A BIG summer pike and plenty of double-figure carp have been caught during the last week, but despite some big fish, sport remains patchy.

The big predator, weighing a fraction over 20lb, was caught from the Avon on the lower reaches of the London AA fishery at Britford by a pike angler using a lure and fishing the turbulent water of the weir.

Elsewhere on the fishery, anglers have struggled, some catching dace and grayling but it is hard going with fairly low water which is crystal clear.

Further downstream between Fordingbridge and Ringwood, a few barbel have been landed from the Somerley stretch and bags of dace from Redbrook plus a few chub from Lifelands and Winkton.

Anglers report a slight improvement in prospects during the evenings rather than earlier in the day.

Plenty of big carp from all lakes at Witherington Farm Fishery, near Alderbury, with the best caught by Geoff Rowlands from Barnmoor Lake. He had quite a tussle as he caught the 24lb 5oz fish on the pole on fairly light tackle.

The other lakes are producing skimmers to 3lb, plenty of carp and tench and is fishing better than of late.

Unfortunately, Salisbury Angling Club’s lakes at Petersfinger, did not fish that well for a club match on Sunday. There was a good turnout of competitors, 20 in all and both lakes were used.

Malc Pepperill won the day catching just 11lb 1oz from a peg on the river bank of the lower lake. Second was Shaun Gumbleton with 7lb 14oz from the first lake and there was a joint third with Paul Colebeck and Paul Barnard both weighing-in 6lb 14oz of very small fish.

Only two tench and one bream were caught during the match, the rest were all small rudd and roach.

Plenty of tench, bream and carp from other fisheries in the region such as Watergate Farm, Dandy’s Ford Lane, and Waldens Farm and anglers are also catching a few roach and rudd from Waldens Farm.