AFTER the unprecedented floods of the summer made fishing impossible, Malvern members are now venturing out onto the river banks to make the most of the improved conditions.

Last Sunday it was the first of this season's three popular trips to the River Wye, a real man's river. The venue this time was the stretch at Bredwardine.

Drawn at the top end of the water was Mike Spragg who tackled his swim with stick float tactics feeding maggots. This brought small bleak and dace immediately but after constant feeding a succession of small chub and the odd small barbel were caught. At the end of the contest Mike weighed in 29-13-0 which was good enough for first place.

Just upstream of Mike was Neil Humpage, who tackled his peg in a similar fashion catching some very nice dace, but just fell short of the winner by nearly two and a half pounds by weighing in 27-6-0. Third spot went to club treasurer John Shaw, who legered bread and meat for 7-4-0.

Now is the time for anglers to tackle the bream on the club's stretch of the Severn or Avon, or with the hard-fighting barbel which were caught up to 11lbs last season.

For members new and old wishing to join or rejoin please contact Mick Perks on 01684 561777 for details.

The next contests are tomorrow (Saturday) which is the Junior Cup, held at the pool, draw 1.30pm, fish 2-4pm, details from Mick Perks. Then on Sunday its the Chairman's Cup on Holdfast, draw 7am fish 8am-1pm.