A FINE turnout of more than 20 witnessed Paul Wilson blitz the first Swan AC contest of the new year on the canal above Blackpole.

The state of the venue, highly coloured after rain, made Wilson’s catch of 5-15oz 3dr all the more remarkable.

Maggot offered into the centre channel tempted a 2lb hybrid early on and then big roach which, added to caster fish, landed a winning total.

Towpath ace Keith Hunt came second with a few small breadpunch-caught roach along with a near-3lb perch, which accepted his red maggot offering and gave him a combined weight of 3-2-6.

Third was the consistent Sue Jaques, who also netted a good perch and a few small fish on worm going 2-1-3.

Fourth in a rare canal appearance was Alf Hand with around 20 tiny bread-caught roach weighing 1-13-12.

Section winners were Tim Biddle, Paul Coley, John Moloney and Mark Newman.

The next Swan contest is at Tibberton on February 14.

The silverfish open at Broadheath Fisheries on the Willow pool saw organiser Darren Fisher take a winning 12-8 of caster-caught bream, perch and roach.

Second was past victor Mark Smith with 11-10 ahead of Matt Hodgetts (11-0) and Clive Duggan (9-1).

The next series match will be on Island pool on February 14 and anyone interested can call Fisher on 07976 929743.

Gale-force winds greeted competitors on the Warren open at Staunton Court, where Hand improved on his previous week’s runner-up spot by taking 18-12 of small skimmers on pole and pellet to win the four-hour contest.

Second was Alan Baldwin with a similar net of 16-10.

Keith Holt included bream to 2lb in his third-placed 16-2, while fourth was organiser Dave Warren with 14-8.

Woodland View, Saturday, silverfish league: 1 M Williams 22-4, 2 A Kent 20-2, 3 A Powell 20-0; league after four rounds: 1 M Williams & L Edwards 6; Sunday pairs league: 1 S Nickless 50-14, 2 D Hughes 45-0, 3 A Mansell 35-8; league after five rounds: 1 G Kirkham & S Nickless 55, 2 T Witcher & R Wilson 59.

Moorlands Farm, Wednesday over 50s open: 1 P Little 59-11, 2 S Julian 50-2, 3 C Munslow 36-6; Saturday open: 1 R Kings 87-6, 2 D James 62-7, 3 P Nash 47-13; Sunday open: 1 W Millet 76-3, 2 G Reynolds 60-10, 3 D Williams 58-10.