The first Winter Points match was fished at Upper Colber and it fished well despite a dawn frost and a strong upstream wind that made good presentation difficult.

The winners in Sturminster & Hinton Angling Association’s open competition in aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Nick Ewers (13lb 8oz)

More than half the 22-strong field put over 5lb in their net and it was good to see some nice roach weights as the bream were conspicuous by their absence. There is still no flow and the clear water is still a problem with pike attacking hooked fish.
Dean Walters won the match with 14lb 8ozs of roach, rudd, perch, dace and gudgeon – a proper mixed bag from the downstream end of the last section. Second went to Ian Paulley from the second peg below Dunns Mouth with 13lb 1oz, again a mixed bag of fish, and third was Dennis Corry with 10lb 4oz from the first swim in the lower field. All fished with a variety of baits over loose fed hemp and groundbait. No one bait proved outstanding on the day but maggot and caster, pinkie and worm were most effective.
There were four section prizes, in downstream order – Steve Harvey with 9lb 13oz: Andy Miller, 7lb 4oz: Mic Hurst, 6lb 9oz; and Jeff Sibley with 8lb 6oz.

The winners in Sturminster & Hinton Angling Association’s open competition in aid of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Andy Miller (11lb 12oz).