THE magnificent start to the trout season on the Bristol Water trout fisheries continued last week, bringing the total catch since opening to an incredible 19,790.

Heavy stocking at all the lakes brought excellent results for both boat and bank anglers. The change in conditions has altered the fishable areas and has put the larger resident fish off the feed.

Two days of competition dominated last week's fishing at Chew Valley.

Teams from the South West, South Wales and Northern Ireland fished in the heats of the Lexus European Competition on Friday and Sunday.

Day one saw four teams of six competing. The north-east wind and sunshine continued and anglers went after the recent stocking rather than chase the larger resident fish and they found them in large numbers.

The 24 anglers took 224 fish during the day, with Team Tightlines winning, closely followed by Blagdon FF Team Bristol Water. Both teams qualify for the national final to be held at Chew in August. Jerry Clarke of Blagdon FF was top rod.

Day two saw a complete reversal of wind direction and overcast skies. As the day progressed the wind increased, making fishing more difficult. Eight teams fished for four national places and local teams did well, with Carbotec Kingfishers winning, BRFFA Orvis second, Team Snowbee third and BRFFA Park Retail fourth.

Individual winner on the day was Keith Gollop of Snowbee. Most fish were taken by fishing nymphs and buzzers very slowly on floating lines.

At Blagdon the much improved catches of last week continued, especially from the boats. Butcombe, North Bank and Rugmoor all did well early in the week but the change of wind direction makes the Dam Basin and South Shore more favourable.

Good reports continue at Barrow No 3 and anglers found plenty of fish at the treatment works end now the wind has turned south-west. Small goldheads and nymphs fished sub surface have been the best flies, with buzzers early and late on.

Chew produced a total catch last week of 1,101 fish averaging 2lb 4oz, topped by a brown of 5lb 6oz, and rainbow 5lb 8oz with 39 limit bags. At Blagdon 629 fish averaging 2lb 6oz were taken, topped by a brown of 8lb 4oz and rainbow 6lb 6oz with 33 limit bags. The Barrows yielded 202 fish averaging 1lb 10oz, topped by a brown of 4lb 5oz and rainbow 3lb 6oz.

The strong winds made boat fishing difficult last week at Clatworthy Reservoir where a total of 375 fish were recorded.

Bank fishermen did a lot better with some nice fish coming from the bay areas. Bob Frond took a real beauty of a rainbow which tipped the scales at 10lb, while John Haller took a 7lb specimen and Frank Yeandle one of 6lb 4oz.

Andy Ryall took a four fish catch weighing 17lb.

At Hawkridge 143 fish were taken with fish being caught on Bibio, Montana, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear and Boobies. Paul Duckett took a five fish bag weighing 9lb 8oz while Pete Frapple took five for 8lb 4oz. Bob Wilson took a nice 3lb rainbow. At Sutton Bingham 339 fish were taken with most fish falling to Pheasant Tails and Buzzers.