Monday 4th November 2024.

Thre second round of the series of Winter League matches took  place yesterday with the 72 anglers pegged across the Belmont and Tennis Court sections. Nobody was sure how the match would fish, what approach to use and what species would feature on a river that was continuing to drop and clear, after virtually no rain for the previous 2 weeks. The height was 0.62m at the Old Wye Bridge.This was coupled with unseasonably mild temperatures of around 15C. At the draw everyone wanted a good set of pegs hoping to avoid the dodgy pegs on ‘A’ section and the Tennis Courts.

As the river was low and clear chub and perch dominated the catches and individual winner Joe Holloway (DH Angling) managed to catch 69lb 2oz from unfancied peg 52 on the left bank using a 5m bolo. Runner up was Hadrian Whittle (Woodys) who was on peg 76 on the railings. Using a big stick or bolo over groundbait and an 8m whip line, he caught 22 chub in no time  before the bleak turned up. A switch to meat brought a few more chub before he concentrated  on the perch.His total weight was 58lb 6oz. Third individually was Andy Cranston (Nomads B) with 55lb 6oz from hot peg 96 between the bridges.

On the team front, Woodys came out top again for the second match running with 61 points. DH Angling took second place on the day with 55 points with Cadence Bait -Tech finishing third with 54 points. On the league front Woodys are the league leaders with a maximum 24 points, with DH Angling and Cadence Bait-Tech joint second on 21 points. All in all there were some great weights  and with the 3 day Festival coming up from Wednesday some bumper weights can be expected. Full results below :