There is no age barrier in angling, as 78-year-old Tony Hiles proved when he caught three cracking tench from a North Oxford lake, writes Andy Webber.
Using three maggots on an 11m pole, 8lb line and a No 12 hook in 14 feet of water, he began the session by catching a decent rudd and then the first of his tench followed at 11.8.0 – a personal best.
Two more of 9.3.0 and 7.9.0 completed a memorable session.
l Since the start of the season, Oxford chef Richard Simmons has been fishing the Cherwell, catching a few roach and chub, and last week he hit the jackpot.
With a day off from work, he was back on the Cherwell, but as it was so hot, he decided to go home and come back for an evening session.
He managed to find a bit of fast water that runs into a deep pool, fishing with a pound and quarter test curve rod (quiver tip) to 4lb main line straight through to a three swanshot link leger to a size 8 hook, with breadflake on the hook.
He had some good bites, but failed to connect until he struck into a nice chub of 4.13.0. He continued to fish and at the end of the session he had caught other chub of 4.8.0, 4.11.0 and a cracker of 5.1.0.
All these fish were caught in a two-hour session, which just proves if you pick your time and place, you can catch.
l IF you have any news, views or photos, you can contact me on 01865 725606 or email agw@awebber20.orangehome.co.uk.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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 here