Luton Angling Club - Weekly News, Information and Catch Report Roundup - Week Ending 8th March 2026

 Here is this week's news, information and catch report round up from Luton Angling Club. The Warmer weather has tempted more members back onto the banks, and it shows — as catch reports have started to come in after a quiet patch.

Eaton Ford
Getting in a few last sessions on the River as the close season is looming, Fergal O'Kane was at Eaton Ford today and while trying to catch some livebait using double maggot on a feeder rig and he caught this Chub at 4lb 8oz.

Fergal O'Kane - Chub from Eaton Ford

He also had a Pike on Smelt which he didn't weigh.

Fergal O'Kane - Pike from Eaton Ford

North House Lake

Martin Scholes had his first North House fish of 2026 It was a 22lb 3oz mirror and was caught on Mad Baits Wicked Whites and a 12mm Wicked White pop up.

Martin Scholes - North House Lake

Martin Scholes - North House Lake

Venue Baliff Brian Turner and club member Nathan Porter gave up a good part of their session to add bales of Barley straw around the lake. We have done this for the last few years as it helps prevent algal blooms and has as far as we can tell been fairly effective.

Barley straw acts as a natural, chemical-free, and cost-effective preventative measure against blue-green algae and blanket weed in lakes and ponds. As it decomposes in sunlight and oxygen, it releases compounds that inhibit algal growth. It is most effective when introduced in early spring,

Barley Straw for North House

Barley Straw for North House

Nathan in the club boat putting out the Barley Straw

Nathan in the club boat putting out the Barley Straw

Beckerings Reservoir

Carlo had his first carp of 2026 a very nice Common. The weather was blustery and rainy but he stuck with it and got the reward. Mad Baits Nuts doing the business.

Carlo with a Beckerings Common Carp

Club Member Andy Peirson fished Beckerings on Friday and after asking us if it was OK, He's filled in the worst of the potholes on the track using some hardcore he had. He's going to do some of the others when he fishes there again next Friday. Thanks Andy for your help and thoughtfulness. It's much appreciated.

Andy Peirson - Pothole repairs

Andy Peirson - Pothole repairs

Andy Peirson - Pothole repairs

Andy Peirson - Pothole repairs

LAC Winter League - Round 4

The 4th round of the LAC Winter League was held on Sunday 1st March on the GUC at Braggenham.  With the recent rise in temperature hopes were high that all anglers would be in for a good days fishing.  Within an hour of the match, it was clear that unfortunately yet another grueller was on the cards.

13 fished the match which was pegged from Braggenham Side towards Stoke Hammond Lock.  Only 3 people caught sharing just 4 fish between them.  Interestingly for the overall league placing the 3 to catch are also the current top three in the league so it will make for an interesting finale in 2 weeks time.

Winner of the match was Tim Watts.  Steve drew peg 6 just before the old swing bridge and fished ground bait and squat to catch a skimmer bream and a small roach on a single squat.  Tims weight of 7ozs 12 drms was enough to not only win the match but also keep him in pole position in the league standings moving into the final league match.

Chris Howard and Dave Whillock shared 2nd place.  Both caugh a single roach each weighing 1/2 oz.  Chris caught his down the track on 3 squats while Dave caught his at 14 metres.

With the exception of Keith Ward, the rest of the field did not even register a bite.  Unfortunately for Keith his only bite came from a pike which, while expertly played and netted, does not count.

The 5th and final round of the 2026 LAC Winter League will be on the 15th March 2026 on the GUC at The Globe  Draw 8:30am and fish 10am to 3pm.

This is a friendly league and anyone interested in joining, please let the organiser know. The matches are open to eligible club members and if you are joining us for the first time can we ask that you message us so we know you are coming before turning up.  You will be asked to produce your Club book at first appearance, so please have it with you.

Results

Winter League Results

Winter League Results

MidWeek Match Report Ouse Lavendon Mill Upstream 4th March 2026

With the imminent closure of the rivers for the ‘Close’ season, and with the arrival of Spring and the weather starting to turn warmer, we were all very much looking forward to getting on the river again.

With the river levels generally dropping now the rain has stopped, we were delighted to be able to fish a river venue as we hadn’t managed to get on a river venue near the end of the season for two years due to the rivers being in flood. Tuesday this week was sunny and warm but come Wednesday morning as 15 of us met in the car park after a cold night and a misty morning the day felt distinctly chilly.

