Angling By Chris Bowman

Last updated 05:40, Friday, 17 October 2008

SIMON WILLAN landed three tench, roach and skimmers to win the Wynns Pond float-onlySummer Series final on Sunday.

Twelve anglers had qualified for the final, Willan taking his winning catch of 19lbs 8ozs, to take the £120 first prize, from peg eight.

Tony Harrison was kept busy all day on peg 27 to land more than 160 roach and skimmers to take second and £75 with 8-8.

And series organiser Jeff Whittle just missed out on the runner-sup slot by an ounce.

Fishing peg 7, Whittle landed a tench and bits for 8-7 to take third and £45.

Fourth was Tom Myerscough with 6-8 from peg 17.

“It’s been a good series and climaxed in a tight final,” said Whittle.

“The first match next year has been penned in for Sunday, April 5 and, hopefully, the success of this year will attract more anglers.”

The 2009 series will take in nine Sunday matches and the final.

On Tuesday, the 2008 River Eden salmon season drew to a close in style with a sea-liced 22lb hen fish being reported and returned on the Linstock beat of the river.

And what a memorable season it has been with at least 13 salmon of 20lb or more being reported since the beginning of the season.

Two anglers David Bamford and Geoff Cowburn have each landed two Eden 20 pounders, Mike Noble of Armathwaite caught and returned a 25 pounder, but the biggest and current leader in this season's competition for the captor of the biggest Eden salmon of the season is Paddy McCrenor's salmon caught on the fly in Mill Beck on the YFF water back in April.

Paddy's fish, a superbly proportioned spring salmon of 42 inches, was estimated at between 30 and 34lb.

I have not heard how all of the beats faired during the last days of the season but Paddy is in with a chance of winning a box of 50 superb Irish Shrimp flies, expertly tied by Carlisle fly-tier Keith Haggis Hargraves, that is if no-one has landed a bigger fish. I hope to be able to confirm the winner next week.

As if to echo my comments about the quality of salmon caught this season Warwick Hall reported three 18 pounders during the final week alone.

Andy Robertson landed a six-pounder on a Flying C in the Rushes.

Keith Hendry took a fly caught 10-pounder at Irthing Foot, while John Cranswick and Andy Brown both enjoyed success at Irthing Foot each catching a 16-pounder, John's on a Flying C, Andy's falling to a Toby.

Nick Marriner landed a fly caught five-pounder in Crow Wood, and John Harrison landed a brace, a nine-pounder on worm in the Battery and an eight-pounder to the fly in the Rushes.

Robin Gillett took a worm caught eight- pounder in the Battery and Michael Wiggan also used the same tactics in this pool to land a seven-pounder.

Alan Parr also enjoyed success at the Battery in the shape of an 11 pounder caught on a Flying C.

Paul Davidson fished Jackies with the fly to land a 9 pounder and Brigetta Paton spun the Rushes and took a splendid 18 pounder.

Then, on Sunday, Paul fished the Garden Wall where at dusk he hooked successfully landed and returned a superb sea-lice covered hen salmon of 18lb, taken on the fly.

There has been some good sea angling catches over the last week including a catch of eight cod and six bass to 6lb from Braystones beach.

This bodes well for this year's big Tarnside Sea Angling Club Autumn Charity matches taking place on Braystones over Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

Tarnside Sea Angling Club are well known for their charity fund raising efforts, over the last 15 years their charity matches have raised money for many good causes, the RLNI, leukemia research, the Whitehaven Sea Cadets and many more.

This year, Tarnside SAC is raising money for the West Croft Surgery, Egremont.

Their Autumn Charity matches have become noted events in the sea angling calendar attracting anglers from all over the country and with a guaranteed payout of £1,000 for Saturday's match alone it is not hard to see why.

Sunday's match also offers a 100 per cent payout.

Entries are £12 each day with a £2 optional pool and can be made at Tarnbank, Braystones, Beckermet each day.

For more information contact Heather on 07517 045013.

On Sunday, the Maryport Open, organised by Maryport & District SAC, takes place along Maryport Promenade with fishing is from 10am to 2pm.

And there are cash prizes for the first, second and third heaviest catches, the heaviest fish and zone heaviest catch.

Prizes have been donated by Greggains Ltd., Grahams Guns and Tackle and Cumbria Angling Centre.

Senior entry is £12, junior entry is £2 and there is an optional £1 heaviest bag and £1 heaviest fish pool.

Entries can be made from 8am on the day at Glasson Rangers RL Cub, Maryport.

For more information call Dave 01900 605765 or Jeff 01900 870624.