ANGLERS continue to face challenging conditions with few fish about, very low temperatures and on the region’s rivers, an unusual and baffling problem with unseasonal plagues of minnows.

The Avon in particular, has a serious problem with hordes of minnows as members of Salisbury Angling Club found out in their annual Senior Pairs Match on Sunday. The 24 competitors found the going tough and weights were on the low side with just 8lb 12oz the best individual weight, three chub caught by Jimmy Smith.

Andy Palmer had just over 7lb for second spot and Andy Pratten came third with 5lb. The winning pair were Malcolm Stubbs and Charlie Wernham with 21 points out of a possible 24, Jimmy Smith and Mick Keynes were runners-up with 20 points and Andy Palmer and Gary Wright were third.

Hungry minnows are also proving a problem on the Britford fishery on both the main river and the carrier. A few grayling and dace were caught from the old river stretch and a handful of chub from the carrier, but all-in-all it was hard going for anglers, many of whom packed up early due to the biting east wind. “It has been an endurance test for anglers, with little reward,” said water-keeper, Stuart Wilson. Pike anglers have fared a little better with individual fish up to 12lb from the carrier stretch.

The cold weather has kept visitors away from many lakes but the few hardy ones that ventured out have caught some silver fish and skimmers. At Witherington Farm Fishery, a weekend match on Sellwood Lake was won by Kev Downer with 29lb 12oz, Hayden Mayers was second with 26lb and Henry Smith came third with 19lb.

There is little activity among the carp at the moment probably due to the chill factor.