As we made our way to our swims after the draw the mist seemed to increase and the day got colder which made warm jackets (which some had left in the car believing the mist would lift) essential. The cold misty overcast didn’t start to lift until around 2:15, when the sun briefly showed its face, and briefly warmed us.

The river was holding a nice colour and had a water temperature of 9C. However, the flow was extremely strange, sometimes flowing strongly, and at others hardly flowing at all, this happening several times during the day.

Bites proved to be extremely hard to come by, with both winner Bart Bonito who took perch and skimmers, and second place Pete Smith with who netted a couple of skimmers using feeder tactics with worm on the hook.

Dave Ridley in third stuck to using a float and after several runs through at full depth started to move the float to present the bait higher in the water, eventually finding Bleak at around 18 to 24 inches deep to finish with 1lb 5oz.

It was a rather disappointing day fish wise but perversely we all rather enjoyed it, being on the river, and in good company.

Very many thanks are due to Barry Roper for the pegging, and Tony Hickmott for the admin and weigh in, and all thosewho generally helped with the day,

Results

1st Bart Bonito 3lb 11oz

2nd Pete Smith 1lb 12 oz

3rd Dave Ridley 1lb 5oz

4th Graham Stringer 0lb 13 oz

5th Simon Faulkes 0lb 12oz

6th Mark Sessions 10oz

7th Andy Frankum 6oz

8th Dennis Hunt 4oz

9th Chris Howard 2oz

10th Joint Les Burton, & Barry Roper 8drm

DNW Colin Holmes, Dudley Frankland, Terry Vickers & Tony Hickmot

Our next match is Wednesday 11th March and is on the Ouse at Biddenham when we hope the weather is warm and the river in good form as it’s the last chance to have a crack at it before the Close season starts again.

Meet in the Car park at the venue promptly for an 8.30 draw as usual. £5.00 optional pools plus £2.00 Luton pegging fee. Fish 10.00am – 3.00 pm

For anyone thinking of joining us for the first time you must message us so we know you are coming before turning up. This will help us to manage the pegging of the venue Please bring your club membership book with you as you will be asked to produce it for your first appearance.

Wednesday Match at Lavendon

Wednesday Match at Lavendon

Wednesday Match at Lavendon

Wednesday Match at Lavendon

Luton AC Annual General Meeting 2026

A date for your diaries. Our annual general meeting will be held on Thursday 26th March 2026 at Stopsley Working Mens Club, Putteridge Road, Luton. Club members are encouraged to attend to keep up to date with club affairs. We also present the specimen awards and other trophies during the event - Anyone who is awarded a specimen award will be contacted soon. You must attend the AGM on the night to collect your award or arrange to have another member collect it on your behalf.

That's all for this week, Please send in all your catch reports as they are all gratefully received and keep our social media pages and weekly reports active and interesting. You can send reports and pictures via our facebook and instagram pages or via the catch reports section of the club website.

Tight Lines until Next Week!

Dave M

Luton Angling Club

Luton Angling Club - Weekly News, Information and Catch Report Roundup - Week Ending 1st March 2026

Here is this week's round up of Catch reports, News and Information from Luton Angling Club. 

Luton AC Annual General Meeting 2026

A date for your diaries. Our annual general meeting will be held on Thursday 26th March 2026 at Stopsley Working Mens Club, Putteridge Road, Luton. Club members are encouraged to attend to keep up to date with club affairs. We also present the specimen awards and other trophies during the event - Anyone who is awarded a specimen award will be contacted soon. You must attend the AGM on the night to collect your award or arrange to have another member collect it on your behalf.

North House Lake

After over a year of trying and plenty of blanks on North House Lake, Abby-Leanne Williams finally got her reward.

She did a night session Saturday into Sunday and this absolute beauty of a Mirror was landed at 20lb 4oz. The fish was caught on a single Shrimp & Pepper from UK Angling's – Mamba Baits range. Just shows sometimes less is more. It's Abby's first fish of the year.... Her persistence paid off and she couldn’t be happier!

