Another wet week keeping anglers off the bank, and with rivers still in flood conditions and more heavy rain over the weekend there doesn't seem to be any improvement. Darren Lee fished South Lagoon today for Pike (Sunday 15th Feb) and he saw the levels in the lagoon come up around 6 inches during his session and his peg started to flood.
If you are interested in current river levels and flood conditions you can view river levels in our area on the Environment Agency website at the link below.
Once again we have little to report in terms of catches this week so this weeks report is mainly just other news and information about club activities.
Beckerings Reservoir - Work Party
The work party volunteers were at Beckerings on Saturday to carry out some work on the trees around the reservoir, Due to the fact Beckerings is a raised irrigation reservoir we are not allowed to let the willows around the reservoir to get too big. There was a break in the poor weather and although a little chilly it was a very pleasant sunny morning and a lot was achieved so thank you to all those that helped. We will likely be continuing this work next weekend.
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| Beeckerings Work Party |
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| Beckerings Work Party |
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| Beckerings Work Party |
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| Beckerings Work Party |
MIDWEEK MATCH - BECKERINGS RESERVOIR
The Luton Match group fished their midweek match on Beckerings this week, Here is their report written by Terry Vickers
The Actress Gloria Swanson once said, “Life is 95% anticipation” So it was with that sentiment that 17 anglers turned out on a blustery, but temperate day for our weekly Wednesday Match at one of the jewels in the crown of Luton Angling Club Venues – Beckerings Reservoir.
In order to compensate for his absence again, Dennis Hunt had obviously donned the goats head for the Rain Dance and the spirits responded correspondingly.
As expected for such a premium venue and due to the growing popularity of the Wednesday Match Group the Match was well subscribed. The weather conjured up by Dennis Hunt was obvious at the start of the match with persistent showery rain for the first 3 hours. However, things did improve as the day wore on with sunshine and blue skies making an appearance for the final hour and a half of the match. Obviously, Dennis had only carried out the abridged rain dance this time.
The gusting wind made matters difficult on some pegs with those on the earlier and later pegs faring worst with the wind directly in their face. Such conditions made bite detection, bait presentation and casting long distances difficult for them. Anglers on the top bank and those on higher numbered pegs found shelter from the worst of the elements. Thus, it was no surprise that the higher weights came from these pegs.
As usual the vital arrangements for financial duties and administration were carried out by the indomitable Ray Burton without whom we would be struggling. Post match duties for weighing in were carried out by Tony Hickmott and Colin Holmes, once again showing how much, we are blessed with great people who happily step into the breach to fulfil the duties required. Grateful thanks to Tony & Colin for their efforts, which once again ensured that the match proceeded smoothly.
The water level in the Reservoir reflected the high level of rainfall we have experienced in the recent week with a couple of platforms being partly submerged. However, the water looked very inviting with some colour.
After one hour of fishing, it became apparent that fish would be scarce. The results set out below show that 7 dry nets were recorded. Additionally, we had decided that any Carp captured would be returned to the water immediately with a weight of 1lb being allowed for each fish. This rule came into force with two anglers, one being Dave Ridley, who managed to hook, and after a very long battle, land a 17lb specimen. A further surprise was in store for Simon Foulkes when he hooked into and landed a beautiful Pike of approximately 10lbs.
The winner of the match on Peg 17 was the ever popular Bailiff of the water, Colin Holmes. Colin put his intimate knowledge of the venue to good use,
His initial approach was to set up a 24g Method Feeder at 56 yards using ringers and wafters as hookbait. Colin saw little result for the first hour and three quarters and was contemplating changing to maggot as hookbait. However, as he was beginning to set up a rig for the change of method, he got a solid take on the method feeder resulting in a good-sized skimmer bream. A few more skimmer bream followed, but a crescendo came with the capture of two specimen Bream weighing 6lbs and 8 lbs respectively, which boosted Colin’s Final weight to 21lbs 12oz – a splendid effort. Well done Colin and well deserved for your patience and persistence.
In a distant joint second place on peg 19 was Danny Worth. Danny clipped up a window feeder filled with particle groundbait at 40m distance. Treble pinkie was the hookbait which tempted a few skimmer bream to make up his weight of 5lbs 2oz. Simon Foulkes joined Danny in joint second place from peg 23 with an identical weight again consisting of skimmer bream. Simon also clipped up at 40m but introduced a heavy groundbait regime at the start of the match with regular re- casts every 5 minutes to top up the feed level. This resulted in the capture of 4 skimmer bream to equal the 5lbs 2 oz captured by Danny. As already mentioned, Simon also captured a bonus fish of approximately 10lbs but alas it did not count as it was a Pike, which was not eligible in the match.
In Fourth place. On Peg 5, with 2lbs 14oz was our resident Beckerings and all round expert, Amer Jawad who managed a few fish for a weight of 2lbs 14oz which proves that he is human after all !!
The overall result of the Match was as follows: -
1st Place
Colin Holmes 21lbs 12oz
Joint 2nd Place
Danny Worth 5lbs 2oz
Simon Foulkes 5lbs 2oz
4th Place
Amer Jawad 2lbs 14oz
5th Place
Ray Burton 1lb 8oz
Joint 6th Place
Dave Ridley 1lb (one carp )
Keith Ward 1lb (one carp)
8th Place
Mark Sessions 11oz
9th Place
Bart Bonito 4oz
10th Place
Dave Whillock 1oz
DNW Les Burton, Andy Frankum , Terry Vickers , Tony Hickmott , Graham Stringer,Richard Darbon (Jampot Empty) & Sam Rose
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 was due to be held on the River Ouse at Wyboston however in light of the recent and ongoing wet weather it’s unlikely the river will be fishable .
Therefore the group will switch their match to canal at Three Locks
Draw at 8.30am, £5.00 optional pools plus £2.00 Pegging Fee, Fish 10.00am – 3.00 pm.
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.
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| Colin Holmes - Midweek Match Winner |
The Club are pleased to announce some new competitions for Luton Angling Club members in 2026, The Charlie Olney Memorial trophy and a four match GUC Summer Evening Series.
Charlie Olney Memorial Trophy
This competition is a single evening match of 3 hours duration to be fished at Three Locks on the GUC on Thursday 11th June, Draw at 5pm fish 6pm to 9pm. £5 entry per angler, £5 optional pools + £2 peg fee
The competition is whip only maximum length 4 Metres and the whip can be elasticated.
Other than this standard Luton Match Rules apply
GUC Summer Evening Series
This competition is a four round evening series with matches of 3 hours duration to be fished on the GUC on Thursday evenings, Draw at 5pm fish 6pm to 9pm. The best 3 points results out of the 4 matches will count, and standard Luton Match rules apply.
There will be a £5 entry per angler to fish the league, with a £2.00 peg fee and an optional £5.00 pool per round
2nd July - 1st Round
Three Locks
16th July - 2nd Round
Town South
23rd July - 3rd Round
The Globe
13th August - 4th Round
The Globe
Details on how you can enter these competitions will be shared at a later date.
Date for your Diary
Don't forget the club's annual General Meeting will be held next month on Thursday 26th March 2026 at Stopsley Working Men's Club in Luton. Members are encouraged to attend the AGM to have their say, share ideas, and keep up to date with club affairs. It's your club - get involved!
That's all we have for this week.
Tight Lines
Dave M
Luton Angling Club.
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