SOME of the biggest match weights so far this year in the Salisbury area have been caught from lakes at the Dandy's Ford Lane Fishery near Wellow over the weekend.

Topping the list is James Knight who banked an incredible 260lb of fish in a match at the fishery on Saturday.

The following day, in an interclub match between Salisbury Angling Club, Test Valley AC and Eastleigh AC, Mick Hawkins (Eastleigh) hauled out 116lb 4oz from the Match Lake and fellow club member, Steve Pomeroy, caught 96lb 4oz from the same lake.

Weights were still good, although lower, from the other lakes used in the competition. Eastleigh's Jem Turner won on Lodge Lake with 60lb and Eastleigh's Chris Albiston was second with 59lb. On the Canal Lake, Salisbury had its only winner with Paul Barnard, who banked 40lb 8oz. Richard Penny, Eastleigh, was second on that lake with 38lb. Eastleigh won the match convincingly.

Witherington Farm Fishery's Barnmoor Lake has produced another big carp when carp enthusiast, Nigel Tupper, had a Sunday session on the lake and caught nine carp, the best at 25lb.

Once again the lakes have been fishing better than the rivers with roach to just over 2lb from Redbrook, near Ringwood and double figure carp and good-sized tench from Hucklesbrook. Watergate Farm Fishery,Bulford, and Waldens Farm Fishery, West Grimstead, continue to provide good all-round sport.

The Avon is proving difficult as it is low and clear, weedy in places and on many stretches minnows are proving troublesome. One of the best stretches has been Fordingbridge Park where anglers have been catching quality dace and a few decent-sized roach. A few barbel have been banked from the Lifelands stretch.

The London AA stretch at Britford, near Salisbury, has produced some dace and small chub with the odd roach but overall, river fishing remains challenging.