SIX local junior anglers from Bay Malton AC had the time of their lives, thanks to John Wilson and Get Hooked on Fishing co-ordinators Dave and Mandy Smith.

The youngsters, from South Cheshire and Staffordshire were enjoying a day of fishing with their TV angling hero. John, the face of angling on television, had invited the group for a day of fishing with him on his private lakes in Norfolk as a reward for their hard work within the Get Hooked on Fishing (GHOF) Border organisation.

GHOF co-ordinator Dave Smith said: "John and I had long been discussing getting some young anglers down to fish with him and eventually we were able to get a day sorted, allowing Mandy and I to take the youngsters down for an overnight stay."

Mandy added: "John wanted to spend time with the group fishing peacock quill floats, in a bid to target some of the large roach, rudd and carp his lakes hold. Having met the group and taken them through his plan for the day, John then took each of the lucky six individually to their pegs, explaining where the fish were in each swim and helping them bait the swim.

CONGLETON Anglers' junior rods made the most of the short trip to Sandbach when they fished Big Beam Pool at Fields Farm Fisheries, ending with some superb weights from the same water that the seniors had struggled on a month ago. The juniors had their best match of the season, partly because conditions were ideal with an overcast sky and a gentle ripple on the water.

Josh Jones took first place fishing from permanent peg 21 where he landed a small carp-dominated catch that weighed 13lb 1oz. The juniors were so impressed with the venue that they asked if this Saturday's Canal Championship match could be postponed and a match be held at Fields Farm again. A quick chat with the accommodating fishery owner Chris Thornhill and the match was on.

There will be a £3 fee for this match. The senior members of Congleton Anglers met at Hanchurch Fisheries on Sunday to fish the 20-peg Raymar Canal.

The match started in ideal conditions, but after a short while the wind increased to such an extent that it became almost impossible to present a bait properly. The best weights came from those anglers who made the decision to catch close in as conditions deteriorated.

Karl O'Donoghue drew the far end peg and use a variety of methods to weigh in 32lb 15oz. Pellet, fished up in the water, paste in the track and meat or corn in the margins, proved the key to a winning weight.

THE fourth annual Fish4Life competition took place at the Blake Hall Fisheries, on the outskirts of Cheadle, where 85 anglers from all corners of the country took part and raised £1,250 for the Douglas MacMillan Hospice. The event was organised by Paul Collins and Steve Amison in memory of Paul's mother, Doreen Collins, who had a short stay at the hospice in Blurton.

The organisers passed on their thanks to local fishing tackle outlets and the management and staff at Blake Hall for their assistance on the day, particularly John Heath the fishery owner who kindly donated the peg fees towards the total raised.

Next year's event will again be held at Blake Hall and the organisers are hoping for even more anglers.