WITH the glorious Sunday, June 16 kicking off the new river season, expectations were high for good catches.

But, as usual, our local Avon and Severn rarely fishes well. Most reports have been pretty dismal except for the faster stretches below weirs, where the larger numbers of fish have been shoaled up for spawning over the last couple of months.

Gradually, over the coming weeks, the fish will spread out and will hopefully produce more consistent sport. Do not forget that a good bait at this time of year is Hemp and Tares, which sorts out the roach.

On the match scene, the Starlets Veterans' Tuesday contest was held at Woodlands View Deans Pool. Terry Kavanagh (Stourbridge) took the top honours by pole fishing meat at peg one for a 46-8-0 catch.

Stan James (Bewdley) was second with 34-8-0; third was Ken Giles (Alvechurch), taking 33-4-0.

On Wednesday, the West Midlands Civil Service AA fished its Presidents Cup event at Astwood Fisheries Buddleia Pool.

Kings Norton's Graham Upton took first place by pole fishing chopped worms to the island from peg 63 for a mixed catch of 16-7-8. Second place went to Colin Poutney with 13-1-8 and third to Derek Buckle's 11-4-8.

The Wednesday Moorlands Farm Meadow pool open was won by Steve Juliff (Pershore) with a pole and corn catch of 74-12-0 from peg eight. Nigel Davis (Worcester Post Office) was second with 62-5-0 while David James (Lifestyle) took 51-15-0 or third.

Thursday's Moorlands Farm Meadow pool open saw Darren Clewley (Wesson) pole fish corn, meat and pellets at peg 18 for a 96-5-0 winning catch. Second was Paul Rowberry (Fast Feeders), taking 76-1-0 and third went to Mark Pincer's (Lifestyle) 60-10-0.

King's Heath Starlets Veterans held their event at Elmbridge's Heron Pool with Mike Scott (Bewdley) taking a clear victory of 58-2-0. James (Bewdley) was second with 38-0-0; Brian Hill was third (Stourport) with 29-8-0.

The Friday afternoon open at Woodlands View was held on Arles and Deans Pools. Kevin Slade (AOK) continued his good run by pole fishing meat at Deans peg 53 for a winning catch of 81-11-0. Chris Hill (Fosters MG) followed with 78-7-0; third was Chris Robson (AOK) with 77-7-0.

Saturday's Deans pool open was won by Richie Hull (Tek Neek Trabucco) with a pole, corn and meat catch of 75-7-0 from peg 41. Runner-up Tim Guise (Slapheads) came close with 71-11-0 and third was Roger Hampson (Fisherman's Friend) with 65-4-0.

Lucas College Road AC were on the Staffordshire/Worcestershire Canal at Caunsall for their second aggregate contest. Rubery matchman Mal Gittus showed the way by short pole fishing maggots for a perch and gudgeon catch of 4-15-0.

Derek Willis took 4-6-0 for second while third went to Ron Allen's 3-2-0 and fourth to John Miller with 2-0-0.

At Moorlands Farm, the fifth round of the Summer league saw Darren Clewley (Wesson) take the top individual honours by alternating various baits at Meadow Pool peg 47 for 48-11-0. Mal Talbot (Kamasan) followed with 47-3-0 and third was Emma Pickering (Jack Purchase Holidays) with 46-11-0.

Top team was Shakespeare Blue with 14 points, Foster Tipton 18, Wesson 27. League leaders are Wesson with 21, Mosella South West 23, Shakespeare 24.

The evening meadow pool open saw a big improvement in catches with Jamie Masson (Hallcroft) leading the field with a 94-6-0 catch taken with pole and corn from peg 58.

Second, Mark Tooze, (Lifestyle) took 80-15-0; third was Richard Massey's (Moorlands) 64-9-0.

On Sunday, Moorlands Farm Island and Meadow Pools open was won by Ben Townsend (Peterborough) by short pole fishing corn at Meadow peg 30 for 62-15-0. Ian Whitehouse (Wesson) had 52-14-0 or second with third going to Lee Richards (Lifestyle) with 51-12-0.

Birmingham Civil Service held their bi-annual contest at Elmdon main pool, which saw Dave Hicken take a winning 15 carp catch of 48-3-0 with pole and meat from peg six. Second was Kevin Wood's 26-1-0 and Paul Woods took 21-13-0 for third.

At Furnace Mill, Black Country matchman Jez Williams (Strettons) headed a good score sheet by pole fishing meat in the margins of furnace pool peg 30 for 72-5-0.

Ray Lamb (Vine AC) was second with 65-2-0 and third was Paul Evans' (Storey's) 50-10-0.

Woodlands Views' afternoon open was fished on Deans and High pools. The best catch of the week, 105-3-0, was taken by Jason Smith (AOK) by pole fishing strawberry flavoured luncheon meat at Deans peg 47.

Team mate Chris Robson was second with 88-13-0 from high peg 16 and third was Roger Hampson (Fishermans Friend), taking 88-9-0.