Abby Leanne Williams - 20lb 4oz Mirror

Abby Leanne Williams - 20lb 4oz Mirror

Abby Leanne Williams - 20lb 4oz Mirror

Match Report for Wednesday 25th February 2026

The great American Author, Mark Twain said “Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions”. Our bad decision was made last week by choosing to fish the Three Locks Pound of the Grand Union Canal at Stoke Hammond. The experience of catching 7 small fish between 11 anglers led us to a good decision to locate this week’s fishing expedition for 20 anglers on the Grand Union Canal at The Globe in Linslade.

As a variation to the usual format, we organised a pairs competition. All anglers fished the same pound. The group was split, with 10 anglers fishing to the east of The Globe towards Leighton Buzzard and 10 anglers fishing to the west of the Globe Lane Bridge beyond Bridge 111. We are again indebted to Barry Roper for his usual scouting mission to establish boat numbers moored in the pound and for setting out the pegs on both stretches. It makes my legs ache just writing this, so we give thanks for Barry’s fitness. Our debt to him was increased due to his kindness in devoting more of his spare time to organising the pairs. We understand that he was assisted in this task by Mrs Roper, so our grateful thanks go to her as well.

Conditions on the Canal were good. The water temperature was 7 degrees C. The Water level did drop considerably during the day and the bright sunlight and its reflection on the water made float spotting extremely difficult. However, nobody complained about sitting in warm sunshine for a change. The tow on the canal was unusually slow and calm, despite a few boats passing, mainly in the morning.

Some anglers had problems with drifting reed beds which moved in accordance with the ebb and flow of water caused by lock operations. Also, around Mid-day. a strong gusty breeze sprang up, but such proved to be short lived with any further wind being very light. One other slight drawback was the drifting aroma of the foul water treatment works opposite being directed straight at us, and right up our noses. This was accompanied by the continuous droning hum of the machinery within the plant.

However, on the positive side the Canal did produce fish with some of the best fish appearing in the last 45 minutes of the match, including several excellent Perch.

Dennis Hunt was still away sunning himself on a beach in Lanzarote. As the weather for the Match was so good it was suggested that we have a whip round to pay him to stay away on holiday for another 2 weeks. This suggestion was met with the sound of applause – or was it wallets slapping shut!!

As usual the vital arrangements for financial duties and administration were carried out by the indispensable Ray Burton without whom we would be struggling. Ray turned out despite his Lady being in Hospital recovering from major surgery. We all wish her a speedy and full recovery.

Tony Hickmott, Keith Ward and Colin Holmes also stepped up to assist with the draw and weighing duties again illustrating what super people we have in our midst, to happily step into the breach to fulfil the duties required.

The best weight of the match on both sections came on the stretch towards Linslade and deservedly went to Barry Roper with 8lbs 2 ounces. Barry started the match catching small roach and half way through the match the occasional small skimmer started to show. All his fish were caught switching between 5 and 11 metres, mostly to pinkie. His weight was boosted in the final 5 minutes of the match by the capture of a good-sized perch that rounded off a pleasant day very nicely.

In Second place overall was Keith Ward on the section to the other side of the Bridge with 5lbs 12ounces, comprising a net of several fine perch, caught using Pole Tactics and worm and maggot as bait.

In third place, also on the Linslade side, with his Jam Pot overflowing following an absence of a 2 weeks, was Richard Darbon with 4lbs 10 ounces of suicidal skimmer bream, small roach and perch. Richard fished at 8.00m over groundbait laced with chopped worm and caster, using single pinkie as bait.

The Linslade side also produced the fourth placed angler, Dudley Frankland with 4lbs 3 ounces.

Overall, the match was a success, although the anglers fishing the Linslade stretch did fare much better than those fishing the other side of Globe Lane Bridge, as the results panel set out below clearly illustrates. Nonetheless, the weather was a large compensation to us all, with the warmth making a drink together in The Globe, following the Match a welcome thirst quencher.

