FISHING - BRISTOL Water Fisheries report Monday saw the last day of boat fishing for the season and the end of the third autumn pike fishing session.

BRISTOL Water Fisheries report Monday saw the last day of boat fishing for the season and the end of the third autumn pike fishing session.

Although sport had slowed, there have still been some remarkable catches falling to lures and dead-baits. With the lake low, the water has been quite dirty at times with silt stirred up by the winds and this has favoured the bait fishermen.

Many fish have fallen to smelt, the favourite dead bait at the lake, though mackerel, herrings and blueys have also taken good fish. Some anglers have persisted with lures and replicants and these have also accounted for some better fish.

This year with the lower water levels it seems the bank fishing has been as good as the boat. Several 30 pounders have been caught from the shore with the best capture so far falling to Alex Dyer.

He fished on the North Shore of the lake and in the space of a couple of hours landed fish of 34.01 and 30.04, both fish falling to a smelt fished static about 30 yards offshore in less than five feet of water.

Other notable catches have mainly been mainly from the boats; Calvin Crampton took a 30.02 on a lure, Carl Garratt had a 32.00 on a bluey and Tom Collingridge landed a 31.04 also on a bait.

With returns still coming in Chew has produced a remarkable 11 fish topping the 30lb mark and more than 100 weighing in over 20lbs.

There are still two more bank-fishing sessions before they close for the year, but these have been fully booked for many weeks. Details for next year will be decided in early December after which they will begin taking letter bookings for boat and bank. For details check the website www.bristolwater.co.uk/fishing or ring 01275 332339 after December 14.