THE past week has seen a big drop in catches from local venues and evidence of the fish spawning.

This was especially true on Parkers Lodge on Thursday evening, for the National Team Fund-raiser.

Daz Shaw fishing under the bushes had an all perch catch to weigh 1-7-0, to tie for first place with John Fletcher with an all roach catch 1-7-0, with Roy Gough third 0-12-0. Three juniors fished this match and all caught, top weight being S. Monk 0-5-8.

One junior fishing the venue the previous Sunday, had quality bream from peg 4 to weigh 16-0-0.

In the latest Pilsworth Open held on the Carp Lake. Dave Jowett (jnr) Fishermans Way, had top weight 18-4-0, in second place S. Wallwork (Bas Sensas) 12-9-0 and third D. Jowett (snr) Fishermans Way 9-6-0.

In the Monday Open held on the Bolton Ponds at Pilsworth, top weight fell to Jonathan Jowett (Drinnan NW) 39-2-0, in second place Bernard Taylor (Fishermans Way) 28-10-0, third L. Rigby (Maceys Aces) 13-5-0.

On Saturday in hot humid conditions the Fifth Division National Championships took place on the Shropshire Union Canal. Twenty six teams participating, the top three Individual positions dominated by specimen carp.

Top Individuals: 1, Calvin Lemon (Exeter & Dist) 12.390kg, included a 12lb 3g carp; 2, Rochdale angler Danny Keenan (Whitworth Valley AC) 6.300kg, included a 6kg carp; 3, Lee Chatfield (Sussex County) 5.960kg, included a 5.9kg carp.

Top Teams: 1, Team Mosella Strike 227pts; 2, Sensas Team Image 222pts; 3, Devizes AA 219 pts.

Local team Radcliffe AS took fifteenth place with 152 points and promotion to Division Three next year, together with the other top 18 teams.

BURY & DISTRICT SEA ANGLERS:

The June monthly meeting of the club takes place on Monday, June 9 at the Waterloo Hotel, Manchester Road, at 8pm.

The clubs next trip on Saturday June 14, to Port Dinorwick, aboard 'Morgan James' for twelve hour trip.

ROYAL HOTEL SEA ANGLERS:

The next club trip takes place this Saturday June 7 sailing out of Rhyl aboard 'Merlin' 6.40am sailing.

BURY SENIOR SECTION:

The Friends of Cockey Moor, Whiteheads and Parkers Lodges have called a public meeting at Elton Vale Sports Club entrance via Elton Vale Road, off Ainsworth Road this coming Sunday, June 8 at 11am.

The clubs Centenary match takes place on the Island Lodge & Cartwheel this Sunday June 8 draw 9am.

The following Sunday, June 15 the June Cup takes place on the Stainforth Canal, permanent pegs 70 to 98 between Moors and Mauds Bridge. This match is in preparation for the clubs participation in the Division One National to be fished on July 26, 2003.

A 12- man team plus eight reserves has to be submitted by June 27, Nominations are still being taken from members wishing to fish.