Furzton gives up the big bite for young Sam

NOT huge but it's Harry Sam's first (hopefully of many) fish after months of trying

How big is a 'good fish' – one which sends the captor home buzzing and oh-so keen to get back on the banks for another go?

Judging by some of this week's tales from the watersides, they don't need to be record breakers to do that.

Like, for instance, Harry Sam's Furzton bream. It probably scaled between 2 and 3 pounds and came from a water where fish of 6 to 8 are not uncommon.

MATT Jones well chuffed with 4-10 Ouse chub

Yet Harry was lit up like a Christmas tree because it was his first-ever fish – and lockdown apart he'd been trying to catch for most of the year!

And Matt Jones was well-pleased with a respectable 4-10 Wolverton Ouse chub on light tip gear – but absolutely delighted with a number of quite small dace...on the dry fly!

He said: "I might not be smashing PBs any time soon but it's so nice to learn a new skill. Getting the cast perfect and seeing a fish take the dry fly is something I don't think I'll ever tire of."

ALSO on the river Neil Baldock – perhaps inspired by ultra-light lure-tackle fanatic Dennis Buller's exploits – has been catching chub on spinner.

BRAD'LL tench are still feeding. Tom Grant with 5-8

BRADWELL Lake's tench go to double-figures, but Tom Grant was more than a little pleased with a 5-8 which showed some are still feeding despite the yo-yo weather.

SOME bigger fish were also caught: Chris Hamilton had a 26-1 leathery Mount Farm mirror, Ben Dunkley had two 17s and a 16 from Newport's pits while Dave Johnstone landed a good double as Furzton produced a number of such fish.

MK Vets, Stockton Reservoir: Paul Chapman 30-14 (carp), Dave Lewis 28-1 inc two 12lb carp, Martin Cunniffe 20-5.

NEWPORT open, Ouse (six double-figure nets): Ash Bunnage 14-4, Bob Gale 13-4, Mark Pollard 13lb.

NENE open, Grafton canal: Rob Pottinger 10-14, Ivor Stokes 10-7, Wayne Nixon 10-3.

CALVERT, Lodge Lake: Austin Maddock 6-14, Barry Witteridge 6-8, Nigel Steel 6-11.

OLNEY Tuesday series (final round) Ouse: 'Didder' Hefferon 6-14, Joe Roberts 6-2, Andy Webster 5-15. Paul Caton beat Pete Laughton on weight for the series title after they'd tied on points.

FIXTURES: Sunday, Furzton sections A, B and C closed midnight to 15.00 hours.