1lb 14oz. This coming Sunday the  group move on to the Stanford Canal at the Broom end of the 'cut' with the draw in Broom Lake car-park at 9-00am.  The pleasure anglers have also been getting amongst the fish at the Pit with several multi carp bags being reported. The fish have mainly been doubles typified by a bag caught by Craig Brooks which included fish to 14lb. On the club's Willington Lake, bailiff, Vic Jackson whilst having an afternoon spinning took an excellent bag of perch to 2lb 4oz. He continued to catch 'stripeys' when he changed tactics and went on the worm. Down at Broom Lake members are taking silver fish at a 'fish a chuck' on pole tactics mainly from the low numbered swims on the car-park side of the lake.  As reported a couple of weeks ago barbel are being caught from several of the club's stretches on the River Great Ouse but the only one officially reported has been a fish of 9lb landed by Club Secretary, Chris Jenkins from his favourite stretch at Harrold Country Park.
 

Another stunning 14lb mirror carp caught by Craig Brooks on Saturday 12th November from the Airman pit

All the reports received this week confirm last weeks report on how well the Airman Pit continues to fish for all species. This week it is catfish that take the headlines and in particular a catch by mates Richard Knight and Mick Burr who spent a 48hour session at the venue. In horrible weather, Richard was rewarded with several carp but the best fish was an excellent 31lb 12oz 'cat'. Similarly Mick caught several carp including a 19lb 8oz mirror then went on to land a 'cat' of 20lb 12oz. Venue regular Andy Stapleton continues his great season on the water by landing another 'cat' of 22lb 10oz in a mixed bag which also included carp and a pike of 13lb 2oz!

Interestingly, the club's match group are on the same water this Sunday 13th Nov. when hopefully the quality roach will put in a show. The draw will be made at 9-00am and there is an open invitation to all members to have a go on this popular fishery. For photo's see members photos too many for this page.
 

Airman Pit More Photos >>>

Members fishing the Airman Pit have been rewarded with some excellent bags of fish in the last week or so. Pit regular, Andy Stapleton has had two excellent sessions on the water with initially a 7 fish haul including carp to 18lb 2oz and then on Saturday night he landed 4 more carp with two twenties, the best being just under 25lb. Members are saying that this water is fishing exceptionally well for all species and in particular carp and quality roach. Club Secrerary, Chris Jenkins, fishing on the River Great Ouse at Harrold was rewarded with a chub of 4lb 12oz. Chris commented that with the weed starting to die down more swims are becoming available on the water which recently has been producing several good chub catches. Barbel have been reported on the club's waters both at Sharnbrook and Pavenham but as usual details of the big fish catches that are rumoured are not forthcoming.
On Sunday the match group fished on the River Flit at the Horsebridge and in spite of walkers on the path the venue still produced some quality fish. Pete Hennigan returned to winning ways with a bag of 4lb 6oz of roach all taken on caster. Neil Hallybone and Tim Ridge were second and third with 2lb 14oz and 2lb 10oz respectively.

Match Secretary, Tim says that they all looking forward to tackling the Airman Pit roach in the next match which will be on November 13th with the draw at 9-00am. There is an open invitation to all members to have a go on this popular fishery

Andy Stapleton with his 18lb 2oz Carp

In their most recent match the group found the chub on the Stanford Canal rather elusive but silver fish put in a show and although bothered by crayfish everyone caught fish. Neil Hallybone was rewarded for sticking to chub tactics taking a bonus fish which along with roach, perch and dace gave him a weight of 5lb 2oz. John Leath making a welcome return to the match scene took second place with an all silver fish bag of 4lb 8oz. Tim Ridge was third with 3lb 5oz. For the 'lone' pleasure angler this water has been producing a 'fish a chuck' with good roach, dace and perch being taken from all along the length of the venue. In the final all-night match held at Broom Lake on a cold and wet evening Gavin Woodgate took the honours with 33lb 12oz which included 2 carp and a bream. Andy Stapleton and Steve Cavanagh took second and third places with 23lb 2oz and 13lb 8oz respectively.
Members fishing the Airman Pit during the last week have reported several carp over 20lb which included fish of 23lb 7oz and 20lb 8oz caught by Rick Chamberlain. Regulars on the Horsebridge length of the River Flit have commented on the quality roach and dace and the occasional bream that they have been catching in the last couple of weeks. This coupled with the much needed rain of this week should really freshen up this and most of the other river venues.
 

