Angler Mark Cross steals Magpie Lakes glory at Cambs Rookery Waters in Pidley

After the big Angling Trust final it was back onto the Twenty Foot Drain at March for those fishing the HAJAC open and the match produced some extraordinary catches.

Out in front from the peg just above the bridge was Graham Welton, who caught well over 1,000 small rudd on a short whip line with pinkie to put 32lb 14oz on the scales. Second was Phil McFadden with 27lb 11oz, followed by Bob Nudd with 26lb 10oz and Stan Binge with 24lb 14oz.

The Saturday Winter Qualifier over at Rookery Waters saw the match fished on the Raven and Magpie Lakes. On Magpie it was Mark Cross out in front. He drew peg 34 and fished maggot on a long pole for 111lb 5oz. Will Hadley was second on the lake with 97lb 8oz. Over on the Raven Pool Richard Bond took the honours. He weighed in 76lb from peg 4, catching a mixed bag on maggot. Runner-up with 66lb 2oz was Ben Gardener.

In the midweek Tydd Gote match John Taylor was back to top form, taking the honours with 8lb 8oz – just enough to see off the challenge from Archie Greenwood, who fell just short with 8lb 3oz.

In the Sunday club match the conditions proved to be difficult with bank to bank floating weed which saw weights well below what is usually expected. At the final whistle Andrew Kilby weighed in a modest 2lb 5oz. Runner-up with 1lb 14oz was Pete Emery.

In the first Buttonhole qualifier of the year it was Kieron McDonagh going through to the grand final in September winning the match with 74lb 2oz. He fished a long pole to the island with soft pellet. Runner-up with 60lb 1oz was Andy Rose, followed by Pete Molesworth with 37lb 10oz.

Already it’s that time of year for club AGMs. First up in 2019 is Fenland Rods, who had a very good 2018 and welcomed several new anglers into the club, who they hope to see at the Black Bull in Whittlesey on Monday, March 4 (7.30pm start).