The latest round of the Angling Times Winter League Oxford Division attracted a big field of 56 to the Thames at Radley, but with a low and clear river, there were 14 dry nets recorded, writes Andy Webber.
Apart from chub, nothing else seemed to want to feed and targeting this species was a must for everyone.
Getting his tactics spot-on was Alan Bateman (North Oxford), who fished his favourite winter tactic, bread feeder with flake on the hook, to land seven good chub for 25.5.0.
By contrast, second-placed Pete Bowles (Sensas A4) caught three good chub and some smaller samples using a variety of methods to weigh in 19.8.0.
In third place was Robin Cave (Isis VDE), who fished maggot-feeder to catch chub for 18.10.0, edging out Colin Wainwright (Sensa A4) into fourth by one ounce. Colin landed seven chub, also on the maggot-feeder.
Result on the day: Sensa A4 45pts, Oxford Drennan 37, Chipping Norton 31, Garbolino Banbury Gunsmiths 30, Isis VDE 22, North Oxford 15.
League to date: Sensas A4 4, Chipping Norton 9, Isis VDE 10, Garbolino Banbury Gunsmiths 11, Oxford Drennan 11, North Oxford 18.
When the nine members of Marston turned up at Lower Court for their Universal Hire Cup, the lake was covered in fog and mist.
Once that had cleared and the sun came out, the fish started to feed and the eventual winner was Steve Tomkins with a net of carp weighing 42.8.0 caught on pole and pellet at 8m.
Anthony Tomkins finished second with 28.0.0 of carp, also on the pole and pellet, but fished out at 13m.
Once again, Pete Clarke managed to get into the frame with 25.4.0 on the pellet at 13m.
It was hard work for the 16 matchmen who fished Sutton Courtenay's Howard Rice Trophy on the Thames at Appleford, although Bob Gosbee made it look easy.
He fished a stick float with maggot and fed small amounts of hemp and maggot to put 13.13.0 of roach on the scales for victory.
Skimmers, plus one decent bream, on the groundbait feeder with red maggot, gave Dave Thomas second place with 7.8.0, while Mick Sear had a big chub of 4lb, plus some bits, for third with 5.2.0 on the maggot-feeder.
The Thame at Dorchester was the venue for Dorchester's Thame Championship, fished by 13 anglers.
The river looked perfect with a nice colour and flow and there were plenty of fish to be had.
Dave Head is having a good run at the moment and once again he finished top.
Fishing the pole and maggot, he had a chub of 4.4.0, plus roach, chublets and skimmers, for a winning 13.13.0.
Not far off the winner was Mick Marriott, who had to settle for second place and also missed out on the golden peg'. Mick had 12.6.0 of silver fish on pole and maggot.
Jonno Johnson was third with 11.5.0 of small roach, bleak, skimmers and perch on stick float and maggot.
Oxford Bus AC visited Lodge Farm, Fritwell, for the first time and found the lake covered in fog when the six anglers arrived.
Although conditions were not perfect, they all had a go, using a variety of baits on poles at different lengths.
Andy Whittington led the field home with a net of carp, including a golden orfe, for 12.13.0.
With a net of smallish carp, Nick Brookes was second with 8.11.0, while third with 6.15.0 of carp was Doug Robinson.
Jolly Anglers were at Fairmile for a club match, where the seven members found it a real struggle.
Three chub weighing 7.7.0 on the maggot-feeder gave Steve Gray a clear victory.
Dick Edmunds had two chub and a perch for a second-placed 5.8.0 on groundbait feeder and maggot.
One bite, one chub was enough for Lee Crook to take third place. It weighed 3.6.0 and was taken using a maggot-feeder.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article