BASINGSTOKE Railway Club went to Dandys Ford Lodge Lake, for their annual rods only match, sponsored by Mitch Mitchell. I fished for the lake’s smaller species and ran out the winner with 90 plus fish for 35lb.

George Ramsey caught two carp on the feeder for his 15lb 8oz, Mick Browne carp and tench bag weighed 15lb 1oz all caught on maggot, whilst Trevor Matthews caught 13lb of mixed on various baits.

Seventeen fished but not all weighed.

Adventure AS travelled to Ivy House Lake near Swindon, Wiltshire for their latest match and the aptly named Robin Guppy won it with 92lb 4oz of carp on pole and maggot.

Mick Fordham’s 69lb 12oz was a pole and pellet affair, Gary Knight fished long pole up in the water on pellet for his 56lb 8oz, whilst Graham Shadwell went the whole hog and pellet wagged it for his 44lb 5oz.

Fourteen fished and caught.

Bracknell’s South Hill Park Lake played host to Kennet Ospreys, where Ian Jones did the business with 134lb 13oz of carp on pole and pellet.

In form Bartosz Recki utilised the same tactics for his 114lb 4oz of carp. Geoff Edwards 112lb 3oz was also a pole and pellet bag as was Colin Thomas’ 86lb 11oz.

Twelve fished and caught.

After many years of writing various angling columns, the same names keep cropping up as framers.

It’s easy to say that they always draw well or they had a lot of fish in front of them, but the real reason for their success is they get their tactics right for the given conditions on the day.

After a very barren spell of results lady luck shone on me and I won three matches in the last week.

So my exile to North Korea has been put on hold ‘er indoors was already sourcing the tickets, bless her.

Catch me next week.