SPORT continues to slowly improve as the recent rain has put some colour into the rivers giving fish more confidence to feed.

Anglers trying their luck at the London AA fishery at Britford have been rewarded with good bags of quality dace, a few chub and a handful of roach.

Brian Penfold used a stick float and double red maggot to fish the lower reaches of the fishery near Kitts Island and had a 20lb-plus bag of dace, four chub, 15 or so grayling and a few trout. Martin Jones fished Harnham Island and had 16lb of dace and chub while roach expert, Charlie Kemmett, again used a pole to tempt a handful of roach, the two best at 2lb 7oz and 1lb 10oz.

All the fish came from the carrier stretches as the main Avon remains closed to fishermen because of dangerous banks and fencing too close to the river. Work is continuing to replace fencing and it is hoped to have some stretches open within a few weeks. It will be some time yet before the whole length of the Avon - close on three miles of banks - re-opens to anglers.

In the Ringwood area, the Avon continues to produce good bags of quality dace, a few nice roach and barbel up to, and just over, 10lb.

On the lakes, sport remains good at most fisheries and highlights of the weekend at Witherington Farm Fishery included the capture of a 28lb 10oz common carp on a pole. Gary Naylor had a real tussle on his hands to get the big carp safely into the net after catching it during a match on Barnmoor Lake. His big fish didn't win him the match but it was the main talking point. The competition was won by Dave Poole with 57lb 7oz, Graham Tappenden was runner-up with 39lb 10oz and Dave Moody came third with 36lb 12oz.

All the lakes at Witherington Farm are fishing well and it is a similar story at the other fisheries in the area.

However, one fishery is temporarily closed. Salisbury Angling Club have shut both their Petersfinger Lakes because of a lack of oxygen in the water leading to signs of fish stress. The lakes have been closed to prevent any further stress to the fish. Anglers are advised to contact the club before planning a visit as the decision to re-open will be taken day by day depending on the weather and situation at the time.