ANGLING: COMMON CARP RECORD EQUALLED AS COARSE SEASON GETS OFF TO GREAT START, WRITES PAUL MERCER

The coarse fishing season has started with some tremendous catches across all the Canterbury and District Angling Association’s waters but most notably those from Fordwich Lake. Following on from his hard work in carrying out extensive voluntary work for the association during the closed season, Trevor Buggs has been rewarded with six carp that included a fine 22lb 12oz mirror and a splendid common carp of 26lb 12oz. Six good carp also found their way to the bank for Keith Minter who recorded a mirror of 18lb 6oz and a common of 16lb 8oz, while a specimen tench of 7lb 4oz was also a welcome addition to his tally. Sam Clugston also bagged six carp to 25lb 6oz that included a 13lb fish skilfully caught off the surface and that magic number of six at Fordwich Lake also gave Steve Cox six more. Steve Matthews started his season well with 11 carp to 23lb 12oz, while Steve’s brother Max Wellard landed his first brace of Fordwich carp that comprised a 17lb mirror and a common of 15lb. Steve’s daughter Lauren Matthews also got in on the action with a 19lb 4oz mirror carp. Stuart and Lee White bagged an astonishing 26 fish between them with Stuart’s 14 to 29lb 14oz and Lee’s 12 to 27lb 2oz. Another great haul of 11 carp was taken by Richard Bacchus that included fish to 27lb while Alex Dredge landed a new personal-best mirror carp that weighed 22lb and Kevin Ratcliffe three more with his best a 20lb common. Fishing the first night of the new season, John Sturge hooked 120lb of bream and a 20lb carp. Arguably the catch of the opening week was taken by Toby White who enjoyed a spectacular first carp session at Fordwich with four fish that included a 38lb 8oz common carp that equals the CDAA record established at the same venue last season, a 32lb mirror, a 13lb common and another mirror of 16lb 8oz. Stour Lake was a successful venue for Mark Parker who landed lots of bream and tench, as well as three carp to 14lb. The first of this season’s CDAA competitions will be held at Fordwich and Stour lakes on Saturday night for the Baldwin Cup. Carp and tench are the only fished allowed to be weighed in after the 12-hour overnight match. The draw will be at Fordwich car park at 6.30pm and fishing will be from 8pm to 8am on Sunday morning. The Goldsmith Cup for junior anglers will be fished at Trenley Lake north bank on Sunday, July 5, with the draw at 8.30am at the lake. Fishing will be from 9.30am to 1pm. The Stonar Charity Shield will be fished from Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12 at Stonar Lake. This competition is open to local/non-local, members and non members of the CDAA and this year’s donations are in aid of the ‘Caring for Connor’ charity. Those wishing to fish should contact the CDAA during office hours on 01227 710830. The Canterbury and District Angling Association have membership vacancies for the 2015/2016 season. For details, call 01227 710830 during office hours.