THE arctic conditions saw most club matches called off but 20 die-hards from Portobello Club turned up on Brockamin bottom lake for their annual fur and feather contest.

Although they found most of the venue frozen over, just two anglers managed to find fish with the best being consistent clubman Wayne Parkin.

He used hair-rigged sweetcorn on a straight-ledgered set-up, which he cast across to the island on peg 15, and was rewarded with two similar-sized carp for a match-winning 25lbs 4oz.

The only other competitor to bother the scalesman was Chris Eldridge, who used similar tactics on peg 13 to take one fish going 5-2.

The previous Wednesday Open was cancelled due to ice but Saturday’s contest on the Oak Pool at Cob House Farm provided excellent nets of small carp for most of the entry.

Coming out on top with 44-4 was Bromsgrove matchman Steve Harris whose all-pellet attack took place on peg 17.

Richard Noakes claimed the runners-up spot, weighing in 27-13 from peg five, while 17-11 was enough to give Robert Jeapes third prize. It beat Darren Randell’s 15-2 catch from peg 15.

While roach made up part of the winning weight on the fourth round of the Hereford Winter League, they were generally conspicuous by their absence.

The normally prolific Belmont section of the River Wye was in a fickle mood following plummeting overnight temperatures.

Top man was river specialist Andy Birt, who offered maggot bait beneath a stick-float set-up on peg 96 between the bridges to take a winning 28-0 net of roach and dace.

Runner-up was Mike Bradley (Turners Tackle), weighing 19-12-0 of dace from just above the winner.

Third place went to Shakespeare’s Tony Skinner with 17-10 and fourth was Cheltenham tackle dealer Phil Mezonnier’s catch of 17-6.

Top team were Welsh Wizards with 56 points followed by Shakespeare on 52.

The overall league could not be closer with Woody’s still in front on 41 points, ahead of Match Fishing on 39, Welsh Wizards on 38 and Hereford on 37.

Wednesday’s over 50s match at Moorlands produced a win for Pete Short (Mid Leisure), who took 27-8 of carp on the slider and corn from peg 21 on Island pool.

Worcester matchman Colin Bennett came second with a level 21-0 and third was fishery manager Mal Watson’s 17-6.

On Saturday, weights were reduced further with Watson needing just two carp and two skimmers from peg 16 on Meadow Pool to take the verdict with 18-2.

Bennett came second again, this time weighing 16-4, while third was venue regular Des Ravenhall (CPA) with 12-10.

Sunday’s 20-peg open on the Bank Pool gave Terry Homer first prize with 33-5 of pellet taken carp from peg 20.

Watson came a close second, weighing 31-5, and third was Phil Ali with 30-1.

The popular Brockamin fur and feather will be on Sunday, December 21, and details are available from Alan’s Tackle on 01905-422107.