Hole makes most of ideal conditions

Angling

Peter Hole led the way as more than 30 anglers took to the river bank on Sunday to fish this season’s Canterbury & District Angling Association Open Competition at Grove Ferry and Plucks Gutter.

CDAA bailiff Jon Weir had carefully prepared the swims and 10 anglers drew pegs/ swims at Plucks Gutter (section A), 11 at Grove Ferry (section E) and 13 at section F, also at Grove Ferry.

Conditions were ideal and the weather stayed dry despite forecasts of afternoon rain.

Hole claimed victory with a total of 42lb 8oz, taken from F section downstream on a peg near to the Boat House.

The Tonbridge angler feederfished throughout the match to hook five large bream as well as smaller skimmer bream and roach. Grove Ferry also gave second-placed Conrad Thrower his fine total of 34lb 5oz, this time upstream on section E.

Conrad also opted for the feeder to catch three large bream and skimmers.

Third-placed Paul Wiltshire bagged 18lb 1.5oz from Plucks Gutter using a pole to hook skimmers and roach.

Steve West helped run the match on behalf of the CDAA and his early morning efforts were rewarded with a total of 17lb 13oz.

West fished the pole on E section just above the boards to land roach, skimmers and fourth position.

The top junior was G Todd with a weight of 8lb 15oz taken from E section and including a big bream, skimmers and roach, all taken on a feeder rod.

Last year’s winner, H Boden, was pipped into second place with 6lb 8oz from F section.

Blean Angling beat off five other teams to secure a win with 72lb 10oz in the Team of Four competition.

The section winners were Glen Brett with 14lb 2oz from A, Ray Allen with 15lb 14oz from E and Roy Gudgeon with 11lb 2oz from F.

Match organiser Brian Mankelow thanked the Grove Ferry Boat Club for their hospitality again this year and local fishing tackle shops Anglers Kabin at Cottington Lakes and Blean Angling for their support of the CDAA and the 2017 Open Competition with tackle and raffle prizes.