Rick Chamberlin with a 20lb 8oz mirror from the Airman pit. See members photos for more pictures

Sorry no reports for two weeks our roving reporter gone a roving unless any one out there has anything worth reporting then email it to the web master.

The cooler nights appear to have had an effect on the carp feeding at Broom Lake with fewer fish being caught in the last week. However silver fish seem to have returned in abundance with plenty of rudd and roach being caught using pole tactics particular at the top end of the lake nearest the canal.  It is very similar story on the
 Stanford Canal with a 'fish a chuck' for silver fish and the occasional large perch being caught usually in the area opposite Langford Wood. Following the recent match in the town stretch of the rivers Hit and Flit a number of members have been seen trotting a stickfloat and tempting the large dace present in this area. Further downstream on the Horsebridge it is predominantly roach that are being caught with fish up to a pound being reported. Head Bailiff, Chris Mayes reports significant infringement of club rules particularly at the Airman Pit. Club members are reminded to read the club rules before entering club waters.
Last Sunday saw the match group on the River Ivel behind Broom Lake fishing for the John Clements Cup. There was good turnout for the event but no one could compete with the in-form Pete Hennigan who took the honours with an excllent 16lb 10oz which included bream to 4lb 6oz and perch to over a pound. John Wigg and Tim Ridge were second and third.The next club match to be fished on the River Ivel at the Boot Bridge will held on 16th October with the draw at 9-00am..
 

Willington Lake, bailiff, Vic Jackson reports that a member not wanting to be named has landed a 38lb plus carp from the venue and Oli Groom has caught a lovely common of 27lb 12oz from the same lake. At Broom Lake several members are reporting multiple carp catches with the fish being predominantly high doubles and in excellent condition. Ron Stapleton has been putting in night sessions at the Airman Pit and has been rewarded with several double figure fish.
Last Saturday saw the club hosting the Annual District Cub match at Broom Lake. Twentyfour youngsters took part in the 3 hour match fished on a calm sunny afternoon. With all the lads catching fish it was Nikola Sutovic of the Mars pack, with a bag of roach, rudd and perch who won the match with a weight of 2lb 11oz. Interestingly, Nikola is the grandson of the club match record holder, Jim Stevic who accompanied Nikola on the day. Michael Rushton was second with 1lb 2oz.  
This Sunday sees the club match group fish for the John Clements Cup on the Broom River with the draw at 9-00am. Match secretary, Tim Ridge(Tel.07949 447543) gives a welcome to all members who want to have a go at match fishing.
 

The cold weather of Saturday night affected the fishing of both  matches. In the all-nighter at Broom Lake anglers awoke to frost on their bivvies but this didn't prevent Ben Toyer winning the match with 55lb 12oz which included 4 carp and 2 bream with the best of the bream weighing in at 7lb 9oz. Craig Lancaster was second and James Brunt third with 22lb 6oz and 11lb 3oz respectively. The best carp caught in the match was a common of 16lb landed by Craig. In Sunday's club match in the town stretch of the River Flit, Pete Hennigan took the honours with 3lb 12oz from a swim just downstream of the White Swan. Pete took 5 dace in the first 5 run throughs but then found it difficult in the shallow snaggy swim picking up only gudgeon for the rest of the day. Vic Jackson and Tim Ridge were second and third. After the cold night the quality dace known to exist in this venue failed to show for most anglers but an excellent fish of 10oz was landed by Chris Mayes.
 

On the pleasure scene Broom Lake regular Andrew Morrow has continued his excellent catches from the lake with another mirror of just over 20lb.  Up until the cold snap most of the noted swims around the lake had been producing good numbers of carp and bream. Members should note that the lake will be closed Saturday, when the club hosts the area Cubs Annual match.
 

