THE fishing tackle trade has been in the doldrums for months. First it was the floods, the snow and freezing conditions. Now it's foot and mouth.

All of these issues have stopped anglers wetting a line and some have even given up the sport, but foot and mouth is the most serious problem we have had to face, and it could go on for many weeks to come. It will be the final nail in the coffin for many shops and clubs.

If any sportsman gives up their pursuit for a short period of time they generally find other things to do, and it takes them a lot of soul searching to grasp the nettle and come back to it. I would urge everyone who has ever dangled a line not to give up hope at this most desperate time, and as soon as things pick up, polish up that tackle and come and try fishing again.

One hardy lot are the over 60s Starlets Veterans who turn out rain or shine in great numbers every week, and on Tuesday they were at Moorlands Farm's Bank, Middle and Moors Pools.

Redditch angler Peter Taylor took a close verdict pole fishing maggots at Bank peg 26 for a mainly silver fish catch of 9-8-0. Second place went to Graham Wood (Great Barr) with 9-0-0, third Bob Knight (Bewdley) 8-12-0.

On Thursday they were out again for what is hopefully their final winter event as they feel they have suffered the elements long enough.

This time it was Bill Drew (Bewdley) who showed the way by alternating corn and maggots on the pole at Arles Pool peg 36 for an impressive 34-10-0 of carp. Mike Millinchip (Kidderminster) and Stan James (Bewdley) were joint second with 18-8-0 apiece.

At Moorlands Farm the Thursday special open was won by Kevin Bennett (Moorlands) with a pole and maggot mixed catch of 32-1-0 from Meadow Pool peg 17. Second John Stockton (Starlets Vets) 23-3-0, third Frank Taylor (West Midlands) 21-6-0.

Saturday's Meadow Pool open was topped by Mick Henshall (Fosters MG) from peg 58 where he waggler fished corn and maggots for 37-3-0 of carp. Long distance traveller Martin Burgoyne (Liverpool) followed with 35-14-0, third Mike Lutwyche (Fosters MG) 27-15-0.

With the temperature rising it was not surprising that the shallow pegs on Deans Pool would produce the goods at the Woodlands View open. With carp up to eight pounds, Simon Waters put together a winning 59-1-0 catch taken with pole and corn from peg 60. Mike Jones (Slapheads) took the runners up spot with 44-0-0, third Tim Guise (Preston Innovations) 37-0-0.

Brilliant catches were recorded at Sunday's Arles and High Pools open with Tony Parker (DC Lifestyle) topping the chart with 88-5-0 of carp taken with waggler and corn from High peg 28. Gary Allsop (Woodlands) followed with 82-12-0, third Robin Young (Oxford Drennan) 79-0-0.

The 100 AC were forced off the River Avon due to foot and mouth, and moved to Lower Broadheath's Ash Pool where Bromsgrove top rod Tony Delves won the end of season trophy by pole fishing corn up in the water at peg 13 for 26-13-6 of big carp. Yours truly Tony Brunn had to settle for the runners' up spot with 19-6-6, third John Lillycrap 15-7-10.

The Furnace Mill open was held on the Furnace and Mucky Meadow Pools with a 75-10-0 carp haul going to winner Mark Biles (Fisherman's Friend) and it was pole fished corn at peg 54 that did the trick. Second Chris Newton (Leeda) 40-0-0, third Jez Williams (Strettons) 35-10-0.

Birmingham angler Kevin Crowley was a clear winner of the Astwood Fisheries Bluebell Pool open. The Austin Sports and Social matchman waggler fished corn at peg seven for 17-9-0 of crucian carp. Mike Conlon (Kings Norton RBL) was second with 8-6-0, third Bob Kennedy (Austin Sports and Social) 7-3-0.

The Moorlands Farm Meadow and Moors Pools open was won by Colin Pace (Bilston) by pole fishing casters in the margins of Meadow peg four for a mixed 46-5-0 catch. Second Wayne Ainsworth (Mid City) 27-10-0, third Graham Nicklin (Ibstock) 27-1-0.