LOCAL matchman Dave Wallace set his stall out for tench to win the latest Eckington club contest.

But Wallace was amazed when a rare six pound barbel took his worm offering, helping the former Daiwa Gordon League star to record his first win of the series.

Turning his attention to the lower River Avon has given Wallace an insight into the venue's mood swings.

Knowing the lack of colour in the river might mean the prolific shoals of skimmer bream would not feed, he adopted a strong-arm approach, using stout pole tackle with chopped worm bait.

Along with the barbel, Wallace also netted eels and perch from peg 39 to narrowly win by just two ounces when he tipped 11-10-0 onto the scales.

Close behind in second place was Dave Huggins whose weight of 11-8-0 consisted of tench to five pounds along with perch and eels, all taken, like the winner, on the pole and worm method.

Chris Pritchard used the more normal lower Avon tactics of straight ledgered maggot to record a third placed 6-2-0 of perch and skimmers.

In fourth spot came Nigel White with five pounds of silver fish, all coming from peg 42 in the yacht club meadow.

Also finding the Avon running clear were members of the Portobello AC who tackled the Royal Brierley section of the river below Burlingham.

Mastering the tough conditions best was former WDUAA record holder Mick Weston who battled with gale force winds to present his pole fished hempseed bait and net just 2-7-0 of small roach for first place.

Pete Coldrick improved to take the runner-up prize by landing a good perch along with gudgeon, totalling 1-8-0.

Amazing everyone was club secretary Max Hill who again made the frame with a third-placed 1-6-0.

Hill beat small fish expert Ron Eagle who took just twelve ounces of bits to the scales for fourth.

This coming Sunday the Portobello should see a big improvement in catches when they tackle the prolific Barbourne AC pool at Cotheridge.

Only members already booked in for the contest are eligible to compete.

Best weight of the week from the Moorlands Farm complex went to regular winner at the venue Neville Groves.

He beat 41 anglers to win the Sunday Open contest, the Fosters Tackle star netting a fantastic 159-6-0 of carp from peg eight on the Bank Pool.

Shakespeare's Neil McKinnon came second with 115-0-0 and Andy Newton (Shimmano Tipton) claimed third spot, weighing 111-6-0.

The previous days contest on the Island and Middle pools saw Ian Whitehouse (Moorlands Tackle) take pole position, recording the only ton catch of 111-15-0 from peg 26 on the Island.

Runner-up was team-mate Mike Ludwich with 64-10-0, beating Darren Clewley who was third with 63-6-0.

Friday Open: M Yandel 148-14-0, S McArthey 120-9-0, P Luddington 112-2-0.

Tomorrow sees the Bill Edgar Memorial contest at Brockamin.

Anglers wishing to compete can contact Alans Tackle on 01905 422107.

WDUAA are holding their popular Winter League on the canal around Worcester, starting on Sunday, November 21.

There will be further matches on December 2, 5, 16 and January 30 followed by the final round on February 20.

And a meeting for all interested team captains is on Wednesday, October 13, at 8pm in the Cavalier pub.

With temperatures dropping and a reduction of boat traffic, attention on rivers should now turn to barbel.

While the best bait is still pellet, the humble maggot can now start to produce better catches.

Peg location at this time of year is important with areas like the top of Diglis preferred to slower sections.

Carp on commercial fisheries are now responding to caster and worm, while, on the canal, squatt and pinkie seem to be producing the most fish.