LAST Monday saw the end of a two-week fishing spree for many of you and I know several took advantage of the long Christmas holiday, despite the cold and frosty weather. The Wednesday before Christmas, the March Club fished the drain on the outskirts of M

LAST Monday saw the end of a two-week fishing spree for many of you and I know several took advantage of the long Christmas holiday, despite the cold and frosty weather.

The Wednesday before Christmas, the March Club fished the drain on the outskirts of March where the start had to be delayed for 30 minutes while we broke the ice.

However, the fish didn't mind and Tim Bates needed 8-12 pounds of rudd and roach for top spot. Second place went to Greg Brown's 7-04, Stuart Wilson was third with 6-15, fourth Shaun Straccan and Derek Yorke was fifth.

On New Year's Eve there was a open match fished at Fields End water on the pool and after the cold weather, we were right to guess that the fishing would be tough. Eight of the 20 anglers taking part failed to catch a fish.

However, it was a good end to the year for Chatteris angler Spot Wayman who celebrated his first win since getting back in to match fishing with Chatteris and Mill View Angling Clubs four years ago.

Spot had six carp for just over 14 pounds, Pete Carter was second with 8-12 and I was third with 7-12. I landed 22 small carp and could not get a bite on anything except a pinkie on a 20 hook and two pounds line.

Spot was using 10 pounds line straight through, a size 12 hook and two big white maggots on the hook. All the fish that were caught were taken on the feeder and there wasn't a fish caught on the pole or float rod.

Last Monday, the Townsend Angling Club also fished a lake. This time it was Yew Lake on the Decoy complex near Eastree and Alan Driver, fishing a float rod all day, needed 106 pounds for top spot.

Second place went to Martin King with 86-14, Ray Wilson was third with 27-14 and Bill Moate was fourth with 21 pounds.

Also on Monday, the March club were in action, this time on the Factory Bank section of the Old Nene at Ramsey. This will be the venue for our first round match in the Angling Times Clubman League at the end of the month, when we fish against Ramsey and a team from Royston.

On the day, Mick Pool opted for a big fish approach and landed two tench and some smaller perch and roach for a winning weight of 8-12. Andy May was second with 6-08 and Alex Bates was third with 4-11.

This Sunday sees the March club fishing the drain once again with an 8am draw. Fishing is from 9am to 3pm.

Over the holidays I had some good reports from the Old Bedford at Welney where roach were on the feed in catches of 10 pounds plus.

The story was much the same over at Raverly Drain where 12 pounds was needed to win any of the four open matches that were held over the holidays by Stanjay Sports.