Lifelong fishing pals Kenny Smith from Esher and Wimbledon's Phil Braithwaite decided to take off for two days on the Dorset Stour and came back toasting the "best fishing they'd ever had".
Kenny told me: "My best Chub before this trip was 4lb 2oz 10 years ago on the Mole but I topped that seven times over those two days - adding a new personal-best Barbel at 9lb 2oz and my first-ever 2lb Roach.
"I had to weigh the Roach four times before I could accept that I'd broken the magical figure," added the 36-year-old.
Not to be outdone, 37-year-old sales executive Phil had seventeen Chub to 5lb-50z over the two days and his first ever Barbel with a fish of 6lb 13oz.
He also took a terrific Perch at 3lb 1oz and both lads fished a variety of baits including lobworm, caster and bread flake.
Dave Richards of Dorking was put in his place by his nine-year-old son Dave Junior at his local, Old Bury Hill on Miltons.
Instead of having to show the lad how it's done, Dave Junior put together a 30lb haul before lunch. Young Dave's 40 fish included 3lb Carp and 2lb Tench.
Dave Maiden won the third round of West Ewell A.C.'s Willinghurst Cup with 15lb of small Carp ahead of Bart Mathias on 12lb 8oz and Jason Landymore with 10lb.
The result sets up a head-to-head between Dave and Jason in the final leg for the trophy at Old Bury Lake on Sunday, August 16.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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