ANGLERS are growing increasingly concerned at the lack of weed in the Avon and Nadder to the south of Salisbury.

Stretches of both rivers that normally hold large shoals are almost devoid of fish. Salisbury Angling Club members, holding a match on both rivers on Sunday, noticed that the usual productive stretches from Deanery Meadows downstream towards Harnham had virtually no weed and few fish were seen.

And, Stuart Wilson, water-keeper for the London AA fishery at Britford, said he was worried at the lack of weed. "The old river stretch alongside the Southampton Road, has no weed at all and the carrier stretch is also lacking in its usual level of weed. Fish are constantly moving to find shelter. It is very worrying."

The condition of the rivers is reflected in catches with many anglers struggling. Salisbury AC's Open Teams of Four competition saw one good weight by Salisbury's Steve Trevett, who netted 45lb 12oz of dace from a swim in the city's Elizabeth Gardens. Simon Kiefer, (Kennet Ospreys) was second with 18lb 12oz from a peg off Brunel Road, Churchfields, and Salisbury came third with Ray Ridgers, who caught 14lb 4oz, also from Elizabeth Gardens. However, many competitors downstream of that trio really struggled.

Kennet Ospreys won the match with 32 points, a very good average of eight points per angler, and Barney's Blacks were runners-up with 25 points.

Most anglers visiting London AA's Britford fishery failed to catch and those that did had to contend with small roach, dace and grayling.

The Avon's north/south divide remains very much in force with the Avon south of Downton fishing, and looking, much better than upstream. Fishing is still difficult because of the low level and clear water but good bags of dace have been caught from Horseport and pike to 21lb from Winkton.

Sport is also being affected because of dredging work being done south of Fordingbridge.

Lake fishery owners report a quiet week with few anglers about. Those that have fished have found carp still feeding, roach starting to appear and bream. Roach to just over 2lb have been caught from Hucklesbrook Lake, near Ringwood where some fishermen have been catching bags of quality roach.

At Witherington Farm Fishery, Barnmoor Lake has produced two heavyweight carp, the biggest at 31lb and the other at 25lb. Bream are showing on most of the other lakes and some of the carp recently stocked into the lakes from the fishery's stock ponds are already beginning to be caught.

It has been a quietish week for Waldens Farm Fishery, Dandy's Ford Lane and Watergate Fishery, but anglers visiting these venues have been catching fish and while the autumn weather remains unseasonally mild, sport should continue to be reasonably good.