THE catch-of-a-lifetime came to Boughton's Dave Fairclough at the mere on Burton Mere Fishery.
He tool a massive 62-7-0 catfish to an MRG boilie.
Julian Patten won the Wednesday open match at Tarvin Sands Fishery. With a mixed 30-8-0, he saw off Richard Birkett's 9-8-0 and Chris Sherran's 6-8-0.
Dave Eyres claimed victory in the Lobol AC match on their priory pool. A haul of crucians, roach and skimmers gave him 4-11-8 and the lead over Ian Courtney and Ray Cummins, both with roach-based 4-5-0 hauls.
Mickle Trafford AC braved Sunday's weather to complete a match on the Cheshire Fishery. Alan Bell won it, taking a rainbow weighing 3-0-0 to an eggfly. Runner-up was Bob Vickers with a rainbow of 2-4-0, putting George Mitchell third with his 1-4-0 rainbow.
Piper AC kicked off a new season's fishing at Pool Lodge Fishery at Whitchurch. Tony Johnson won with carp and tench to weigh 24-8-0, beating Martin Beresford on 20-10-0 and Jim Conde with 16-0-0.
As winners of the North Wales Winter League, Rod n' Reel qualified to fish in the North Western area semi-finals at Lindholm Lakes at Doncaster. The top three qualified for the final and Rod just made it, coming home in third out of 11 teams. Top rod was Lenny Bolton who came sixth with 50-0-0 of small carp. Paul Johnston contributed with 43-0-0 of carp and Nigel Smith with 36-0-0.
Rod now go on to fish the final on the River Nene in June.
As runners-up in the North Wales Winter League, Chester Tackle Locker took part in the regional match on Beeston Canal in Nottingham, where they finished in the bottom half. Their best angler was Mike Beaumont with 4-12-0 of roach and skimmers, backed up by Danny McLoughlan on 4-10-0 and Paul Rose with 4-0-0.
Victory went to Dave Lawrence in the Thursday open match at Lingmere Fishery. A mixed 35-0-0 gave him the lead over Steve Balsom with a carp-based 29-8-0 and Steve Openshaw with 23-10-0.
Top rod in Lingmere's Saturday match was Steve Balsom, who took a mixed haul for 37-4-0 to defeat Craig Swain with 35-0-0 and Richard Nelson with 34-2-0.
Kenny Stuart won the day in the Wirral Borough Council AC match at Wrighton Fishery in Wigan. Taking carp, skimmers and tench gave him 21-4-0 to lead from Andrew Jones (17-6-0) and Henry Muller (16-10-0).
St Theresa's AC started their new season at Lingmere Fishery where Andrew Griffiths won with carp and skimmers for 6-8-0 to defeat Keith Potts (5-8-0).
Chester entrants set the pace in the open matches at Hampton Springs Fishery. Winner of the Saturday match was Wendy Locker with carp and tench for 47-12-0. Triumphant in the Sunday match was Keith Bean with 65-8-0 of carp.
