TORRENTIAL rain during the early hours of Sunday morning brought a bonus for river anglers who went out later that day for a few hours fishing.

The heavy rain caused an instant colouring of the water and the departure of the crystal-clear conditions led to the appearance of feeding fish and sport was much better than it has been for a week or so.

At the London AA Britford fishery, anglers landed good bags of dace and grayling with chub also making an appearance with the best touching 4lb.

Weights were pretty good for Salisbury Angling Club match anglers when they visited Embley Park in an inter-club match with hosts, Test Valley AC on Sunday. Salisbury anglers did well taking the top three places with Ian Heydon individual winner with 43lb 12oz, comprising four carp for 30lb and an individual mirror nudging 15lb as well as perch and skimmers. Cliff Carbus was second with 29lb, including two carp for 19lb and Steve Trevett was third with 22lb 8oz of skimmers and perch.

Salisbury Angling Club again put on a fishing day for injured Servicemen and women receiving treatment at the Tedworth House facility at Tidworth. The latest Fishing for Forces event took place last Thursday at the club's Petersfinger fishery and six injured soldiers attended and enjoyed a day on the lakes learning about aquatic life and the sport of fishing. The club provided the tackle and mentors and Peter McLeod laid on a barbecue with meats supplied by Billy Baxter Butchers of Shrewton. Plenty of fish, including roach, bream, rudd and pike were caught and everyone enjoyed the day.

Sport has been a little slower on most lakes in the region but one exception is Barnmoor Lake at Witherington Farm Fishery, which continues to provide good carp fishing. Carp enthusiast, Nigel Tupper, spent one day fishing the lake and banked 18 carp, the heaviest at 18lb.

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