Tales From A Worcestershire Whirpool Just occasionally someone sends me an angling book to review (They know I'm never short of a word or two) and Tales From A Worcestershire Whirpool proved to be just that little bit different from the norm, as I read it from cover to cover in just three evenings, a record for me.

I read a number of angling publications each month but this particular book held my interest just that little bit more intensely, with its author relating angling tales from around the Midlands region.

Dr John Tate is a Black Country angler with a multitude of Midlands angling memories to recount. Charting his angling novice days to the present day and with nearly sixty years of angling experience behind him he has developed an excellent approach to not only his sport but the environment around him.

John has very kindly given me a signed copy of his excellent book to offer as a prize to my readers this month and to the first person who can email the answer to this particular angling question: A jack bannock is the slang name for what type of fish?

Answer to terrycphotography@blueyonder.co.uk One of Shatterford's large catfish.

Big catfish are being taken at Shatterford despite the cold spring weather, Scottish visitor Iain Mcllwraith took a 44lb specimen.

Congratulations go to young Jack Morris (age 13) from Halesowen on his first ever night fishing trip at Shatterford Lakes Jack took catfish of 40lb and 45lb.Both caught on the Eric's Lake using meat.

Les is More!

Quarry Bank-based match angler Les Thompson (pictured) will be flying the flag for the Black Country in August in the £25,000 Sky's televised winner-takes-all Fish-O-Mania final at Staffordshire venue Cudmore Fishery.

Les will battle it out in the mega-money final the richest match in angling with 15 other finalists watched by 10,000 spectators on the bank and an estimated TV audience of two million.

The Drennan North West and Preston Innovations Tackle sponsored angler won through to the Fisho' final winning a qualifying event against 100 other anglers at Barford Fishery in Norfolk with a tremendous weight of 157lbs.

I'll be there covering the event for the fifth year and paying particular attention to Black Country lad Les as he attempts to capture the most coveted prize in angling.

Fishery News Hunnington Fishery Halesowen: This months Hunnington Club match winner was 72 year old Brian Lane, congratulations Brian! Open match weights are creeping back up on warmer days.

Best weight in April was 64lbs taken by Tony Webb, West Midlands Police.

Open Matches will be Saturdays afternoons in May. Draw will be at 3.00 pm, Tuesday night opens matches will also start in May Wednesday Open Cost Cutter matches only £10.00. Draw at 10.00am Fish 11.00 -4.00pm Info: 07887 845098. www.hunnington-coarse-fishery.co.uk Shatterford Fishery Kidderminster: Those big cats are beginning to stir from their winter slumbers a 30lbs and 44lbs catfish were taken in a very cold end to April, as soon as the weather warms up I expect those huge moggies' to 50lb to start showing, meat is still the best specimen cat bait.

The fishery has undergone huge improvements during the winter; the new tackle shop is now finished and fully operational the carp have also been active this weekend, Wayne Roberts (Stourbridge) landed a 12lb common carp on luncheon meat, while fellow angler Ian Smith (Halesowen) landed an 11lb mirror on boillies, both were caught on Eric's lake Info: 01299 861597 www.shatterford.com Solhampton Fishery: Man in form in matches at the moment is fishery owner Burgess Homer who won open matches with weights of 78lbs-68lbs and 54lbs in April.

Those bigger carp are starting to feed again with a 13-5-0 fish taken on corn last weekend.

Wednesday and Saturday Opens 9.30 draw.

Sunday Open call for draw time As from 1st June 2008 Sunday opens will be afternoon draw, fish 4pm till 8pm Info: 01299 828074 www.solhampton-fishery.com Patshull Park: Trout Fishing The most productive areas on the lake are still Lodge Bay, both sides of Golfers Bridge and by the island.

The fish are still hugging the margins but are now showing more often in the deeper water and are taking almost any black and green pattern, from boobies to buzzers.

Charles Brown of Kingswinford took eight trout to 2lb fishing an intermediate line using a green and black taddy fly from the staging opposite the fishing lodge.

Info 01902 700774 www.patshull-park.co.uk Local Canals: The Staffs/Worcs canal has been producing some fine chub in and around the Wombourne area (BAA tickets) The Dudley canal at Waterfall Lane is excellent for catches of small roach and perch, with the odd pike around reed beds (Day tickets on the bank) Big bream and carp from the wider sections and marinas.