News of an eight-pounder to Jim Dillon from No 5 rekindled enthusiasm among the membership, so an informal competition was held on the last weekend of the 2007-2008 season on Nos 4 & 5.

A fresh SW wind created tougher conditions than December’s Fur & Feather and, with the cloudier water conditions of No 4 deterring most, virtually all the attention was directed upon No 5.

A few early fish were caught along the North half of the West Bank of No 5, where John O’Regan continued his winning streak, taking the kitty with a couple of rainbows and a returned brownie (earning him a 2lb bonus).

However, it was Gary Inwards who stole the show with a 5-4-0 rainbow from No 5 taken casting into the wind halfway along the Causeway. Fishless for most of the day, despite trying the West and Houses Banks, his efforts were finally rewarded with a take to an Orange Booby on a 40+ Expert DI7.

Fishing in the South West Bay, Pat O’Neill was unlucky to lose a couple of fish early on before getting one to stick. He and John Ferguson then each landed one within seconds of each other, followed by a fish to Andrew Green who had moved there from halfway along the West Bank. 

Success on short leaders and the DI7 suggested that fish were holding close to the bottom for much of the time, unlike the Fur & Feather where they had moved up during the day.

Spooned fish still revealed bloodworm and hoglice, which promised well for the chances of the survivors during the close season. We look forward to contacting some nice overwintered fish in the new season!