FALLING river levels and water returning to crystal clear has hit sport badly and once again fishing has become hard.

Anglers at most fisheries have struggled, catching the odd small bag of dace, a few grayling and the occasional small roach.

The only stretches that have produced larger fish have been Christchurch AC's Manor Farm fishery and Ringwood Angling Club's North End Farm. Several chub topping 7lb have come from Manor Farm whilst North End Farm produced a barbel of 16lb as well as a few smaller ones.

Salisbury Angling Club held their annual open match on the rivers Avon and Nadder on Sunday and the competition attracted 32 anglers. However, it was a hard match, thanks to a sharp overnight frost and two rivers that were running clear and low.

Once again the Nadder produced the better sport and leading the way was Chris Opey, fishing below Harnham Mill, who bagged 17lb 8oz . Runner-up on the Nadder was Colin Sweby with 14lb 6oz from Brunel Road.

Winner on the Avon was Marcus Crook, who had a roach and dace bag weighing 13lb 10oz from a city swim, whilst further upstream, John Nuttall landed 11lb 12oz for second place.

Anglers fared little better on the London AA fishery at Britford where the volume of water has to serve three stretches, two carriers and the main river. The result is all three are low and clear and fish have been difficult to come by. A few dace and grayling from the main river and some small roach from the carrier stretches.

With the first real frosts and cold weather of the winter, lake fishing has slowed quite a bit. Witherington Farm Fishery report only a handful of anglers but those that did turn out managed to find the smaller carp, recently stocked into the lakes, still feeding along with silver fish but overall, sport is slower and more difficult than of late.