LACK of warmth continues to make fishing difficult and anglers are finding that it is on the days when the sun stays out, that the temperature rises just enough to encourage fish to feed.

Despite the cold spring days, two fishermen managed to persuade a couple of hefty mirror carp to take their bait when they fished Barnmoor Lake at Witherington Farm Fishery.

Mick Taplin banked one of the heaviest mirrors caught so far this year at 28lb 7oz and Ian Barlow followed up close behind him with another of 24lb 4oz.

Barnmoor, Sellwood and Cottage lakes were all used on Sunday in a match run by Eastleigh AC and weights were reasonable. Match winner was Clive Egerton, who landed 46lb 2oz from Sellwood Lake, and runner-up was Paul White with 45lb 3oz from Sellwood. Dave Moody finished third with 37lb 8oz from Cottage Lake.

Arrangements are being made for a big open charity match at Witherington Farm Fishery on May 22nd. It is likely the match will be 80 pegs and using all five lakes. More details will be announced later.

Anglers visiting Hucklesbrook Fishery, between Fordingbridge and Ringwood, are finding roach and tench are beginning to show in ever-increasing numbers. Tench are being caught between 2lb and 5lb and many of the roach are close to 1lb.

Crucian carp are being caught from Holtwood Lake and good mixed bags of silver fish and carp from Wedgehill Fishery, near Verwood.

Other fisheries in the region report sport on the slow side because of the cold nights, but fisheries such as Waldens Farm, which are protected from the northerly winds, say sport improves when the sun warms the water surface.