Saturday 11th of October saw the 2003 'Redditch Federation of Anglers Avon Championships' fished between Luddington and Bidford.

Forty-eight anglers took part on a river that was very low and very clear, with a bright blue sky, all the conditions that make catching fish very difficult.

Even though the conditions were hard, the winner of the event, which was generously sponsored by Alan Stephens of Alcester Sports and Tackle, caught a double figure weight.

This year's champion is Ray Nosworthy fishing for Bidford AC with 14-14-0 of perch and roach from peg 39 on the Bidford Rec. He caught on both waggler and feeder using maggot bait.

Runner-up was Tony Avery, fishing for Alcester Sports and Tackle, also on the Rec (peg 51) with 11-10-0 of mainly roach caught on the waggler, again with maggot bait.

Third was Steve Williams fishing for Shakespeare, off peg 37again on the Rec with 9-5-0 of roach caught on the pole with caster and hemp bait.

Fourth was Mick Wilkes of Bromsgrove with 8-8-0 of chub and some 'bits' from Welford AC's water below the weir peg 47, also on caster and hemp but using the stick float.

Fifth was Richard Reynolds fishing for Sensas Leeda with 7-14-0 of waggler roach of Bidford peg 49 using maggot bait.

Sixth place was Nigel Davis fishing for Shakespeare with 7-8-0 of roach and perch using maggot plus a tench using worm. All caught on the pole from permanent peg 8 on the 'Village Hall' stretch at Luddington.

Other than the first six individual places there were section wins, out of the main list, for each venues (sections) used.

Luddingtons section (Andy Bruce's water) winner was Dave Draper with 2-3-0. Welford (Welford AC water) section winner was Nick Jukes with 3-8-0. Hillborough section (Al Stephen's water) section winner was James Pitman with 6-6-8. Bidford section (Bidford AC water) section winner was Paul Casswell with 6-11-0.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those that helped in the running of the event, and also those that allowed me to use their water.