HIGH winds over the weekend made fishing very difficult and weights were below their best.

In the Bradford open match on the Kennet and Avon Canal at the Kings Arms stretch on Saturday only four competitors weighed in.

John Atkins won with a mixed catch of roach and skimmers weighing 5lb 12oz, taken on pole-fished pinkies on a 22 hook.

Runner-up was Dean Adams, of Bradford, with a mixed catch of tench, roach and skimmers weighing 3lb 14oz, taken on pole-fished red maggots on a 20 hook.

He was followed by Dave Foster, of Bradford, with a mixed net of roach and skimmers weighing 1lb 11oz and Andy Kitchener, with another catch of small roach and skimmers weighing 1lb 5oz.

Fishing was also very hard in the Wilts Angling open match fished at Cuckoos Rest on Sunday when once again bait presentation was made difficult in the windy conditions.

Martin Barrett, of Trowbridge, won with a mixed catch of chub and skimmers weighing 15lb 2oz, taken on feeder-fished red maggots on an 18 hook. Fred Eagles, of Trowbridge, was second with a mixed catch of carp and skimmers weighing 10lb 2oz, taken on pole-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

He was followed Pete Neate, of Holt, with a mixed catch of roach and skimmers weighing 4lb 9oz, taken on pole-fished red maggots on a 20 hook.

Other placings: 4 Mark Harper, Thatchers 2000, and Charlie Barnes, Shepton Mallet, 4lb 6oz; 6 Neil Hounsell, Trowbridge, 4lb 2oz.

The long awaited west winds arrived last week on the Bristol Water trout fisheries bringing calmer, warmer weather and fishermen enjoyed an excellent week of sport.

With the warmer weather the fish have moved up in the water and the first good evening rises of the year have occurred. Most anglers have now put away their sinking lines and floaters, and intermediates are now the best way to fish. Small flies and nymphs are the order of the day, but dries and emergers will take well if the fish start to move on the surface.

It was a superb week at Blagdon with big fish hitting the headlines. RS Glynn had a memorable day fishing from a boat near Bell's Bush where he captured a magnificent 10lb rainbow, fishing with a small Diawl Bach on a floating line.

Graham Seal also had a great day, taking a prime 8lb 4oz rainbow from another boat.

Fishing is going well from most of the Top End areas deeper spots at Butcombe, Green Lawn and Cheddar Water have been more difficult.

It was an excellent week at Chew for both bank and boat anglers with plenty of limit bags. Most shallow water areas have produced good sport, especially from boats around the Island and the North Shore has been best from the bank. At the Barrows all lakes are producing good fishing, with fish rising well even during the daytime.

Chew produced a total catch of 1,131 fish last week averaging 2lb 2oz and topped by a brown of 3lb 14 z and rainbow 4lb 3oz, with 71 limit bags.

At Blagdon 955 fish averaging 2lb were recorded, topped by a brown of 4lb 6oz and rainbow 10lb and 58 limit bags.

The Barrows yielded 246 fish averaging 1lb 10oz, topped by a brown of 3lb 14oz and rainbow 4lb 5oz.

Clatworthy Reservoir is still fishing very well, with 427 trout taken last week. Lures fished on sinking lines are still accounting for most fish, with boats doing well at Dudderidge and at Tripp End.

Bank anglers are catching most in the Bay and Rowes Farm end of the lake.

The best rainbow, weighing 4lb 7oz was taken by Beatrice Dopita.

At Hawkridge 145 fish were recorded last week with boats finding the fish at the far end on the bank in front of the fishing lodge.

Brian Vowells took a fine limit bag weighing 15lb 6oz, including a prime 6lb 8oz rainbow. Alan Brodie took a 5lb 6oz rainbow.

At Sutton Bingham fishing is still good, with 395 fish taken last week.

, including a fine 6lb 2oz rainbow.