Bruce leads the way in Stratford Open

ANDY Bruce led the way at last Sunday’s Stratford Open angling event at Seven Meadows.

This stretch of the River Avon has now become a favourite for match anglers hoping to catch some of the massive chub, barbel and bream on offer.

Match organiser Bruce, fishing for Stratford-on-Avon Fishing and Outdoors Leisure, won with 23lb 7oz of chub and barbel.

Second place went to Adrian Griffin, with an 18lb 4oz catch of chub. Third went to Tony Avery, who bagged 16lb 8oz of chub.

Section winners were Chris Hallows 11lb 3oz, Graham Finch 10lb 13oz and Andrew Wheildon 5lb, Malcolm Hallows 11lb 13oz and Jason Parnell 4lb 13oz.

Meanwhile, the Shipston Angling club match at Honnington was won by Dave Dowland for the second week running with 4lb 14 oz of chub.

Robert Reynolds was second with 2lb 12oz, while Colin Barratt was third with 2lb 2oz. This was a hard match, with few fish caught due to the river level.