Anglers assemble to rescue fish from flooding across Milton Keynes

With downpours of almost tropical severity, city balancing lakes did exactly what they were designed to do: ‘buffering’ surges of incoming floodwater. But as levels swiftly rose, water poured out across their overshots – frequently taking fish with it.

Volunteer MKAA bailiffs organised by Shaun Taylor got stuck in to save scores of fish at Furzton and Ashlands, though there were some losses at the latter with fish crushed against exit grills.

Association vice chairman Gary Maton said: “The volume and speed of the water coming through was unbelievable, and the bailiffs did a tremendous job in saving a lot of fish.”

There was also a huge flush through Tear Drops and Lodge, but it is too early to know what damage may have been done there.

>> Elsewhere, others were managing to catch carp the traditional way and Gary Smith banked a 36-4 from Alders on corn. And despite the cold flushes a string of fish were caught at Furzton including a 22-10 to Steve Vipond and a brace of big doubles to Terry Lee.

>> Osprey and DT Floats’ match, Rolfes: Steve Walters 194-8, Dean Townsend 127lb, Derek Hammond 113lb.

>> It was carp or bust in Towcester’s Wappenham Water sweep. Wayne Robinson had 45-2, John Balhatchett 37-4 and George Mynard 24-8.

>> Mill Farm’s series finished with Paul Abbott overall champ on six points, three ahead of Dave Tebbutt and 10 up on Steve Chilton. Tebbutt won Sunday with 22-2. Steve Davies 14-10, Rob Dzialak 12-4.

>> MK Vets, St James’s Lake (mainly skimmers): Steve Dzialak 20-14, Martin Cunniffe 12-11, Bob Gale 12-8.

>> DATS’ Thursday evening round, on New Inn cut: Martin Cunniffe 8-5-8. Roy Hefferon 7-3, Ernie Sattler 3-12.

>> A cloudburast killed sport in Kingfisher’s Willowbridge canal do after the first hour, but Dell Rowland won with 7-2 and scooped £80 on the ‘golden peg’. Paul Hack 5-4, Colin Chart 3-14 (a catfish!).

>> Book quick on 01234 713144 if you want one of the remaining MK summer league team slots (starts July 10).

>> From Friday June 23 to August 26: canal towpath closed from the Galleon south to bridge 68 (footbridge) for council works.

>> Fixtures: Sunday, Alders open, 07860 235655; also, first three pegs on Willen’s ‘rope course’ bank closed for the day.