The overall result of the Match was as follows: -

SECTION A FROM THE GLOBE TOWARDS LINSLADE

1st & Overall Winner

Barry Roper 8lbs 2 ounces

2nd Richard Darbon

4lbs 10 ounces

3rd Dudley Frankland

4lbs 3 ounces 8 drams

4th Terry Vickers

3lbs 4 ounces 8drams

Joint 5th Andy Frankum

3lbs 4 ounces

Chris Howard

3lbs 4 ounces

7th Tony Hickmott

1lb 14 ounces

8th Les Burton

1lb exactly

9th Ray Burton

12 ounces 8 drams

10th Sam Rose

7 ounces 8 drams

SECTION B FROM GLOBE LANE

1st Keith Ward

5lbs 12 ounces

2nd Dave Abbott

1lb 13 ounces 8 drams

3rd Sean Leatherland

1lb 6 ounces

4th Colin Holmes

1lb 2 ounces 8 drams

5th Bart Bonito

13 ounces

6th Pete Mills

11 ounces

7th Tim Watts

9 ounces 8 drams

8th Mark Sessions

8 ounces

9th Colin Macbeth

7 ounces 8 drams

10th Simon Foulkes

1 ounce

PAIRS PLACINGS

1st

Barry Roper & Sean Leatherland

4 points

2nd

Richard Darbon & Colin Holmes

6 points

3rd

Andy Frankum & Dave Abbott 7 points

Joint 4th

Terry Vickers & Pete Mills

10 points

Ray Burton & Keith Ward

10 points

Joint 6th

Tony Hickmott & Bart Bonito

12 points

Dudley Frankland & Colin Macbeth 12 points

8th

Chris Howard & Mark Sessions

13 points

9th

Les Burton & Tim Watts

15 points

10th Sam Rose & Simon Foulkes 20 points

Finally, once again our thanks are due to the Tracey who not only did all the post-match record keeping and hot fishing posting, but also was the only one amongst us to have the intelligence level required to calculate the pairs placings using a points system that we think was invented by Albert Einstein. Tracey, for that alone our gratitude knows no bounds.

Our next match is, weather and water levels permitting , to be held on the river Ouse at Lavendon. Please keep an eye on the website. Also, the Wednesday What’s App group should have up to date information. Organisation for pegging, parking etc will be easier if people can advise the likelihood of their attendance at the earliest possible time.

Draw at the venue at 8.30am, £5.00 optional pools plus £2.00 Pegging Fee, Fish 10.00am – 3.00 pm. The number of available pegs may be limited so book early.

For anyone thinking of joining us for the first time please message Dennis Hunt or Ray Burton so we know you are coming before turning up. Please bring your club membership book with you as you will be asked to produce it for your first appearance.Match Report for Wednesday 25th February 2026

The great American Author, Mark Twain said “Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions”. Our bad decision was made last week by choosing to fish the Three Locks Pound of the Grand Union Canal at Stoke Hammond. The experience of catching 7 small fish between 11 anglers led us to a good decision to locate this week’s fishing expedition for 20 anglers on the Grand Union Canal at The Globe in Linslade.

As a variation to the usual format, we organised a pairs competition. All anglers fished the same pound. The group was split, with 10 anglers fishing to the east of The Globe towards Leighton Buzzard and 10 anglers fishing to the west of the Globe Lane Bridge beyond Bridge 111. We are again indebted to Barry Roper for his usual scouting mission to establish boat numbers moored in the pound and for setting out the pegs on both stretches. It makes my legs ache just writing this, so we give thanks for Barry’s fitness. Our debt to him was increased due to his kindness in devoting more of his spare time to organising the pairs. We understand that he was assisted in this task by Mrs Roper, so our grateful thanks go to her as well.

Conditions on the Canal were good. The water temperature was 7 degrees C. The Water level did drop considerably during the day and the bright sunlight and its reflection on the water made float spotting extremely difficult. However, nobody complained about sitting in warm sunshine for a change. The tow on the canal was unusually slow and calm, despite a few boats passing, mainly in the morning.

Some anglers had problems with drifting reed beds which moved in accordance with the ebb and flow of water caused by lock operations. Also, around Mid-day. a strong gusty breeze sprang up, but such proved to be short lived with any further wind being very light. One other slight drawback was the drifting aroma of the foul water treatment works opposite being directed straight at us, and right up our noses. This was accompanied by the continuous droning hum of the machinery within the plant.

However, on the positive side the Canal did produce fish with some of the best fish appearing in the last 45 minutes of the match, including several excellent Perch.

Dennis Hunt was still away sunning himself on a beach in Lanzarotti. As the weather for the Match was so good it was suggested that we have a whip round to pay him to stay away on holiday for another 2 weeks. This suggestion was met with the sound of applause – or was it wallets slapping shut!!

