GO FISHING 2003 took place at the NEC at the weekend.

I took my annual pilgrimage on the opening day, Friday, and was pleasantly surprised -- the format is definitely getting better. There were masses of punters walking about with tackle they had purchased which over the years has not been the show's object but it was certainly an obvious success.

The only downside was outside on Pendigo Lake where things were a bit slow with just a few PAA coaches showing youngsters how to catch the stocked trout. this could have been a great opportunity for all the pole and rods to be handled by the public in an outdoor, realistic situation but alas another boat has been missed.

Nevertheless it was generally a good show and I can't wait for the 2004 event.

The week's results started with the final round of the Starlets Veterans Winter League held at Woodlands View on Tuesday.

First place went to Derek Buckle (Bewdley) for his 37-12-0 catch, taken by waggler fishing maggots up in the water at Deans pool peg 37. Mike Millinchip (Kidderminster) was second with 32-5-0, third Bob Knight (Kidderminster) 28-8-0.

Overall league winner is Ken Giles (Alvechurch) with 38 points, Brian Hill (Stourport) 33 and Derek Buckle 30. Preston Inovation sponsored the series with the tackle prizes.

On Wednesday Charford top rod Al Lees made it a double at the C & M match group event by pole fishing double red maggots at Woodlands View's Ghost pool peg 21 to take a mixed 38-4-0 catch. Second Dave Hancock 35-0-0, and third Ken Finnigan 32-12-0.

At Moorlands Farm the Meadow Pool Open was won by Albert Jones (CMS) by pole fishing corn at peg three for 68-6-0. Darren Clewley (Wesson) followed with 64-4-0, and third David James (Trabucco) 52-8-0.

James also went on to win the Moorlands Farm Thursday Costcutter Open with a pole, corn and pellet catch of 70-15-0 from Meadow pool peg 11. Ernie Maylion (Hounslow) was runner-up with 50-7-0, and Albert Jones (CMS) 46-10-0 third.

The K.H. Veterans were on Moorlands Farm's Bank and Middle pools for their latest encounter.

Topping the list was Mick Taylor (Northfield) who pole-fished red maggots at Bank peg 21 for 29-8-0, second Roy Dugmore (Northfield) 22-13-0, third Derek Buckle (Bewdley) 17-13-0.

The Midland Bears Disabled AA held its event on Woodlands View's Deans pool. The winner being Keith Chambers (Shirley) who pole- fished maggots in the margins of peg 53 to take a mixed catch of 34-10-0. Jim Bennett (Barnsley) followed with 30-12-0, third Mick Hands (Northfield) 24-8-0.

Friday's Moorlands Farm costcutter open was held on the Bank pool with Kevin Arkthoon (Moorlands) leading the field with an impressive 102-8-0 Carp haul, taken with pole fished corn and pellets from peg 25, Colin Pace (Bilston) was second with 77-13-0, and third Richard Noakes (Fosters) 70-10-0.

Saturday saw another ton-up catch, this time it was at the Woodlands View Deans pool open with Lee Edwards (Pill Angling) doing the business on peg 63 for a 107-1-0. The catch taken with pole, corn and casters. Second was Richard Evans (R & D Match) 73-9-0, and third Chris Davis (Frampton RBL) 63-11-0.

Sunday at Woodlands View saw the final round of the Individual League take place on Deans pool. First place went to Phil Jarram (Trentmen) with an outstanding catch of 137-10-0, taken with pole, corn and casters from the margins of peg 35. Second placed Steve Mortlock (Woodlands) followed with 89-3-0, third Danny Ashington (Shimano Portway) 73-12-0. League winner is Les Thompson (Shakespeare).

with six points joint second are Phil Jarram and Gary Barcley both with 10 points.

Big, big weights were recorded at the Moorlands Farm open, when Bob Marklew (Walsall) muscled out a mammoth 174-4-0 of carp by short pole fishing corn at Meadow pool peg 27. More ton-up catches followed with runner up Dean Sheldon (Strike A.C.) taking 117-6-0 and third placed David James (Trabucco) on 115-6-0.

West Bromwich matchman Keith Butler was the winner of the Astwood Fisheries Buddleia pool open. He pole-fished casters at peg 77 to take 20-8-8 of carp. Joint second were Trevor Hodges (Reservoir Dogs) and Pete Holtham (Cock Inn) -- both with 18-0-0.