THE Kennet and Avon Canal at Whaddon was in good form on Wednesday for the Bradford evening match.

Veteran Dave Baker, of Trowbridge, chalked up another good win with a mixed catch of tench and bream weighing 10lb 3oz, taken on pole-fished chopped worm on an 18 hook.

Dean Adams, of Bradford was a close runner-up with a mixed catch of roach and skimmers weighing 9lb, taken on pole-fished red maggots on a 20 hook. He was followed by Pete Neate, of Holt, with a mixture of tench, roach and skimmers weighing 7lb 3oz, taken alternating with pole-fished red maggots and squats on a 22 hook. Mick, of Westbury, was fourth with a mixed bag weighing 3lb 2oz.

Carp fed well at Pugnell's Farm for the Airsprung match on Sunday.

There was a tie at the top between Mick Dean, of Bratton, and Steve Southern, of Trowbridge, both with carp catches weighing 37lb 8oz. Dean took his catch alternating with pole-fished luncheon meat and sweet corn on a 12 hook. Southern used similar tactics and took a fine 11lb carp in his catch.

Third prize went to Phil Eggleton, of Bradford, with another carp catch weighing 28lb 9oz, taken on pole fished luncheon meat and red maggots.

Other placings: 4 Ian Stainer, Trowbridge, and Dean Bird, Bradford, 28lb 8oz; 6 Mark Green, Trowbridge, 21lb 9oz.

The Ron Gaulton Memorial match, held in memory of the late Ron Gaulton who died of a heart attack earlier this season, was fished at Shearwater Lake.

Veals Sensas matchman Paul Greenwood won with a mixed bag of carp and bream weighing 33lb 10oz, taken on method-feeder fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

Veteran Tom Coulson, of Bath, was second with another mixed bag of carp and bream weighing 30lb 14oz, taken on feeder-fished bread flake on a 14 hook.

He was followed by Paul Diamond, of Langport, with yet another carp and bream catch weighing 27lb.

Other placings: 4 Clayton Hudson, Team Sillybait, 25lb 4oz; 5 Terry Bruton, Stoke St. Michael, 21lb 12oz; 6 Brain Taylor, Chippenham, 21lb 5oz.

Catches on the Bristol Water trout fisheries have passed the 20,000 mark, with excellent sport still being enjoyed.

It was another good week for anglers fishing at Blagdon from both boat and bank. The best areas were in the shallow end of the lake, at Rainbow Point, Woods Bay, Pegs Point, Rugmoor and Ash Trees. Most fish are being taken on teams of nymphs fished on floating or intermediate lines.

The sport enjoyed by the Barrows anglers continues. Chew produced a total catch of 541 fish last week, averaging 2lb and topped by a brown of 3lb and rainbow of 4lb. Blagdon produced 842 fish averaging 2lb 1oz, topped by a brown of 3lb 12oz and rainbow of 8lb 4oz. The Barrows yielded 506 fish averaging 1lb 11oz, topped by a brown of 3lb 4oz and rainbow 6lb 4oz.

Gales and driving rain made conditions difficult last week on the Wessex Water trout fisheries but they fished better than could have been expected.

Future events: Friday June 7, Airsprung evening match, K and A Canal Moulton Drive; Saturday June 8, Bradford open match, K and A Canal Whaddon; Sunday June 9, Wilts Angling open match; Tuesday June 11, Bathampton open evening match ,Bridge Pool.