The Airman Pit continues to fish hard with only a few carp to high doubles being reported. At Willington Lake there are still good bags of silver fish for the general angler providing one can get through the vast shoals of small rudd. Since the work was carried out to restrict the water level at Broom Lake there have been far more carp caught with the best in the last week being a 24lb common. Members should note that the planned all-night match is being fished this weekend on this venue and as a result the water will be closed from this Saturday lunchtime until around 2-00pm Sunday. Also, on the following Saturday, 24th September the Area Annual Cub match will be fished at the lake resulting in the water being closed to members on that day.
On the rivers, reports from the River Ivel at the back of Broom Lake suggest that plenty of good fish are present. Vic Jackson had a good net of roach and perch on the pole and Colin Smith using similar tactics took a good roach bag on hempseed. However both anglers were pestered with small jack-pike which seem to be plentyful in this area of the river.Similarly the Stanford Canal is still in good form with good bags of silver fish being caught at both ends of the 'cut'.
This Sunday( draw at 8-00am) sees the match group on the Rivers Hit and Flit with the first match for many years being pegged in the town section between the White Swan and the 'forks'.
 

Last weeks report of a lake record bream from  Broom Lake has been followed with more large fish to 9lb being caught in the last week. Ron Stapleton had several during a carp session on the lake. Carp are also now responding with several fish in the 20lb bracket being caught. This augurs well for the night match arranged for 17th Sept. On the local rivers it is a 'fish a chuck' on both the Horsebridge and Stanford Canal. At the Stanford village end of the canal although heavily weeded and only a few swims available good mixed bags to 10lb including dace, chublets and roach with the occasional larger chub have been taken.
Last Sunday the match group fished for the Captains Cup on the River Great Ouse at Willington. Although large shoals of good fish could be seen they generally proved elusive in the gin clear conditions. However Pete Hennigan put in an excellent performance weighing in 7lb 7oz of roach. Nigel Gilbert and Vic jackson finished in 2nd and 3rd places with 1lb 14oz and 1lb 11oz respectively

Reports this week from members have been thin on the ground probably because many people have been away on holiday but also the popular Airman Pit venue has been fishing very hard. However Dave Culley had a superbly conditioned linear mirror carp of 24lb from the pit. Fishing down at Broom Lake continues to improve with a lake record bream of 9lb 8oz reported by Mr Gulleford from peg 40 on the riverside. He also had two double figure carp in the same session. Currently it does appear that the better fish are predominantly coming from swims on this side of the lake. Head bailiff, Chris Mayes had a rewarding evening session of the Stanford Canal with some quality dace as well some nice roach in a good mixed bag. This underfished venue is returning to something like it's former self with good bags of fish being reported from both ends of the canal.

At Willington Lake double figure bream are being caught by the carp anglers but the quality carp are proving elusive at the present time. In the club match on the same venue the quality roach and rudd caught in the last match on the venue proved difficult to catch and it was Ron Stapleton who took the honours with a small fish bag of 2lb 2oz with Vic Jackson and Neil Hallybone in second and third places respectively.

Tim Ridge informs that the next match this coming Sunday, Sept. 4th, for the Captains Cup will be on the River Great Ouse at the back of Willington  Lake with the draw at 8-00am. 
 

The rain late last week seems to have freshened up the waters with several reports coming in that it has been a 'fish a chuck' for the general angler. In a three hour session on a well coloured River Flit on the old Tring length Colin Smith had over ninety fish in a mixed bag which included several netter roach to just under a pound. At Willington Lake it seems that by using corn you can get through the small rudd and the rewards are quality roach and rudd with the probability of tangling with some tench. Down at Broom Lake most members are reporting a continued improvement with numerous carp to twenty pound being reported throughout the week. The matchmen fished for the Members Cup on the Stanford Canal at the Langford end of the venue and reported lots of chublets and other small fish. Vic Jackson continued his excellent run of victories with a 8lb 6oz mixed bag catch which included a chub of over three pounds. Nigel Gilbert took the runners-up spot. In the all-nighter on the Airman Pit organiser Colin Wright reports that the venue was not on form with few carp actually caught. Mark Warwick won the event with 21lb 6oz which included a mirror carp of 15lb 2oz, Ian Webb was second with 10lb 2oz and Ron Stapleton was third. Colin informs that the Broom Lake match on the night of Sept 17th is almost fully booked so give him a ring (01462 835450) ASAP if interested.
 

