THE last weekend of the river season saw the biggest bags of fish caught from the Avon and Nadder throughout the entire season.

Heading the list of big catches from the Avon and its carrier stretch at the Britford fishery was Trevor Williams, with 24 chub up to 5lb 12oz, bags of dace to 12 ounces and a total bag of fish from the main river, where it meets with the River Bourne, of 180lb. Steve Jones had roach to 2lb 2oz and ten chub from the carrier; Steve Cable had 14 chub to 4lb and roach to 1lb 8oz from the main river; Andy Copeland had roach to 2lb 4oz and several around the 2lb mark from the island, while others had bags of dace weighing 35lb or more, good bags of grayling as well as dozens of chub.

“It was as if a switch was thrown on Friday, ending the hard, difficult days and instead, everything went mad,” said Britford bailiff and water-keeper, Stuart Wilson.

Chub were also the main species caught in Salisbury Angling Club’s “Last Chance Match” on the Nadder, on the club’s Constable Fishery. Andy Pratten won what was a very close match, with ten chub weighing a total of 19lb 12oz, Malc Pepperill was runner-up with 19lb 7oz and Colin Sellwood was third with 18lb 10oz.

Lakes, too, are beginning to fish better as Salisbury club match anglers found when they fished a club match on the Outer Snake lake at Witherington Farm Fishery. Dave Docherty was first with 59lb 8oz, 19lb of which were skimmers, so he also took top prize in the silver fish competition running at the same time. Mick Keynes was second with 55lb 7oz and Darryl Mayers was third with 39lb 2oz.

Pleasure anglers at Witherington are catching skimmers and some perch and carp anglers are banking mirrors and commons from Barnmoor Lake, many into double figures. Other lake fisheries are also reporting a steady improvement in sport. Anglers are reminded that the last day of the river season was Tuesday and the new season begins on Friday, June 16.