As usual the vital arrangements for financial duties and administration were carried out by the indispensable Ray Burton without whom we would be struggling. Ray turned out despite his Lady being in Hospital recovering from major surgery. We all wish her a speedy and full recovery.

Tony Hickmott, Keith Ward and Colin Holmes also stepped up to assist with the draw and weighing duties again illustrating what super people we have in our midst, to happily step into the breach to fulfil the duties required.

The best weight of the match on both sections came on the stretch towards Linslade and deservedly went to Barry Roper with 8lbs 2 ounces. Barry started the match catching small roach and half way through the match the occasional small skimmer started to show. All his fish were caught switching between 5 and 11 metres, mostly to pinkie. His weight was boosted in the final 5 minutes of the match by the capture of a good-sized perch that rounded off a pleasant day very nicely.

In Second place overall was Keith Ward on the section to the other side of the Bridge with 5lbs 12ounces, comprising a net of several fine perch, caught using Pole Tactics and worm and maggot as bait.

In third place, also on the Linslade side, with his Jam Pot overflowing following an absence of a 2 weeks, was Richard Darbon with 4lbs 10 ounces of suicidal skimmer bream, small roach and perch. Richard fished at 8.00m over groundbait laced with chopped worm and caster, using single pinkie as bait.

The Linslade side also produced the fourth placed angler, Dudley Frankland with 4lbs 3 ounces.

Overall, the match was a success, although the anglers fishing the Linslade stretch did fare much better than those fishing the other side of Globe Lane Bridge, as the results panel set out below clearly illustrates. Nonetheless, the weather was a large compensation to us all, with the warmth making a drink together in The Globe, following the Match a welcome thirst quencher.

The overall result of the Match was as follows: -

SECTION A FROM THE GLOBE TOWARDS LINSLADE

1st & Overall Winner

Barry Roper

8lbs 2 ounces

2nd

Richard Darbon

4lbs 10 ounces

3rd

Dudley Frankland

4lbs 3 ounces 8 drams

4th

Terry Vickers

3lbs 4 ounces 8drams

Joint 5th

Andy Frankum

3lbs 4 ounces

Chris Howard

3lbs 4 ounces

7th

Tony Hickmott

1lb 14 ounces

8th

Les Burton

1lb exactly

9th

Ray Burton

12 ounces 8 drams

10th

Sam Rose

7 ounces 8 drams

SECTION B FROM GLOBE LANE

1st

Keith Ward

5lbs 12 ounces

2nd

Dave Abbott

1lb 13 ounces 8 drams

3rd

Sean Leatherland

1lb 6 ounces

4th

Colin Holmes

1lb 2 ounces 8 drams

5th

Bart Bonito

13 ounces

6th

Pete Mills

11 ounces

7th

Tim Watts

9 ounces 8 drams

8th

Mark Sessions

8 ounces

9th

Colin Macbeth

7 ounces 8 drams

10th

Simon Foulkes

1 ounce

PAIRS PLACINGS

1st

Barry Roper & Sean Leatherland

4 points

2nd

Richard Darbon & Colin Holmes

6 points

3rd

Andy Frankum & Dave Abbott

7 points

Joint 4th

Terry Vickers & Pete Mills

10 points

Ray Burton & Keith Ward

10 points

Joint 6th

Tony Hickmott & Bart Bonito

12 points

Dudley Frankland & Colin Macbeth

12 points

8th

Chris Howard & Mark Sessions

13 points

9th

Les Burton & Tim Watts

15 points

10th

Sam Rose & Simon Foulkes

20 points

Finally, once again our thanks are due to the Tracey who not only did all the post-match record keeping and hot fishing posting, but also was the only one amongst us to have the intelligence level required to calculate the pairs placings using a points system that we think was invented by Albert Einstein. Tracey, for that alone our gratitude knows no bounds.

Our next match is, weather and water levels permitting , to be held on the river Ouse at Lavendon. Please keep an eye on the website. Also, the Wednesday What’s App group should have up to date information. Organisation for pegging, parking etc will be easier if people can advise the likelihood of their attendance at the earliest possible time.

Draw at the venue at 8.30am, £5.00 optional pools plus £2.00 Pegging Fee, Fish 10.00am – 3.00 pm. The number of available pegs may be limited so book early.