It is pleasing to report that member, Shelley Clarke in her first year of fishing has landed an excellent 22lb common carp from peg 45 on the club's Broom Lake. She outshone her dad who managed fish of 11.5lb and 14lb from the same area. Pete Riley and his family have also had quite a week on the same venue. Initially, fishing on the low numbered side of the lake it was Pete and his son Andy who landed several carp in the 9.5lb to 11.5lb range and also had three tench of between 3.5lb and 5.5lbs all in one session. Later in the week Andy had an even better session with 5 carp to 15lb and 4 tench.  Pete this week returned to the venue taking a 19lb 8 oz common from the same swim and his daughter Claire also getting in on the action with a 13lb 15oz common. Andrew Morrow also reports capture of two good fish from the venue with a 21 lb common and a 7lb tench. These captures along with other anglers reporting multi fish bags confirm that the carp are starting to feed again.
Vic Jackson following his win (story below) in the Evening League match spent a few hours on the River Great Ouse at Willington to take 28 perch to over a pound on worm. There are reports of a 27lb 2oz mirror being landed from the lake at Willington. This lake has been excellent form for the general angler as well as specimen hunter with good nets of roach and in particular rudd to be had on waggler fished sweet corn. In the Wednesday Evening League match fished at a surprisingly out of form Airman Pit, Vic Jackson claimed is 4th win in the series with 1lb 11oz 8dr and ended the league as worthy winner with 84 points. The Members Cup match this Sunday will be on the Stanford Canal with the draw 8-00am.
Also, tomorrow sees the all-nighter on the Airman Pit with the draw at 12noon. Contact Colin Wright tel.07796 935267 for details.

Pictures

Andrew Morrow

Most waters have fished well during the past week with several good specimens and good bags of fish reported from many venues. From one of the club's stretches on the River Great Ouse above Bedford a member visiting from the Coventry area landed an excellent barbel of 14lb. On Willington Lake it is still the roach and rudd that are featuring in the general anglers nets. Bailiff, Vic Jackson reports an excellent bag of roach caught on the waggler exceeding 30lb with many fish around the pound mark.
There are also reports of big bags of tench from this water. At the Airman Pit, Andy Stapleton featured again with carp to 19lb 8oz but his friend Ross Perrin went one better with an excellent common of 25lb 12oz amongst a multifish bag which included other fish of 20lb(mirror) and 17lb(common). Carp at Broom Lake also starting to feed again with probably the best fish of the week being a 24lb 8oz common caught by Pete Riley from peg31. The matchmen have also had a good week with Vic Jackson taking an excellent bag of 6lb 1oz 8dr of roach and perch in the 2.5hour Wednesday Evening League match fished at a 'back to form' Broom Lake. Nigel Gilbert was second with 3lb 2oz of roach and rudd with Steve Brinkworth in third with 1lb 13oz. With only one match remaining this win gives Vic an unassailable lead of 72 points in the keenly fought league.
In the Sunday match on the Airman Pit in the 'Teams of Three' it was Pete Hennigan who took the honours in a close match with 6lb 10oz followed by Ron Stapleton and Vic Jackson with 6lb 6oz and 5lb 5oz respectively. The 'Teams of Three' trophy went to Chris Mayes, Ron Stapleton and Vic Jackson with a
combined weight of 15lb 6oz.
The next Sunday match is for the Members Cup and will be fished on the Stanford Canal on 21st August with the draw at 8-00am. For details of the all-night match arranged for  August 20th at the Airman Pit please contact Colin Wright on 07796 935267.
 

