The Senior Section Championship Series got underway on Sunday 15 June with match 1 of the new campaign (for the Tom Hopewell Memorial Trophy) at Grange Pond, Long Eaton. 

Use of pumps to extract the water had reduced levels down to the fishing pegs for the first time in 2 years, and although the resident carp failed to co-operate, at least competitors were able to fish in relative comfort.  On the encouraging side, anglers all round the lake had 'line bites' throughoutr the day whenever they ledgered, evidence that the carp are moving around.

Defending Champion Paul Richardson opted to fish for 'silvers' halfway through the event and was able to amass a pole caught weight of 11 lb 4 oz, mainly consisting of quality roach, to give him maximum points from peg 12.

In contrast, Stef Fedyszyn fished method feeder (baited with maggot) throughout from peg 22 and was rewarded with 2 tench and a 'skimmer' bream in the last hour for 9 lb 12 oz and second place.

Third place fell to Carl Henrick (peg 23) with 4 lb 12 oz of 'silvers', edging out his father, Rob Henrick's 3 lb 4 oz from peg 4.  Dave Kent (peg 16) took fifth with 1 lb 12 oz, Mick Lager (peg 27) sixth with 1 lb 8 oz. 

The Junior Section fished match 3 of the current camapign on Club waters, the Erewash Canal, Tamworth Road, Long Eaton, on 24 May.  Although conditions were made difficult by strong wind, it did not rain and is was not as cold as in the previous 2 matches.

Using pole to present maggot and pinkie bait over ground bait feed on peg 33, 8 year old Adam Brailsford caught a mixed bag of roach and perch weighing 2 lb 4 oz to take top prize overall as well as winning the 12 and under age group.

Second place, and winning the under 16 group, fell to 13 year old Anthony Hanstock (peg 31), with 1 lb 14 oz.  Anthony used pole to present worm over chopped worm and caster feed for an all perch catch.

Third place was taken by Jake Hemmings (age 13) with 12 oz from peg 30, and, tying for fourth place and each with 3 oz, was Tom Bolger (age 13) fishing peg 29, and Ashley Collinson (age 10) fishing peg 28.

Long Eaton Victoria Angling Society are pleased to announce they have been the recipient of a substantial grant from Derbyshire County Council's Community Leadership Fund.

This will be used to support our Junior Section through:

• the purchase of equipment for training and coaching of our young members (and prospective members)
• funding a Long Eaton based event for Junior anglers (detail to follow when event is confirmed) 

Monday evening matches for 2008 started at Grange Pond in a bitterly cold East wind, and only three anglers weighed in.  In spite of the cold weather, John Adamson (peg 23) managed to catch a carp and a tench (baiting with corn) for 8 lb 8 oz to win.  Mike Rigby took second place with 2 lb of small skimmer bream from peg 11, Jim Rigby filling third place with 8 oz of small roach from peg 27.

As in previous years, draw for the Monday matches is in the Grange Pond car park at 5.30pm, starting fishing at 6.15pm.  Any members are welcome to attend.

Once again the Junior Section had to endure cold and very windy weather when they met at Springwood Fishery for match 2 of the 2008 series.  At least there was no rain, and this time, several fish were caught.

Top weight on the day (and winner of the 13-16 age group) was taken by 13 year old Jake Hemmings from peg 19, with 4 lb 3 oz..  Jake fished pole, alternated between pellet and maggot bait, and landed tench, skimmer bream and roach.

Runner up, 12 year old Curtis Hodges (winner of the under 13 age group), also fished pole, baiting with big maggot and pinkies, for a crucian carp, skimmer bream and roach catch weighing 2 lb 2 oz.  Adam Brailsford (age 8) took third place with 1 lb 6 oz, with Ashley Collinson (age 10) and Anthony Hanstock (age 13) sharing fourth place, each with exactly 1 lb.

Match 3 will be on the Erewash Canal (Tamworth Road, Long Eaton) on 24 May, meeting at 10am with fishing from 11am to 2pm. To book in, telephone Martin Oakes on 0115 8492737. 

LEVAS members will be pleased to hear that a further consignment of 300 carp went into Grange Pond during March 2008, continuing the Society's planned stocking policy for the sixth consecutive year.

The fish, mainly superb dark coloured common carp, but including several mirror carp, all weighed between 1 lb and 2 lb 8 oz respectively, and are expected to have an immediate impact on catches at the Long Eaton (members only) fishery. 

 Photographs (courtesy John Carver) show samples of Common (top left) and Mirror (bottom left) Carp, and one bin of fish of fish being released. 

 Members are reminded that their subscriptions should be renewed from 1 May, from either Bridge Tackle (Long Eaton) or the Membership Secretary.  New members also accepted.