For anyone thinking of joining us for the first time please message Dennis Hunt or Ray Burton so we know you are coming before turning up. Please bring your club membership book with you as you will be asked to produce it for your first appearance

Wednesday Match

Wednesday Match

That's all for this week, Please send in all your catch reports as they are all gratefully received and keep our social media pages and weekly reports active and interesting. You can send reports and pictures via our facebook and instagram pages or via the catch reports section of the club website.

Tight Lines until Next Week!

Dave M

Luton Angling Club

Luton Angling Club - Weekly News, Information and Catch Report Roundup - Week Ending 22nd February 2026

Here is this week's round up of Catch reports, News and Information from Luton Angling Club.

2026/27 Membership - New and Renewals
We are starting to get lots of enquiries regarding membership, Our membership year runs from 1st June to 31st May anyone wishing to join the club as a new member should register their details via the form on the club website, that way you will be contacted when the new memberships go on sale in May. All existing club members are prioritised for renewals and will be automatically contacted to renew their membership in April. Existing members are reminded to keep their contact details up to date to ensure they receive their renewal invitations in April.

South Lagoon

Kletos and his son Nathaniel have enjoyed a superb couple of days on the South Lagoon this week. It’s been a tough spell for them on their sessions recently, with the river levels up more often than not — and this week was no different. Thanks to a mix of heavy rain and sleet, and the lagoon being connected to the River Ouse they saw the levels in the lake rise a full 4 inches overnight during their session.

Despite the weather conditions, Nathaniel smashed it again and in tremendous form, he landed a fabulous Common Carp of 28lb 9oz — bigger than anything Kletos has ever caught himself. Our Bailiff Andy Smith was on hand to witness the weighing and grab a few photos too.

The fish was in excellent condition. Kletos managed a couple of Pike at 13lb 5oz and 8lb 8oz.

Kletos - South Lagoon Pike

Nathaniel - 28lb 9oz South Lagoon Common

Nathaniel - 28lb 9oz South Lagoon Common

Beckerings Reservoir
Liam Murphy had a couple of Carp from Beckerings this weekend and they were his first ones of the year. A 24lb Mirror and a 20lb Common caught on spinner rigs.

Liam Murphy - Beckerings Mirror Carp

Liam Murphy - Beckerings Mirror Carp

Liam Murphy - Beckerings Mirror Carp

Also this weekend, our volunteer work party team were back at Beckerings continuing the necessary tree maintenance work. A superb effort by all those who helped out. We will be doing our third and final stint next Saturday morning as then we have to leave the rest until September after the birds have finished nesting.

Please take note of the venue signage and our social media posts which will advise which pegs will be closed for the morning. If you do intend on fishing the reservoir then we would advise arriving after 1pm as the car park will be very busy.

Beckerings Work Party

Beckerings Work Party

Beckerings Work Party

Beckerings Work Party

Beckerings - Fish Stocking

During the work party we also took delivery of some fish, We stocked 1000 Roach of 6-8 Inches along with 6000 3-6" ungraded fish which were mainly roach with some Bream, Perch and possibly Rudd present.

We wanted to buy the roach, but we would then have paid for delivery, but this was waived if we took their special offer of the smaller mixed fish.

Roach - Beckerings Stocking

Beckerings Stocking

Beckerings Stocking

Beckerings Stocking

Beckerings Stocking

Beckerings Stocking

Beckerings Stocking

Final Indoor Coaching Session Wraps Up a Winter of Progress

On Saturday 21st February, the Luton AC coaches held their last indoor winter coaching session at The Bushmead Centre in Luton.

Numbers were a little depleted due to half term but this did not detract from the enthusiasm shown by those attending.

As usual refreshments were provided in the form of tea, coffee, juice and biscuits.

The youngsters were given an introduction to rod and line fishing, including the use of long rods, slider tactics and basic waggler, with further information on the various types of wagglers to be used on a variety of venues. Each junior was also given a handout with basic waggler fishing advice and tips.

They were also given a talk, history, and demonstration of the various types of fishing reels that have been used over the years and given the opportunity to handle and examine for themselves first hand centrepins and fixed spool reels with explanations of their uses and their features such as front and rear drag, bait runner, and fightin' drag.

