The weekend saw two the area’s big commercial day ticket water, Barston Lakes and Packington Somers, host the final of the Shimano-backed County Championship event.

The final coincided with the first frosts of the year and the fishing was tougher than many had found in practice. The best weight on Packington was 41lb, while those at Barston fared slightly better, the match being won with 55lb with backing weights of 49lb and 48lb.
In the event the final and the £10,000 first prize was won by South Yorkshire, with Northamptonshire just pipped into second spot. Warwickshire came sixth out of the 44 teams. Judging by the success of this even launched only this year by weekly newspaper Angling Times, it looks sure to go ahead again in 2011.
Barston will allow bloodworm and joker in its matches from this weekend’s open, in preparation for the first of the CIPS rules matches the following weekend. If you want to fish, it’s £20 entry and you need to call Nigel on 07850 377766 to book in.