It seems like visiting anglers are enjoying their sport on Shefford & District A.A waters and in particular the Airman Pit. Steve Scorey from Bridport in Dorset on holiday staying in the area joined the club and spent a few rewarding days on the water fishing for tench. However it was the catfish that picked up his baits and he finished with 3 whiskers of 30lb 14oz, 15lb and 11lb all caught using luncheon meat on 6lb breaking strain line. Also on the Airman Pit, regular Andy Stapleton, waiting for nightfall before starting to fish himself, was looking after his dad's rods whilst Ron went home for their supper. A super mirror carp of 24lb 12oz decided to take Ron's bait but it was young Andy who had the pleasure of landing the specimen. Although still finicky there are a few bags of carp coming out of Broom Lake with a 7 fish bag being the best reported which included some high double fish. There have been several reports from members that the silver fish are now responding on the venue with John Wigg having a bag which included 50+ roach from a peg where he struggled a few weeks back.
In last Wednesday's Evening League match on the Horsebridge, Ron Stapleton took the honours with 3lb 2oz of roach and perch with league leader Vic Jackson in second place with an all roach catch of 1lb 8oz 8dr and Nigel Gilbert in third. With two matches to go Vic leads with 60 points from Ron with 45 points. In the all-nighter on Broom Lake, Richard Emery had 7 carp for 65lb with Gavin Woodgate in second place with 49lb 15oz and match organiser, Colin Wright in third with 40lb 3oz which included the best fish caught which was 16lb 9oz. All three anglers were pegged on the riverside of the lake. The next night match will be on 20th August at the Airman Pit. To book a peg it is essential to give Colin a ring on 07796 935267. This coming Sunday sees the 'Teams of Three' match again at the Airman with the draw at 8-00am. All members are welcome but for more information give Tim Ridge a ring on 07949 447543.
 

Andy Stapleton

24lb 12oz Mirror Carp

Shefford & District A.A. members have once again reported good bags to over 15lb of silver fish being caught at both the Airman Pit and Willington Lake with roach predominating but including lots of rudd at Willington. Furthermore, both these waters are in excellent form with carp and catfish being landed to around 20lb and also tench to 7lb at the Airman with large bags of tench including fish to around 10lb at Willington. There are also reports of anglers catching rudd and roach from the newly acquired Willow Lake. However, weed is a big problem at the moment so members are advised to take a rake if intending to fish this water which is situated on the Sandy road out of Bedford. Down at Broom Lake, good bream and tench to around 7lb are still picking up baits intended for carp. On the Horsebridge there have been reasonable bags of roach reported but as usual on this water the fish become very finicky when walkers are about on the adjacent path. There have been two excellent club matches during the past week. In last Wednesday's Evening League match fished at the Airman Pit, John Wigg won with a mixed bag weighing in at 10lb 9oz with Andrew Stapleton and father Ron in 2nd and 3rd places with all roach nets of 8lb 2oz and 7lb 11oz respectively. Vic Jackson who finished 4th continues to lead the league with 49 points. On Sunday, it was a good turn out for the Pairs match at Willington Lake where Match Secretary, Tim Ridge took the individual honours with 12lb 10oz of rudd closely followed by Ron Stapleton with 12lb 2oz of roach and Pete Hennigan with 8lb 10oz. The next match will be held at the Airman Pit on the 7th August with the draw at 8-00am. This weekend sees the all nighter on Broom Lake with the draw at 5-00pm tomorrow, Saturday. For further info please give Colin Wright a ring on 07796 935267.

Late email received from John Wigg

On Sunday 24 July in four hours, on Peg 36, I caught 57 roach and 8 perch.  Thought you would like to know that Broom Lake is fishing again.  After I only caught 1lb 1.5oz on the same peg in the evening match, this came as a welcome surprise.
 

On Shefford & District A.A. waters it is the silver fish that seem to have made a welcome return to feeding producing excellent bags of fish for members on a number of the club waters. Bailiff, Vic Jackson reports that at Willington Lake there are large bags of rudd and roach including good sized fish being caught on maggot using the waggler. Bags in excess of 10lb have been reported by several anglers visiting the water. At the Airman Pit it is a similar story with good bags of roach being taken on maggot or hemp using pole tactics. Also at the same venue specimen hunters have been taking catfish to 25lb. Although carp are making a return to feeding at Broom Lake it is still the bream and tench to over 6lbs that seem to be picking up the baits intended for the carp. Members have reported a few carp to mid-double size mainly taken in the early morning and have commented on the excellent condition of the fish and how well they have fought.
On the match front Paul Hodge took the honours in last weeks Wednesday Evening League match at Broom Lake. The current league positions has Vic Jackson leading with 40 points followed by Nigel Gilbert with 24 points. Match secretary, Tim Ridge(tel.07949 447543) informs that the 'Pairs' match this coming Sunday is at Willington Lake with the draw at 8.00am

It has been a quiet week on the Shefford & District A.A. waters with very few reports of large fish being taken. At the Airman Pit unconfirmed reports of a catfish to over 20 lbs has come in but yet again it is the good bags of roach that seem to be providing the best sport on the water. At Broom Lake the pole anglers after silver fish are having a very hard time but there are signs that the carp are beginning to feed again with several fish in the mid to high doubles being taken both on surface and bottom presented baits.
There are also some excellent tench to 7lb 8oz and bream to 6lb being taken particularly from the river side of the lake.
In the Wednesday Evening League match fished on the Horsebridge it was Ron Stapleton who took the honours last week with a weight of 3lb 0oz which included two perch of around a pound.

