BACK to reality after 18 days in the Florida sunshine, I wasn't surprised to find fish catches were generally on the low side and even those consistent Northfield Starlet Veterans struggled on Tuesday at Woodland View.

Leading the 44-strong turnout was Kidderminster's Mike Millinchip who pole fished casters, maggots and worms into the corner of Deans pool peg 49 for 22-4-0. Brian Dickson (Kidderminster) was a close second with 20-14-0; third, Alan Ryan (Worcester), 19-7-0.

On Thursday, Mick Taylor (Northfield) was a clear winner of the KH Veterans event at Hay Farm near Bewdley. Pole fishing chopped worms and casters at Match Pool peg 13 he found eight Carp to 10-6-0 for a 56-8-0 total. Second placed Stan James (Bewdley) had 25-15-0 and third place going to Harold Willey (Kidderminster) with 21-2-0.

Saturday saw Telfish AC at Wick on the River Avon for its Committee Cup and knockout final. Kings Norton matchman Graham Upton had a fishless hour before taking a winning catch of 12-1-0 of Perch and Roach by pole fishing maggots from halfway along meadow six above the weir. Yours truly Tony Brunn took second place with 8-8-0 while third went to John Miller with 6-13-8. Knockout Cup winner was also yours truly, putting John Malin into the runners-up spot. Overall aggregate club champion is Bromsgrove's John Miller with 23 points; John Malin had 24 and a half; Tony Brunn 25.

At Woodland View the Deans pool open was won by Danny Ashington (Map Starlets) with a mixed silver fish catch of 21-2-0 by pole fishing bloodworm and joker at peg 29. Runner-up Richard Lawson (Colmic) had 17-13-0; third, Chris Robson (Chicken Joe), 16-12-0.

On Sunday, the Birmingham Civil Service AC held their Fur and Feather contest on Elmdon Main and Silver pools. Sheldon's Mick Palfrey took the honours by pole fishing punched bread on Silver pool peg ten for a mixed 10-4-0 catch. His brother Keith was second with 7-4-0; third, Paul Woods' 6-5-0.