ALEX Bates, the shop assistant for Mill View Angling Club has put the disappointment of being disqualified from Fish O Mania last week behind him and earned himself a place in the Cross Drove Fishery Final. Alex won an open qualifier with 72lb at the week

ALEX Bates, the shop assistant for Mill View Angling Club has put the disappointment of being disqualified from Fish O Mania last week behind him and earned himself a place in the Cross Drove Fishery Final.

Alex won an open qualifier with 72lb at the weekend, and will now feature in the final in September.

Mill View were fishing the Magpie Lake, at Pidley, and Ian Crawford won with 38lb. The average weight per angler was 20lb and Ian caught most of his fish, including carp to 2lb, close in on pellet.

Ace Angling Club fished the busy Pool, at Fields End Water, on Sunday and Richard Button topped the list with 51lb, just ahead of his grandson Danny, who landed 43lb. Both fished paste over pellet to hook carp to 3lb.

Oundle match group, the Hillbillies were also on the Pool on Sunday and Mike Bates won with a total of 21lb 4oz.

On Tuesday, it was the turn of the senior citizens. Although a strong wind made conditions difficult, Gordon King used a short pole and sweetcorn as bait to net 43lb of carp to 2.5lb.

An open match takes place on the Pool tomorrow (Saturday). Anyone wishing to take part should call Viccy or Charlie on 01354 740373.

On Sunday, Wimblington Angling Club will be fishing their match at the same venue. The draw is at 8am with fishing from 9am to 3pm.

The summer evening match season also begins on Thursday; call Viccy or Charlie for more.

The warm weather has brought the Silver Fish Lake, at Kingsland Reservoir, into top form and several anglers have reported catches in excess of 70lb.

March angler Shaun Strachan broke the 100lb barrier when he hooked 67 crucian carp and 22 tench to 115lb. He fished the pole and used cat meat as hook bait, fished over trout pellet.

There have been plenty of double-figure carp caught on the Big Lake, and floating bait such as bread or dog biscuit appear to be the best method.

This week, I am looking at Decoy Lakes, Whittlesey, one of the first commercial waters in the country when it opened in the mid-1980s.

Then there were only two lakes but now there are 11 well-stocked lakes. The Beastie Lake is the oldest and holds carp to 20lb, tench and roach and throughout the summer, 100lb doesn't always frame.

Barbel and chubb are also stocked in some lakes and most baits work. All the lakes are capable of producing 100lb and keep nets and landing nets can only be used in matches.

There are a few rules that you need to remember at Decoy. The main ones are no floating baits and no hooks larger than size 12 (they must also be barbless).

There are excellent facilities and some bait and tackle are on sale. Day tickets are £6 and for more information call 01733 202230 (before 8pm).