Neil claims the crown at Furzton

MOODY Furzton showed two faces this week: delighting skilled carpers one moment... and leaving match-aces scratching the next.

It was fantastic for Neil Richardson – 36 carp to 24-1 with 22 of them topping 20lb!

And 'frustrating' for 32 matchmen in the three-day Elaine Patton Memorial Willen Hospice benefit open who found the legendary bream shoals elusive to say the least.

Fishing Republic manager Neil had his 48-hour haul using zigs during the day and bottom baits after dark.

But clear water and bright sunshine meant the bream boys struggled, again, in the three-dayer.

Maver MK's Ian Smith won the opening day with 19kilo while most others found the going tough.

Overall Ritchie Tomala, RAF, won with 23.430k ahead of Smith 22.898, Lee Jones 18.550 and Ian Giddins 17.650. And it wasn't all bream, as Tomala had 5.5k of caster roach one day...when many said it would be impossible to catch on the pole! The event raised £1,400 for the hospice with the winner trousering £1,000.

Following 'lock-down 1' Furzton reopened on top form – but then the colour dropped out and it has stayed clear with bottom weed appearing along with carpets of mussels.

Carpers continued (mostly) to catch while silverfishing declined. Whether it's long-term or a blip remains to be seen.

Neil said: "I’m liking the clear water, and the weed growth will do the fish a world of good."

Pete said: "The fish are still there, but the ones catching are the ones adapting to changing conditions."

WHAT a star! A month back Ollie Readon, aged 11, banked an amazing 11-2 tench from Caldecotte – and four 20lb+ Furzton carp. This week he upped his carp PB to 27-2, again on Furzton.

Dad John said: "I finally thought I would catch better than him when I landed a 26lb mirror...then 10 mins later he has this. Honestly I'm not jealous..."

OLNEY's Ron Bull memorial on the Ouse was a cracker with the 66 weighing-in (eight didn't bother) totalling 372lb – or better than 5-8 per rod. The winner collected £750.

With silvers making up the bulk of catches Grant Howie had 20-8, Paul Abbott 16-2, Mark Pollard 14-10, Dave Lewis 14lb and Myles Phillips 12-10.

MK Vets, Lodge: Dave Lewis (six bream) 26-12, Ernie Sattler 17-7, Roger Clutton 16-11.

NENE/Towcester, canal, Heyford: Rob Pottinger 16-4 (bream) Tony Hirst 3-7, John Balhatchett 3-6.

CALVERT, Steeple Claydon: Tony Richardson 7-2, Nigel Steel 5-11, Dave Lewis 5-10.