People have been writing the tiny Tove off as ‘dead’ all winter. Then – on the last day of the season – it came roaring back to life!
Towcester ace Mick Goodridge poled maggot and caster in a swim barely 10 metres wide behind Sponne School... and hit a mega chub shoal.
Losing five fish, he netted an incredible 25 from two to 4lb for a mind-blowing 60lb plus – almost certainly a river record.
He said: “I could have had more, but had to pack up and collect the kids...”
Does piscatorial success run in families? The Ringers are one example, but there are others.
Town Specialist group co-founder, 78-year-old granddad Ron Kyte, recently bagged a 12-12 barbel and two good chub at Olney.
Then son Patric had a 7-15 chub and a 10-9 barbel from the Middle Ouse.
And his son Raphael, 14, (PB 7-11) had a 6-14 chub from the same reach and an 8-8 pike.
With water temperatures at 2 degrees Rob Buckner’s stinky-cheese and garlic paste tempted a 7-6 last day Wolverton Ouse chub.
Having had an Adams Mill 5-10 (after blanking on the Ouzel) I had 4-14, 4-8 and 4-2 last day Stony Ouse chub.
Two came to consecutive casts using punch on six-metre whip – NO elastic – and 2lb bottom... Mate Mike Sando blobbed on all three venues, but isn’t talking about that. Ho, ho.
Blizzards and pouring rain – the weekend match scene was a struggle for most.
WHITE Hart Flore, Barby Mill: Drew Adams 44lb, Terry Adams 33lb, Tom Griffiths 22lb.
CASTLE Ashby: Sunday, Grendon, Dick Rogers 36-12, Bob Reed 33-4, Keith Bishop 14-4; midweek, Brickyard, John Kent 15-12, Paul Hardman 12-12, Ian Hutton 10-4.
BISHOPS Bowl: Andy Poole 33-12, Mark Moody 21-14, Rob Bassett 13lb.
CASTLE, Canons: Jeff Rice 13-14, Pete Laughton 11-12, Fred Prior 8-7.
NENE, long pound cut: Brian Beard 10-15, Paul Minney 10lb, Bob Eales 8-6.
COTTON Club, Gayton cut: Dave Haddon 3-6, John Kirton 1-1, Malc Bunyard 0-9.
FLORE & Brockhall, canal: Steve Smith 2-1, Paul Humphries 1lb, Gareth Abrahams 0-7.
Rob Rawlins dropped his keepnet and lost his pet tiddler before weighing in. LoL!
APRIL 8, Nene AGM, 7.30, Yeomen of England, Wootton. Written proposals in by April 1.