HARWICH Angling Club held their end-of-river-season match with an above-average turn-out.

However, with only two putting fish in their nets and pike still patrolling the lower stretches of the river, it proved a tough contest.

The correct bait and presentation would be key issues for this five-hour, all fish except pike and crustaceans count, club match.

Although there was still evidence of pike in some swims, all anglers chose to float fish for the roach and perch, either using the pole or rod.

After the first hour or so, some anglers, who had not had any enquires, changed tactics to try and seek out any bonus fish around their swims.

When the whistle blew to end the match and all the results came in, it had proved a hard match, with only two competitors putting fish in the nets.

Both were from around the middle and higher number pegs.

With the majority of anglers experiencing pike interference in their swims, it was John Pettitt who won the match by a good margin, fishing from peg C14.

Using the pole down the middle, with the float set at just holding bottom and avoiding any weed clumps, he used bloodworm and joker on a size 22 hook, tied to a 0.06 link.

Pettitt weighed in with 1lb 1oz 8drs, including two bonus fish, a 4oz roach and a 3oz perch.

The rest of his catch was all roach.

Pettitt also caught a jack pike which was returned safely back into the river.

In second place, also fishing the pole down the middle and to the far bank with the float set just off bottom, was Laurie Snell, drawing peg C10 again.

Using bloodworm and joker as hook bait, he produced a weight of 3oz 8drs, of all roach.

The next day, Pettitt went back to the river to fish for pleasure.

Choosing peg C13, just one down from his match peg and using the same tactics and bait, he caught 2lb 6oz of decent skimmers, roach and perch in his three-and-a-half hour session.