THE outcome of the Over 60s Winter League, fished on the Robin Wood Fishery at Ingleby, was decided very quickly as it appeared that most of the feeding fish were in one swim.
That swim belonged to Mick Farran for the duration of the match — and he was the only angler to make it into double figures.
He fished the pole along with pellets and caught carp of around four to five pounds to amass 34lbs 8ozs, and in doing so won the match by the proverbial country mile.
His nearest challenger was Dennis Hagues, who weighed in 9lbs 10ozs, which consisted of three carp and a brace of ide, all taken on luncheon meat fished on a feeder.
The next two places were taken by a brace of carp, each taken by Keith Bagley and Mick Lakin, weighing in at 8lbs 15ozs and 8lbs 8ozs.
The only angler to find any bream was Terry Carpenter. He had one that went 2 1/2lbs and backed that up with another six small ones and six roach for 3lbs 15ozs.
The weights were thankfully more consistent in the open fished on the STOPPOS FISHERY. Carp were again the main target and most of the competitors netted fish of close to 5lbs.
Chopped worm and casters were the main difference, with John Stevens adding a few early-season tench to the carp to make a total of 27lbs 4ozs. He fishes the same method on most matches here, the biggest question being how far out he fishes his feeder.
Runner-up Pete Johnson fished a similar style to the winner but had to go at least 20 metres out with his cage feeder.
The carp that he caught were on the small side but they totalled 19lbs 8ozs by the end of the match.
Taking a rest from the Burton Vets, Pete Gourlay fancied a new challenge and ended up with a level 15lbs with carp to 5lbs taken on the feeder and sweet corn.
THE angling community was saddened to learn of the death of John Stephenson this week.
John (above right) was one of the most helpful, loyal and committed members of Coors Angling Club, always offering to help with the club’s work parties and charity open matches.
He helped through work on the pegs to weighing in, to painting the headquarters and also coached many juniors, especially those at the school where where he was the caretaker. He was also part of the success of the Burton Angling Festival.
His claim to fame was beating Tom Pickering by one gudgeon off the next peg in the Burton Breweries Festival on the Trent!
John’s funeral takes place at Bretby Crematorium on Thursday at 1.30pm and will be followed by a gathering at Washlands Club in Meadow Road, Burton.
His widow, Linda, has requested no flowers but would welcome donations to St Giles Hospice.
