Doug Dimbleby is runner-up in winter series opener

SUNDAY saw Shackerstone AC stage round 1 of their Club sponsored Members Winter League Series fished on the Gopsall Wood section of the Ashby canal.

Competitors really struggled early on as skies darkened, the rain fell, the wind blew covering the canal in leaves and even baiting a hook became problematical, nevertheless, fish fed in numbers and the result was quite surprising.

The winner on peg 12 was Rugby angler Hubert Noar who fed and fished worm and maggot to the far shelf as well as down the track. From his far swim he managed some lovely skimmers to the 1lb mark plus a couple of zander, one around 2lbs. Switching to the track brought further success in the form of decent perch to 12ozs, resulting in a magnificent weight of 8.25lbs and 1 point.

Second place went to Hinckley angler Doug Dimbleby on peg 4 who fed and fished his usual bread punch to the far ledge. He managed a super net of roach, rudd and skimmers caught on and off during the contest to end with again a super weight of 5.5lbs and 2 points.

Third place was shared between Nuneaton angler Kev Cooper on peg 5 and Market Bosworth angler Andy Morton on peg 6 who both weighed 3lbs and received 3 points.

Cooper fed and fished bread punch to the far shelf to catch skimmers, roach and rudd before switching to worm down the track for a few small perch. Morton, although hampered by leaves later on did manage four reasonable skimmers from the far shelf at the start on bread before switching to worm down the track.

He intended targeting perch and caught a few small ones but also lost a bonus unseasonal tench, given they are summer fish trying to land it as a boat passed. This match, despite appalling weather conditions produced a staggering total weight of 31lbs of fish.

A reminder to all Measham AC members intending to fish the Fur & Feather match on November 28 please ensure you book in with Andy Smith and pay the entry of £5 by November 1 - no prizes for those that fish but not booked in.

Sunday will see Measham AC stage the Challenge Cup Open match, draw 7.45am at The Globe.