ADVENTURE AS were at Frobury Farm on Sunday last, and what a close match it turned out to be.

Kevin Holmes and Dave Stratford-Way both fished pole and maggot and both weighed 23lb 12oz of carp. Third-placed Alan Chadbone weighed 23lb 8oz of carp on pole and corn, while Graham Spiller pole and magged it for his 23lb 4oz.

Nineteen fished and caught.

Kennet Ospreys’ silver fish only match at Gold Valley’s Gold Lake was the predictable grueller on an out-of-form venue.

However, Ken (Carpie) Dack sorted it best with five bream on feeder and pinkie for 14lb. Evergreen Pat Hollies always shines on hard venues, and he did just that, with five smaller bream for 10lb 12oz, again on the feeder. Ian Jones made third place with four feeder-caught bream for 9lb 12oz.

Fourteen fished but not all caught.

Camrose AC went to Cheriton Farm for a pole only match, and on an interesting venue, Brian Orchard drew a plum swim and topped out with 25lb 10oz of carp on pole and maggot. Terry Bowles caught 19lb 10oz of carp on pole and meat. I managed 15lb 3oz of bream and carp on pole and soft pellet, while Paul Bassinder’s 8lb 10oz was a carp and bits on maggot and pole affair.

I would like to fish this venue for roach and gudgeon as they are there in abundance.

Twelve fished and caught.

Adventure’s match at Milton Pools put Dave Butler on the podium with 28lb 8oz of skimmers on pole and pellet. Darren Wright’s 25lb 12oz was also an all-skimmer affair, falling to bomb and maggot. Gary Herman’s 23lb 12oz of skimmers was a pole and maggot jobbie, as was Mick Fordham’s 21lb 8oz of carp.

Thirteen fished and caught.

Kennet Ospreys’ match at Greenridge Farm was a disappointing affair, but after the upheaval the venue has suffered in the past three months it was not surprising.

Ray Shepherd won it with 45lb 2oz of carp on pole and maggot. Ian Jones’ 38lb 14oz of carp fell to the same method, as did John Lights’ 35lb 6oz and Anthony Thomas’ 30lb.

Twenty-one fished – some caught very little and some nothing at all.

Camrose AC were at Whitehouse Lake last week and – wait for it – it was Pip Seeny who took the honours with two carp and bits on pole and mag for 6lb 2oz. Tony Holdsworth made second place with an even 6lb, followed by Pete Morris on 5lb 13oz and Colin Thomas with 4lb 13oz.

Twelve fished and caught.

With all the inclement weather and resulting floods, it brought home to me how ill prepared we are. Therefore, I’m sending ’er indoors on a pump maintenance course, and ordering half a ton of sand and some sacks for her to fill.

You’ve got to be prepared.

Catch me next week.