It is the matchmen amongst the Shefford & D.A.A members who have stolen the show this week with two exceptional matches at the Airman Pit producing tremendous bags of quality roach. In the Wednesday Evening League, Vic Jackson took his second successive win in the series with 8lb 8oz of the redfins followed by Ron Stapleton with 7lb 2oz and Tim Ridge, third with 5lb13oz. In the Sunday club match it was even better with Ron Stapleton taking a great bag of 15lb followed by Vic Jackson  and Pete Hennigan with backing weights of 7lb 4oz and 5lb 2oz respectively. Match secretary, Tim Ridge said "the roach fishing on the venue is exceptional at the moment with hempseed fished up in the water being the best technique."  The next club match is this Sunday, 10th July at Broom Lake with the draw at 8-00am. At the time of going to press there hasn't been a report on the night match held at Harrold Country Park but unconfirmed reports suggest that few large fish were caught which is consistent with other club lake venues such as Broom Lake where it seems that only the bream are feeding at the present time.  The next 'all nighter' on 30th July is also at Broom so those interested in fishing should give Colin Wright(tel. 07796 935267) a call to book a place.
On other club waters there are reports from members of barbel being taken on the River Great Ouse venues but the anglers won't be more 'specific'. On the Horsebridge and particularly on the old 'Tring' length pleasure anglers have been taking nets of dace and roach with occasional carp putting in appearance to test the 'stretch' in pole elastics.

Sport is still slow on Shefford & District A.A's Broom Lake and the Airman Pit with only a few double figure carp being caught by the regulars. The report last week of a possible big 'thirty' carp being landed from Willington Lake is now confirmed as a magnificent 38lb 8oz common caught by Richard Emery. On the Rivers Hit and Flit there have been some good bags of dace taken from the White Swan area of the town and several carp have been caught around the 'forks' on floating baits.
The matchmen got their season underway at Willington Lake last Sunday with Nigel Gilbert taking the honours with a 16lb 8oz mixed bag which included two tench, the best being 4lb 12oz. Vic Jackson and Tim Ridge were second and third with bags of rudd of 7lb 1oz and 5lb respectively. Match secretary, Tim (tel. 01462447543), would welcome any members to join the match group at their next weekend match this Sunday, 3rd July, at the Airman Pit with the draw at 8-00am. The Evening League continues next Wednesday at the Horsebridge with the draw at 6-15pm. Saturday night sees the first all nighter which will be fished at the Kingfisher Lake in Harrold Country Park with the draw at 5-00pm. It is advisable to give Colin Wright a call on 01462 835450 if you intend to fish.

Sport at the start of the new season on the Shefford & District A.A. stillwaters has been very slow principally because the carp have been otherwise engaged with large numbers seen spawning both at Broom Lake and at the Airman. The carp caught on these waters have been few and far between with the best being low doubles. A few bream to 6lb have also been taken at Broom on baits intended for the carp. At Willington Lake there are unconfirmed reports of a big 'thirty' being landed but to date we have no details. At both Stanford Pit and the new water, Willow Pool, extensive weed growth is a problem so if you plan to fish these waters it is advisable to take a rake.
The first Sunday club match will be held this Sunday, 26th June at Willington Lake with the draw at 8-00am. The next match in the Evening Series will be held next Wednesday 29th June at the Airman Pit. There is also a series of night matches planned on various club venues with the first one on 2nd July at the Kingfisher Lake in Harrold Country Park. The entry fee is £10 with the draw at 5pm and fishing 6pm - 9am. Because of limited numbers it is essential to book your place with Colin Wright (tel.01462 835450 or  07796 935267) before the event.

Shefford & District Angling Association Ltd, Registered Office: 12 Church St Leighton Buzzard Beds LU7 1AE
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