Match 3 of the Junior Section for the 2009 Championships saw the young anglers gathered at Springwood (Melbourne) on the Top Pool.

14 year old Anthony Hanstock ran out a clear winner with 16 lb 12 oz of carp from peg 9, all taken on pellet presented on the pole. 

Only ounces split the next three anglers. 15 year old Oli Crooks filled second spot with 5 lb 14 oz from peg 5, edging out  14 year old Anthony Hanstock who had 5 lb 9 oz from peg 1. 

11 year old Loughborough angler Adam Brailsford, with 5 lb 8 oz from peg 14 filled fourth spot overall and also took top in the under 13 group.  He caught carp by alternating between pole and feeder, using pellets and groundbait.  9 year old Callum Hemmings took second in the younger age group with 3 lb 3 oz from peg 3, followed by 11 year old Connor Hemmings, whose 2 lb 12 oz came from peg 11.

LEVAS Championship match 1, fished at Marston's Pool (Derby) in torrential rain, produced some reasonable sport in spite of the conditions, corner pegs taking the top three places.

Reigning Club Champion Dave Kent gave notice of his intention to defend his title with an excellent catch of 7 carp (to 12 lb) and 3 skimmer bream for 42 lb 4 oz and a clear win.  Dave (on peg 14) fished 10m of pole and baited with 6mm expander pellet over micro pellet feed.

Runner up Carl Henrick (on peg 3) fished paste on long pole towards a bed of lily pads to land three carp to 14 lb 12 oz for 34 lb, losing several fish throughout the day.

 Above left: Dave Kent with his winning catch of 42 lb 4 oz.  

Above right: Carl Henrick with his 14 lb 12 oz carp

 Third place fell to Dave Cotterill (peg 27) with 24 lb 4 oz, followed by Dave Mayo (7) with 20 lb 8 oz, Les Overmass (22) 15 lb 8 oz, and Keith White (24) with 15 lb 6 oz.

Match 2 (joint with Soldiers & Sailors) will be for the J Lewis Memorrial Trophy on 28 June at Longford.  Book in with Dave Kent (Match Secretary).

This year's Erewash Canal Championships (fished over waters controlled by LEVAS, NAA and LEFed) will be on 4 July, fishing from 10am to 3pm.  Draw will be 8am at the Curzon Club Long Eaton (breakfasts available from 7.30am).

The match may be fished as individuals and teams of 3.  Individuals £15 all in, Treams of 3 £15 (£5 each).  To enter please phone John Johnson (NAA) on 07931 552691.

LEVAS Junior programme is off to a good start for the 2009 campaign, the first two matches were both well attended and produced some excellent catches.

Match 1 (on 9 May 2009) was held on Swan Pool at the Beechwood Fishery (Elvaston).  14 year old Jake Hemmings put in a magnificent performance to end clear winner with 63 lb 7 oz of carp taken on pole and pellet.

9 year old CallumHemmings filled second place with 16 lb 11 oz of carp taken on paste and pellets, with Anthony Hanstock (age 14) in third spot with 15 lb 10 oz, Curtis Hodges (age 13) in fourth place with 12 lb 10 oz.

Connor Hemmings (age 11) was second weight in the under 13 age group with 7 lb 13 oz, third placed Ashley Collinson (age 11) taking 6 lb 14 oz.

Match 2 was on the Erewash Canal (Tamworth Road, Long Eaton) on Sunday 31 May 2009 when bright and sunny conditions appeared to put fish off the feed.

Top weight was taken by 14 year old Anthony Hanstock with 5 lb 11 oz of perch, all falling to pole fished maggot, with second placed Adam Brailsford (aged 9) takjing roach and perch for 2 lb 9 oz on pole fished worm and caster.

Greg Harlow (aged 11) was third with 1 lb 6 oz, ahead of Curtis Hodges (age 13) with 1 lb 1 oz.

 As only the top 9 results from the 12 match series will count, there is still much to fish for and new anglers will be made welcome.  Contact Martin Oakes on 1005 8492737 no later than the Friday before each match to book a place.

The June matches are both Saturdays: 13 June at Springwood (Top Lake) Melbourne, and 27 June at Robinwood (Middle Pool).  Both matches will draw at 10am, fishing from 11 am to 3 pm.

LEVAS members will be pleased to hear that once again the whole of Grange Pond is accessible for angling.

Over the past week a team of workers and volunteers (under the daily supervision of Water Management Committee Chairman Paul Richardson) has transformed the fishery.

The old 'submerged' fishing positions have been removed from the lake, and have been replaced by 28 purpose built steel framed platforms, each topped with concrete 'slabs' to ensure comfortable and safe positioning of anglers. The steel platforms were made by John Whiteman Engineering & Powder Coating, of Long Eaton (0115 9468566).

To facilitate this, a good level pathway has been constructed around the lake, and trees and bushes trimmed back to a safe and acceptable level. 

 Top left shows platform under construction.  Top Right shows pathway behind pegs 26-29.

Bottom left shows close-up of a completed platform. Botton middle and bottom right show views of Grange Pond and how platforms blend in to the bankside.

 Grange Pond now offers members excellent car parking, good (level) access to the water, a decent level path around the lake, the existing (two) purpose built disabled fishing positions, and 28 new platforms (30 comfortable and safe fishing positions in total).