This Saturday was the penultimate match in the six-match series of the Johnson and Smith Winter League. After recent poor results on the Bridge and Roadside stretches of the Fossdyke Navigation the match was switched to the West Common stretch.
After the recent heavy rain, not only did the 16 competitors find the canal in flood but also had to contend with a strong cold westerly wind.
It was the in form John Barningham off Peg 12 who made best of the conditions by fishing a small groundbait feeder with pinkie, short for a good bream and a roach to win the match with 3lb 8oz.
Runner up was Paul Johnson off Peg 16, also fishing the groundbait feeder with pinkie for a good skimmer to finish with 2lb 6oz. League leader Dave Ashmoor took third place off Peg 6 with a skimmer, again to the feeder for 2lb 2oz.
With one match remaining, it's tight at the top of the league with Dave Ashmoor on 26 points, John Barningham on 24 points and John Small on 22points. Waiting closely behind is a trio of good anglers (not Rylan) waiting for any slip-ups from the top three – still all to fish for.
Match report kindly provided by John Blades, Match Organiser.
