Mixed bag in HAJAC winter league finale on Ramsey Narrows
The final round of the HAJAC winter league saw those anglers on Ramsey Narrows having a good day, whilst some of the other sections spread around other Fenland waters didn’t fare so well, writes Ken Wade.
A combination of heavy pressure on the venues and cold conditions were to blame.
Ian Benton topped a good quality field with 26lb 3oz. He drew three pegs down from the Ramsey Forty Foot bridge on what is locally known as The Narrows. A slow start saw him take a few small fish on pinkie, but then he managed to get a decent tench out on his light rig so that was the signal to switch to his chopped worm line with a much more robust approach.
The tactics paid off as he went on to net a further six tench. In the same section was Dan Jones, who had a good net of rudd taken from the bridge peg and topped them up with a tench which saw him finish with 15lb 10oz.
On the team front a masterly display of Fenland drain fishing saw Maver Image romp home with just 12 penalty points. Runners-up were Sensas Tackle and Bates on 20 points and that was enough to see them top the league after four rounds on seven points. Second place was Stanjay Gold on 9 points, followed by Maver Image with 13. Top individual of the league was the consistent Alex Bates on 5 points.
There were was some good consistent sport to be had for those fishing the Rookery Waters Over 60’s midweek match on the Magpie Pool.
Top rod was Tony Dawson who caught carp to 3lb to finish with 57lb 12oz. Pushing him all the way was local rod Dave Rawlings, who fished bread tight over to the island but fell just short with 56lb 10oz. Third place went to John Belshaw, who weighed in 44lb 10oz.
Fishery expert Tony Dawson made it two wins on the trot at the fishery, winning the latest Winter Qualifier Open on the Magpie pool. Once again he pulled hot peg 1 out of the bag and made no mistake, finishing with 37 carp for 92lb 12oz.Tony started fishing bread into the corner then switched to his sweetcorn line tight up to the lilies. Tony McGregor filled the runner-up spot. He fished the long pole and was kept busy all day fishing sweetcorn, netting small carp to weigh in 79lb 14oz.
There are just two more qualifying matches before the final takes place on March 26 and 27, so if you fancy your chances of winning a big cash jackpot then you would be advised to get booked in as soon as possible as places will be limited.
Whatever the conditions, or for that matter at any time of year, anglers can rely on the Cuckoo Canal pool at Townsend fishery for some excellent sport.
To prove the point fishery boss Colin Begbie topped the latest open on the pool with 100lb 2oz. Colin fished a long pole line from start to finish never straying from a pellet approach and caught all day. Some way behind was Del Maginn, who fished similar tactics to the winner to finish with 44lb 8oz, followed by Ricky James on 43lb 8oz.
If you are looking for a consistent venue to get plenty of bites on a Fenland drain before the season draws to a close then give Pondersbridge a try, particularly along the Carrot Wash section.
Whittlesey AA have been running regular matches here on Saturdays throughout the season and it rarely fails to produce good sport. In the latest match on the venue it was Jeff Tuttlebee taking the honours. Drawn next to the bridge he alternated between the whip and waggler and caught small roach, rudd and perch all day on maggot to finish with 11lb 14oz.
Not far off the pace was runner-up Mel Saggers. He drew the opposite end of the match length and started trying to catch small fish, but after a difficult early spell he decided to switch to a chopped worm and caster line which produced four tench for 10lb 8oz.
Third place went to Roger Biddle. He had two decent tench and a few small fish on worm, weighing in 6lb 4oz.
