New angling season opens on Fenland drains and rivers

It’s a big week in the world of angling as the new season on Fenland drains and rivers opens up for the start of the fishing season tomorrow, writes Ken Wade.

Now that we can fish year round on commercial fisheries right across the country the day in the angler’s calendar has not been quite as special.

But in this part of the world with so much water closed for three months I know many fishermen can’t wait to wet a line on our wonderful array of natural venues once again. The Twenty Foot drain from Whittlesey through to March is always worth a trip. It is full of tench and bream and often we hear of huge weights being taken in the first few days of the season. A lot of work has gone into preparing the North Level Drain system through the close season. The Tydd Gote Angling Club have been hard at work preparing pegs ready for what they hope will be the start of a very good season for them. The North Level drain looks to be in great condition, good colour and from time to time a little movement should see the bream on the feed and with so many tench usually caught at this time of year everything looks set for a cracking start. The club start their fixture list with a first day evening match on Thursday of this week and will then have a club match most Sundays throughout the season.

The new handbooks are now on sale at many local tackle shops priced at £18 adults, £4 juniors, seniors are £12 and day tickets at £4.

Just a little further afield we should see some action from the Middle Level Drain, it’s usually a banker for bream in the early part of the season.

Then we have the Great Ouse, not an easy water to master at the best of times. It’s deep and can be moody but catch it on a good day and you can have a great day’s sport.

Details of the King of the Fens Teams of Three series have just been announced.

There will be four matches in total, two on the North Level Drain and two on the Middle Level. There are team and individual pools and each match will draw at 8.30am, for all the details contact match organiser John Bates on 01945 467144.

Dates are as follows: North Level July 3 and 10. Middle Level September 4 and 11.

Les Barry was back to the top in the latest Buttonhole Tuesday match, he really has got this fine fishery worked out and is the main man to beat this season. He caught shallow fishing pellet and also had some big fish in the margins on meat to finish with 117lb. Runner-up was Mark Grange with 109lb followed by Andrew Carter on 92lb.

For the first time Fenland Rods ran a handicap match with the Head Fen Fishery the venue, which has been in good form of late.

It’s always a difficult task to work out handicaps for club anglers and a few poor draws can soon see some of the better ones down the list. On this occasion top rod with a very respectable 168lb 4oz was Dave Garner. He won the match despite a weight handicap.

He fished luncheon meat close in on rod and line catching carp steadily all day. In second place after deductions was Mel Lutkin, followed by Les Bedford, Mac Campbell and Paul Smith.

This weekend the club with be at North View Lakes, Gedney Hill.