Varley does the double with bomb and corn as winter’s impact begins

WHEN the going got tough the tough got going as John Varley proved by winning both this week’s Higham Lane Fishery Open matches.

Thursday’s match found the lake partly covered in ice, but in a close match where any of the top three could have won, it was John who took the honours weighing 30lb 11ozs from peg 10 caught on bomb and corn tactics.

Dave Hurlston finished second with a 28lb 9oz catch while Terry Sander- son came third with 27lb 8ozs, just one small carp away from a win.

In Saturday’s match John took the honours again, fishing the same method he weighed 24lb 9oz from peg five, to complete a “double”!

Mick Linnett finished second with 18lb 9ozs while Kevin Milne finished third with 16lb 11ozs.

Shackerstone’s Open match fished along the Monthills section was hard work, with the top two places decided by two big fish.

John Gamble caught just one bream, weighing 3lb 8ozs to win while Andy Smith also caught a single bream which weighed 3lb 6ozs to take second place. Phil Baker caught 1lb 3ozs of small roach to finish third.

Maynes Lakes suffered in the icy conditions with Wednesday’s Open match winner Chris Edwards catching late on pole fished bread to finish with 7lb 11ozs.

Result; Pool One, Section One; Karl Downing, 6lb 13ozs, peg 26. Section Two; Darryl Moore 5lb 15ozs peg 34.

Pool Two, Section One; Chris Edwards peg 12, Section Two Colin Bent 4lb, peg six.

Saturday’s Open match found the lakes at their hardest with bites hard to come by in the icy conditions.

Alan Wilson took the honours with a small carp catch weighing just 4lb 7ozs from peg nine on Pool 2.

Higham Lane Fishery have Open matches every Thursday and Saturday, draw for both at 9am.

Maynes Lakes have an Open match every Saturday, draw 9am.

Shackerstone’s final match in their Members Onstylelifting sponsored winter league takes place this Sunday. Draw 7.45am at the Rising Sun.

Brookfield have an Open match at Stoke Golding this Sunday, draw 9am.

Maynes Lake’s have an Open match every Wednesday, draw 10am.

Lychgate Fisheries have Open matches every Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, draw at 9.15am.