A POTENTIAL new Avon barbel record has been set if a 16lb 8oz specimen caught in the Ibsley area is confirmed.

The big barbel was one of two huge ones caught over the last few days, the other being one of 17lb caught from the Longham free stretch near Ringwood.

Not only did this stretch yield the 17lb fish it also provided one angler with an 8lb 2oz chub - a massive one which not so many years ago would have smashed the British record out of sight.

Another chub tipping the scales at 8lb has been caught from the Avon in the Ringwood area and the Severals stretch has also produced a massive 29lb pike.

There is good news for game fishermen - and everyone else fighting for the well-being of the Hampshire Avon - with news of a 23lb salmon caught and safely released on the Somerley stretch.

The 2007/08 river season ends tomorrow (Friday) and while it has not been a hugely successful season for the Avon and its tributaries, there have been some excellent fish landed, including specimen barbel chub, pike and a handful of 2lb-plus roach.

Salisbury AC members are reminded that even though the river season does not open until June 16, coarse fishing memberships are due for renewal on April 1.

All club waters close completely for fishing on March 31 with the exception of the club's Wellow lake, which will remain open all year. Details of when various club lakes re-open will appear later in this column.

The club held a match on the Outer Snake at Witherington Farm Fishery on Sunday and guest angler B. Anderson won it with 35lb 10oz. Brian Shutler was runner-up with 31lb 5oz.

The previous day saw the sixth round of the Teams of Four competition - Reid's Tackle strengthening their hold on the cup taking top place with 30.5 points.

The win gives them a ten point lead over second-placed Barney's Blacks, 148 points to 138.

Top individual on Saturday was Paul Barnard with 51lb 10oz and second was Graham Tappenden with 37lb 12oz, both top rods fishing on Cottage Lake.

There are two rounds to go in this competition and Reid's will take some beating now.

News of the week from Waldens Farm Fishery concerns a superb 16lb ghost carp caught from Bishops Lake.

It was one of a number of carp to be taken from Bishops over the last few days. Pike remain active with best baits smelt or trout.

A big bag weighing 38lb and made up of roach and bream was taken from Abbots Lake, with the roach to 1lb and bream to 5lb 8oz. Carp are coming out from most pegs on Abbots.

Mixed bags comprising tench, carp, roach and bream from Monks Lake, where the field pegs have been fishing the best over the last few days. Popes Lake has been rested this week.

Despite the cool weather, carp have been taking baits from the surface on Deacons Lake to baits such as mixer or bread. Some anglers have had very good bags indeed with silver fish being taken among the carp. Best baits for silver fish include float-fished maggot and caster.