There was a demonstration of the different way to change spools by unscrewing or push button, and how, where possible, to change the handles from left to right hand wind. This was followed by reel care highlighting cleaning, oiling points, general maintenance and storage.

A brief talk followed about shotting weights on floats with an accompanying handout and each youngster went away with a free selection of pole winders and pole anchors.

All who attended said that they had enjoyed the session and looked forward to getting back on the bank when the weather improves.

The coaches would like to offer a big thank you to the taxi of Mums, Dads, and Grandparents without whom the junior attendance at these events would

be impossible.

Thanks also go to the staff at The Bushmead Centre who look after us so well!

If any member is curious in finding out more about the club's coaching activities, then please contact Mark Brooks or Dennis Hunt using the contact forms on the club website.

Bushmead Indoor Coaching Session

Bushmead Indoor Coaching Session

Persistence Tested as Ouse Flooding Forces Three Locks Switch

Match Report for Wednesday 18th February 2026

The Match Programme for the Wednesday Group showed that on 18th February 2026 a match was to be held upon the River Ouse at Wyboston. The persistent and often heavy rain in the 2 weeks prior to this date swelled the river level to such an extent that it was unfishable. The river level was reflected in the adjoining lagoon which made the obvious alternative to the river unavailable due to the waterlogged ground and covered platforms.

Thus, the group elected to change the venue for the match and fish the upper pounds of the GUC at Three Locks, Stoke Hammond.

The watchwords for anglers of all description are patience and persistence. John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States said, Patience and Perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish. Such sentiments became very pertinent to this relocated match, showing how deluded politicians have always been!!

Eleven anglers turned up to fish the match. Many thanks are due again to Barry Roper for his yomp to reconnoitre the venue at short notice for availability in respect of boat occupancy in the pound and for setting out the pegs required for the match.

The water temperature was 5 degrees C with dry weather throughout. The wind was very light as the match started, but did start to gust by late morning, pushing poles and whips first one way, then the other. (Dennis Hunt was away sunning himself on a beach in Lanzarote so he would have got locked up for carrying out a rain dance there).

Boat traffic was very light, with only two passing through. One passed through our match area just as we started.

The draw for the match was carried out by Tony Hickmott and Ray Burton. These gentlemen also stood up to the plate to carry out the onerous duty of weighing in the catches. However, in the event such was not so onerous as only 2 anglers caught fish.

Tim Watts landed 5 extremely small Perch, 4 of which were the size of Minnows and Barry Roper landed 1 Minnow sized Perch. Consequently, Tony and Ray struggled with the weigh in, despite using the more accurate digital scales, which failed to weigh such a small catch from both anglers.

The result became a fish count, although it was quite obvious who took first place and who was second.

And the other nine patient and persistent anglers had a total blank with some leaving early as their cup ranneth over with disappointment.

Dave Ridley commented that he hasn’t seen his float go under yet this year, as the Carp he landed at Beckerings was caught on a feeder.

As usual the vital arrangements for financial duties and administration were carried out by the indomitable Ray Burton without whom we would be struggling.

The sudden change of venue together with the absence of our great leader again demonstrated what super people we have in our midst, who happily step into the breach to fulfil the duties required.

The overall result of the Match was as follows: -

1st Tim Watts - 5 small fish

2nd Barry Roper 1 small fish

DNW, Tony Hickmott, Graham Stringer, Sam Rose, Colin Holmes, Dave Ridley, Mark Sessions, Pete Mills, Sean Letherland & Simon Foulkes.

Finally, once again our thanks are due to the Tracey who does all the post-match record keeping and hot fishing posting.

Our next match is on the GUC at The Globe which is listed in the programme as a pairs match. Such being the case it will be easier to organise if people can advise the likelihood of their attendance at the earliest possible time.

Draw at the venue at 8.30am, £5.00 optional pools plus £2.00 Pegging Fee, Fish 10.00am – 3.00 pm. The number of available pegs may be limited so book early.

For anyone thinking of joining us for the first time please message Dennis Hunt or Ray Burton so we know you are coming before turning up.

This will help us to manage the booking of pegging of this venue.

Please bring your club membership book with you as you will be asked to produce it for your first appearance.

That is all we have for you this week, Please send us in any stories, information or catch reports that you would like included in next week's edition. You can send in content via our social media pages or the club website.

Tight Lines,

Dave M

Luton Angling Club.