Another coarse season on rivers came to a close last week and some specimen hunters made the most of the ideal conditions.

Colin Lurcook, from Headington, has been the records officer for the Perchfishers for a number of years, but had never caught a 4lb perch – until last week.

On the last day of the river season, he was fishing a late afternoon session on the Abingdon & Oxford Alliance stretch of the Thames near Eynsham.

Using a quivertip rod and lobworm, he caught ten perch in two-and-a-half hours. Eight were around the 1lb mark, and the other two went 3.2.0 and 4.4.0.

Unfortunately, no-one was close at hand to take a photograph of Colin holding the fish.

Meanwhile, former Oxford Mail angling correspondent Andy Webber, from Botley, was chasing his favourite quarry last week – barbel.

And he too finished the season with a bang as he banked fish of 11.12.0 and 10.4.0 from a private stretch of the Kennet, near Reading.

Both were caught using hair-rigged pellet and a small PVA bag filled with free samples.

Andy said: “Not a bad catch to finish off a very successful river season. Only 12 weeks to go before we can all start again!”

While the rivers get a break from angling, stillwaters and canals are still available to fish and some of our clubs continue to hold matches.

Tackley Estates AC fished the first of their six Predator Spring Carp League matches at Rissington where Andy Benwell (Predator) topped the 16-strong field with 74.11.0 of carp on the long pole with maggot.

Craig Partridge was second with 68.13.0 and Richard Foley third with 59.8.0.

The weights were ever more impressive considering there was a hailstorm during the match and the temperature dropped like a stone.

Spring League fixtures: Bishop’s Bowl April 1, Dog Lane April 8, Drayton Leisure April 29, Bishop’s Bowl May 13, Butler’s Hill May 27.

An excellent field of 17 fished North Oxford’s first close-season match on the Oxford Canal at Wolvercote.

Roger Brown, who was pegged on the perch bush above the allotments, triumphed with a mixed bag of skimmers and perch on caster for 5.14.0 Maurice Winstone was runner-up, also with skimmers and perch for 4.8.0 on chopped worm, followed by Dave Scott-Picton with 3.0.8 of bread-caught skimmers.

Oakfield Fishery, near Aylesbury, have secured a sponsorship deal with Dynamite Baits and will carry their name from now on.

LATEST RESULTS.

Wednesday: (Brook & Swallow Lakes, 19 fished) 1 P Alland (Dynamite Oakfield) 53.14.8, 2 F Lawther (Dynamite Oakfield) 46.15.8, 3 I Edwards (Dynamite Oakfield) 46.6.0.

Saturday: (Brook & Swallow, 26 fished) 1 G Worrall (Dynamite Oakfield) 57.11.8, 2 P Alland (Dynamite Oakfield) 50.12.8, 3 D Stratful (Dynamite Oakfield) 31.15.0.

TOMORROW’S FIXTURE.

North Oxford: Club match, Oxford Canal, Frenchay Road. Draw 8am.